Rookie Introduction to Points And Miles

I realize that some of the previous posts might have touched on advanced subjects in the crazy world of points and miles.  Let's slow things down and discuss how you can build up a huge points balance.  Keep these basics in mind, and you will have more than enough miles to take memorable vacations whenever you want.

1. Sign up for every hotel/airline program you can

This may seem obvious, but don't let any opportunity to earn points pass you by.  If you are taking a flight, grabbing a rental car, or staying at a hotel, you need to make sure that you are registered with that company's loyalty program.  Don't roll your eyes and assume that a handful of points aren't worth it.  They quickly add up, and before you know it, your balances will be growing exponentially.

2. Dream up your travel goal

Each person gets into the miles and points game for very different reasons.  What are you striving for?  Do you want to take exotic vacations to Bora Bora?  Do you want to visit relatives on the west coast?  Any desire to tour Europe in the fall?  How about Orlando with the kids?  Working towards a honeymoon in Hawaii?  Focusing on a goal makes formulating an earning strategy so much easier.  Once you know what the top of the mountain looks like, the hike is a lot easier.  I really apologize for such a corny metaphor, but you get the idea.  Let me know what your big target is, and I can help guide you down a path of easy miles and lots of free travel.  I promise.  Just send me an email.

Are You Looking for Private Beaches or Just a Jaunt to Florida?

3. Pick an airline, hotel, and rental car company suits you best
This decision comes down to proximity and comfort.  If you live in Atlanta, chances are Delta is your go-to airline of choice.  If your company only lets you stay at Hilton hotels while travling for business, their loyalty program probably makes the most sense.

What about those of us who don't have such easy choices?  It all boils down to goals (See Point #2).  A program like Southwest Airlines is great for earning points towards domestic travel.  A program like American Airlines or United is much better for international business and first class tickets.  It really is all about your goals and what you want out of this.  If you want me to help you find a travel strategy that caters to your needs, just shoot me an email.  I'm more than happy to help.

4. Pay attention to bonuses and promotions

Another no-brainer, but this point needs to be emphasized as well.  Hotels and rental car companies frequently run quarterly bonuses that really help pad your accounts.  Be on the lookout for these, especially promotions that your main programs are advertising.  If you are planning on several Hyatt hotel stays, then a simple Google search will yield their fall promotion (picture below).  Hyatt is giving away bonus points after only five nights!

Registering for This Hyatt Promo Is Easy and Should Be Mandatory

5. Keep track of your accounts and balances

You're probably stressing about how you can possibly remember all of those account numbers and different passwords.  Fear not!  One of my favorite travel tools is the Award Wallet website.  Through Award Wallet, you can enter your log-in information (securely) and get all of your balances in one place.  This site has saved me loads of time.  I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the travel games.

Award Wallet: Absolute Life Saver

6. Establish yourself with one travel credit card that will be your "go to"

I already touched on my favorite travel credit card in a previous post, but there are several worthy choices for points and miles newbies.  Along with the Starwood American Express, the Chase Sappphire Preferred Visa and American Express Premier Rewards Gold cards are the hot cards for travlers.  Why?  Flexible points that can be transferred to a myriad of airlines/hotels and bonuses for spending on things like gas and groceries.  I will obviously write up each card in a separate post, but you need to start somewhere.

King of Travel Cards, but Others are Worthy of Your Wallet Space

7.  Have fun!

The most important thing about all of this is that points and miles should be considered a hobby...so have fun with it.  Don't stress about every single mile or missed promotion.  Just have fun and realize that each step you take will get you closer to the free travel that you crave.  This is a game with an awesome pay-off at the end.  Don't forget that!

Until tomorrow!

-Charm City Traveler

Hotel Status for Cheap!

Milepoint, one of the newer and more prominent online frequent flyer communities, is offering a "Premium" membership to its site.  For only $59, you receive a host of perks and benefits.  The details are listed here, but they are pretty extensive, especially for frequent travel enthusiasts.  

One of the most interesting choices is either 2,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points or Hyatt Platinum status through February 2014.  Hyatt Platinum Elite members receive bonus points when staying at Hyatt hotels, free in-room internet, preferred rooms upon availability, late checkout and expedited check-in lines.  This status is usually attained after 5 stays or 15 nights at Hyatt hotels, so this is a quick shortcut.  Though it might not sound like a lot, this is a slam dunk offer if you have any Hyatt hotel stays in the next two years.

Having Hyatt Platinum status will certainly guarantee you preferential treatment at Hyatt hotels, and it will also grant you the ability to status match with other hotel chains.

Many hotel chains such as Hilton, Intercontinental, and Wyndham will match your status with another hotel chain if you show them proof.  You can usually fax in a copy of your Hilton Passport statement indicating Platinum elite status or simply email them a screenshot.  I will go over the details on status matching in a future post, but definitely keep this in mind.  Hyatt Platinum Elite status is certainly worth $59, and the ability to convert it into status with another hotel chain makes it even more valuable.

Let me know if you guys have any questions, and happy travels!

UPDATE: It looks like this limited time offer sold out quickly.  I will update you guys when Milepoint releases more of these premium memberships.

-Charm City Traveler

How to Beat High Airfares

Just thought I would send along an interesting article on this rainy Friday.  Nate Silver, of Baseball Prospectus and New York Times fame, published an article back in May about how to "beat" the major airlines at their airfare game.  The method, which still works to this day, requires you to purchase a ticket with your final destination as a connection.  For instance, if you need to travel to Chicago from Baltimore (which is usually a pricey non-stop), you can book a ticket to Seattle with Chicago as the connection .  When you arrive at your connection/actual destination (in this case, Chicago), simply hop off the flight.  This trick is called "Hidden City Ticketing."

With a little research, Hidden City Ticketing can save you potentially hundreds of dollars.  Three words of warning: the airline will undoubtedly cancel your remaining itinerary should you choose to do this, so make sure you book your trip as two separate one-way tickets.  Also, this method is only suitable for those with carry-on bags only.  Checked bags will always go to the final destination, and the airline is under no mandate to help you get them back if you pull this stunt.  The final advisory is this isn't a method that can be done ad naseum.  Airlines have been known push back on this, so don't be flagrant.  Use this trick for when prices are outrageous, and you absolutely have to be somewhere.  The article link is below: happy hunting!

Nate Silver: How to Beat High Airfares

-Charm City Traveler