I'd rather put my energy into freelancing or volunteering.

thats not exactly what i mean. for example, last month, i could've earned about 5000 more points by eating at different restaurants, instead of the ones i actually went to. would've required a bit of planning and a bit of effort. and eating food that i might not have particularly wanted to eat at that point in time, but the time/effort spent doing so wouldn't have amounted to much in the way of freelancing or volunteering.

point is, min/maxing is possible with rewards points, and people do it.

"I'm sorry we can't go to that place for our date... we have to go to this chain restaurant, because it gives me more rewards points..." For some reason, I don't see that going over well (unless she's a travel nerd as well, I suppose)

hence why i said, i didn't do this, but i could have. just pointing out that it can be done.

I figured as much. Was just playing out the scenario.

Well, yes, but you could probably have earned/saved even more money money by not going to restaurants at all.

If I'm going to a restaurant, it's a luxury, not a chore, and if I'm doing chores, I'll just go do chores.

i think you miss the point. minimal change = more than minimal results.