Money doesn't grow on trees. The "bonus" you get is actually paid by higher prices on the stuff people buy. Card fees are transferred to merchants, and merchants transfer it to customers via higher prices. I wrote about it some time ago: https://svedic.org/economy/indirect-razors-and-blades-busine...
But, you are right, if you careful you can game the model. In your case, if you are paying 90% of your travel expenses with bonuses you are probably getting back more than $400 a year, which is an average credit card cost per US household.
But, you are right, if you careful you can game the model. In your case, if you are paying 90% of your travel expenses with bonuses you are probably getting back more than $400 a year, which is an average credit card cost per US household.