If you've ever heard a friend brag about booking a flight or hotel with points (it's me, hi), you might've wondered how they pulled it off -- and how you can do it, too.

The good news? Credit card points aren't just for frequent flyers or finance nerds. With the right rewards card, everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and even streaming subscriptions can help you earn free travel faster than you'd think.

Personally, I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), and it's helped me save thousands on flights and hotels over the years. Here's how you can too.

What are credit card points?

Credit card points are a type of rewards currency you earn when you use a rewards credit card. Some cards offer a flat rate, like 1 point per dollar spent. Others give you extra points in certain categories -- like 3x points on dining or 5x on travel booked through the issuer's portal.

Over time, those points can add up to serious value, especially if you know how to use them strategically.

The fun part: What can you actually get with points?

You can usually redeem your points for things like:

• Cash back or statement credits
• Travel (flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.)
• Gift cards or online shopping
• Transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs

But not all redemptions are created equal. Travel redemptions -- especially transfers to airline or hotel partners -- usually offer the most bang for your buck, particularly if you're using one of the best travel cards that unlocks higher-value perks and transfer options.

Don't settle for $0.01 per point. Here's how to get more value

Depending on how you use them, your points can be worth a little… or a lot. Here's an idea of how they're typically valued:

• Cash back or statement credit: ~$0.01 per point
• Travel through your card's portal: ~$0.01-$0.015 per point
• Transfers to travel partners: Up to $0.02+ per point

That means 10,000 points could be worth $100 in cash -- or $200+ in travel if you use them wisely.

I often transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards points to an airline partner and book flights that would've cost $300+ for a fraction of that in points. It's one of the best ways to squeeze extra value out of the system.

Think the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be a fit for your wallet? Apply today and start racking up points.

The secret sauce: You need the right card

Not all rewards cards are built the same. To unlock serious travel value, you'll want a card that:

• Earns flexible points
• Offers transfers to travel partners
• Comes with a solid welcome bonus (think 60,000+ points)

Just one heads-up: Rewards aren't worth much if you're paying interest. Always pay your balance in full to make your points actually work for you.

If you're spending money anyway, make it count

Whether you're paying for lunch, gas, or your Netflix subscription, you could be earning points on every dollar. Over time, those points can unlock hundreds -- or even thousands -- of dollars in free travel each year.

Ready to turn your spending into your next vacation? Check out our picks for the best travel credit cards and find one that fits your lifestyle.