How a Yarn Store Owner Turned Inventory Purchases Into Family Travel

When Jackie Ottino opened her yarn retail business, she quickly discovered that inventory purchases could do more than keep shelves stocked—they could also generate meaningful travel rewards.

Like many retail business owners, Jackie regularly purchases inventory and supplies throughout the year. By strategically using rewards credit cards for those purchases, she has been able to build a growing balance of points and miles.

Earning Rewards Through Retail Spending

Jackie’s business spends approximately $50,000 per month on inventory and operating expenses.

Those purchases create consistent opportunities to earn rewards without changing how the business operates.

Instead of viewing credit cards solely as a payment tool, she treats them as part of a broader strategy to maximize the value of every dollar spent.

Jackie uses three primary cards in her strategy: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. She uses them for different categories, though most expenses go on her Amex card. For any purchases at businesses that don’t take Amex, she’ll use one of the other two cards.

Building Toward Bigger Travel Goals

As a relatively new business owner, Jackie is still early in her points and miles journey.

However, the results have already been meaningful.

One of her favorite redemptions helped support a family trip to Hawaii for eight people, demonstrating how quickly rewards can add up when inventory purchases are earning points every month.

The experience reinforced the value of integrating points and miles into everyday business operations.

Lessons From a Growing Business

One of the biggest takeaways from Jackie’s experience is that entrepreneurs don’t need massive spending volumes to benefit from rewards.

A consistent strategy applied over time can create substantial opportunities.

By focusing on cards that align with her spending patterns and travel goals, she has been able to build rewards balances without adding unnecessary complexity.

Advice for Other Retail Business Owners

Jackie encourages fellow entrepreneurs to take a close look at their inventory spending.

Many retail businesses process tens of thousands of dollars in purchases every month, yet fail to capture meaningful rewards.

With the right card strategy, those purchases can become a valuable source of future travel.

The Bottom Line

For Jackie, points and miles have become an unexpected benefit of running a retail business.

By earning rewards on inventory purchases she was already making, she has been able to create memorable travel experiences for her family while maximizing the value of her business spending.