Loyalty Points and Miles
Always be earning, among other things. We have much to focus on when it comes to our loyalty points and miles hobby, but perhaps nothing is in our control more than the rewards currencies we earn. On a daily basis, we decide which credit cards we’ll use for our spending. Those who pay for cash stays often choose the hotel chains they frequent based on the points they’re trying to accumulate (and elite benefits). While some are hub-captive or have less flexibility based on their locations, travelers choose airlines in a similar fashion, to an extent. Regardless, the points and miles we decide to amass or ignore can change based on our goals, life seasons, program changes, etc. Here’s where my wife and I are right now with earning certain points and miles.
Hot
American AAdvantage
Despite the recent chilling comments from American Airlines management, I’m still pursuing AAdvantage miles. I do this for two reasons in a simultaneous fashion – credit card spend for redeemable miles and status. As long as this continues to be an economical endeavor under the current program, I have no reasons to change. Like many of you, I’ve found awards via AAdvantage miles to offer a superior value to United and Delta. Plus, the flexibility to change and cancel without penalty is still solid.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
I’m continuing to actively spend on my Bank of America Air France/KLM Flying Blue credit cards. Perhaps that’s an understatement. I’ve been doing so for years to hit the $15k big spend bonus as I approached and reached Platinum status. The card’s refresh earlier this year juiced the existing $15k threshold and created a new on at $25k, encouraging me to go even harder. Plus, the program’s new Choice Benefits provide even more goodness. I’m steadily active on the redemption side, as well, from small redemptions on Delta metal to gigantic ones via La Premiere.
Choice Privileges
Choice’s program refresh gave me another reason to spend more on my Wells Fargo Choice Privileges Select Mastercard – the newly-created Titanium top tier of status. With just $22k spend I was able to reach it. Despite the program’s growing pains, I plan to continue doing so next year, plus I’m spending a bit in the 5x categories throughout the year.
Hilton Honors
Hilton’s free night certs remain the best out there, so I still pursue the $15k big spend bonus on the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass. I’m able to do so via spend in 6x categories. It’s my somewhat-unhealthy answer to Hilton’s recent award night devaluations. While achieving a bigger goal with more certs, I’m hoarding additional points to outrun devaluations.
IHG One Rewards
Speaking of expensive award stays, IHG nightly rates can be concerning. But that’s not happening everywhere. Helping matters, my wife and I are routinely targeted for limited-time spend offers on our Chase IHG Premier accounts. We always seem to have plenty of attractive card-linked offers on these products, as well. IHG’s fourth night free on award nights feature bests the fifth night free options from their competitors. Finally, the consistent Diamond elite recognition I’ve received from IHG is superior to anything I’ve recently experienced from Hilton or Marriott.
Cold
Delta SkyMiles
A couple months ago, I described why I’m finally phasing out Delta cards from my Amex portfolio. Award rates with Delta SkyMiles have gotten comically horrible, among other reasons I’m out. Making the decision easier is I’m able to obtain better rates on Delta flights via partners like Air France/KLM and Virgin Atlantic (as I mentioned above). The best I can do with SkyMiles these days are upgrades of flights I booked with partners. That’s kind of sad.
United MileagePlus
I was back into earning United Miles after a long layoff, but it hardly lasted. That’s because the only way back I was okay with was via the United Debit card. The good news is I met the $10k spend for higher earning on United flights and discounted award pricing. The bad news is that actually using the United debit card account is a tremendous inconvenience. It’s surprisingly challenging to put money into the account and even tougher to get it out via debit card transactions, in my experience. Maybe I’ll return to the card in the future, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
It’s more like Southwest Rapidly Decreasing Rewards, amirite?! I have a considerable amount of Southwest points left in my account, but I haven’t taken a flight with the airline in years. In the meantime, the airline’s substantially devalued the program, to the point where I’ll only fly it in the future is a desirable city pair. And even if the airline has a non-stop, I still may pick another one with a connection. I find this quite disappointing, as I loved Southwest (get it?) many years ago. Our relationship will never return to that level.
Wyndham Rewards
My wife holds the legacy Wyndham Rewards 2x-everywhere card and the Earner+ card. For these two cards, she pays a total of $144 in annual fees for 22.5k anniversary points. We obtain solid value out of the points, mostly on transfers to Caesars Rewards and Club Wyndham redemptions. The primary reason we don’t pick up more points beyond the anniversary ones is the program’s terrible points expiration policy. Our speed in earning anniversary points and redeeming is about equal at this point, so we have no need to add pressure to the situation by earning more.
Loyalty Points and Miles – Conclusion
That’s how things stand now with our loyalty points and miles earning, but I’d be happy to be convinced to mix things up. These programs are constantly changing. While most tweaks are negative, I feel the greatness from the positive ones more than makes up from what we lose. It’s on us to stay creative in how we earn and redeem in order to take advantage of those opportunities.
What loyalty points and miles are on your hot and cold list right now?
