Why business owners should consider points and miles for company spending

Points and miles can also be used to benefit employees through travel rewards or other incentives. The author notes: "One way we make our team feel valued is by gifting travel through rewards. Over the years, I've used credit card points to send employees to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, Asia — even Disneyland and Disney World (yes, including theme park tickets). We've flown team members to be with sick family and, sadly, to attend funerals. The response I hear most often is: 'I've never had a company do this for me.'"

Learning how to maximize these programs does not require much effort once business owners apply their problem-solving skills. For example, one business owner learned how transferring Capital One miles to Emirates could secure two round-trip business-class tickets from New York to Milan for just over 300,000 miles instead of nearly 3 million.

Credit card usage can also impact airline status. By putting recurring charges on an American Airlines credit card that did not earn bonuses elsewhere, one entrepreneur was able to reach Executive Platinum status without flying American Airlines frequently.

"Credit card rewards are just another puzzle smart entrepreneurs can solve to get the greatest return on money you're already spending," said the author.

Business owners are encouraged to consider these strategies as practical tools for maximizing value from everyday expenses.