Earn Double Points in 2 Player Mode
What is 2-Player Mode?
Welcome to 2-Player Mode—a next-level strategy that can double (or more!) your points and miles stash without doubling your spending. If you're here, chances are you’re Player 1—the mastermind behind the credit card strategy, the one obsessing over spreadsheets, tracking sign-up bonuses, and plotting epic getaways.
But every great player needs a sidekick. Enter Player 2—usually a spouse, partner, or a willing family member who enjoys reaping the travel rewards without doing the heavy lifting (lucky them). With a Player 2 by your side, you can rake in points at twice the speed and unlock luxury travel experiences for a fraction of the cost.
Sound good? Buckle up—let’s break it down.
How Does a Player 2 Help You Earn More Points?
1. Twice the Cards, Twice the Bonuses
When you have a Player 2, you’re no longer limited to just your credit card approvals—they can apply too! Instead of hitting application limits too quickly, you can tag-team your sign-ups, alternating between Player 1 and Player 2. You can spread out approvals and avoid hitting bank-imposed application limits too quickly. This keeps the points flowing while keeping banks happy.
2. Referral Bonus Jackpot
One of the biggest perks of having a Player 2? Referral bonuses! Many credit cards offer referral bonuses when you refer someone else to the same card. If Player 1 signs up for a card first, Player 2 can use Player 1’s referral link to apply, earning Player 1 additional points—without spending extra money! When Player 1 later applies for another card, they can return the favor by using Player 2’s referral link, keeping the rewards cycle going.
3. Pool Your Points Like a Pro
If you and your Player 2 frequently travel together, it makes sense to sign up for the same or similar cards. This allows you to earn the same type of points, which can be combined for larger redemptions like business-class flights or luxury hotel stays. Teamwork makes the dream work.
What If Player 2 Doesn’t Travel With You?
So what if Player 2 isn’t exactly a jet-setter? They can still be a points-generating machine. Here’s how:
Boost your earnings through referrals – If you’re signing up for a card that Player 2 already has, you can use their referral link, allowing them to earn extra points.
Help meet spending requirements – If Player 2 has regular expenses, they can charge them to new credit cards to help meet sign-up bonus requirements.
Hold cards with valuable benefits – Some credit cards offer perks like lounge access, elite status, or travel credits. Even if Player 2 doesn’t travel, they can hold these cards, and you can take advantage of the perks.
How Many Players Can You Have?
Technically, you can have as many "players" as you want! Some choose to extend this strategy beyond their spouse or partner to include family members, close friends, or even older children who qualify for credit cards.
For example, I personally operate in a 5-Player Mode:
My primary Player 2 is my husband, who shares my travel plans and gets priority for referrals. He is literally the best P2! He is your typical passenger princess – he just shows up for the trips, doesn’t really ask questions, and just brings the vibes! I never get any push back from him with card applications, which makes this game a lot easier.
I also have a few additional players (family members) who occasionally apply for cards, allowing us to take advantage of even more referral bonuses and strategic sign-ups.
As my kids get older and can hold credit cards, they will also become part of the strategy. My kids are very young though so this one will take some time.
By expanding your player count, you can stack even more sign-up bonuses, referral points, and rewards—turning once-in-a-lifetime trips into an every-year kind of thing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about hacking your way to first-class flights and five-star hotels, 2-Player Mode is extremely helpful. Whether you’re alternating sign-ups, sharing referral love, or pooling points for max rewards, having a Player 2 makes the points travel game way more fun (and way more rewarding).