Points pros share common mistakes in managing rewards programs

Research

Summer Hull Director of content | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Dec 25, 2024

At The Points Guy (TPG), the focus is on optimizing points and miles to save money on travel. Despite years of experience, even seasoned experts at TPG make mistakes in redemption, transfer, and earning.

Tarah Chieffi, a senior writer at TPG, shared her experience with a points transfer miscalculation. She transferred more points than necessary from American Express Membership Rewards to Flying Blue for a trip, resulting in leftover points that were not immediately useful. "I should have instead found the exact flight I wanted to take and calculated the exact number of points I needed," she advised.

Caroline Tanner, a reporter at TPG, recounted an issue with a booking for Andaz Maui. Due to wildfires in Maui, she canceled her reservation but could not transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards points back once they were moved to her World of Hyatt account. "So, in this case, all was not lost since the points are still available for use," Tanner said.

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Managing editor Jordan Waller discussed his initial hesitation in using points-earning credit cards and his eventual shift from Avios loyalty currency to American Express Membership Rewards for better flexibility. "I have never looked back and wish I'd seen the light much sooner," Waller stated.

Clint Henderson, another managing editor at TPG, shared how he missed out on a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus due to spending just under the required amount with his Citi/AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard. He emphasized ensuring that one spends the full minimum amount required for bonuses.

Colin Hogan experienced disappointment when he failed to confirm a bonus point offer before signing a contract with Hyatt Regency Rochester for his wedding reception. "The onus was on me to make sure that was part of the deal before signing anything," Hogan admitted.

Senior director Summer Hull lost 218,013 Avios after failing to track their expiration during the pandemic when travel plans were canceled. Her attempts to reinstate them through Iberia were unsuccessful.

Rachel Craft faced challenges while booking flights for her honeymoon due to incorrect search criteria on United Airlines' award space tool. They eventually found a workaround but it cost extra points and resulted in separate cabin seating on one leg of their trip.

Erica Silverstein felt she did not maximize her Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card sign-up bonus effectively after canceling a planned trip post-terror attack events in Israel led only towards statement credits rather than travel rewards value as initially intended.

An anonymous staffer recounted miscalculating transferred points from American Express Membership Rewards leading them short by 2k SkyMiles needed purchasing business-class tickets Paris however received help via Delta's elite membership policy intervention saving day nonetheless remains memorable lesson learned instance ensuring correct calculations future transactions onward