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[quote=Anonymous]OP, you don't need to play the points game to get more value out of your spending and credit cards.
You just need better credit cards that provide more benefits.
1% cash back is ridiculously low. This is the bare minimum that even the worst credit card would offer.

For example: The Citi Double Cash card gives you 2% cash back on everything and has no annual fees. 
If you don't want to play the purchase categories game, this card is great because with no additional efforts, you could already double your cash back return.

Because you travel 2-3 times per year and I think playing the points game would make sense for you given your level of spending.
Points cards are generally superior to cash back cards for three reasons.
1- points can be redeemed for cash. the reverse isn't generally possible. 
    This gives you the flexibility to use your Points card as cash back when you want, while still enjoying the additional options that Points provide.
2- points can often be redeemed at higher value than cash back. This is one of the best benefits of Points.
    You can transfer your points to Airlines or Hotel programs, and get up to 10x higher value than cash back.
I had 50000 Amex points. Their basic cash back value is $500. I transferred these points to Delta Airlines and used them to purchase a one way Business Class ticket to Europe that would have cost me $3000. You can see how the points in this case were 6X more valuable than cash back. That's easy, simple redemption, no need to play games. 
People who play the points game would often find even better deals up to 10X or more.

3- points cards are often premium cards that offer many premium perks

My recommendation for you:
- Get one of these premium travel cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X) and use it for all of your travel purchases. For example, Amex would give you 5X points on travel purchases. Spend $10000 and you have 50k points (good for a 2-way economy ticket to Europe or 1-way business ticket to Europe). That's the very simple and basic game.

If you want to play more, you can get other cards that give you more points on other categories to boost your points. But you don't need to if you don't want to go to that level of the game.  
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