Booking Airline Awards
Historically, booking airline awards is the points and travel hobby aspect I’ve least-enjoyed. The overlapping reasons spew everywhere – pricing all over the place, unfriendly cancellation policies, our noncommittal/unpredictable travel tendencies, my own ignorance, relatively low return on the time investment, etc. But with increased bookings recently, I’m experiencing that booking high similar to what the hobby has provided me in other realms. And I think I like it. Today, I’m theorizing on what’s causing this change within.
Elite Status
As I blathered on about a couple weeks ago, I successfully booked an Air France La Premiere award by reaching the required Flying Blue Platinum elite status. The thrill of booking such an exclusive, remarkable award after years spent reaching the status undoubtedly brought the feels. Perhaps that’s the extreme in this category, though.
Slowly but surely since the launch of the Loyalty Points scheme, the American Airlines status monster has sunk its claws into me. Consequently, I’m more game for flying the carrier than I’ve ever been, even in a world of generally-unending AA displeasure. But it’s still relatively easy to find solid deals booking airlines awards with AA – an area where I’m happy to participate. I guess this all means the program has worked as intended – on me, at least. But one area makes the process even more of a pleasure.
Looser Cancellation Policies
American and many other airlines have let go of their most stringent cancellation policies the past few years. Booking speculative flights is more of a thing now for me, even though I don’t always do it when I should. I find booking airline awards less stressful now than ever thanks to such tightness melting away. I remind myself not to get too comfortable with these liberal policies, as things could inevitably go the other way. But I’ll ride the wave for now.
Growing Little Ones
Our two children are growing. I want the time to slow down. Perhaps you can relate. Part of that means we’re traveling more now. That’s not a flex, as we have been light-to-moderate family travelers since they were born. But the appetite is there more than ever now, including hopping on planes. While things can change, we’re actually following through with the travel plans we make now more than ever. I’m more apt to book stuff and stay engaged when I know I won’t have to cancel it later.
New Interiors
Saying “flying sucks” is one of the bigger cop-outs in our hobby, in my view. It’s simple to quickly concede that point and look elsewhere. But meanwhile, many cabins – from economy to premium optinos – are improving. The three big domestic carriers all have new products now or on the way soon. Shockingly, does this mean competition is working out better for the consumer?! It actually seems like it.
I’m interested in trying new things when airlines actually try on their end. Maybe they’re noticing that about travelers in general, or perhaps I’m just optimistic in this one area.
Lounging Around
Points and travel enthusiasts who go out of their way to say they don’t go to lounges remind me of those kids in grade school who told me they didn’t have a TV. They’re proud of it and obviously wanted me to know. You do you. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here shamelessly trying most every lounge I pass at least once, opting to visit the ones I enjoy a second time. I’ll even jump from one to the other fully aware of how silly it all is. I incorporate the same silliness into my air travel planning. If I have to connect somewhere anyway and the routing and timing make sense, I’ll happily consider the lounges in my planning. Dare I say it, all this screen time on the front end can be fun.
Booking Airline Awards – Conclusion
I only go so far with this. At a certain point – sooner, rather than later, usually – I’d rather be doing something else within or beyond the hobby. I’m never going to be an expert in booking airline awards. That would mean my preferred activities, such as earning points and miles, would have dried up a bit and I have more time on my hands. But I’ll admit I’m enjoying the booking process now more than I ever have, which still pales in comparison to what many others do.
Do you enjoy booking airlines awards? Why or why not?
