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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 20 2007, 9:33 AM EDT (current) | jimglab | |
| Mar 19 2007, 3:57 PM EDT | Leftofthedial | 1068 words added |
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Top 10 Little Known But High Value Travel Rewards
10. Miles transfer into Hilton HHonors – You can convert miles from numerous airline programs into Hilton HHonors points to be used for hotel stays or many other rewards at a very generous 2:1 ratio. In other words, 5,000 American AAdvantage miles can be converted into 10,000 Hilton HHonors points. One tip, if you have American Express Membership Rewards points that you want to transfer into Hilton HHonors points, never do it directly, where 1,000 MR points will only convert to 1,300 Hilton HHonors points. Instead, first transfer the points to an airline, such as Hawaiian miles at a 1:1 ratio and them convert the miles into Hilton HHonors points. In doing so, 5,000 MR points will convert to 10,000 HHonors points instead of only 6,500 via the direct route.
9. Reduced Mile Short Hop Rewards – Nothing worse than having to burn 25,000 when you only need to go from New York to Louisville or some other relatively short distance. Many airlines, including American, United, Delta and others offer from time to time the ability to redeem round-trips for short hops for as little as 15,000 miles. That’s a good deal.
8. AirTran A-Plus Any Ticket Reward – Can’t find a redemption seat on any airline to that perfect destination over a holiday? No problem, assuming you have enough A-Plus Rewards credits with AirTran Airways. For 32 credits, AirTran will book a revenue ticket for you on another airline round-trip within the domestic US. 50 Credits will get you a ticket to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada or Mexico and 100 Credits will get you a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the world. American Express Membership Rewards points can be converted into A-Plus Rewards credits if you need more. Not only does this feature allow you to redeem your credits without the capacity controls on redemption inventory, you will even earn miles for the free trip on the airline that AirTran books for you since it is a revenue ticket you will be flying on. Gotta love that!
7. Any First or Business Class Reward – First and Business Class Rewards on most airlines are usually only 2 or 3 times the miles required for an uncomfortable, low service level coach seat. However, the cost or value of a First or Business Class trip is often 10 to 15 times as expensive as the deeply discounted leisure fares. Therefore, it is well worth it to save up miles and redeem them in the front of the plane whenever you can. Your mind and body will thank you.
6. The Starwood Effect – The flexibility of the Starwood SPG program can’t be matched if you want to consolidate your earnings into airline miles. While the hotel rewards in the Starwood program can be a bit pricy and hard to achieve unless you stay in Starwood properties a lot, the programs built-in bonus for conversion of points into nearly any airline’s miles is second to none. For every 20,000 Starpoints you earn, Starwood will convert those into any airline program on a 1:1 basis and give you a 5,000 mile bonus to boot. For this conversion, you would receive 25,000 miles in the airline program of your choice. This is the unique feature that makes the Starwood Credit Card from American Express the fastest way to earn a free ticket on just about any airline, simply utilizing the Starwood program as the intermediary.
5. Year Long Companion Pass – Frequent travelers on Southwest Airlines are provided a Companion Pass that allows them to take a companion along for free on any trip they make for an entire year. Southwest Rapid Rewards members who fly 50 round-trips or accumulate 100 credits through flight or partner use in a given year are rewarded with the companion pass. Best of all, companions travel free on both paid flights and award flights the member takes. AirTran’s A-Plus Rewards has a similar free companion reward.
4. VIP Rewards in Hilton HHonors – Special high value rewards are made available exclusively to Hilton HHonors VIP Elite level members. For 175, 000 HHonors points, VIP members can redeem for 6 nights at any of Hilton’s Hawaiian properties, numerous US golf resorts or any International Hilton hotel. Many of these resorts often have rates over $400 per night making this redemption option a very good value. And becoming an HHonors VIP member is not that difficult. If you don’t stay at Hilton hotels enough, just get the fee free American Express HHonors credit card. As a Cardmember, you are automatically given Silver VIP status in the program.
3. Discounted AAdvantage Awards – Each quarter, Citibank AAdvantage MasterCard holders have the ability to redeem special reduced mileage American Airline flight rewards for particular destinations. For example, one 3 month period may offer the opportunity to redeem 25,000 miles instead of the usual 30,000 miles required for round-trip travel to select Caribbean destinations. This is a great way to save miles or redeem for flights you wouldn’t otherwise have enough available miles to afford.
2. One Way Flight Rewards – Most legacy carriers don’t allow for one-way flight redemptions - it is round-trip or nothing. This can be a nuisance when your travel plans call for greater flexibility. Luckily, JetBlue and AirTran frequent flyers have the ability to easily purchase as well as redeem points or credits for one-way segments. What’s more, both programs are redemption options in the American Express Membership Rewards program, so you can easily direct your points where needed.
1. Reduced Hotel Rewards – A number of the largest hotel chain frequency programs offer reduced point redemption options at selected properties and dates. Marriott Rewards PointSavers feature provides discounts of up to 33% of the normally required points for stays at all their brands, including Ritz-Carlton hotels. Hilton HHonors has a similar feature called Point Stretcher rewards that reduce required points by 40%. Of course, these programs only work if the hotel and dates you want to stay are in sync with availability. Starwood SPG offers a built in discount that is always available. As long as you redeem for the highest Starwood hotels (Category 3 -7), they will give you the 5th night free on all hotel redemptions. With no blackout dates in the program, that is nice added bonus to redemptions.
10. Miles transfer into Hilton HHonors – You can convert miles from numerous airline programs into Hilton HHonors points to be used for hotel stays or many other rewards at a very generous 2:1 ratio. In other words, 5,000 American AAdvantage miles can be converted into 10,000 Hilton HHonors points. One tip, if you have American Express Membership Rewards points that you want to transfer into Hilton HHonors points, never do it directly, where 1,000 MR points will only convert to 1,300 Hilton HHonors points. Instead, first transfer the points to an airline, such as Hawaiian miles at a 1:1 ratio and them convert the miles into Hilton HHonors points. In doing so, 5,000 MR points will convert to 10,000 HHonors points instead of only 6,500 via the direct route.
9. Reduced Mile Short Hop Rewards – Nothing worse than having to burn 25,000 when you only need to go from New York to Louisville or some other relatively short distance. Many airlines, including American, United, Delta and others offer from time to time the ability to redeem round-trips for short hops for as little as 15,000 miles. That’s a good deal.
8. AirTran A-Plus Any Ticket Reward – Can’t find a redemption seat on any airline to that perfect destination over a holiday? No problem, assuming you have enough A-Plus Rewards credits with AirTran Airways. For 32 credits, AirTran will book a revenue ticket for you on another airline round-trip within the domestic US. 50 Credits will get you a ticket to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada or Mexico and 100 Credits will get you a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the world. American Express Membership Rewards points can be converted into A-Plus Rewards credits if you need more. Not only does this feature allow you to redeem your credits without the capacity controls on redemption inventory, you will even earn miles for the free trip on the airline that AirTran books for you since it is a revenue ticket you will be flying on. Gotta love that!
7. Any First or Business Class Reward – First and Business Class Rewards on most airlines are usually only 2 or 3 times the miles required for an uncomfortable, low service level coach seat. However, the cost or value of a First or Business Class trip is often 10 to 15 times as expensive as the deeply discounted leisure fares. Therefore, it is well worth it to save up miles and redeem them in the front of the plane whenever you can. Your mind and body will thank you.
6. The Starwood Effect – The flexibility of the Starwood SPG program can’t be matched if you want to consolidate your earnings into airline miles. While the hotel rewards in the Starwood program can be a bit pricy and hard to achieve unless you stay in Starwood properties a lot, the programs built-in bonus for conversion of points into nearly any airline’s miles is second to none. For every 20,000 Starpoints you earn, Starwood will convert those into any airline program on a 1:1 basis and give you a 5,000 mile bonus to boot. For this conversion, you would receive 25,000 miles in the airline program of your choice. This is the unique feature that makes the Starwood Credit Card from American Express the fastest way to earn a free ticket on just about any airline, simply utilizing the Starwood program as the intermediary.
5. Year Long Companion Pass – Frequent travelers on Southwest Airlines are provided a Companion Pass that allows them to take a companion along for free on any trip they make for an entire year. Southwest Rapid Rewards members who fly 50 round-trips or accumulate 100 credits through flight or partner use in a given year are rewarded with the companion pass. Best of all, companions travel free on both paid flights and award flights the member takes. AirTran’s A-Plus Rewards has a similar free companion reward.
4. VIP Rewards in Hilton HHonors – Special high value rewards are made available exclusively to Hilton HHonors VIP Elite level members. For 175, 000 HHonors points, VIP members can redeem for 6 nights at any of Hilton’s Hawaiian properties, numerous US golf resorts or any International Hilton hotel. Many of these resorts often have rates over $400 per night making this redemption option a very good value. And becoming an HHonors VIP member is not that difficult. If you don’t stay at Hilton hotels enough, just get the fee free American Express HHonors credit card. As a Cardmember, you are automatically given Silver VIP status in the program.
3. Discounted AAdvantage Awards – Each quarter, Citibank AAdvantage MasterCard holders have the ability to redeem special reduced mileage American Airline flight rewards for particular destinations. For example, one 3 month period may offer the opportunity to redeem 25,000 miles instead of the usual 30,000 miles required for round-trip travel to select Caribbean destinations. This is a great way to save miles or redeem for flights you wouldn’t otherwise have enough available miles to afford.
2. One Way Flight Rewards – Most legacy carriers don’t allow for one-way flight redemptions - it is round-trip or nothing. This can be a nuisance when your travel plans call for greater flexibility. Luckily, JetBlue and AirTran frequent flyers have the ability to easily purchase as well as redeem points or credits for one-way segments. What’s more, both programs are redemption options in the American Express Membership Rewards program, so you can easily direct your points where needed.
1. Reduced Hotel Rewards – A number of the largest hotel chain frequency programs offer reduced point redemption options at selected properties and dates. Marriott Rewards PointSavers feature provides discounts of up to 33% of the normally required points for stays at all their brands, including Ritz-Carlton hotels. Hilton HHonors has a similar feature called Point Stretcher rewards that reduce required points by 40%. Of course, these programs only work if the hotel and dates you want to stay are in sync with availability. Starwood SPG offers a built in discount that is always available. As long as you redeem for the highest Starwood hotels (Category 3 -7), they will give you the 5th night free on all hotel redemptions. With no blackout dates in the program, that is nice added bonus to redemptions.
