You Should Sign up for Travel Loyalty Programs (Even If You Don’t Travel Often)
Most frequent flyers are familiar with airline and hotel loyalty programs. But if you don’t travel often or need to book a flight, stay, or rental car with a company you don’t usually use, you might not think to sign up for a rewards membership (even if it’s free).
Of course, you’ll need to create an account and remember to book a reservation as part of your membership, but as The Points Guy points out , these extra steps can be helpful to get some basic benefits—for free—while traveling. While you won’t get the perks reserved for those who travel often enough to earn elite status, if the airline, hotel, or car rental company has a loyalty program, you’ll still save some money and time as a basic program. member.
Accrual and consolidation of rewards
The main reason to join travel loyalty programs is to earn points and miles that can be redeemed for future travel , as well as other benefits and savings if you don’t have enough money for another flight or don’t use your airline or hotel frequently. Most airlines offer better mileage rates for basic members than for non-members, and many also allow you to pool your miles with family and friends for better redemption options. British Airways , Emirates , JetBlue and United allow mileage pooling. Finally, you can take advantage of transferring miles to partner airlines (and through credit card rewards) and earn points on other purchases (like Lyft rides when you connect your Delta SkyMiles account).
Hotel rewards programs may seem even less rewarding than an airline loyalty program membership that earns you points and miles, but many of them work the same way in terms of accumulating points for future stays and status upgrades. Many hotel brands offer loyalty program members more points earned per dollar spent, and some even offer point pooling.
Finally, car rental rewards program members typically earn points for every booking that can be used toward discounted or free rentals.
Priority check-in and boarding
Some airline loyalty programs offer the ability to cut lines during check-in and boarding (and during customer service calls), which can save time on busy travel days and ensure you have overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage. For example, American Airlines AAdvantage places basic members in group 6 of 9 for boarding, and British Airways Executive Club members are allowed free seat selection up to 24 hours before departure. JetBlue TrueBlue members can also earn early boarding.
Free Wi-Fi on board and bonuses
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members receive free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights. The service is expected to be expanded to regional and international routes later this year. Singapore Airlines and Emirates also offer discounts on in-flight Wi-Fi for premium members, while Singapore Airlines offers discounts on baggage and seat selection fees.
Waiver of Wi-Fi and Resort Fees
Basic members of hotel loyalty programs may also be eligible for free Wi-Fi and resort fee waivers, as well as free access to hotel amenities. All Hilton Honors , IHG One Rewards , Marriott Bonvoy , World of Hyatt and Wyndham Rewards members are eligible for these benefits, where applicable.
Early check-in/late check-out
Checking out early on your arrival day or sleeping in late on your departure day will help keep your hotel within your itinerary. Accor Live Limitless members receive priority check-in at Fairmont hotels; IHG One Rewards members receive late check-out at 2 p.m.; and Preferred Hotels & Resorts members receive both (subject to availability). Hilton Honors members can check-in through the app and select a room.
Expedited registration of a rented car
The best benefit of being a car rental rewards program member is the ability to skip the line at check-in, which can save a lot of time at busy airport counters. Basic Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can also select their preferred car, and National Car Rental Emerald Club members can select any car available on the lot when making a mid-size reservation.