For those often asked about the best ways to use points for travel, their value cannot be overstated. Over a decade of turning a passion for loyalty programs into a career has revealed how to maximize the benefits of points and miles.
When used correctly, points can offer more value than cash. They can be used for a variety of travel experiences, from staycations to luxurious first-class trips. Points can enable cross-country road trips or round-the-world flights. The key is understanding the worth of your points and using them strategically. Generally, aiming for at least 1 cent of value per point is advisable, though this may not always be achievable.
If you have accumulated points and are unsure how to use them for travel, here is a comprehensive guide to maximizing their value:
Use Points and Miles for International Business- and First-Class Tickets
Luxury hotels offer significant returns on points. Maldives hotels can cost over $1,000 per night, making them ideal for using points and free night awards. However, these stays often come with extra expenses like food and transfers.
A high-value alternative is all-inclusive hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean. Major chains like Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott offer all-inclusive resorts starting at 12,000 points per night during off-peak seasons. This is perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking a comprehensive experience without overspending.
Book Luxury or All-Inclusive Hotels and Resorts
Luxury hotels offer significant points returns. Maldives hotels can cost over $1,000 per night, ideal for using points and free night awards. However, these stays often have extra expenses like food and transfers.
A high-value alternative is all-inclusive hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean. Major chains like Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott offer all-inclusive resorts, starting at 12,000 points per night during off-peak seasons. Ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking a comprehensive experience without overspending.
Use Hotel Points for Low-Category Extended Hotel Stays for Families and Large Groups
Extended-stay hotels can provide excellent value for points, especially for families and large groups. These properties often require fewer points than luxury hotels but offer valuable perks such as complimentary breakfast and free or cheap parking. Additionally, these hotels typically have larger beds and sofas, accommodating more guests per room, which can reduce costs for families needing more space.
Look for Great Deals on Peak Travel Bookings
Peak travel seasons like summer, spring break, and holidays often have higher airfare and hotel rates. This is an ideal time to use points and miles to reduce costs. Dynamic pricing in many loyalty programs means redemption rates fluctuate with demand, but valuable redemptions can still be found.
For example, a stay at the Westin New York Grand Central over the holidays could cost over $6,000 but might be available for 480,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, equating to 1.25 cents per point — a great value for Marriott points.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons and Be Flexible with Travel Dates
Traveling during off-peak seasons can save points and miles. Airlines like American Airlines offer reduced award ticket prices for off-peak travel. For example, a one-way economy class fare to Europe that typically costs 30,000 miles might cost only 22,500 miles during off-peak dates.
Similarly, fare-based programs like Southwest Rapid Rewards offer deals through their low-fare calendar, providing significant savings for flexible travelers.
Look for Sweet-Spot Redemptions with Different Airlines and Hotels
Sweet-spot awards offer exceptional value and are a great way to maximize a limited points or miles balance. For example, United MileagePlus might require over 160,000 miles for a round-trip business class ticket to Europe, while All Nippon Airways (ANA) requires only 88,000 miles for the same flight. Sweet-spot awards like these can significantly enhance the value of your points.
Take Advantage of Consecutive-Night Discounts
Many hotel loyalty programs offer discounts for consecutive-night bookings. For instance, Marriott Bonvoy provides the fifth night free on award stays, and Hilton Honors offers this benefit to cardholders and elite members. IHG One Rewards offers the fourth night free for members with an IHG co-branded credit card. These discounts can stretch your hotel points further.
Redeem Rewards for Good-Enough Value When Needed
While aiming for maximum value is ideal, using points for personal satisfaction is important too. Redeem points for experiences or necessities that make you happy. Points and miles do devalue over time and may expire, so it’s best to use them promptly. Even lower-value redemptions like gift cards can be worthwhile if points are about to expire.
In summary, understanding how to use points and miles effectively helps travelers maximize benefits. Whether aiming for luxury travel or practical redemptions, strategic use of points can provide significant opportunities and savings.
