As 2022 draws to a close, it’s a good time to rethink your points and miles strategy, set goals, and prioritize what’s most important to you. If you’re not sure where to start, here are 10 tasks to complete before the end of the year.
Check progress on your status goal
Many travel providers have reverted to their pre-pandemic status requirements, but for those that haven’t, now may be the last chance to lock in priority status. tu with reduced requirements.
unifiedfor example, is removing status requirements that have dropped during the pandemic, making it significantly more expensive to qualify for Premier status in 2023. If your status is going to be harder to qualify for next year, it may be worth going the extra mile to qualify this year.
You’ll want to make sure to double-check your numbers if you barely qualify for status this year. Some TPG readers miscalculated the running distance and then state lost.
It is also worth considering whether one of the Best credit cards for elite status can help you achieve your status goals.
Related: Check your mileage: How Delta’s miscalculation nearly cost me a Diamond medal
Book travel deals with partner airlines
While airfares, nightly hotel prices, and cruise ship fares have gone up, there are still plenty of travel deals.
Scoring a flight deal on United, Delta or American can be a double-edged sword, though. After all, you’ll earn less Premium qualifying points, Medallion-Qualifying Dollars, or Loyalty Points for cheap fares.
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For that reason, consider bookings on a Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld partner airline. Let’s say you buy a ticket directly from a partner carrier and credit the ticket in United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles or American ALAdvantage. In that case, you’ll earn on three criteria: fare type, distance and operating airline. Historically, this is how I qualified for status for a fraction of the regular price.
To learn more about crediting partner flights, check out these guides:
As always, don’t forget to consider booking travel with friendly change and cancellation policies. That way, you’ll avoid hefty fees if you have to change or cancel your trip.
Related: 5 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airline tickets
Plan your credit card strategy
If you have a destination on your travel list, opening a new credit card and getting a sign-up bonus can get you there sooner.
i opened one Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card X this early year. Currently, Venture X comes with a signup bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
TPG . value 75,000 One Mile Capital at $1,388. However, when you redeem One Mile Capital at maximum valueYour Capital One mile could be worth much more. In addition, Venture X offers up to $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital tourism portal.
The end of the year is a great time to plan strategically and open a new card, especially if you’re planning to spend extra money on gifts and other year-end expenses. That’s because this spending can help you meet minimum spending requirements on a new card and earn a Substantial welcome bonus.
Related: Is Capital One Venture X worth the $395 annual fee?
Earn annual spending bonus
Speaking of spending, now is a great time to check your progress towards annual spending bonus. For example, if you have Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® cardyou can log into your American Express account and see how much progress you have made in earning free night rewards.
Take a quick check to see what type of spending bonuses your card offers and your progress in meeting required spending thresholds. It might be worth spending the extra on your card if you’re close to hitting your spending goal. After all, with flight and hotel prices increasing, earn more free night certificates or companion ticket can be worth a lot.
Related: 7 best hotel credit cards with free nights every year
Redeem travel fee credit
Hope you got it all travel credit credit card. If you have a credit on your credit card that expires on December 31, now is the time to use it.
For example, some American Express cards include a airline random credit each calendar year. Even if you’ve booked your trip in 2023, choose your preferred airline and pre-pay your baggage or purchase a premium seat before the end of 2022. That way, you’ll be able to redeem your credits this year and enjoy the benefits next year.
Also, some credit cards have non-travel credit. For example, if you have Platinum Card® from American Expressyou’ll want to sign up and redeem every six months credit Saks Fifth Avenue ASAP (if you haven’t already). With the holiday shopping season in full swing, this can help you buy a great gift and save money.
Related: Top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credit
Sign up for hotel promotions
Signing up for hotel promotions can be one of the easiest ways to earn extra points. For example, when you register before January 31, 2023, Hyatt World Credit Card or World of Hyatt corporate credit card owners can enjoy 1,000 World of Hyatt bonus points (up to 25,000 bonus points) for qualifying stays at Hyatt Place and Hyatt House lasting at least two nights and occurring between January 2 and March 5, 2022. If a cardholder, you can sign up for this promotion here.
While I don’t have a stay plan that meets the criteria, I signed up for the promotion — and I recommend you do too. After all, plans changed. While you may be planning to stay at the Residence Inn over Presidents Day weekend, you’re likely going to end up at the Hyatt House. By signing up now, you won’t have to remember and dig up the registration link.
Go to ours Current hotel promotions page and sign up for any relevant promotions. Again, even if you’re not sure you’ll take advantage of all these offers, there’s no harm in signing up.
Related: 4 situations where a one-night hotel reservation is worth the effort
Check your points and miles expiration date
In the past year, many airlines have rotate from expired mileage. However, don’t assume your miles are safe. Check your balance and expiration policy, and plan to use or renew your rewards before they expire.
Some travel providers waive mileage expiration dates if you have their co-branded credit card. Other programs allow you to delay expiration by earning miles (or having qualifying activity). That could be a good reason to opt in food rewards program And use online shopping portal.
Related: Here’s how to get your points and miles back after they expire
Give a gift of status
Some loyalty programs offer the possibility elite status gift to others, as a purely status privilege or as one of your annual gift options.
However, your status benefits and perks may be reset in the new year. So check to see if you can award elite status and if you must do so before the end of the year.
Related: Is the airline’s elite status still worth it?
Choose your choice benefits
Programs like American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy offers the top elite a choice of benefits. For example, you can choose bonus points, upgrades, lounge memberships, or the ability to gift status to others.
Sometimes, your deadline to choose option benefits is at the end of the year. Therefore, you will want to check if you have received any option benefits and the duration of the option. If your deadline is December 31, now is a great time to research your options and make a choice.
Related: Which Marriott Choice Benefit Should You Choose in 2022?
Cancel the card you don’t need
The wisest credit card holders regularly check their wallets and decide which cards to keep and which to discard.
Now is a great time to review your credit card usage and determine which cards aren’t serving you well. Consider the benefits of each card, whether you’re using the perks, and whether you can justify paying the annual fee. If you have a card that doesn’t serve you well, you might want to low class or cancel your card.
Related: Should I cancel my credit cards if I don’t use them anymore?
bottom line
As the sun sets in 2022, now’s the time to calculate your elite status numbers, check loyalty accounts, cash out credit, and rethink credit card strategy your.
As you plan your travel for the coming year, make sure you’re aware of changes to status requirements and sign up for promotions along the way. This way, you’ll be ready to enjoy all the points, miles, status, and perks you’ve accumulated this year.
Additional reporting by Ariana Arghandewal and Ryan Smith.
