Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel

Using points and miles instead of cash to pay for flights and hotels sounds like a dream come true for any frequent (or even semifrequent) traveler. Actually taking your first steps into this hobby, however, can feel daunting.I remember putting off using the points and miles I'd accumulated for a while since I felt overwhelmed by all the possible ways to use them. I'm glad I eventually got over that, though, since I ended up using those points to pay for my flights and hotel stay for a great trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, at Christmas.There are innumerable guides out there about credit cards, earning and redeeming points and miles, maximizing award travel and more. Trying to digest it all is a great way to burn out as a beginner and turn yourself off from ever actually getting into points and miles.That's where this guide comes in. If all you know about award travel is that you can use credit card rewards to book travel, you're in the right place. I'll walk you through everything you need to know to get started so you can get your feet wet without diving in up to your chin.What are points and miles?So you've probably heard of them, but what are they exactly? Points and miles ...