How to Make the Most of Your Credit Card Points

[MULTIZ321]

How to Make the Most of Your Credit Card Points
By Lucas Peterson/ Travel/ The New York Times/ nytimes.com

"The days of hoarding airline miles may be coming to an end. Increasingly, they can be frustrating to use, expire more quickly and devalue more sharply, sometimes without notice. Value seekers in recent years have gravitated toward points attached to credit cards as opposed to miles tied to a particular carrier: Points are more flexible and can be transferred to different airline partners, hotel groups, or even redeemed for cash. But what is the most efficient use of a stockpile of points? Here is a look at three of the more popular programs — Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards — and a breakdown of how to get the biggest bang for your point...."

Andy Rash


Richard

 

[MOXJO7282]

I still think the best approach is being loyal to one carrier if you can take advantage of using one carrier and get their card and max out miles for that carrier.

 

[Jimster]

I still think the best approach is being loyal to one carrier if you can take advantage of using one carrier and get their card and max out miles for that carrier.

That's only about half the story. Yes, you want to focus on one airline or one hotel chain, but not to the exclusion of others. The key to points and miles is to diversify. Often your hotel/airline or their partners will not have availablity in your proposed destination. The simple solution is to consult another loyalty program, but if you only have points from your favorite, you may be out of luck.

I have a prefered carrier but i travel often and have diverse needs for points and miles. I always accumulate whatever I can and try to maximize them. Today with flexible programs you can often find a few thousand miles in a program can be successfully supplemented.

 

[mdurette]

I agree for the most part. For us....we are loyal Southwest and Marriott. We have changed plans this year and are not focused on Chase UR because they have a direct 1 to 1 transfer to both. This allows us to still work the two that we are loyal to, but also if the need arises to switch to another we are covered. Example: We took a last minute trip to Marriott Frenchmans St Thomas last month. SW does not fly there. We were able to use our UR for Jet Blue instead.

 

[breezez]

I use an assortment of cards to get great benefits.

Hyatt Visa - Get one night free certificate a year and 2 when you sign up. Yes there is a small annual fee but the free voucher is worth way more. My wife has card too. We spent Christmas in the keys at Hyatt Resort 2015, 2 days Grand Hyatt in San Francisco, This year we are spending 1 night at Hyatt Resort Bonita Springs and 1 night in Miami at Hyatt South Beach. All free with sign up bonus or annual vouchers.

Marriott Rewards card same deal

IHG Master Card - 10 plus free nights earned and maximize points with there point break deals when possible plus a free night voucher annually.

Hilton Amex - I have this, but not really a big fan will probably drop it

Wanted to go to Hawaii used sign up Bonus and shopping portals to get AA mile on AA Master card to fly to Hawaii wto people RT.

SPG Amex - I like the best for items non food or travel related. SPG points are some of the most flexible of all and now 1:3 transfer to Marriott

Sapphire Reserve or Preferred - Most Valuable for Travel or Dinning Charges. Ultimate Rewards Transfer to many partners. Plus get up to 1.5 cents per point on air travel booked with chase.

Southwest Card - Signup Bonus counts toward companion pass and so does annual points the give on renewal. I only keep this card because the annual bonus on renewal while $99 gives you 6K miles toward bonus so really card costs $10 bucks a year.

Citi Prestiege if paying for hotel rooms 4th night is always free... But there point program not as lucrative.

My go to method is if charge is only one award point goes on Amex SPG. They have great reward rates and points transfer 1:1 or better to almost all airlines. If I get 2 or more points use Chase Sapphire for the Ultimate Rewards... And Pay all TS Maintenance fees on this card. If I stay a paid night in hotel use that hotels card for max points and bill every thing I eat or do in hotel to room to maximize points. And finally if I fly book tickets using that carriers card.

Trust me this is a lot of cards but as long as you pay off monthly it doesn't really effect credit mine is excellent.

 

[jeysa]

I still think the best approach is being loyal to one carrier if you can take advantage of using one carrier and get their card and max out miles for that carrier.

Hmm..never actually looked at it from this point of view! Great tip. Thank you for the idea. The reason i love this forum..i get very many amaizing tips