Travel points may be earned from rewards programs of either, credit cards, airline or travel agency. Before you can earn points, you must be enrolled to the scheme by filling up forms and verifying that you get your membership card. The points earned vary from one scheme to another. Normally, you get points by these:

• Most credit cards give you travel points when they have this type of reward scheme. This means that if you use this specific card to pay your airlines costs, hotel bills, merchandise or meals expenses, you get points that you can later exchange for free trip, cash/check rebate or other privileges.
• If you have airline cards, you may earn points by distance of travel or by type of accommodation. This are usually called miles or mileage. Again, there are privileges attached when you earn substantial points like free trips or dropped rate.
• Once you are a member of certain travel agency offering rewards program, you may earn points every time you travel. Again, it may depend on the distance and certain parameters set by the travel agency.

The privileges from the rewards program is one of the reasons why frequent travelers stick to certain credit card, airlines or travel agencies.