Getting Started
Welcome to TheQuirkyYuppie!
This blog is for people who want to make smarter decisions with their money, especially when it comes to credit cards, points, miles, perks, and premium banking in the Philippines.
If you are new here, do not worry. You do not need to be a frequent traveler, a high roller, or a finance expert to get value from all this. The goal of this site is simple: to help you understand which cards are worth your time, which perks actually matter, and how to get the most value out of what you already have.
Cashback Versus Miles/Points
Most credit card rewards fall into two camps: cashback or miles (points). Both can be simple or complex, depending on how much you want to maximize them.
Cashback is straightforward. You spend, and you get money back; often almost immediately.
But even cashback cards have their own “types.” On one end, there are cards that offer unlimited cashback at a lower return, typically around 1–3%. On the other, there are cards that advertise much higher rates, sometimes up to 8.88%, but come with stricter requirements, category restrictions, and capped rewards.
Miles and points are a bit different. You are not getting value immediately. Instead, you are accumulating rewards that you redeem later, usually for flights, hotels, or travel perks.
So the real difference is this: cashback is instant gratification, while miles and points are delayed gratification. If you prefer simplicity, cashback wins.
But if you are willing to play the long game, miles can stretch your spending much further. Instead of getting a small percentage back, you can redeem for things that feel disproportionately valuable: like flying business class, choosing better flight schedules, or making travel far more comfortable than you would normally pay for.
This is why I personally lean toward miles. Not because they are always better, but because they can unlock a different level of value when used properly. And sometimes, that value cannot be measured numerically – especially when it comes to comfort and convenience.
If you’re still here, you’re probably interested in miles and points. Let’s talk about how to get real value out of them. Oh, and be sure to click the links for an in-depth discussion on the topics!
How to Think About Miles and Points
Miles and points are not just about accumulation. They are about what you can get out of them.
The same number of miles can give you very different outcomes depending on how you use them. In some cases, you might only get modest value. In others, you can unlock experiences that would feel unreasonable to pay for in cash.
This is why I focus less on “how many miles you earn” and more on how much value you get per mile.
Earning and Redeeming Matters, A Lot
Once you understand value, then earning starts to matter. This is where things like spend-to-mile ratios, bonus categories, and promos and multipliers come into play.
Some cards look good on paper but fall short once you consider how difficult it is to maximize their rewards. Others may seem average at first but become very strong when paired with the right promos or spending patterns.
If you want to explore this further, you can read up on the topics such as: merchant category codes and double/triple dipping.
Earning miles is only half the equation. The real value shows up when you redeem. This is where transfer partners, award availability, and redemption strategy start to matter.
My Approach and Game Plan
I tend to prioritize cards and strategies that offer strong value per mile, are practical to earn from, and can realistically be redeemed for something meaningful. That is why most of the content on this site leans toward miles-focused cards, high-value earn rates, and setups that balance convenience with upside.
If you want to see how this plays out in real examples, you can start with:
What are the Simplest yet the Best Miles-earning Credit Cards?
Which Credit Cards Are in My Wallet?
Lastly, you can also read up on my miles journey here, where I’m currently at and how I got there.
Miles and points are not just about earning more. They are about getting better outcomes from the same spending. Once you start looking at them this way, everything, from the cards you choose to the way you redeem, becomes intentional and planned.
If you want to go deeper, feel free to explore the site. You can also connect with me via my socials, email, or this website and I’ll be sure to respond!