Travel and Points Assumptions
We thrive on data points in our points and travel hobby. These facts based on personal experiences – whether first-hand ones or those from trusted individuals – are invaluable as we attempt to maximize loyalty programs. On the flip side, I don’t overly rely on them in some instances. Perhaps I’ll even flat-out ignore them. That’s easy when they don’t apply to my personal situation or goals. But every so often, I don’t bother with certain endeavors, opting to rely on a few travel and points assumptions, instead.
Travel and Points Assumptions I Live By
I Don’t Need To Be a Credit Card Travel Protections Expert
I find credit card protections the most unenjoyable topic in our hobby. While researching them is a valid endeavor for many enthusiasts, I’m just not such an individual. Time is increasingly my most valuable asset, and I don’t prioritize using it on something that more than likely will not affect me. Am I tempting fate here? Perhaps.
More specifically, I’ll take the clear positive of time savings now at the risk of catching up on these terms if/when travel problems arise. I also know not understanding them may cost me. But right now, our relatively-small amount of travel and the way we do so (cancellable award bookings, carrying bags on, etc) mitigates much of such costs.
One exception here is related to rental cars. In the infrequent event we need one, I always ensure to use a card with CDW coverage. But that’s the most attention we’ve given to such protections over the years.
I’m Better Off Skipping That Standard Complimentary Breakfast
While I often live by the “if it’s free, it’s for me” principle, I increasingly pass on complimentary breakfasts that come standard at certain chains. I’m not talking about breakfasts that are “free” due to elite status, such as Hilton Garden Inn and superior versions. Rather, I’m referring to the complimentary breakfast from places like Comfort, Wingate, and Hampton – and everything below.
I’ve found the fare to be mediocre at best, and that’s an exception. More often, it’s clearly below that, with way too many bread options, mostly of the packaged variety. Meanwhile, the clientele, or more specifically their apparent lack of interest in getting dressed, can be confounding. I’ve also noticed children seemingly reenacting portions of Lord of the Flies in these settings. At most, I’ll grab a complimentary coffee on the perimeter and GTFO.
I’m only hanging onto the standard complimentary breakfast from Holiday Inn Express. The brand’s cinnamon rolls bring me to my knees. Indeed, they are from Cinnabon. I’ll put up with pretty much anything for this hot, gooey goodness.
Yeah, Those Bonus Points Showed Up
At the front end of all experiments, I will ensure all bonus points show up. Plus, I’ll keep checking as long as a strong play is working. But for certain ones, I don’t bother reconciling after that first confirmation.
I’m specifically talking about targeted, capped spend offers. For instance, I’m routinely targeted for periodic spend offers on my Chase IHG Premier card. There’s something new every quarter, where the total bonus is usually well under five figures. This and other low-hanging fruit is worth my effort to collect, particularly since I’m doing that spend, anyway, in most cases. But blowing the time to ensure all of those points showed up is something I don’t do.
Using That Cert Works Out Best Now
I’ll happily accept the problem of having way too many hotel free night certificates and awards. I’ve found that I’m able to economically collect these, whether through juiced signup bonuses or anniversary certs from simply paying an annual fee. For years, my family and I have been drowning in these certs, especially in relation to our infrequent travel schedule.
Therefore, I generally use certs as soon as possible on our near-term, priority travel goals. I figure that any cert redemption aligned to our goals is solid enough for us. Perhaps that could mean we’re giving up on a more impressive redemption down the road, where that same cert might be useful at a higher points per night property. But that doesn’t happen to us often, primarily because we always have enough certs to use later, too. Again, this is a good problem.
I’ll Book Those Airline Tickets Later
I save most of my speculative bookings for hotels rather than airline tickets. I’m able to book hotel award stays fairly quickly, and most chains still offer broadly cancellable rates for these. Airline awards take me more time to book. Plus, while cancellation policies for such awards have improved over the years, some still aren’t as forgiving. On top of all this, my family and I don’t select our destination until relatively close to the travel date. Booking a comprehensive list of possible award flights to different destinations is not how I like to party.
I might pay more later – and have – or I might come at ahead by waiting, anyway. Regardless, I take a more zen approach to airline bookings. If I don’t want to book those airline tickets now, the potential trip probably isn’t that important to me/us, anyway. I consider that prudent but understand if others perceive it as lazy. As Mr. Lebowski says, “the Dude abides.”
Conclusion
Eventually, perhaps some or all of the above will blow up in my face. I’m okay with that deal. With how much complication I knowingly bring on myself with certain aspects of this hobby, I ensure to routinely opt for simplicity elsewhere. I’d rather cherish more of the now for what it is instead of occupying it with what the future could be but probably won’t.
What travel and points assumptions do you continue to make and why?
