Confessions of a Point Hoarder

If we’re always working 9 to 5, when do we find the time or the resources to have fun? I’ve always been one to do my best to work the system and take advantage of both my work and personal travel and expenditures so that they allow me some personal perks along the way (without conflicts, of course!). In order to do this you need to learn to work the system: fly one airline or their partners, bank all of your miles to just one airline, use mileage or point earning credit cards like American Express (Membership Rewards program) and airline branded credit cards, and join hotel and rental car loyalty programs. Once you know how to maximize accumulating your points - and it does take a little work and some time - you will reap the rewards of free airline trips, car rentals, hotel stays, shopping rewards, dining rewards, and more!

Here are my top ten tips on how to become a point hoarder:

1. Pick one airline and stick with them or their partners, when possible. Apply all of your mileage to the one main airline you fly most frequently. The more you fly the quicker you’ll gain higher priority status on the airline – easier to apply for upgrades, bypass the long “Disneyland” lines at security check points, and other perks.

2. Use an airline branded credit card to rack up the miles! Many airlines will also give you a mileage incentive when you sign up that count toward your “elite” status with the airline. If they don’t offer it – ask for it!

3. Many airlines also offer you miles for dining at area restaurants. Make sure you sign up for these programs as well. The more you’re enrolled in, the quicker your points will add up!

4. Get an American Express card if you don’t already have one. Sign up for the Membership Rewards Program ($40 year), and you’ll earn 1 mile for every dollar you spend. Your points can be used for anything from hotels nights, airline tickets, dining gift certificates, concert tickets, gifts, or car rentals. You can use your miles for small things or big things. Don’t tell but… for the holidays I trade in my miles for gift cards for friends and family. I feel like I’m able to give a little more this way.

5. Sign up for Points.com to manage your miles. You can swap and exchange your miles between partner airlines, American Express Membership Rewards, or use your points to purchase things like hotel nights, Starbucks and Amazon giftcards, and more!

6. When shopping on-line, use sites that will earn you more miles on your favorite airline. I like Mileage Plus Mall and Points.com. Shop your favorite sights like Nordstrom, Old Navy, FTD.com, and others without leaving your living room, and you’ll bank some miles to boot.

7. Work the system! Sign up for every promotion on your favorite airline – in fact right now Alaska Airlines is offering double miles for all flights in 2008 from Seattle to SFO or LAX (must fly 2 RT’s between 3/15 and 5/15 to qualify for double miles for the rest of the year)! United Airlines is doing something similar but during a more limited time frame.

8. Before you rent from a car company make sure you sign up for their loyalty program. Go to their website and sign up before you book your car. Most times the car websites offer the lowest prices around but look on other sites as well to make sure you’re getting the best deal. The biggest benefit of the loyalty programs is that many of the rental agencies allow you to bypass the regular rental lines when you pick up your car (a huge plus if you are in a hurry or traveling during a busy season). Some rental car companies, such as Hertz, allow you to just review a reader board, find your name and stall number of the car, and away you go! How easy is that? You can either earn points in your car rental loyalty program, building credit toward free car rentals, or your favorite airline for more airline points!

9. Hotel loyalty programs are great. I suggest you pick just a couple and stick with them. A couple of good ones that offer great hotel options are Starwood Hotels and Marriott. Once you reach a certain level of status you’ll begin to receive special discounted offers, room upgrades, late check out, and room amenities such as morning newspapers, free bottled water, fresh fruit, and turn down service.

10. Use services like Open Table to make restaurant reservations (all over the US) and build points for future dining certificates or join restaurant loyalty programs like Schwartz Brothers Restaurants (Daniels, Chandler’s Crabhouse, Spazzo Italian Grill, Revolution Bar and Grill). Enjoy gift certificates on your birthday and build your points up for a nice night out on the town for friends.

Happy hoarding!