As the end of 2023 approaches, it’s a good time to revisit your points and miles strategies, set goals and prioritize what’s most important to you. If you’re unsure where to start, here are 10 points and miles tasks to complete before the end of the year.
Check progress on your status goals
You’ll want to triple-check your numbers if you’ll barely qualify for status this year as well. Some TPG readers have miscalculated mileage runs and subsequently lost out on status.
It’s also worth considering whether one of the best credit cards for elite status could help you meet your status goals.
Related: Audit your mileage run: How Delta’s miscalculation almost cost me Diamond Medallion status
Book travel deals with partner airlines
While airfares, nightly hotel rates and cruise fares have increased, plenty of travel deals remain.
Scoring a flight deal on United Airlines, Delta Air Lines or American Airlines can be a double-edged sword. After all, you’ll earn fewer Premier qualifying points, Medallion Qualification Dollars or Loyalty Points on inexpensive fares.
Therefore, consider booking deals on a Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld partner airline. Suppose you purchase your ticket directly from the partner carrier and credit the ticket to United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles or American AAdvantage. In that case, you’ll earn on three criteria: the fare class, the distance and the operating airline. Historically, this is how I’ve qualified for status at a fraction of the usual price.
To learn more about crediting partner flights, check out these guides:
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For reference, American is now crediting Iberia and British Airways-marketed and operated tickets based on the price of the ticket. Also, Delta recently devalued accruals on many partner-issued tickets.
As always, don’t forget to consider booking travel with friendly cancellation and change policies. By doing so, you’ll avoid hefty fees if you have to change or cancel your trip.
Related: 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airfare
Plan your credit card strategy
If you have a destination on your travel bucket list, opening a new credit card and earning the sign-up bonus could get you there sooner.
I opened a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earlier this year. Currently, Venture X comes with a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG values 75,000 Capital One miles at $1,388. However, when you redeem Capital One miles at maximum value, your Capital One miles could be worth significantly more. Plus, Venture X offers a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal.
The end of the year is a great time to plan your strategy and open a new card, especially if you plan to spend extra money on gifts and other year-end expenses. That’s because this spending could help you meet the minimum spending requirement on a new card and earn a significant welcome bonus.
Related: Here’s why the Venture X and Amex Gold are the only 2 cards in my wallet
Earn annual spending bonuses
Speaking of spending, now is an excellent time to check your progress toward annual spending bonuses. For example, if you have the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can log in to your American Express account and see how much progress you’ve made toward earning a free night reward.
Quickly check to see what type of spending bonuses your cards offer and your progress toward meeting the required spending thresholds. It may be worth spending extra on your card if you’re close to meeting your spending goal. After all, with rising airfare and hotel rates, earning an extra free night certificate or companion ticket could be worth a lot.
Related: 7 of the best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night
Redeem travel fee credits
Hopefully, you’ve already redeemed all of your credit card travel credits. If you have a credit on your credit card that will expire on Dec. 31, now is the time to use it.
For instance, several American Express cards include an airline incidental credit every calendar year. Even if you have a trip booked in 2024, select your preferred airline and prepay for luggage or buy premium seats before the end of 2023. That way, you can redeem the credit this year and enjoy the benefits next year.
Also, some credit cards have nontravel credits. For example, if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll want to enroll in and redeem the biannual Saks Fifth Avenue credit as soon as possible (if you haven’t already). With the holiday shopping season in full swing, this can help you buy a great gift and save money. Enrollment is required.
Related: The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Register for hotel promotions
Registering for hotel promotions can be one of the easiest ways to earn extra points. For example, you can earn double Hilton points on all eligible stays and triple points in select markets through Dec. 31.
Even if you don’t have any Hilton stays planned through the end of the year, it’s worth registering for the promotion in case your plans change. While you might be planning to stay at a Residence Inn for Christmas weekend, you might end up at a Homewood Suites. Registering now means you won’t have to remember and dig up the registration link.
Head to our current hotel promotions page and register for any relevant promotions. Again, even if you’re not sure you’ll take advantage of all these offers, there’s no harm in signing up.
Related: 4 situations where booking a one-night hotel stay is worth the effort
Check your points and miles expiration dates
In the last year, more airlines have pivoted away from mileage expirations. Still, don’t assume that your miles are safe. Check your balances and expiration policies, and plan to use or extend your rewards before they expire.
Some travel providers waive mileage expiration dates if you hold their cobranded credit card. Other programs allow you to defer your expiration date by earning miles (or having qualifying activity). That could be a good reason to opt into dining rewards programs and use online shopping portals.
Related: Here’s how to get your points and miles back after they expire
Give the gift of status
Several loyalty programs offer the ability to gift elite status to others, either as an outright perk of your status or as one of your annual gift choices.
Your status benefits and perks may reset in the new year, though. So, check whether you can gift elite status and whether you must do so before the year’s end.
Related: Is airline elite status still worth it?
Pick your choice benefits
Programs like American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy offer top-tier elite members a choice of benefits. For example, you may be able to select bonus points, upgrades, a lounge membership or the ability to gift status to someone else.
Occasionally, your deadline to select choice benefits is the end of the year. Because of this, you’ll want to check whether you’ve earned any choice benefits and the selection deadline. If your deadline is Dec. 31, now is an excellent time to research your options and make a choice.
Related: Your complete guide to picking Marriott Choice Benefits
Cancel cards you don’t need
The savviest credit card holders regularly go through their wallets and decide which cards are worth keeping and which to let go of.
Now is an excellent time to review your credit card usage and determine which cards aren’t serving you well. Consider the benefits of each card, whether you’re using the perks and whether you can justify paying the annual fee. If you have a card that isn’t serving you well, you may want to downgrade or cancel your card.
Related: Should I cancel my credit cards if I don’t use them anymore?
Bottom line
With the sun setting on 2023, now is the time to crunch the numbers on your elite status, audit your loyalty accounts, cash out credits and reconsider your credit card strategy.
As you plan your travel for next year, make sure you’re aware of the changes in status requirements and register for promotions along the way. This way, you’ll be ready to enjoy all the points, miles, status and perks you’ve stocked up on this year.
