Make Credit Card Points and Airline Miles Part of Your Emergency Plan
It has been a tough few weeks for natural disasters in the United States. Even as the pandemic continues, the country also faces wildfires throughout the west , derechos in the plains and hurricanes along the Persian Gulf coast . If you are fortunate enough to avoid these disasters, it might be time to rethink your own emergency preparedness plan. If a disaster strikes and your family needs to leave, you may not have enough time to make it. This is why it can be convenient to create a takeout finance bag that will hold all of your family’s important documents. You can also plan to pay for a last-minute evacuation, which can be more expensive than you expect, depending on where you go and how long you need to stay.
In addition to your regular emergency fund, you can keep an extra supply of travel awards. Additional bonus points, frequent flyer miles and free hotel night certificates can save you money when you least expect it, according to The Points Guy .
If you need to escape storms or fires, you can earn some points for temporary accommodation. As you familiarize yourself with your bonus programs and your regional hotels, you may find that you have a chance to further increase your bonus balance. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may also cover some of the costs of a mandatory evacuation, so you should check your policy in advance.
You can also set aside points for round trip flights for your family. If your out-of-state relatives have an emergency – such as the death of a family member – these extra points can save you a lot of money and can help prevent an unexpected hit to your monthly budget.
Explore your preferred airline’s incentive program to learn how you can make the most of your points balance. Another reason to do your homework early? Some airlines – Southwest for example – are more flexible than others about changes or cancellations.