The end of the year is fast approaching. So now is the perfect time to make sure you’re done annual point and mile mission before it’s too late.
With many loyalty programs and credit card benefits, the end of the year is a key time to make sure you maximize every opportunity before next year arrives. Here are some essential things to do this month to make sure you don’t have a (unfortunate) surprise when January arrives.
Check out the airline’s elite eligibility figures
Although a few travel provider extends elite status and reduced claims during the pandemic, almost all companies have reverted to their pre-pandemic figures.
Mileage and qualifying dollars status typically reset on January 1, although American Airlines Loyalty Points reset on March 1. If you’re only a few miles (or dollars) behind, you can consider fly before the end of the year.
If you can’t fit another flight into your schedule, you can too Buy your way into the next level of elite status. Or you may find it helpful to add a new credit card to your wallet, as some Credit cards can help you achieve airline elite status.
If you decide to make a last-minute push for airline elite status, ensuring the money (and time spent) will benefit you in the coming year. Here are some guidelines to help you strategize:
Related: How to get airline elite status
Check the hotel’s elite eligibility progress
You usually have to relearn your hotel status every year to reap the benefits. So if you have only a few nights left to reach the next level of status, you should find a hotel to stay or even go on vacation. running mattress. With school holidays approaching, this can be a great opportunity to do something fun during the holidays.
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If you need more nights but don’t want to burn cash, remember the prize is still counted in the status in many programs.
Many programs also allow you to work towards status with hotel credit card. For example, the Hyatt World Credit Card gives you five qualifying night credits towards your next level status each year. Plus, it provides two additional qualifying night credits to your next level status every time you spend $5,000 on your card.
And some hotel credit cards offer premium elite status just for being a cardholder. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card grants you free Platinum Elite status just for being a cardholder. And Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card give you top Hilton Diamond Status as a privilege for cardholders.
Information about the Hilton Aspire Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you need some tips to elevate your hotel elite, check out these stories:
Related: Last minute tips to lock in hotel elite status
Use your airline, credit card and annual travel credit
Many credit cards offer sweet benefits to help offset the annual cost of the card. So if you have any premium travel credit cardYou’ll want to make sure you’ve redeemed all available credits — and if not, plan to do so before they expire.
For example, each month the cardholder of American Express® Gold Card get up to $10 in Uber cash and up to $10 in food credit report. And the cardholder of Platinum Card® from American Express may need to use the following credits before the end of the year (registration required to receive some benefits):
Many other cards also offer statement credits that you may need to use at the end of the year. You should check your credits and plan to use them before they expire.
Related: Don’t Let Credits Go to Waste: Your 2022 End of Credit Card Checklist
Meet the annual spending threshold to receive the bonus
Many credit cards offer annual perks based on spending a certain amount over a certain period of time. If you’re about to meet the spending requirements on a card with a calendar-based threshold, you might consider using it more this month.
Some of the calendar year-based credit card spending rewards include:
- Visa Aer Lingus . Signature Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year with your card and earn economy-class companion tickets with premium economy-class flights.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn one Hilton Free Night Award after spending $60,000 on your card in a calendar year. This is an additional bonus to the free night bonus that is awarded automatically every year after you renew your card.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® card: Earn weekend night rewards after spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Business card of Hilton Honors American Express: Earn a free night bonus after spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year. Plus, earn a second free night bonus after spending $60,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Iberian Visa Signature Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year and get a $1,000 coupon for two tickets on the same flight.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn one free night prizes worth up to 35,000 points after spending $60,000 in purchases with your card in a calendar year. This is an additional bonus to the free night bonus that is awarded automatically every year after you renew your card.
- Hyatt World Credit Card: Spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year and get one Free night at hotel category 1-4. This night is in addition to the free Tier 1-4 night you get with each card anniversary.
Related: Free elite status, bonus points and more: Credit card that offers rewards for annual spending
Protect your Southwest Companion Card
One of my favorite interests in the world of travel is Southwest Companion Card. This pass entitles another passenger to fly with you (almost) for free for the duration of the pass.
To earn this card, you currently need to earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. But in 2023, the requirement will increase to 135,000 qualifying points per calendar year.
The Companion Pass will expire on December 31 of the year following the year you earned it. If you earn a Companion Pass in 2022, it will expire on December 31, 2023. However, if you earn a Companion Pass in January 2023, it will not expire until the date December 31, 2024.
Unfortunately, Companion Pass eligibility points are not carried over from year to year. So, if you’re about to hit 125,000 qualifying points this year, you’ll want to make sure all the points get to your account as soon as possible.
If you earn your last few points from one of the many Southwest credit card, only purchases past your December statement end date will be counted. Points will be posted within a few days of your closing date and counted towards the year when points were posted — not necessarily the year you made the purchase.
For those who are procrastinating and looking to earn a Companion Pass in 2023 so it lasts until the end of 2024, you’ll want to make sure not to meet your minimum spending requirement on any new Southwest credit card through January. Theoretically, you could start hitting your minimum spend after the December statement closing date. However, I would recommend waiting until the new year starts to make sure your period isn’t empty. what’s wrong.
Related: 13 Lessons From 13 Years Southwest Companion Pass
Earn British Airways Travel Together
While significantly different from the Southwest Airlines Companion Card, British Airways also offers the opportunity to earn a companion pass called Travel Together Tickets.
To earn a Travel Together Ticket, you have to spend $30,000 on British Airways Visa card signature within one calendar year. Doing so will earn you a one-time ticket to bring a companion on a British Airways award ticket or a 50% discount on the cost of redeeming an Avios ticket when traveling alone.
You’re still struggling with taxes and fees, but this can be a great way to save on Avios on your flight to Europe, especially in business class. Travel Together Tickets will be issued at the end of the billing cycle when you reach $30,000 in purchases and are valid for award flights on British Airways made within two years of issue.
Related: How to book an award flight with British Airways Avios
bottom line
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to make sure you’re maximizing all the benefits of your credit card and achieving the elite status you desire. This is also the perfect time to make sure that all the flights and hotels you’ve owned have been credited.
Finally, remember that while 2022 is not yet over, it’s not too early to plan your 2023 strategy. For inspiration on your 2023 elite status strategy, employees Katie Genter, Zach Griff and Kyle Olsen consider what status they are downgrading and which status they are re-eligible for.
Additional reporting by Ryan Smith and Kyle Olsen.
