This week, I booked award flights for trips throughout the next 12 months. Why? Because my points and miles stash is helping me hedge against higher airfare prices resulting from the current Middle East conflict, which is driving up crude oil prices.
Since no one knows how long this may last, I decided to protect my ability to travel by booking well-priced award tickets that I may not be able to afford in cash later this year.
This approach safeguards my pocketbook while keeping me on the road, since travel is one of my all-consuming passions. And because award tickets are generally so flexible — often with no fee to cancel and redeposit the miles — there is no risk. I can cancel if I decide not to travel.
If you’re a redemption beginner and don’t know where to start, take a peek at my blueprint to find the awards you want. Additionally, be sure to understand the concept of airline alliances — Oneworld, Sky Team and Star Alliance — by which you can use miles from one airline to book an award flight on any partner airline in the alliance (pending availability, of course).
I’m also booking Hyatt stays in advance of World of Hyatt award chart changes that will take effect in May, which will make some of my favorite redemptions more expensive.
Quickly and efficiently research places to visit and award availability across programs with these essential tools:
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