My Severe Case of Points Procrastination
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I've recently been dealing with a rough bout of a condition I bet many of you are familiar with: points procrastination, the bad habit of putting off a booking until the last minute in the hopes of creating the perfect award itinerary with the least amount of miles possible.
My Situation
I am supposed to fly to Europe next week with my best friend Lori, who currently lives there and has a couple weeks off work. I am flying her to the States from Madrid to JFK on a Flying Blue 25,000 mile one-way business class Promo award on Air Europa. We are going to hang out in the US for a week and then fly back to Madrid, where I'm going to then go off and travel on my own a little since I've only been to Europe once this year - for one short day in London on the Oneworld Megado in January. I'm craving me some Europe!
There have been a couple of okay routings that became available, but they all required double connecting - once in the US and once in Europe and I personally prefer landing at my destination when traveling long-haul. I could also use double the points needed for a Standard award, but what would the fun and challenge be in that? I'm generally an all Saver award type of guy - I just like knowing I got a great deal.
But, no big deal.. something has to open up, right?
That's what the world of points has done to me. I'm a big procrastinator by nature - much to the chagrin of my teachers and parents growing up - but all my experience with points and miles in the past few years has only exacerbated my natural tendency to wait until the last moment because I know I'll be able to make it happen.
If not, this video will summarize my reaction if I can't get to Europe on the day I want to go...
Diversification Is the Key
I've been lulled into a sense of calm knowing that I've always gotten where I needed to go because I widely diversify my points on all three major alliances and credit card programs. By having so many options and partners of partners, I just assume I can get on any flight - even if it's during a peak travel period and I'm looking for business/first class awards. Here's how you can build up your balances in each of the major alliances/programs:
Oneworld: 100,000 American miles for 2 Citi cards; 100,000 British Airways Avios for the Chase Visa, taking advantage of the 50% Amex-> British Airways transfer bonuses when they happen. Transfer Starwood to American Airlines, Amex to British Airways or Chase to British Airways.
Skyteam: Suntrust debit cards, Delta 100% transfer bonus if that runs again, transfer Amex to Delta or Chase to Korean Air.
Star Alliance: US Airways 100% Buy Miles Promos, transfer Chase points to United or transfer Amex points to Aeroplan or Singapore.
American Express Membership Rewards: 75,000-point Business Gold card, 50,000-point Mercedes-Benz Platinum.
Chase Ultimate Rewards: 50,000 points for the Ink Bold, 40,000 for Sapphire Preferred
Starwood Preferred Guest: 25,000 points for both the Personal and Business SPG Amex cards, sign up for the Nice Choice promotion.
My Ideal Award
To further complicate things, I'm not trying to fly on a route with lots of capacity, like New York to Frankfurt or London. I need to fly from Miami to Madrid and there aren't a lot of options, especially because my schedule has become a lot more rigid than usual. I need to fly out on an exact day and I'd ideally like to fly in the evening to maximize my time in Miami. There are non-stop flights on American and Iberia, but there's no saver award availability on either airline. I am looking into other cities, but everything is pretty tight right now, and simply paying for a ticket isn't an option since airfares to Europe for next week are in the thousands of dollars - for coach. No gracias.
My Strategy
Historically, ExpertFlyer has always alerted me to award seats opening up - often just days before a flight I want to take, so I've set seat alerts for both American and Iberia for awards and AA upgrades in multiple classes from Miami, JFK and DFW to Madrid - as well as options on Air France, Air Europa and Alitalia. At just a week out from my hoped-for flight, I haven't gotten any alerts, and I'm starting to realize that, as much as I think last-minute tickets are doable with points, I might have a big problem on my hands. I'll just have to wait and see.
I won't pretend a part of me isn't excited by the challenge - this is kind of like testing myself to see just what I can do in a pinch and how last-minute I can book awards.
Downside
Besides the stress, the main downside of booking last minute awards are last minute award booking fees. For all you other points procrastinators out there, I thought I'd just put in some handy information on what fees you can expect to pay with which airlines if you're a last-minute booker like me.
I know a lot of you are Delta haters, but one great feature of SkyMiles is that the airline doesn't charge any last-minute booking fees and neither do Air Canada's Aeroplan program or British Airways Executive Club.
American: $75 for award tickets booked within 21 days of a flight except for Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold members using their own miles.
United: $75 fee for award bookings within 21 days of travel. Premier Silvers pay $50 and Golds pay $25 while Platinums and 1Ks can book for free.
US Airways: $75 for close-in bookings within 21 days of departure though it waives this fee for Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred members.
One way you can get around fees is to transfer your credit card points (not miles from your own mileage account since airlines levy huge transaction and per-mile fees on transfers) to a person you trust who has elite status and have them book the ticket for you since the close-in fees will be waived for them. Just make sure you know them well and they can do the booking for you, or you'll be out those points!
So am I the only one out there suffering from points procrastination? I'll be sure to report back on how this all plays out!
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.