Level Up Your Points Game with a 2-Player Strategy
One of my favorite tips to share with people about playing the credit card game is the 2-player strategy. It’s a game-changer - especially if you have a partner or spouse who’s also on board with the points journey.
We started using this strategy in April 2023 when I (Greg) referred my wife (Jen) to the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. That one move earned us 70,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points and kicked off a system that we’ve been using ever since to rack up bonuses and stretch our rewards further. Let me walk you through how we did it - and how you can too.
The Lightbulb Moment: One Card, Two Bonuses
After continuing down the rabbit hole that is the credit card game, I realized Jen could open the same cards that I have and earn sign up bonuses. And if she signed up using my referral link, I would also earn the referral bonus.
When she got approved, I earned an extra 10,000 UR points for referring her. Then, she earned her 60,000-point sign up bonus after hitting the minimum spend requirement on the card. Just like that, we had 70,000 UR points between the two of us. If we were Team Cash Back, those points would be worth $700. In the Chase Travel Portal with the Sapphire Preferred, those points are worth $875. But if you know how to use transfer partners and find the right travel deal, those points are worth at least $1,400. This got us thinking… if we keep using this strategy, how many more bonuses could we earn by working together?
What is the 2-Player Strategy?
The idea is simple: If you both have good credit and responsible spending habits, you can take turns opening cards and refer each other to rack up more bonuses. Here how we make it work:
Player 1 opens a new card with a strong sign up bonus.
Once Player 1 hits the minimum spend and earns the bonus, they send a referral link to Player 2.
Player 2 applies, earns the same welcome bonus, and Player 1 earns a referral bonus.
Rinse and repeat.
We don’t open cards just for the sake of it - we plan around upcoming expenses so we’re never spending beyond our means. But over time, this strategy has more than doubled the number of bonuses we would’ve earned if only one of us played the game.
Why it Works so Well
The 2-player strategy helps us:
Maximize sign up bonuses - We both get the sign up bonus instead of just one.
Stack referral bonuses - Referrals add up quickly when you’re passing cards back and forth.
Stretch category coverage - With two people, we can carry different cards for different bonus categories.
Manage Chase’s 5/24 rule - We take turns applying to avoid one of us hitting the limit too quickly.
A Few Tips From Experience
If you’re thinking about the 2-player strategy, here are a few things we learned:
Stay organized - We track our applications, bonuses, annual fees and spend deadlines in a shared spreadsheet.
Talk about goals - We are always checking in with each other to see where we want to travel next or which cards are worth opening.
Use referrals smartly - Always refer each other when you can - it’s free points!
Have a plan for the points - Earning them is great, but redeeming them wisely is where the real value is.
Final Thoughts
The 2-player strategy turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made in our credit card points journey. Since we started this, we’ve earned tens of thousands of extra points just by being intentional and working as a team.
If you’re in a relationship (or even have a trusted travel buddy or family member), this strategy can supercharge your results. And if you’re not sure where to start, we offer 1-on-1 consultations to help you map out a personalized points strategy - including how to use the 2-player method.
Book a session or send a message on Instagram @ThePointPursuit. We’d love to help you and your Player 2 start earning more points - together.