Power Points

Flexibility is key to getting the most out of your rewards programs this summer

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As the world emerged from the pandemic, eager travelers were ready to embark on new adventures using the points they accumulated during lockdown. With inflated points balances and limited supply, many airlines and hotels sent their reward prices soaring, and travelers were generally desperate enough to get out of the house that they paid those prices.

Now that airlines and hotels have staffed up, travel is closer to an equilibrium. Still, when the moment arrives for travelers to redeem these hard-earned points, questions may creep in, like: Am I maximizing my points? What strategies can I use to unlock the full potential of my rewards?

From Birmingham to Venice

On a sunlit afternoon during a family road trip, Kate White found herself in this very dilemma. While driving and seeking a place to stay for the night en route from Pittsburgh to Birmingham, Alabama, she was dismayed by the steep hotel prices along the way. Remembering her brother’s advice, she quickly transferred 5,000 Chase points to her Hyatt account, securing a room at a Hyatt Place and saving hundreds of dollars on the nightly rate, or two-thirds of the points the hotel normally charges. As she pulled into the hotel parking lot, Kate felt triumphant. Smart thinking had transformed a potential frustration into a rewarding success.

But what about aiming higher? Imagine getting from Kate’s town in Alabama to the canals of Venice, Italy, ticking off that goal of a gondola ride while being serenaded by a gondolier. Research shows that the key to stretching your airline miles this summer boils down to one word: flexibility.