Started optimizing my own credit card points. Friends kept asking for help. Now I charge $99 per consultation and make $2K/month on the side.

💰 Finance & Investingby points_wizard · 7w ago

▸ What I did

I'm a finance nerd who got into credit card points optimization. Saved my family $4,000 on a trip to Japan by booking business class with points. Started helping friends for free.

▸ What I expected

Just a hobby. Maybe I'd start a blog about it someday.

▸ What actually happened

Helped 15 friends and family for free. Then my cousin's coworker asked for help. My cousin said "you should charge for this." I laughed. Then 3 more strangers asked. I offered a "$49 points consultation." They paid instantly and said "that's it? I expected more." Raised it to $99.

▸ What I've tried so far

Set up a simple Calendly booking page and a Stripe payment link. Posted on Instagram. Got 8 bookings in the first month at $99 each.

🔗 PointsPlan

Progress Updates (3)

February numbers: 22 consultations x $99 = $2,178. All word-of-mouth — no ads, no content marketing. 6 clients came from referrals (the $20-off referral discount is working). Average client saves $1,500-3,000 on their next trip. At $99 my service is a no-brainer ROI for them. Starting to think about scaling: maybe a DIY video course for people who want to learn the system themselves ($49), and keep the 1-on-1 consultation for people who want personalized plans. Also considering a monthly subscription ($19/month) with a quarterly portfolio review of their points balances and new card recommendations.

✓ How I Fixed It

Current state: 18-22 consultations per month at $99 = roughly $1,800-2,200/month. All from word of mouth and Instagram. The insight: I was giving away valuable expertise for free because I didn't think "credit card points advice" was a real service. The moment I put a price on it, people valued it MORE, not less.

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3 Replies

freelance_cfo · 2w ago

This is a textbook example of monetizing existing expertise. You didn't learn a new skill — you realized a skill you already had was valuable. The $99 price point is smart for now but you're leaving money on the table. People saving $3,000 would happily pay $199-299. Test it. Also: the DIY course idea is great as a funnel. $49 course → some buyers want more personalized help → upsell to $199 consultation. The course filters for serious people who are willing to pay.

pivot_master · 2w ago✓ the fix

"Free advice is 'just my friend's opinion.' A $99 consultation is 'professional expertise.'" This is the most important pricing insight in this post. Price signals value. When you charged $0, people appreciated it but didn't take action — they'd say "thanks!" and never actually apply to the card you recommended. I bet your paid clients have a way higher implementation rate because they invested money and take it seriously. Pricing isn't just about revenue — it's about client commitment.

buildinpublic_jo · 2w ago

The referral discount is your growth engine. Every happy client knows other people who travel. Instead of $20 off, try: "refer a friend and get a free 15-minute points check-up." Costs you nothing (15 minutes), keeps the relationship warm, and gives them a reason to refer. Also — start a simple Instagram series: "this week I saved a client $X on their trip to Y using Z points strategy." No personal details, just the numbers. Social proof + curiosity = more bookings.

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✓ fixed

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