One way to get extra points without having to spend money is to transfer your points during a transfer bonus. I don't like the idea of locking your points into one airline when they otherwise could have been flexible because airlines are devaluing their miles all the time. However, in some cases, I find that it's worth it.

When Bilt had a 100% transfer bonus to Aeroplan, I transferred a ton of my Bilt points over to Aeroplan because I could turn 100,000 Bilt points into 200,000 Aeroplan. And so that to me was absolutely worth it. I felt reasonably confident given that Aeroplan, I think has more airline partners than any airline in the world, that I would be able to get good value.

And even if those awards went up 50% in cost, I'd still come out ahead.