I have found that the best way, for me, to escalate points accumulation, is to always put everything on a card that gives points (utilities, coffee, tires, gas, taxes, you name it), and try not to go too long without acquiring a card that has a big upfront spend bonus (and always hit that spend).
The rest of this stuff takes care of itself, and is arguably not worth the extra time unless you truly enjoy it.
Just watch this thread and when SD says "go get this card," you go rough ridin' get that card.
It's a simple program, but it's not easy. It works when you work it, though!