Sam Helmy

Freelance Writer

Sam Helmy joined the AwardWallet team in late 2016. He discovered points and miles while planning trips in pursuit of his other passion scuba diving when he started using points and miles to get to some of the world’s best diving destinations. Eventually, he became a bit of an expert on how to use points and miles to get to diving destinations across the globe.

Over the years, Sam has lived in 6 countries and enjoys discovering new places and meeting new people, discovering new cultures, and learning new languages.

Sam currently lives in the UK, and when not working on points and miles he enjoys scuba diving, traveling, cooking, DIY, hiking, and walking with his wife and two dogs.

Latest Posts

Citi Launches 20% Transfer Bonus to Qantas — Book American Airlines Awards From 8k Points

Citi Launches 20% Transfer Bonus to Qantas — Book American Airlines Awards From 8k Points

November 10, 2025 28

You can now receive a 20% bonus for transferring Citi ThankYou points to Qantas through November 8, 2025. Although there are not a lot of great ways to redeem Qantas miles, the program does offer a round-the-world award that could be a huge value if you can leverage the current bonus.

Sam Helmy & JT Genter

Earning and Redeeming National Car Rental Credits — And Emerald Club's Tricky Expiration Policy

Earning and Redeeming National Car Rental Credits — And Emerald Club's Tricky Expiration Policy

October 19, 2025 9

National Car Rental uses a complicated expiration policy where rental credits don't expire but Free Days have a hard expiration policy. Here's what to know and why you might want to carefully plan your rentals.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

You Can Purchase British Airways Avios Through an Avios Subscription Plan — But Should You?

You Can Purchase British Airways Avios Through an Avios Subscription Plan — But Should You?

October 17, 2025 1

British Airways has an Avios subscription plan with four levels. It allows you to purchase between 20,000 and 200,000 Avios per year. With this promotion, U.K.-based members can effectively purchase Avios for as little as 0.99 pence apiece, and U.S.-based members may be able to do so for even less.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Enterprise Plus Your Points Promotion: Free Points for Enrolling, 2X on Rentals, and More

Enterprise Plus Your Points Promotion: Free Points for Enrolling, 2X on Rentals, and More

March 2, 2026 0

Enterprise Car Rental just kicked off its annual Plus Your Points promotion. After registering for this offer, you’ll earn double base points for rentals during the promotion period. You can also earn additional bonus points in several ways — including a modest bonus just for registering.

Skye Class & Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Dunkin’ Rewards Overhauls Expiration Policy — Here's the New Fixed-Life Expiration Policy

Dunkin’ Rewards Overhauls Expiration Policy — Here's the New Fixed-Life Expiration Policy

October 12, 2025 0

Your Dunkin' Rewards expire according to a less-than-generous expiration policy. Here is all you need to know about your Dunkin' points expiring.

Sam Helmy

How To Transfer Avios Between British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, Finnair, Loganair & Vueling Accounts

How To Transfer Avios Between British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar, Finnair, Loganair & Vueling Accounts

October 12, 2025 21

You can now transfer Avios for free between all seven participating airlines: British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and Loganair. This flexibility adds a significant amount of value to all the programs. Not only can you use it to consolidate small balances into one account, but you can also transfer Avios into the account that will give you the best value for a specific award. Here's how.

Sam Helmy & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by JT Genter

Get a 15% Bonus When You Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Air Canada Aeroplan

Get a 15% Bonus When You Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Air Canada Aeroplan

October 6, 2025 0

Air Canada Aeroplan launched a promotion offering a 15% bonus when you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to the program through October 31, 2025. This promotion is interesting and unique because it is on Aeroplan's side, not Marriott's. Is this a deal worth taking advantage of? Let's take a look.

Sam Helmy & Tyler Glatt

Qatar Privilege Club Avios Expiration Rules Explained — How to Keep Your Qatar Avios From Expiring

Qatar Privilege Club Avios Expiration Rules Explained — How to Keep Your Qatar Avios From Expiring

October 5, 2025 24

Qatar Privileges Club has a generous Avios expiration policy compared to some other airline programs' expiration policies. Here is all you need to know about keeping your Qatar Avios active.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Finnair Subscribe to Avios: How It Works and Whether Buying Avios at 1.36¢ Each Is Worth It

Finnair Subscribe to Avios: How It Works and Whether Buying Avios at 1.36¢ Each Is Worth It

October 2, 2025 0

Finnair has introduced an Avios subscription model, offering the option to pay yearly or monthly to receive a fixed number of Avios each month.

Sam Helmy

Finnair Plus Guide: Avios Redemptions, New Transfer Partners, and a Shortcut to Oneworld Status

Finnair Plus Guide: Avios Redemptions, New Transfer Partners, and a Shortcut to Oneworld Status

September 29, 2025 2

Although not one of the most well-known loyalty programs in the airline Industry, Finnair Plus is still one that is worth a closer look, especially if you're a fan of using Avios and travel regularly between the US, Europe, and Asia.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Caesars Rewards Expiration Rules: How to Avoid Losing Your Caesars Rewards Credits

Caesars Rewards Expiration Rules: How to Avoid Losing Your Caesars Rewards Credits

September 28, 2025 0

Caesars Rewards Credits have a less-than-generous expiration policy. That said, you have plenty of options to keep your credits active. Here is all you need to know about keeping your Caesars Rewards credits active.

Sam Helmy

Domino’s Rewards Points Expire Quickly — Here’s How to Keep Points Active

Domino’s Rewards Points Expire Quickly — Here’s How to Keep Points Active

September 21, 2025 0

Domino's Rewards has one of the least generous point expiration policies around. Here's Dominos Rewards points expiration policy and what you can do to keep your points alive.

Sam Helmy

Korean SKYPASS Miles Expiration: A Guide to KAL's Extremely Generous Policy

Korean SKYPASS Miles Expiration: A Guide to KAL's Extremely Generous Policy

September 14, 2025 4

When it comes to mileage expiration policies, the Korean Air SKYPASS program is one of the most generous around and almost impossible to beat. This gives you ample time to earn, plan, and use your miles for maximum value.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Smart Traveller: The Free Program That Rewards You for Visiting Airport Lounges

Smart Traveller: The Free Program That Rewards You for Visiting Airport Lounges

September 12, 2025 1

The Smart Traveller program allows you to earn points for lounge visits and then redeem them for a variety of options, including lounge visits, hotel stays, gift cards, and more. The deal is even sweeter because you can earn points even on complimentary visits to lounges through your credit card lounge membership.

Sam Helmy & Carissa Rawson

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

American Airlines Basic Economy Explained: Restrictions, Fees & What to Expect

American Airlines Basic Economy Explained: Restrictions, Fees & What to Expect

September 7, 2025 42

American Airlines Basic Economy tickets have some restrictions. From no seat selection to limited change flexibility. This guide goes over everything you need to know about these fares. That way, you can decide whether the cost savings are worth it, plus tell you how to circumvent some of the restrictions.

Tyler Glatt & Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Enterprise Loyalty Points Expiration Policy: What Counts as Qualifying Activity to Save Your Points

Enterprise Loyalty Points Expiration Policy: What Counts as Qualifying Activity to Save Your Points

September 7, 2025 1

Enterprise Plus has a very generous points expiration policy compared to other car rental companies. Here is all you need to know about your points expiring and how to keep them alive.

Sam Helmy

I Prefer Hotel Rewards: A Niche Program Actually Worth Your Attention?

I Prefer Hotel Rewards: A Niche Program Actually Worth Your Attention?

September 7, 2025 3

The Preferred Travel Group's I Prefer Hotel Rewards program lets you earn and redeem points at various properties worldwide. Here is all you want to know about the program and some insight on if it's worth your attention.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Do Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Expire?

Do Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Expire?

October 21, 2025 12

Qantas Frequent Flyer is very stingy with its points expiration policy compared to other major airlines. Here is all you need to know, and how you can keep your points active indefinitely.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Should You Use Amex Reward Dollars for Your Amazon Purchases?

Should You Use Amex Reward Dollars for Your Amazon Purchases?

August 30, 2025 0

American Express eligible cardholders can use their Amex Reward Dollars to pay for their Amazon purchase directly. Here is all you need to do about when to use your Amex Reward Dollars at Amazon and when to skip and pay cash.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

New Program, New Policy: Guide to Alaska's New Atmos Rewards Points Expiration Policy

New Program, New Policy: Guide to Alaska's New Atmos Rewards Points Expiration Policy

August 24, 2025 84

Alaska updated its expiration policy this month with the revamp of its loyalty program. And the new Alaska "Atmos Rewards" program features one of the most generous expiration policies around. Here's a rundown of the full expiration policy and what it means to your points balance, and tips on how to earn and burn your Alaska Atmos Rewards points.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Best Western Rewards Expiration Policy: What Budget Travelers Should Know

Best Western Rewards Expiration Policy: What Budget Travelers Should Know

August 17, 2025 11

Best Western Rewards has a generous expiration policy that allows you to focus on earning and burning without worrying much about expirations. So, do Best Western points expire? Here is all you need to know.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

Delta Business Traveler vs. SkyMiles for Business: Which Program Is Right for You?

Delta Business Traveler vs. SkyMiles for Business: Which Program Is Right for You?

October 3, 2025 0

Delta Business Traveler is designed for individual business travelers, regardless of their organization's size and, more importantly, their employer's relationship with Delta Airlines. So, how does the Delta Business Traveler Program stack up against Delta SkyMiles for Business, which is aimed at small- to medium-sized businesses? Let's take a look.

Sam Helmy & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

The SAS and Scandic Partnership Is Fully Live: Status Match and Point Transfers Now Available

The SAS and Scandic Partnership Is Fully Live: Status Match and Point Transfers Now Available

August 12, 2025 0

You can now status match between Scandic Friends and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) EuroBonus — with points transfers coming soon. Although this feature was promised earlier, it was delayed by about a month. Now that the partnership is live, let’s break down what you can do and whether it makes sense to take advantage of it.

Sam Helmy

Omni Hotels Points Expiration Rules — and How to Avoid Losing Select Guest Credits

Omni Hotels Points Expiration Rules — and How to Avoid Losing Select Guest Credits

August 10, 2025 0

Omni Hotels Select Guest credits don’t follow the same rules as most hotel points. Here’s how expiration works — and how to keep your rewards from expiring unused.

Sam Helmy

British Airways Unveils New Avios-Only Flights on Select Routes

British Airways Unveils New Avios-Only Flights on Select Routes

August 4, 2025 0

British Airways recently announced a new round of award-only flights. New Avios-only flights are offered on select routes, including routes from London to Cape Town, South Africa Here are the dates and pricing of these Avios-only flights.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by JT Genter

U.S. Bank Rewards Points Can Now Expire — Here's How to Keep Them Active

U.S. Bank Rewards Points Can Now Expire — Here's How to Keep Them Active

August 3, 2025 1

U.S. Bank recently introduced a new points expiration policy that makes it unique among major card issuers. Here is all you need to know about navigating this less-than-generous policy.

Sam Helmy

Best Buy Points Expiration Policy: How to Avoid Losing Your My Best Buy Points

Best Buy Points Expiration Policy: How to Avoid Losing Your My Best Buy Points

July 27, 2025 0

Best Buy points expire if you don't have qualifying activity on your account. Here is everything you need to know about your Best Buy points expiring and what you can do to keep them active.

Sam Helmy

U.S. News Announces the 2025–2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs

U.S. News Announces the 2025–2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs

July 21, 2025 3

The 2025–2026 U.S. News Best Travel Rewards Programs winners have been announced. This year, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan leads the pack of airline programs. On the hotel front, Choice Privileges takes the top spot. Do you agree with these rankings?

Sam Helmy

MGM Rewards Points Can Expire After Just 6 Months — Here’s How to Keep Yours Alive

MGM Rewards Points Can Expire After Just 6 Months — Here’s How to Keep Yours Alive

July 20, 2025 0

MGM Rewards has a complicated points expiration policy. Here is all you need to know about your points expiring and what steps you can take to keep your points active.

Sam Helmy

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