MT4 – Airlines Points and Miles
categories: Uncategorized
This episode features Tiffany Funk from Point.me, a tool that helps travelers maximize airline points for flights. Host Chris Christensen and Tiffany discuss how to earn, manage, and use airline points effectively.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Overview of Points and Miles
- Why Points Matter: Airline loyalty programs incentivize consumers and fill unsold seats. Points programs are massive profit centers for airlines, often tied to credit card partnerships.
- Who Can Benefit: Anyone can take advantage of airline points, even non-frequent flyers or children, using strategies like shopping portals or team promotions (e.g., Delta rewards for Seahawks touchdowns).
How to Earn Points
- Sign Up for Loyalty Programs: Joining airline programs is free and a basic step for all travelers, even infrequent flyers.
- Shopping Portals: Earn points on everyday purchases from retailers by going through airline-specific shopping portals (e.g., Southwest, American).
- Credit Cards:
- Best Cards for Beginners: Flexible points cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Membership Rewards cards, or Capital One Venture.
- Avoid Airline-Specific Cards: These are more suitable for frequent flyers who need perks like free checked bags.
- Understand Annual Fees: Higher fees often mean more perks; for example, Amex Platinum has luxury benefits but is not ideal as a starter card.
- Tips for Renters: Consider the Bilt Rewards card, which earns points on rent payments.
- Important Note: Always pay credit card balances in full to avoid high interest rates that negate point benefits.
How to Use Points
- Flight Redemptions: Points are most valuable for flights rather than merchandise or cashback.
- Flexible Points Programs: Cards like Chase, Amex, or Capital One let you transfer points to multiple airline partners, increasing redemption options.
- Maximizing Value: Aim to redeem points for flights where you get at least 1 cent per point, though savvy travelers can achieve 6-12 cents or more.
Tips for Spending Points
- Timing:
- The best availability for points flights is often 10-11 months in advance or sometimes last minute.
- Flexibility increases your chances of finding good deals.
- Practical Tools: Tools like Point.me help users find and compare points redemption options across airlines, making the process simpler and more efficient.
- Advice for Beginners: Start by identifying travel goals and researching how many points are needed. Use tools to explore flight costs in points and learn redemption strategies.
Misconceptions Addressed
- Loyalty to a Local Airline: Don’t limit yourself to the airline hub near you; having points in other programs can increase flexibility.
- Points Aren’t Always Lucrative: Focus on understanding when and how to use points effectively, especially during high-demand periods like spring break.
Point.me Overview
- What It Does: It works like Google Flights for points, aggregates flight redemption options across multiple airlines, and shows step-by-step booking instructions.
- Free and Paid Versions: A free account provides basic insights; premium subscriptions unlock full search capabilities. Amex cardholders can access a limited version for free.
- Consultation Services: Offers one-on-one support for travelers who want personalized points-earning strategies.
Final Takeaway
Earning and redeeming points can save travelers significant money, but it requires some upfront learning. Tools like Point.me simplify the process, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced points optimizer.
Save Money on Point.me
- The code for a monthly subscription is: AMATEURTRAVELER5
- Valid for the monthly or yearly standard point.me subscription with a discount amount of $7
- Monthly Note: The first month is $5 and will auto-renew after the initial month for $12/month; it can be canceled anytime.
- How to redeem code: Note: Once you select ‘Get Started’ on the standard plan (toggle can move it from annual to monthly depending on which you prefer), you will complete the sign-up, and then the promo code will be entered on the payment screen.
- The code for an Annual subscription is: AMATEURTRAVELER20
- for more info about the Concierge service, click here
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2 Responses to “MT4 – Airlines Points and Miles”
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Tags: airline, audio travel podcast, podcast, points and miles, travel 101
Suzy Spadafora
Says:December 1st, 2024 at 9:50 am
I usually love listening to your podcast but you interrupted Tiffany Funk so much during her points and miles interview. It was painful to listen to and I wish you could have just let her finished her sentences. Your tone was almost dismissive, and it’s the first time I didn’t enjoy an Amateur Traveler episode.
Chris Christensen
Says:December 1st, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Sorry