How to Earn 100k Points Fast (No Churning!)

In the world of travel loyalty, 100k Points is the “Golden Ticket.” It’s not just a random number—it is the specific threshold that unlocks international business class travel.

Most beginners think earning this amount requires “churning”—the dangerous game of rapidly opening and closing dozens of credit cards. They are wrong. You do not need to ruin your relationship with Chase or American Express to build a six-figure balance.

I view loyalty programs as a mathematical equation. If you understand the variables—merchant codes, transfer ratios, and retention algorithms—you can generate 100,000 points in 90 days or less without applying for 15 different cards.

1. The “Titanium” Sign-Up Strategy

The fastest way to 100,000 points is obviously a Sign-Up Bonus (SUB), but the mistake most people make is targeting the wrong cards. To hit 100k fast without churning, you need a “Titanium” tier card—one that offers a six-figure bonus in a single transaction.

In 2025, your primary targets are the American Express Business Platinum or the Chase Ink Business Preferred. These cards frequently offer bonuses between 100,000 and 150,000 points after meeting minimum spend requirements.

The Math:
Let’s say you target a 120,000-point offer requiring $15,000 spend in 3 months.

• Bonus Earned: 120,000 points
• Base Points from Spend (1x): 15,000 points
• Total Haul: 135,000 points
• Effective Return on Spend: If you value points at 2 cents each (conservative), that’s $2,700 in value on $15,000 spend. That is an 18% return on money you were going to spend anyway.

2. The Rakuten “Amex Sync” (The Silent Earner)

This is the most underutilized strategy by novices. Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a shopping portal that usually pays cash back. However, if you link it to an American Express Membership Rewards earning card, it pays out in points instead of cash.

This turns a standard 2% cashback purchase into a 2x points earner. During holiday promos or special events, retailers like Nike, Dell, or Saks Fifth Avenue often hit 10x or 15x earnings.

Real-World Example:
I recently needed a new MacBook Pro ($2,500). I waited for a 10x Rakuten event.

• Cost: $2,500
• Rakuten Multiplier: 10x points per dollar = 25,000 points
• Credit Card Reward: 1x point per dollar = 2,500 points
• Total Earned: 27,500 points

That single transaction earned enough points for a one-way economy ticket to Europe. See how to link your account here.

3. The “Tax Man” Hack (Buying Points Cheaply)

Paying taxes with a credit card is often dismissed because of the processing fee. This is a mathematical error. In 2025, IRS payment processors like pay1040.com charge a fee of approximately 1.85%.

If you hold a card that earns 2x points on all purchases (like the Amex Blue Business Plus or Capital One Venture X), you effectively “buy” points for 0.925 cents each. Since we value transferable points at 2.0+ cents, this is an arbitrage opportunity.

The Calculation:
You have a $10,000 tax bill.

• Fee Paid (1.85%): $185
• Points Earned (2x card): 20,000 points
• Cost Per Point: $185 / 20,000 = 0.92 cents

Would you pay $185 to buy 20,000 points that are worth $400 toward travel? The answer should always be yes. Check current IRS processing fees here.

4. The “Player 2” Referral Engine

If you have a spouse or partner, you should never apply for a card directly through the bank’s website. Always generate a referral link from your partner’s existing account.

Banks incentivize this heavily. For example, Chase typically offers 20,000 to 40,000 bonus points just for referring a friend. By “referring” your spouse, you double-dip: they get the sign-up bonus, and you get the referral bonus.

Important 2025 Update: Note that starting January 1, 2025, Chase has lowered the annual referral cap on Ink business cards from 200,000 to 100,000 points per year. While lower, this is still a massive earning potential for zero spend.

Conclusion: Velocity Matters

The “No Churning” approach isn’t about being slow; it’s about being surgical. By combining a high-tier sign-up bonus with smart portal spending and tax payments, you can hit 100,000 points in under three months without opening a dozen accounts.

Once you hit that 100k mark, the world opens up. You are no longer saving $50 on a flight; you are booking experiences that cost more than your first car.