2026 Points and Travel Resolutions
The holiday season really flew by. I feel like I say this every year, but I think it particularly applies to the most recent one. I blame the relatively late Thanksgiving holiday on 25 November for this, but I guess I better get used to it. That’s because Thanksgiving is on the 26th this year. Perhaps one of my resolutions is having my “stuff” together for the holidays much earlier. But I’m not here to talk about that; today’s about my 2026 points and travel resolutions. Here we go, in no particular order.
New Cash Back Cards
After years in our dynamic hobby, one thing remains constant. Cash back is still my favorite rewards option. I’ve steadily picked up an arsenal of cash back cards, obvious and obscure, over the years. But I have a bigger goal in 2026. I want to acquire five new (or new-to-me, at least) cash back cards this year. As always, I’m considering all possible options – cards directly providing cash back or others with niche rewards currencies which eventually become cash. I’m confident some of this will involve something I generally enjoy which is an increasing rarity in our hobby: in-person contact with bankers. I’m one of the wackos up for such experiences.
Trigger More Efficiently
Last year, the bank heavyweights – Amex, Chase, and Citi – took card benefits to a new level, for better or worse. In my opinion, I feel attentive hobbyists are net winners here. The banks have shrewdly refined their products, offering more attractive benefits, conveniently advertising them while downplaying the related work cardholders must undertake. I know I should respond by streamlining my own processes.
A bit of this involves avoidance – I’ve given up on the Chase Sapphire Reserve with no plans to return. But primarily, I’ll update my practices with Amex and Citi. I want to be better at minimizing time commitments while continuing to maximize such benefits. Among other things, this means:
- More Spreadsheets
- Prompt Transactions
- Partnering with Other Like-Minded Individuals
I’ve been doing this stuff already, but I need to do it all better.
Redeem Alaska Miles Once
I’ve been collecting Alaska miles for years. I’ve never actually used a single one. I don’t regret this, as I efficiently amassed them, and doing so did not prevent me from earning any other superior rewards I was interested in. Technically, I’ve redeemed once for Hawaiian flights. But I ended up needing to cancel.
This is the year everything changes. I will redeem Alaska miles, no matter how small the amount, and see the award flight through to actual consumption.
No More NUA Nonsense
I’m done with Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs). When it comes to the amount of time I’ve spent on a minor perk, this one comes out on top. I previously described NUAs being a source of entertainment; now, they’re just a nuisance.
Admittedly, it’s easy for me to say I’m done, because I no longer have any. I didn’t hit the 50 elite night minimum last year to earn five more for 2026. But regardless, I only recall one out of five NUAs clearing in 2025. And, even worse (or better), I was upgraded at certain properties’ front desks upon check-in when the NUA didn’t clear in advance. Not only are NUAs a waste of time, they’ve become largely obsolete, in my opinion.
I won’t be bothered by NUAs in 2026.
A Delta One Lounge Return
Perhaps my favorite along-the-way experience of 2025 was visiting Delta One Lounges at JFK and LAX. I’m currently planning international itineraries where I can have the pleasure of visiting them again, more than likely JFK first. To be clear, I won’t allow such lounges to dictate where I travel, since some of their locations are the most efficient connection points for my planned travels, anyway. But I’ll shamelessly opt for a slower travel experience to enjoy more time in the lounge.
2026 Points and Travel Resolutions – Conclusion
I’m feeling good about these 2026 points and travel resolutions – they’re all attainable. Five new cash back cards may be the biggest challenge, primarily because I may be too discerning. You could accuse me of not aiming high enough with these, and that’s fine. I have other goals in mind and experiments percolating. I look forward to talking about these more as the year unfolds. Just as important, I’m anticipating surprises along the way. Let’s do it!
What 2026 points and travel resolutions are on your list?
The Chase United Explorer card now fits into this. The increase in the fee is not offset by the coupons they have added.
-$5 per month for rideshare. Remembering to go into my Uber or Lyft account and change my payment method for that one trip, then having to go back in and change it back after that one ride …… is not worth the $5, even when I would remember to do it.
-$100 United TravelBank cash after spending $10,000. I earn more value using other cards in all of this cards purchase categories.
– $20,000 spend see above times 2.
– $100 hotel credit. May use for an overnight while transiting. Vacation and business stays, I do not want any surprises at check in, so I book direct with the hotel using their co-branded card. Also, earning more points.
The two lounge passes are nice. Not enough to offset $150 AF.
As Tom said, time to get rid of dead wood…… Unfortunately, this one is going in the wood chipper.
Don,
Along the lines of the below discussion, consider downgrading to the no-fee United Gateway card rather than closing.
Will be streamlining couponized cards; too much time and effort for my personal situation; this will involve downgrading or closing out cards
Also, Citi has become my #2 most useful pts currency; seeking to get further ingrained into the ecosystem in 2026
Gotcha, CJ. Definitely prioritize downgrades over closures when it makes sense in your situation. I’m a big fan of Citi TYP – good luck scaling up there!
I have already gotten rid of cards my wife and don’t need or use anymore. I have finally come to the conclusion that I will never be able to use all the miles and points I have accumulated so my kids have signed on to help me use them. My son, wife and grandkids are currently in Florida helping me spend some of them with JetBlue tickets for 5 and a Marriott condo with the only expenses being taxes. My daughter, her husband, grand kids and my wife and recently completed a trip to Germany and Austria using my UAL miles and Hilton and Marriott points, again the only expenses being the taxes.
I.m with you on Alaska Airlines. My wife and I are going to do a trip to…..you guessed it, Alaska, with stops in Anchorage and Sitka. Will use whatever hotel points for stays in each city.
I’m 2 nights away from Marriott lifetime platinum, so tat will be achieved by the end of the month.
And because the thrill of the kill is still there, I plan on applying for credit cards when the bonuses make sense and spending the cash on the Amex and Chase cards to keep me Diamond in each of their programs.
That should have been …” spending the cash on the Amex Hilton and Chase IHG cards to keep me Diamond in each of their programs.”
Out with the old: simplifying by getting rid of clutter/dead wood cards.
I hear you, Tom! While that statement is remarkably easy to agree with, actually following through can be surprisingly difficult.