“Rely less on the airline to offer you a good deal,” Mr Leff said. “You often want two cards: one that wins multiple points in the category where you spend more, and one mating in the same ecosystem from the same bank that earns 1.5 or two points per dollar.” This means that you are using two cards from the same bank – for example, the chase sapphire coupling is preferred with the freedom of the unlimited card to concentrate the points they won.
This flexibility turns out to be critical as the sweets move between the programs. Virgin Atlantic, for example, charges just 90,000 miles to Ana first -class flights to Japan. The same seat will cost 220,000 United Miles. Even Flying Blue, Air France-KLM’s program, still offers business class in Europe for 60,000 points-mainly less than many American carriers are charging. Premium AMEX and Chase credit cards allow for points to transmit multiple airline programs – which means that card holders are not linked to the availability of an airline.
For families looking for multiple high quality positions, the timetable becomes critical. “If you go to Europe, you may be pleasantly surprised by Flying Blue because they offer multi -level availability even with their savings rates,” Mr Qin said, referring to the low -price airlines. Some carriers, such as Japan Airlines, often release awards blocks within two weeks of departure.
Mr Leff recommends booking what is available in your main airline and then watch for better choices. Since most programs are now giving up the change fees on the awards tickets, you can change if the partners open. Just note that once you are carrying flexible points to an airline, you can’t carry them back.
Perhaps the most important: Don’t let the perfect one be the enemy of good.
“Remember, the best points are the best for you. If you have to close a flight for economy, because it makes sense, you do it,” Mr Qin said. “Don’t always shoot for the perfect or the perfect one, because you will never use your spots and are going to underestimate.”
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