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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
How to give the gift of travel: From using points and miles to booking a vacation package
Andrea M. Rotondo has traveled to 50+ countries using points and miles. She's a luxury, small-ship cruise expert and hotel maven who can share the not-to-be-missed spots in her adopted home state of Florida. She will also talk all day long about her ancestral homeland: Italy.
November 28, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Gifting travel can be a memorable alternative to traditional presents, with options ranging from booking trips to providing travel-related gift cards.
Using points and miles to arrange travel for loved ones can be efficient, especially if you manage the booking process for them.
Vacation packages and cruises often offer bundled value, reducing planning stress and sometimes featuring seasonal promotions.
Elite hotel status can be leveraged to enhance someone else's stay, granting them access to special perks.
What to consider
Confirm your recipient's availability and interest before booking, as travel gifts require coordination.
Seasonal deals on vacation packages, cruises and travel gift cards may be time-limited or subject to availability.
Some offers and promotions mentioned may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
Tips for maximizing points, leveraging elite status and navigating seasonal travel deals to create the most impactful travel gift.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
With the holiday season officially here, you may be wondering what to get that special someone in your life. While some people prefer unwrapping physical presents, others — such as many of the writers here at TPG — enjoy gifting and receiving vacations. Yes, giving the gift of travel may sound a bit complicated, but if you’re looking to surprise your spouse, kids and/or loved ones with a trip, we have some ideas.
And, while we love surprising our friends and families with travel plans, sometimes you need to keep that person in the loop when the gift you want to give them is travel. Are they in a position to take time off from work or family obligations to make the trip? Are you gifting the trip to them and a “plus one” so they don’t have to travel alone? Does your recipient even want to travel? These are all valid questions, and they can all be answered in advance of the gift with a few key conversations.
Once you know your recipient would love the gift of travel, here are a few ways to make it happen.
If you have a stash of points and miles that you can’t possibly keep all to yourself, gifting some for a loved one’s trip is an awesome idea. Since you likely have more knowledge of how these programs work, it’s usually best if you handle making the award reservations on their behalf. If you’re going on the trip, too, consider using your points and miles for your travel companion and paying cash for yourself if you want to earn a few extra miles to partially replace what you are spending.
Before you make any plans, be sure to check out the current list of bonus transfer offers. If there’s a good one that’s relevant to booking particular flights or hotels you’re interested in, taking advantage of one of these offers can make a lot of sense and save you points and miles. It’s a great way to stretch the points and miles you already have.
Vacation packages can present a tremendous value when they include airfare, lodging and sometimes even a rental car and excursions. We’ve seen some solid deals at Costco Travel. Watch for deals from airline vacation departments, too. In previous years, we’ve seen lucrative Black Friday deals, which can help you save money on flights, hotels and more.
Plus, booking a vacation package takes away the unwanted stress of researching and planning every detail of a trip. And, if flying to your next destination doesn’t sound ideal, you may want to look into booking a cruise for you and/or your companion. Several popular cruise companies are offering Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals that will definitely pique your interest.
Buy travel-related gift cards
Around the holiday season, it’s par for the course to see promotions that offer gift card buyers a gift to use themselves. Last season, you could purchase a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for $399.99. And travel doesn’t just mean hotel and flight gift cards. Be sure to look out for gift card deals on Uber and Lyft as well.
The point is to have eagle eyes if you plan to give the gift of travel via gift cards. Watch your email for targeted promotions, or check TPG for deal announcements. You can often find discounted travel gift cards or those offering some type of bonus for the purchase.
Even if you can’t find a discounted gift card, at least ensure you are earning as many points as possible when you purchase one.
Use Hyatt Globalist elite status to make a reservation for someone else
HYATT
If you’re a Hyatt Globalist, you can use your elite status to improve someone else’s stay through the company’s Guest of Honor program. Basically, if you’re a Globalist elite member, you can redeem points for a stay for a family member or friend and “transfer” your elite status privileges to that traveler. What does this actually mean? Depending on the property, it means your gift recipient would get extra perks like Regency Club or Grand Club access, free breakfast and late checkout. If you want to give someone you love the royal treatment, this is a great way to do so.
Use a credit card to get a welcome offer when paying for your gift
If you do plan to pay cash for the gift of travel, make sure to reward yourself. Here are a few of our favorite credit cards with lucrative welcome bonuses.
Credit card
Annual fee
Welcome bonus
Notable perks
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
$395
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases; earn 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
$550 (see rates and fees)
Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Receive up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits (up to $50 quarterly) for eligible purchases, up to $100 in Hilton on-property credits and up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits (up to $200 semiannually).
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
$95
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Earn 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
$95
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Receive cellphone and purchase protection, an extended warranty, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
$895 (see rates and fees)
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Enjoy a lengthy list of benefits, including complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott and an up to $209 statement credit for Clear+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) (enrollment required for select benefits).
Travel is a privilege that not everyone gets to partake in. Think about gifting an entire trip or a portion of one to someone you love. Whether you book a cruise deal or use your points and miles to pay for a hotel stay, gifting that special someone in your life an experience that they’ll likely remember forever is certainly one of the best presents to give. Plus, who knows, maybe they’ll catch the travel bug and become a built-in companion for future vacations.
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
