Ever wonder what the “typical” points and miles enthusiast looks like? Are you curious how your credit card strategy stacks up against others in the hobby? Or maybe you’re wondering if you’re the only one trying to maximize rewards while juggling a family and a skeptical partner?

We recently conducted our 2024 reader survey to answer these questions and more. The results paint a fascinating picture of our community and might just surprise you. Let’s dive into what we learned.

Year-Over-Year Changes

Our community has evolved since our last survey. The average household income has increased from $197,000 to $215,000, while our readers’ credit profiles remain consistently strong with FICO scores around 800. We’ve seen some demographic shifts too – our readership has become slightly less female-dominated (from 82.4% to 79% female), and the median age has increased from 44 to 49 years old. The total number of credit cards our average reader holds has remained relatively stable, though with a slight increase from about 10 cards to 11 total (combining personal and business cards). Homeownership and education levels have remained consistently high across both surveys.

Average 10xTravel Reader

An image of the “Average 10xTravel Reader” created by sharing the survey data with ChatGPT/DALL-E

Meet the Average 10xTravel Reader

If we were to create a composite of our average reader based on the survey results, they would be a 49-year-old woman living in California, Florida, or Texas. She’s married (76% of readers are), has at least one child (73%), and manages an impressive household income of $215,000 per year.

The average reader is highly educated (85% have at least a bachelor’s degree), maintains an enviable 800 FICO score, and juggles an average of 7 personal credit cards plus 4 business cards. In a typical month, she’s putting about $4,400 on personal cards and another $4,300 on business cards.

Infographic showing 79% female and 20% male readers.
Infographic showing the primary ethnicities of readers, with 81% White, 8% Asian/Pacific Islander, 4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3% Black.
Chart displaying the highest level of education attained by readers, with 36% holding a Bachelor's degree, 26% a Graduate degree, and 23% a Doctorate.

The Points & Miles Journey

One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is the diversity of experience levels in our community. While some readers are points and miles veterans with 5+ years of experience (19%), we’re constantly welcoming newcomers, with 26% having joined the hobby within the last year.

For many, 10xTravel was their first introduction to the world of points and miles – 59% of readers say we were their entry point into the hobby. Whether they found us through our Facebook group (31%), heard about us from friends and family (22%), or stumbled upon our ads (17%), we’re honored to be part of their journey.

Chart showing reader involvement in the points and miles hobby: 28% for 1-2 years, 19% for over 5 years.

The Partner Factor: Let’s Talk About P2s

If you’ve ever struggled to convince a partner that points and miles are worthwhile, you’re not alone – but there’s good news. A significant 77% of readers have a “Player 2” who’s either fully supportive or at least willing to participate despite some skepticism. Breaking this down further:

  • 53% have fully supportive partners
  • The remaining participants are either skeptical but still participating or working on their credit to join in
  • Only 5% have partners who aren’t willing to participate at all
  • 17% don’t currently have a P2
Pie chart showing reader relationship status, with 76% married, 14% single, and 9% in a relationship.

Credit Card Strategy Insights

Want to know if your credit card strategy is on track? Here’s what we found:

  • The average reader has 11 total credit cards (7 personal, 4 business)
  • They typically open 4 new cards per year (2 personal, 2 business)
  • An impressive 53% have never been denied for a credit card

Perhaps most interestingly, 82% of readers are eligible for business credit cards, opening up even more opportunities to earn points.

Infographic showing 53% of readers have never been denied a credit card, while 22% have been denied once.

Beyond the Numbers

While these averages paint a picture, they don’t tell the whole story. Our community is diverse in its approach to points and miles:

  • 15% are solo travelers earning just for themselves
  • 42% earn for the  mselves and one other person
  • 21% are maximizing rewards for a family of four
  • Some readers are even earning for families of five or more

Work Perks: A Missed Opportunity?

Interestingly, while work expenses can be a golden opportunity for points earning, 79% of readers aren’t currently earning points from work-related spending. For the 21% who do, they’re averaging an impressive 10,200 points per month from work activities alone.

A pie chart indicates 82% of readers are eligible for business credit cards, 10% are not, and 8% are unsure.

The Journey Continues

Whether you’re a seasoned points pro or just starting out, these survey results show there’s no one “right” way to engage in this hobby. Some are focusing on personal cards, others are maximizing business opportunities. Some are earning for large families, while others are planning solo adventures.

The Planner’s Paradise

One fascinating insight from our survey is the common personality thread running through our community. The word “planner” came up repeatedly, with readers self-describing as detail-oriented and methodical in their approach. Compared to the general population, our readers are significantly more likely to be planners who love diving into the details and tend to maintain an optimistic, goal-oriented mindset.

However, this attention to detail can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Many readers identified themselves as “over thinkers” or “perfectionists,” occasionally experiencing “analysis paralysis” when making decisions about cards or redemptions.

Overcoming Common Obstacles

When we asked about the biggest challenges in maximizing points and miles, several key themes emerged:

  • Time management and cognitive overload from the complexity of multiple programs
  • Concerns about low organic spending and fear of card denials
  • Difficulty keeping track of which cards to use for different purchases
  • Analysis paralysis when making redemption decisions

Looking to the Future

Our readers also shared valuable feedback about what they’d like to see from 10xTravel going forward. Two major themes emerged:

Enhanced Digital Tools:

  • A centralized dashboard for tracking points, benefits, and deadlines
  • Push notifications for optimal card opening and closing timing
  • Integration with airline and hotel loyalty programs

More Digestible Content:

  • Step-by-step award redemption walkthroughs
  • Short, engaging video content
  • Quick reference materials like cheat sheets and flow charts

Sign Up for My10x

Don’t have a My10x account? Sign up for My10x to manage your credit card strategy, keep track of points and miles balances in one place, get card recommendations, take our free course, access the Lounge Finder tool and more.

The Bottom Line

The key takeaway? This hobby is accessible and rewarding for people at all stages of life, with various family situations and financial backgrounds. While our “average” reader might have certain characteristics, the beauty of points and miles is that it can be customized to work for your unique situation. And whether you’re a meticulous planner or working on overcoming analysis paralysis, you’re in good company here.

Thank you to all our readers who participated in this survey. Your responses help us better understand and serve our community, and hopefully help others see where they fit in the broader points and miles landscape.