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Global Industry News

How to maximize your travel rewards strategy in 2025

Research

By Sky Industry News

Jan 17, 2025

The new year offers a fresh opportunity to plan travel and loyalty goals, including earning points and miles. As travelers consider how to maximize their rewards in 2025, several strategies can be employed.

One method is protecting against devaluations by "warehousing" points in credit card accounts until ready for redemption. Eric Rosen from The Points Guy highlights the importance of this approach: "Earning transferable currencies is an easy way to protect yourself from devaluations, which often happen without notice to members."

Monitoring welcome bonuses is another key strategy. ART Martie notes that staying informed about increased offers can be beneficial: "I always look for increased welcome bonuses, which regularly come and go." This includes preparing for potential new offers by managing existing cards wisely.

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Understanding transfer options is crucial for maximizing points' value. Different programs offer various transfer partners, as noted with World of Hyatt points being particularly valuable when transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards.

Pairing credit cards effectively can also enhance earnings. For example, combining the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card allows users to convert cash back into Ultimate Rewards points for more flexibility.

For those interested in American Express Membership Rewards, restarting this journey might involve using cards without substantial annual fees if introductory bonuses are unavailable. This approach could help regain eligibility for future bonuses.

Finally, prioritizing certain programs over others based on personal preferences and transfer partners can guide spending decisions. Ben Smithson from The Points Guy emphasizes the importance of choosing a program that aligns with one's preferred partners: "Overall, I won't earn as many transferable points with my Venture X as I would with my Strata Premier."

Implementing these strategies may assist travelers in optimizing their rewards throughout 2025.