Really easy question to answer, if only based on the number of unhappy newbies we find.

#1 is to figure out where the heck you want to go BEFORE getting started!

So many people show up on FT, see giant numbers like "100,000 Avios with credit card signup!" and make very, very poor choices like trying to go to London with those Avios. Or signing up for a Hilton credit card only to find the Hampton Inn they want takes all of their points for one night.

Or, just as bad, they open a brand new thread that says, effectively - "What 8 credit cards should I sign up for?!" with ZERO details. How should we know? Where do you want to go? How do you want to get there? Where do you want to stay?

It's borderline infuriating because it's so rude. It's asking people to take time out to help you when you don't know what you want. Who can be successful at that?

Compare to the precious few who post that they have read entire threads on each of the credit cards they are considering AND on the respective frequent flyer programs ...and have a plan of all the travel they want in the next 3 years. You'll find it's correlated with the level of value of the advice given.