How travelers overcome hesitation when redeeming credit card reward points

"Using these points means saving on out-of-pocket costs. Of course, it makes sense to redeem them this way," the individual noted.

Staff at The Points Guy (TPG) have various strategies for redeeming credit card rewards. Some focus on solo travel while others share or pool rewards with partners or family members. For example, Olivia Mittak, TPG credit cards editor, aims for a value between 1.5 and 2 cents per point but is flexible if using points allows her to afford flights she otherwise couldn't book.

"I'm not opposed to getting less-than-ideal value for my points if it's a flight I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford. I think a lot of people get too caught up in redeeming for luxury and maximum value, and that shuts them out of opportunities," Mittak said.

Augusta Stone, TPG credit cards writer, uses miles mainly for personal enjoyment or spontaneous trips: "I redeem miles to visit friends when I want to; I don't have to, but I want to, so why not do it for free? The same thing applies when I travel with my partner for his work. If he's going to a cool place to cover a game, and I can get a flight on miles, fantastic."

For premium travel preferences, Danyal Ahmed compares cash prices with point redemptions: "I'll compare the cash price to what I could pay using points. If the airfare booked with points is valued at more than 3 cents per dollar, it's a pass for me." He prefers booking premium cabins but will opt for economy if necessary.

Carly Helfand prefers spending her rewards on luxury hotel stays rather than frequent premium flights: "I absolutely love staying at fancy hotels and resorts... I'll spring for a premium-cabin flight in points only once or twice a year if it won't totally demolish my overall points balance — it's fun, but it's not super important to me."

Chris Nelson focuses on maximizing redemption value: "If the redemption value is low and the cash price is high, I'll only use points for essential trips — like helping a family member get somewhere." He generally avoids using points unless he gets at least 1.5 cents per point on flights.

The consensus among these travelers is that while finding exceptional redemptions is rewarding, holding out too long can mean missing practical opportunities. Credit card rewards are intended as tools to offset travel expenses rather than assets meant solely for rare high-value uses.

As one conclusion states: Don't let hesitation prevent you from using your credit card rewards; practical redemptions can still provide meaningful savings and experiences.