2025 Miles and Points Giving
Our points and miles hobby is one of the more selfish ones out there. A realm dealing with loyalty programs and rewards naturally makes us think about ourselves first. Plus, many of us aggressively take on certain plays. Along with this comes exponentially more self-centered behavior. Indeed, it can be difficult to separate our own wants and needs from these rewards currencies. But sooner or later, remember to look at ways to help others with your points, miles, and credit card benefits. I’ve talked about this topic a couple times previously in 2020 and 2022. I figured it’s a great time to consider a few more specific options for 2025 miles and points giving.
A Big Gratuity
Amex has refreshed their benefits across a variety of cards in 2025, most prominently with the Platinum and Business Platinum products. They each come with giftable benefits, but a newer one may be particularly fun to offer in a unique way. Consider going to a random Resy-eligible restaurant, ordering a beverage, asking for the bill, paying with your Amex Platinum, and leaving a $90+ gratuity.
Many of us have plenty of Resy credits across different Amex cards, more than we know what to do with now or in the future. We can immediately help others out by using this benefit without going out of pocket – or increasing our waistlines.
Cover Someone’s Groceries
Don’t forget that grocery stores is an eligible Pay Yourself Back category on the Chase Sapphire Reserve through the end of December. Cardholders can easily buy a variety of items useful for food pantries and easily erase the transactions with Ultimate Rewards redemptions at 1.25 cents per point. Another fun option is randomly covering the purchase of a fellow grocery shopper in-store.
Do you really need that umpteenth Hyatt award stay more than some other individuals need that next meal?
Guest in a Perfect Stranger
I’m not done with strangers yet. Certain credit cards come with lounge perks for the cardholder and a select number of guests. Instead of looking at this option from a distorted point of view that many of us do, consider others. Indeed, while I might think a certain lounge is nothing special, many travelers have never been in one and would appreciate even the slightest improvement over the terminal.
Offer to guest in another traveler to an airport lounge. I’ve never done this, and I know it’s way out of the box for certain individuals. But it’s something I’ve considered for years, and I endeavor to do so in 2026 (I’m done with air travel this year). Of course, it’s definitely not something that’ll work in every situation, but know it’s an option. Indeed, I’m waiting for the right moment myself.
Give Away ALL of those Tickets
For the last few years, I’ve received recognition tickets in my AAdvantage Executive Platinum mailer. More than once, I’ve ended up not handing over all of these tickets to hard-working American Airlines employees before they expire. I’ve either left them at home or forgotten to pull them out.
I now travel with them in my pocket whenever I fly AA, handing them to deserving workers. In my view, ALL AA employees are deserving. I follow this liberal policy to ensure I hand out all tickets each year.
Shouting Out a Few Other Favorites
A few others I’ll keep recommending from prior years:
- Gift your fuel rewards points.
- Book a flight or hotel for someone who otherwise couldn’t travel.
- Donate points or miles to your preferred charities directly with the loyalty program.
- Teach others how to use their miles and points, or help them book.
- Buy gifts for friends and family.
- Creatively use other credit card benefits on others.
2025 Miles and Points Giving – Conclusion
These are just a few options. The skills and creativity we use in earning and redeeming points and miles can often benefit others in a more meaningful way than they could ever help us. Of course, we shouldn’t need miles and points for giving, but they can provide new opportunities for doing so. Now, I look to you to share your best below. How have you helped others with your miles, points, or other benefits from credit cards and loyalty status?
