Quick Points: Earn bonus points and miles by booking group travel
Trips with family and friends can be a blast for everyone involved — and a great opportunity for you to even earn extra points and miles. You can easily rack up bonus points or miles when you decide to book part or all of the travel for your entire group. Then, simply have your travel companions reimburse you for their shares.
I've planned several group outings, from girls weekends to multigenerational family trips, and stacked up tens of thousands of points and miles in the process. Here are some tips I've learned to maximize your rewards on group travel.
Related: Earn points and miles for referring friends to loyalty programs and credit cards
Set expectations with a travel budget
Before you start planning your big adventure, discuss options and set goals with the group. Where do you want to go? What kind of trip are you looking for? What's the budget?
Once the group has agreed on a rough plan, you can start the fun part: researching flights, hotels and excursions. Personally, I've found it's easier to organize group travel when one person is in charge; plus, most of my loved ones are happy not to be that person.
Shop around for travel discounts and deals
Just as you would when booking travel for yourself, be sure to check multiple avenues — including travel portals — to make sure you're getting the best price and the most points. Also, consider what type of rewards you'll earn (airline miles, hotel points or transferable points) and how valuable they are to you.
For example, since many of my relatives are traveling to Colorado in October for my wedding, I offered to book hotel rooms for everyone. I found an affordable hotel near the wedding venue on the Chase Travel℠ portal, where I earned a whopping 10 points per dollar spent thanks to the double-points welcome offer on my Chase Freedom Unlimited® (offer no longer available).
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is currently offering a $200 bonus earned after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
As a result, I'm earning roughly 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points on a two-night hotel stay. These points are worth 2.05 cents each, according to TPG's July 2024 valuations, and I know I can maximize my points by transferring them to travel partners to book future trips.
Related: No-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable points
Stay organized when planning travel
Travel planning can be stressful when you add more people to the mix, so staying organized and communicating is critical.
When my fiance and I planned a family cruise, we saved all relevant emails in a designated folder and tracked confirmation numbers and costs in a spreadsheet. Then, we forwarded the necessary information to each relative so they'd have everything they needed to meet us at the port.
As a result, the trip went smoothly for everyone — and we netted around 65,000 United Airlines miles by booking everyone's cabin through United's cruise portal.
Related: The best cruise lines for families
Bottom line
Booking a trip for a large group takes a little extra work, but it can pay off major dividends in the form of points and miles.
Think of it as a reward for putting in the work to ensure other people have a smooth vacation.
I've found booking trips for my friends and family fun, and most people are grateful to have someone else do the heavy lifting. Best of all, you'll share your love of travel with the people you love.
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| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
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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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
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- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.