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How to get the most out of your frequent traveler rewards

If you’re a frequent traveler, you have probably joined a number of “rewards” points programs over the years. Experts say that the average globetrotter participates in an average of seven such plans -- either sponsored by airlines or hotels or offered as a benefit with the traveler’s charge or credit card.

More than just bookkeeping

Keeping track of these programs is essential, if you want to take full advantage of the rewards you’ve earned. Among the things you should monitor are:

• The number of miles or points you’ve amassed in the different programs you belong to.
• Whether your account balance reflects your travel or spending activity since the last time you received a statement.
• How much time the various programs give you to exercise points before they expire.

There’s much more to it than simply watching points pile up until you have enough. Clearly you have to keep accurate and detailed records. But it’s also important to pay attention to special offers and new rewards opportunities. Many are time-sensitive and you don’t want to miss out.

In addition, you need to be aware of all your options, including whether it’s worth it to go for the more expensive unrestricted rewards to make sure you can redeem them when and where you want.

And you should also know each program’s policy on “buying miles” to build your account balance to the level needed for the reward you want.

Let your computer keep your accounts up-to-date

Up to now, you may have been storing your rewards program reports in a file. That’s one way to do it. However, since many programs send you a statement only when you’ve increased your point balance (i.e., only in the quarter when your account has shown purchase activity) it’s often hard to guarantee that your files are up to date.

For this reason, some frequent travelers have begun to do their bookkeeping on their computers, personally inputting every trip on a software program designed for that purpose.

Others have decided to let someone else amass all the details and deliver them in a consolidated report. 

When you arrange for such a service, you state up front what information you want to have monitored and included in the report -- such as your account balances, points expiration dates, travel activity, travel and other redemption offers, and missing travel activity. The service retrieves the information you requested via the World Wide Web, updating your report whenever new account information is available.

A typical report includes personalized messages, balances and expiration dates for points you have in each program, recent activity, and special travel offers and promotions – including flights, hotel, vacation packages, car rentals and dining.

September 16, 1999

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