Category: Other Tips

Should You Use Hilton Getaways, The New Vacation Package Portal?

June 11, 2023 1

There is a new pilot booking platform for Hilton vacations called HiltonGetaways.com, powered by Expedia. But is it a good platform? Here is what we know so far about the new booking site and whether members should use it.

Skye Class

Why You Should Never Redeem Capital One Miles Through Capital One Travel

June 2, 2023 2

Capital One offers a plethora of transfer partners, similar to many of its credit card issuer counterparts. However, some cardmembers prefer to redeem their miles against travel purchases at a fixed value. Two options exist for this kind of redemption, but here's why one is vastly superior.

Ross Denkin

First Look: Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club Boston Airport Review

May 11, 2023 1

The Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club in the Boston Airport is opening on May 16, 2023. AwardWallet got the first look at the lounge, its amenities, and what to expect when you enter. Here's a tour around the first Chase Sapphire Lounge in the U.S.

Carissa Rawson

Donate Aeroplan Points to Miles4Migrants and Reunite Families

March 20, 2023 7

Miles4Migrants is a 501(c)(3) charity that uses donated frequent flyer miles to help reunite asylum-seekers and refugees on their journey to their new forever home. Through April 2023, Miles4Migrants is partnering up with Air Canada Aeroplan to try to raise two million Aeroplan points. Alternatively, you can donate Alaska, Flying Blue, JetBlue, and United miles.

Patrick Stouffer

What Teenagers Need to Know About Getting Their First Credit Card

February 5, 2023 1

It’s never too early to start becoming financially savvy. Doing so can help young adults avoid the financial pitfalls that many of us fell for when we were just starting out. In this piece, new AwardWallet contributor Kennedy Miller explains to her fellow teenagers what they need to know before getting their first credit card.

Kennedy Miller

First Look: Numu Hyatt Unbound Collection Opening in February 2023

January 31, 2023 0

Numu is set to finally open its doors to guests on February 1, 2023 in the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Here's a first look at the new property before it officially opens. The hotel finally offers World of Hyatt members an option to book a hotel using points in popular San Miguel de Allende.

Miguel Rueda

Best & Worst U.S. Airports for Cheap Deals on International Flights

October 16, 2022 3

Scott's Cheap Flights recently released its rankings for the best and worst US airports for cheap international travel in the last 12 months. Here are the top 10 and bottom 10 - and how you can use this information to help plan your travels.

Sam Helmy

Flight Cancellation Period Passed? Trying Changing Your Flight to Save Your Award

September 24, 2022 5

Travel plans can change at the drop of a hat, especially in this day and age. If changes are required too close to scheduled travel, airline policies may seem to leave award travelers with no option but to forfeit the points or miles used for booking. However, that may not actually be the case. Here's my strategy for saving award when you have to cancel at the last minute.

Ross Denkin

How I Used Points and Miles to Save on My Move Across the Country

September 17, 2022 0

Points and miles often help make incredibly lavish or exotic leisure travel possible. However, sometimes the most memorable points and miles redemptions come in the form of domestic travel - and not for vacations. For instance, points and miles helped drastically reduce the cost of travel ahead of a recent cross-country move. Here are my takeaways and some lessons for your travels.

Ross Denkin

Discharged: Be Careful Which Credit Card You Use When Renting a Tesla

July 26, 2022 6

On a readthrough of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Guide to Benefits, something caught our eye: The card's rental car protections don't cover Tesla car rentals. Here's an overview of all of the rental car coverage exclusions of the Sapphire Preferred and which card you should use if you are going to rent a Tesla.

JT Genter

How Do Points and Miles Expiration Policies Work?

July 17, 2022 2

Finding out that your points or miles have expired when you log into your account is incredibly annoying and frustrating. Here's a detailed roundup of the points and miles expiration policies for major airline and hotel programs to help you avoid losing your points and miles along the way.

Sam Helmy

Airlines That Still Allow Free Changes on Award Bookings

May 2, 2023 33

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines began allowing free changes on award bookings and cash tickets. Some of them have friendlier policies than others. Moreover, some of these policies are permanent, while others are temporary. Policies that were set to end saw extensions with some airlines, so here is the latest.

Ryan Smith

Airline, Hotel Programs That Have Still Paused Point Expiration Due to COVID-19

July 11, 2022 185

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought most travel to standstill, many airline and hotel programs paused point expiration. However, as more people are traveling these days, airline and hotel loyalty programs are resuming normal expiration policies. Here is the latest information on point expiration rules related to COVID-19 - including the 13 major airline and hotel programs that have still paused expiration.

Patrick Stouffer

How to Earn Points and Miles by Selling on Amazon

July 9, 2022 0

An Amazon small business is one of the easiest ways to qualify for small-business cards—and dramatically expand your ability to earn more rewards. By leveraging Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA), you can resell items purchased from other retailers and earn points and profits in the process.

Cassondra Barney

How to Book Hyatt Suite Upgrades With Points Online

April 16, 2022 1

Hyatt recently added the ability to book Hyatt suite upgrades using points online. This overdue feature reduces the need for phone calls and waiting on hold. Here's how World of Hyatt members can redeem their points for suite upgrades via the website.

Ryan Smith

Caesars Halts Unearned Status Matches From Wyndham. Here's How to Still Get Both Statuses.

January 12, 2026 1

Savvy Las Vegas and Atlantic City fans know that there are popular hotel status match opportunities possible at these locations. However, one of our favorite matches is no more. The endless cycle of status matching between Wyndham and Caesars without activity is no longer possible. Here's how these matches will work going forward.

Ryan Smith

Use Your Hilton Honors Points at Warner Brothers Themed Resort, Get Free Theme Park Tickets

February 17, 2022 0

A first-of-its-kind Hilton property with a Warner Brothers theme offers free tickets to three nearby theme parks as part of your stay. This includes a water park, Warner Brothers park, and even the world's fastest roller coaster. Along with character breakfast and pool-side movies, the best part is that you can book this property using your Hilton Honors points. Here's a look at this unique redemption opportunity.

Ryan Smith

Score IHG Platinum Elite Status in Just Five Nights Through New Fast Track Offer

January 10, 2022 41

IHG's latest fast track to Platinum Elite status promotion is live. Register anytime between now and March 12. Then, you will have 90 days to complete the stay requirements. You'll need just 5 nights to extend your Platinum Elite status through December 2023. Then again, you can score Platinum Elite status with zero nights with the right credit card. Here are the details of both options.

Toni Southam

How I Maximized Hyatt Bonus Journeys to Earn 2 Free Nights, 10k Points & a Suite Upgrade

December 31, 2021 2

Free Night Awards, Suite Night Awards, and the pursuit of more points. If you want to maximize your earning opportunities in 2022, you may not even have to make significant changes to your current plans. It may be as simple as a few minor adjustments.

Joe Petrovic

Deal Alert: Excellent Singapore Airlines First Class Award Availability

December 12, 2021 18

Great news, luxury travelers! Singapore Airlines is bringing the A380 back into its fleet, meaning the return of some of the best first-class products in the sky. Best of all, Singapore Airlines has opened award availability on several routes, including from New York to Frankfurt. Some routes have Singapore Airlines first class award availability every day!

JT Genter

Mother's Day Surprise: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

September 11, 2021 11

Do you see warm sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation, delightful pools, and a beautiful resort in your future? If so, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa might be a perfect choice! In this post, we’ve got a case study on how to use points and miles, credit card perks, and elite status to book an amazing getaway at a huge discount.

Joe Petrovic

Why I'm Considering Earning KrisFlyer Elite Status Through Point Transfers

June 19, 2021 10

Singapore Airlines is running a very compelling promotion now through February 2022 offering Singapore KrisFlyer members the opportunity to earn status without flying. Anyone with a stash of transferable points can maximize this promo. KrisFlyer members with an immediate use for KrisFlyer miles are in a great position to take advantage of this opportunity, while others may be best off sitting this one out.

Ross Denkin

Spirit Airlines Launched an Elite Status Match Challenge, But Can Anyone Actually Reach It?

March 12, 2021 21

Thinking about jumping on Spirit Airlines' new status match/challenge opportunity? Before you register, check out this post to learn what benefits you would receive. But, you'll want to consider the total cost first, because maintaining status may be costlier than it first appears.

Joe Petrovic

The Only Airline That's Still Blocking Middle Seats

February 8, 2021 110

Since the start of the pandemic, some airlines adopted policies limiting the number of passengers allowed onboard—including blocking middle seats. Unfortunately, all but one of these airlines have rolled back these policies since the beginning of December. To help you keep track, we've compiled all of the airlines that ever blocked middle seats and the current timelines for when this flyer-friendly policy will end.

Patrick Stouffer

5 Ways You Know You’re Winning in Travel and Loyalty Programs

January 24, 2021 21

Are you worried that you aren't doing the miles and points game right? Let's flip the script and look at five of the ways to know when you're actually coming out ahead in travel and loyalty programs.

Joe Petrovic

How I'm Stacking Marriott Promotions To Elevate My Bonvoy Elite Status, Earn Additional Points

October 4, 2020 18

Stacking Marriott Bonvoy's latest promotions and Amex Offers can help you earn more points and save on upcoming stays. Here's how I'm stacking a few of these offers to get elite status quicker and cheaper than before. What do you stand to gain from stacking these offers? More value awaits including free breakfasts, upgrades, checkouts as late as 4 p.m., milestone benefits, and even more bonus points.

Joe Petrovic

9 Ways That I Saved Money on My Road Trip, and You Can Too

July 5, 2020 16

When we think of maximizing points and miles, we generally imagine luxurious vacations in exotic locations around the world. With international travel on hold, using points and miles for these traditional redemptions isn't an option. So, I took my family of 6 on a road trip around Utah to visit national and state parks. Here's how we did it for minimal out-of-pocket costs, and you can too.

Toni Southam

The New Workaround to Use the Old American Airlines AAdvantage Award Search

June 3, 2020 28

Slowly but surely, American Airlines continues its transition toward its refreshed award search tool. However, many travelers prefer the legacy search tool for the options it offers those looking for saver award availability. While it may now require more steps, a workaround remains available for those who prefer the old award search tool.

Ross Denkin

How I Stacked Offers to Purchase New Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones for Under $90

May 8, 2020 18

Looking for a new pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones? Here's how I stacked offers to get Bose's latest and greatest $349 headphones for under $90 while earning over 4,500 Membership Rewards points from doing so.

Joe Petrovic

How I Earned Nearly 10,000 Points From One Day of Online Shopping

April 25, 2020 19

Earning a huge amount of points is still possible even when shopping from home. By stacking Amex Offers with shopping portal bonuses, I saved $50 and earned 9,700 points in one day! Here's how I did it and how you can step up your points-earning too.

Joe Petrovic