Strategy - Points & Miles Junkies

[travel2fun]

I have looked back through some of our older threads and really haven't located much information on the topic of creative use of accumulated points in hotel loyalty and airlines frequent flier miles. Am I the only one in the community that still concentrates on collecting and using points and miles?

[shygirl724]

No, you are not alone. I gather points where ever I can. Unlike comments others have made in past threads, I have never experienced a problem using points. My latest was paying for round trip airfare to Europe.



I've never understood why a person would not gather points. It is free money!



Shy ~

[kyshel]

I think the community has discussed this in regard to credit cards in other threads. I hoard points, miles--any affinity program that works for me. I've had very little difficulty using them. I find some of the fees associated with miles to be excessive--once-you've-earned-them-you-have-to-pay-more-to-use-them--really irks me!

[omegaet]

t-2-f...is "creative use" the operative term or just the general mind set to collect and hoard them or the continuing "devaluations" and "extra fees" assocaited with their use?

[travel2fun]

Well, yes, I guess I am asking for about strategy or creative use. The devaluation and extra fees are a real concern. Seems like about the time I reach a level which would afford me the opportunity to do something wonderful, the deal changes. I just wondered what other do.

[bonniejoy03]

I still love trying to use ff points. So happy with AA that I could use points for my trip to Chile and the intercountry flights. The best part was that we were a little short on points and they were giving bonuses if you purchased points. AA is running another promo right now if you buy 6000 points you receive 2000 bonus. (up to a certain limit.) Our tickets would have cost over 1200 each and with buying points, it only cost about 500 each. That to me is a great savings!! I am still using the airline affinity cards. Most of the time if you call, they will reduce your annual fee or give you ff points.

[LL_Travelfan]

We are equally happy using our AA miles in creative ways. AA is the only FF program that allows you to book one-way fares. This can come at extensive savings. We just booked two one-way ticket on the net to Paris and Germany for a misely 20,000 FF miles each for a fee of $5.00 for both tickets. We also booked two return tickets to JFK at 30,000 miles each during peak season for a total of $186.00. In booking two one-way tickets we saved 10,000 FF miles of the usual 60,000 FF miles for leaving low season and returning during high season. The cost for both of us was under $200. Most other airline FF programs charge between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. Had we have to pay for these AA tickets, we would have been looking at $1910 a piece. There were however cheaper R/T fares available, about $710 using multiple airlines and multiple stops.



We use our miles exclusively for overseas travel and the savings are substantial. Being Gold Members of AA allows us to book preferred seats away from the crowds in the back of the plane.

[shygirl724]

Delta Airlines will also allow one-way bookings with FF points. In addition, they have 2 incentives going on:

1) Purchase or transfer FF miles between now and Dec. 29th, and receive 50% bonus miles. Max allowed in one calendar year os 60,000 purchased. http://www.delta.com/skymiles/buy_tr...ffer/index.jsp

2) Transfer American Express miles to Delta Skymiles between now and Dec. 31st and receive 25% bonus miles.

Shy ~

Message Edited by shygirl724 on 12-11-2009 07:52 AM

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi shygirl,



Thanks for the info. I was not aware that Delta followed suite on the one-way FF points booking. This is very helpful info for us. Thanks again.



Kind Regards,

[omegaet]

travel2fun wrote:
Well, yes, I guess I am asking about strategy or creative use. The devaluation and extra fees are a real concern. Seems like about the time I reach a level which would afford me the opportunity to do something wonderful, the deal changes. I just wondered what other do.

t-2-f...we have a simple "strategy"...accumulate every frequent flier mile possible (using our three favorite carriers) and every hotel point possible (using three major brands). We use two major credit cards for virtually every expense...especially business expenses.



We constantly evaluate offers (such as transfer of miles or points) and occasionally will buy frequent flier miles, if it advantageous to move us to another award level. We try to use frequent flier award miles to upgrade from coach to business when flying internationally (even though we hate paying the extra "fees" most carriers impose). We start to require chemical assistance (booze doesn't work) to deal with a coach seat after about five hours on most aircraft....so, the miles and fees seem like a better alternative.



As far as "creativity" is concerned, we try to book at least six months in advance and usually enlist the aid of airline reservation personnel (even though an extra fee is imposed) to help us work through the labyrinth...these days, most of these agents seem to be extremely helpful.



We see no future in hoarding points or miles! Get them and use them!