Finding the Best Travel Rewards Programs
Hotel points and frequent flyer miles can easily get you free flights, free hotel stays, and free upgrades… if you know how to find them! While some programs require an amount of stays that can only be completed by business travelers, more and more programs have great offers to give you the maximum amount of points.
Hotels
The PointMaven website is great because you can search for hotel promotions based on city or airport code. According to the website, the PointMaven database contains “over 27,000 point-earning opportunities at more than 30,000 hotels.” This site will definitely help you get the most points from your stay.
As an example, I searched for hotels in Anaheim, where the popular theme park Disneyland is located. It showed categories of reward programs and which hotels fall into that program (Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, Priority Club, etc.), as well as listing each offer by hotel. The chart shows what the reward offer is, and if it is ongoing or when it ends.
Flights
FlyerTalk is a website that features forums and message board covering up-to-date traveler information on frequent flyer miles. All travelers are welcome to and encouraged to join and contribute. There is a free basic membership, and a paid membership for $4.99/month. This site discusses ways to maximize frequent flyer points, and covers hotel deals as well. A great place to hear about programs from actual travelers.
Questions to Consider
Once you find an offer that looks good, be sure to check out the whole program – how easy is it to cash in rewards? Will you fly or stay enough times with that particular company to make it worth it? Are there black out dates? Are there different levels of status’ that offer different perks? Be sure to know what you are getting (or not getting)!
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Tags: travel rewards programs
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