Scott Sikes Latest Posts

Freelance Writer

Distance Traveled in 2025

Visited in 2025

Scott Sikes joined the Award Wallet team in 2024. After saving several thousand dollars using points for a family trip to Hawaii in 2018, Scott was hooked! Scott enjoys finding amazing card offers, great travel deals, and maximizing points to the fullest. He and his wife, Hillarie, enjoy flying to all-inclusive in the Caribbean and traveling to minor league baseball stadiums throughout the Southeast United States.

Scott lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and two kids. When Scott is not traveling, he enjoys baseball, video games, gardening, and planning his next trip!

Travel Summarynew

Unlock CLEAR® Plus Discounts as a United Cardholder or MileagePlus Member

Unlock CLEAR® Plus Discounts as a United Cardholder or MileagePlus Member

by Scott Sikes and Skye Class

May 4, 2025

36

If you fly with United and belong to the MileagePlus program or have a United credit card, you can get a discounted or even free CLEAR Plus membership. Here's how it works and the steps to follow to enroll in a membership.

Roame.Travel Review: A Free, Fast Way To Search Award Flights Across 25 Loyalty Programs

Roame.Travel Review: A Free, Fast Way To Search Award Flights Across 25 Loyalty Programs

by Ross Denkin and Scott Sikes

April 27, 2025

7

Are you tired of searching flight award inventory for hours on end, only to be disappointed by the results? Let a web-based award search tool do the heavy lifting for you! Roame.Travel searches over two dozen award programs for flight award space on your chosen route. Here are the tips and tricks of this powerful award search tool.

Maximizing Hilton Points & Free Night Certificates at Small Luxury Hotels of the World in the Caribbean

Maximizing Hilton Points & Free Night Certificates at Small Luxury Hotels of the World in the Caribbean

by Scott Sikes

April 18, 2025

0

Hilton’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) gives you access to unique, upscale stays at boutique properties around the globe, including some stunning spots in the Caribbean. Even better, you can book stays at these posh properties with Hilton points or free night certificates. Here’s how to make the most of Hilton’s SLH partnership for a luxury Caribbean escape.

AA Hotels: A Great Way to Earn AAdvantage Miles & Loyalty Points on Stays

AA Hotels: A Great Way to Earn AAdvantage Miles & Loyalty Points on Stays

by Scott Sikes

April 14, 2025

0

If you want American Airlines miles and elite status, you should check out AA Hotels. You'll earn redeemable AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points that count towards elite status without having to get on a plane. In this guide, we'll show you how to maximize your rewards and explain when booking directly with the hotel might be the better choice.

Complete Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: Best Ways to Earn and Redeem Points

Complete Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: Best Ways to Earn and Redeem Points

by Scott Sikes

April 14, 2025

0

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the best-known travel rewards programs. It’s not only easy to use, but it also offers some of the best value when redeeming points thanks to a strong lineup of transfer partners and a wide variety of cards that earn them. This guide covers the best ways to earn and redeem points, the credit cards that earn them, what they’re worth, and more.

Should You Redeem Delta SkyMiles for Delta Vacations? Here’s Redemption Rate You’ll Get

Should You Redeem Delta SkyMiles for Delta Vacations? Here’s Redemption Rate You’ll Get

by Scott Sikes

March 17, 2025

0

Delta Vacations is an easy-to-use platform for booking your flight, hotel, and rental car in one place and under one reservation. It allows you to earn toward Delta status and provides opportunities for changing your reservation and adding travel insurance. It even provides ideas for places to go with highlighted deals and locations!

How to Earn Hilton Lifetime Diamond Status (And If It’s Worth It)

How to Earn Hilton Lifetime Diamond Status (And If It’s Worth It)

by Scott Sikes

March 16, 2025

2

Hilton Diamond status is one of the most valuable hotel elite statuses, offering perks like free breakfast, suite upgrades, and lounge access. While you can earn it annually through credit cards or stays, Hilton also offers a Lifetime Diamond status — granting permanent top-tier benefits with no need to requalify each year. But how do you earn it, and is it worth the effort? Let's dive in.

How to Create and Use Virtual Card Number With Your Capital One Account

How to Create and Use Virtual Card Number With Your Capital One Account

by Ashley Onadele and Scott Sikes

March 12, 2025

3

Have you ever needed your Capital One credit card number but couldn’t find your physical card? Capital One makes it easy by offering virtual credit card numbers — temporary, digital versions of your card that you can use for online purchases. Let’s walk through how to find and use these virtual card numbers and why they might be the best choice for your online shopping.

Capital One Venture vs. Venture X: Which Card Is Right for You?

Capital One Venture vs. Venture X: Which Card Is Right for You?

by Ajay Jain and Scott Sikes

February 24, 2025

3

Trying to decide between the welcome offers on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card? In this post, we compare the two cards side by side, highlighting the key differences in terms of rewards, fees, and benefits. Discover which card is the best fit for your travel style and goals.

AwardWallet Calendar Sync: Get Mileage Expiration Alerts in Your Digital Calendar

AwardWallet Calendar Sync: Get Mileage Expiration Alerts in Your Digital Calendar

by Scott Sikes

February 24, 2025

26

Did you know you can track your expiring points and miles right on your digital calendar? AwardWallet lets you sync account expirations to Google Calendar, iCal, or Outlook — so you don’t need to log in or check the app to stay on top of upcoming expirations! Here’s how to set it up.

IHG Credit Cards Compared: Which One Is Right for You?

IHG Credit Cards Compared: Which One Is Right for You?

by Ryan Smith and Scott Sikes

February 23, 2025

3

With the changes to IHG co-branded credit cards and the addition of a new business card, you might be thinking about adding one to your wallet. In addition to lucrative opportunities to earn a new cardmember bonus, these co-brand cards from Chase come with a great deal of perks that can make them easy to justify keeping for the long term.

How To Use MaxFHR To Find Cheap Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Stays

How To Use MaxFHR To Find Cheap Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Stays

by Scott Sikes

February 12, 2025

0

Many travelers use credits from The Platinum Card® from American Express, but maximizing the $200 Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) credit through the Amex Travel portal can be tricky. MaxFHR simplifies the process by highlighting bookable properties. Here’s how to use the tool to find cheap FHR stays.

Easy 20k Bonus Points: Here’s How to See If You’re Targeted for This Amex Pay Over Time Bonus

Easy 20k Bonus Points: Here’s How to See If You’re Targeted for This Amex Pay Over Time Bonus

by Scott Sikes and Toni Southam

February 7, 2025

21

American Express sometimes targets Card Members with Pay Over Time offers, often including generous Membership Rewards bonuses worth tens of thousands of points. Here’s what to know about Pay Over Time and how to check if you’re eligible for the latest lucrative offer.

Unlock Faster Security With CLEAR® Plus — Where To Use It and How To Save

Unlock Faster Security With CLEAR® Plus — Where To Use It and How To Save

by Scott Sikes and Senitra Horbrook

February 6, 2025

79

Navigating airports can be challenging, with many obstacles before boarding. CLEAR Plus offers a service to help travelers move quickly through security. Here’s an overview to help you decide if CLEAR Plus is worth signing up for.

A Complete Guide to Marriott Bonvoy’s Partnership With MGM Resorts

A Complete Guide to Marriott Bonvoy’s Partnership With MGM Resorts

by Tyler Glatt and Scott Sikes

January 27, 2025

1

If you didn't know, MGM has a partnership with Marriott, which offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy your Marriott Bonvoy membership benefits at unique properties and score extra points along the way. Here's everything you need to know about the Marriott-MGM partnership.

How To Use the Revamped American Airlines Miles Finder Map To Plan Your Next Award Redemption

How To Use the Revamped American Airlines Miles Finder Map To Plan Your Next Award Redemption

by Scott Sikes

January 27, 2025

1

The American Airlines Miles Finder Map helps you explore where your AAdvantage® miles can take you on American Airlines and select partner airlines. Here's a quick overview of how to use this free tool.

Here’s How to Earn Delta SkyMiles for Every Dollar Spent on Airbnb Stays

Here’s How to Earn Delta SkyMiles for Every Dollar Spent on Airbnb Stays

by Scott Sikes

January 25, 2025

13

If you frequently stay at Airbnb locations and fly with Delta, you’ll be happy to know these two brands have a longstanding partnership that lets you earn Delta SkyMiles on your Airbnb bookings. Here's how it works.

Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases: Maximize Your Non-Bonus Spend in 2025

Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases: Maximize Your Non-Bonus Spend in 2025

by Ryan Smith and Scott Sikes

January 14, 2025

73

There are a large number of credit cards out there offering bonus points for different purchases. But what do you do when a purchase doesn't fall neatly into any bonus category? In this post, we discuss the best cards to use for everyday purchases.

Earn Double Points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Bonus Points for Downloading the IHG App

Earn Double Points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Bonus Points for Downloading the IHG App

by Skye Class and Scott Sikes

April 1, 2025

1

Are you in the mood for some bonus IHG One Rewards points? IHG is offering two promotions: the first awards unlimited double points on stays between January 1 and March 31, 2025, and the second offers 500 points just for downloading the IHG app. Here's how to register.

Top No-Annual-Fee Card Benefits: 10% Points Rebate, Cell Phone Protection, and More

Top No-Annual-Fee Card Benefits: 10% Points Rebate, Cell Phone Protection, and More

by Jenna Hansen and Scott Sikes

May 2, 2025

1

Credit cards are frequently discussed for the benefits they provide. Most of the time, these benefits are typically listed as a way to justify a card's annual fee. But what about credit cards with no annual fee that also offer great benefits? In this article, we will review the perks you don't want to miss on some of our favorite cards without annual fees.

Capital One Savor Cash vs. Amex Gold: Which Card Is Best for Groceries?

Capital One Savor Cash vs. Amex Gold: Which Card Is Best for Groceries?

by Scott Sikes

December 30, 2024

0

The American Express® Gold Card shines on U.S. supermarket purchases, but the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a worthy competitor. Which card maximizes your spending? In this post, we break down the benefits of both to help you decide which one is the best fit for your grocery purchases.

Supercharge Your Miles: Pair the Capital One Venture X With the Capital One Savor Cash

Supercharge Your Miles: Pair the Capital One Venture X With the Capital One Savor Cash

by Scott Sikes

December 27, 2024

0

Two of our favorite Capital One cards are the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. Each of these cards are great on their own. But having both cards in tandem can greatly enhance your Capital One miles-earning ability. Here's how.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Which Is Right for You?

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Which Is Right for You?

by Scott Sikes

December 22, 2024

0

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are two excellent cards that each have excellent bonus offers, great points earning opportunities, multiple ways to redeem points, nice extra perks and low annual fees. Which one is the best card for you?

Link Your Marriott and Uber Accounts to Earn Easy Points on Uber Rides and Uber Eats Orders

Link Your Marriott and Uber Accounts to Earn Easy Points on Uber Rides and Uber Eats Orders

by Scott Sikes and Tyler Glatt

December 30, 2024

40

Marriott and Uber’s partnership offers Marriott Bonvoy members points on U.S.-based Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, plus a new perk: Uber One subscribers now get Marriott Silver Elite status. Here's how this partnership works.

Year-End Strategies for Earning Top-Tier Hotel Elite Status

Year-End Strategies for Earning Top-Tier Hotel Elite Status

by Ryan Smith and Scott Sikes

December 9, 2024

10

There's not much time left in the year, but there is still time to plan for and achieve top-tier hotel elite status with several programs. You can earn elite status now through these strategies and shortcuts and carry it through 2025 — or even part of 2026, depending on the program.

How to Score Free Car Rental Upgrades: Tips, Tricks, and Credit Card Perks

How to Score Free Car Rental Upgrades: Tips, Tricks, and Credit Card Perks

by Scott Sikes

December 4, 2024

54

Many credit cards offer complimentary car rental elite status, and several major U.S. rental agencies provide formalized status matches. From leveraging elite benefits to using coupons and corporate codes, we’ve rounded up the best ways to secure free rental car upgrades and elevate your travel experience.

Buy Now, Pay Later Programs — And Why You Should Skip Them

Buy Now, Pay Later Programs — And Why You Should Skip Them

by Carissa Rawson and Scott Sikes

November 27, 2024

1

Buy now, pay later financing offers can be tempting, especially if you have a large purchase to make. However, they're usually a bad idea. Here's an overview of the pros and cons of using such services and why you should ultimately decide to skip them.

How Amex Card Members Can Enroll to Get Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle Status

How Amex Card Members Can Enroll to Get Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle Status

by Skye Class and Scott Sikes

November 24, 2024

5

Looking for perks like guaranteed upgrades, bonus points, and a free additional driver on Hertz rentals? You might have access to these perks and not even know it! That's because several credit cards qualify for complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. Here's a list of the eligible American Express cards and how to enroll.

No-Annual-Fee Cards Are Not No-Fee Cards. Here’s Why.

No-Annual-Fee Cards Are Not No-Fee Cards. Here’s Why.

by Ryan Smith and Scott Sikes

October 13, 2024

1

No one likes paying extra fees; it feels like extra fees are everywhere. That means many people try to avoid them. And maybe you don't want to pay annual fees on credit cards. Here's why you should be careful of discussions about "no fee" credit cards.

Hilton Shrinks List of Aspire Resort Credit-Eligible Hotels. Here’s The New Full List.

Hilton Shrinks List of Aspire Resort Credit-Eligible Hotels. Here’s The New Full List.

by Tyler Glatt and Scott Sikes

October 11, 2024

15

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card resort credit is an easy way to save money on your next Hilton resort stay. The credit is worth taking advantage of, offering the ability to cover dining, eligible room rate charges, spa treatments, and more. It's also one of the key features for offsetting the card's annual fee. Here's all it covers and how it works.

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