DOUBLE YOUR POINTS WITH A PLAYER 2
Having a Player 2 can be a game-changer. Whether it's your spouse, partner, parents, siblings, or friend, adding a second person to your points strategy can significantly increase the rewards you earn and help you travel more for less.
What is a Player 2?
A Player 2 is someone you partner with to maximize credit card rewards, points, and miles. This person is often a spouse or partner, but they could also be a close friend, sibling, or roommate that you trust and travel with often. What matters most is that you both understand the goals of earning rewards, are financially responsible, and can commit to using the cards wisely.
Benefits
Adding a Player 2 to your travel strategy opens up several advantages. Most importantly, you can double the number of welcome bonuses you earn. Instead of just one person applying for cards, both of you can apply separately and each earn the full sign-up bonus. You can also alternate applications, so that you are not consistently applying for new cards.
If one person is taking a break from applying, the other can still pursue new bonuses. In many cases, you can even refer your Player 2 to a card you already have and earn a referral bonus in addition to the welcome bonus. With some programs, you may be able to pool points or book travel for each other, making redemptions more flexible and strategic. Plus, with two premium cards in the mix, your household can enjoy expanded benefits like more lounge access, elite status, or double the travel protections.
Example
Let’s walk through a real-life example using the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
You apply and earn a welcome bonus—let’s say it’s 75,000 points. Then you send your Player 2 a referral link and earn a referral bonus of 15,000 points when they’re approved. They apply and earn 75,000 points.
That’s a total of 165,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned between the two of you. These points could be used for multiple roundtrip flights, luxury hotel stays, or even a business class redemption. And that’s just from one card each.
Should you add Player 2 as an Authorized User?
It might seem easier to add your Player 2 as an authorized user, but that’s not always the smartest move, especially if your goal is to open multiple cards and earn several welcome bonuses.
Authorized user accounts show up on credit reports and data points show that it may count toward Chase’s 5/24 rule, which limits new card approvals if someone has opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months.
If you’ve already added them, you can call the bank to request to be removed. There are times when adding an authorized user makes sense, like if your partner travels solo and would benefit from travel protections or airport lounge access. It can also be useful if you're traveling with a larger group or family and want everyone to have access to shared perks. Still, if your goal is to maximize points and welcome offers, it’s almost always better for each person to apply for their own cards.
What if your Player 2 is hesitant?
That’s completely normal. Many people feel unsure about opening credit cards, especially if they’ve heard negative things about credit or debt.
The best way to ease someone into it is to start with one or two cards and plan a nearly free trip using the welcome bonuses. Once they see the value in action, they’re more likely to get on board.
Reassure them that using credit cards responsibly and paying on time and in full can actually improve their credit score over time. You can support them by managing spending requirements, tracking deadlines, and helping them redeem points for high-value travel redemptions. A good first experience can turn a hesitant partner into a points enthusiast.
Final Thoughts
Having a Player 2 isn’t just about doubling your points, it’s about creating a strategy that works for both of you. With the right plan, you can earn more welcome bonuses, travel more often, and access valuable travel perks you might not have qualified for on your own.
It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to level up your points and miles game. Ready to get started? Be sure to read my post on the Chase 5/24 rule so you can time your applications just right.