Many travelers have been left stranded after a tragic event. The first step for any traveler to understand their rights is to know what some of the different travel loyalty programs are out there. It’s important for every traveler to have an understanding of what a travel loyalty program really means and how it can be beneficial for your trip, both financial and otherwise. Below are a few tips on how to choose the best travel loyalty program for your trip so that you aren’t left stranded and disappointed.
1. Check Out the Rules of the Program
Travel loyalty programs vary in their rules. Some will have rules that state whether you’re able to obtain a free upgrade just because you’ve purchased a certain product while others don’t allow you to use their points on discounted products. Some programs are also very lenient in their rules as they allow you to book your flight entirely with points while others only allow you to use some of the points on your ticket.
2. Speak With a Travel Agent
Before choosing any travel loyalty program, make sure that a travel agent has given you an accurate idea of what each program is like. Unfortunately, a lot of programs are not transparent enough in telling travelers exactly how much the point value is per dollar spent and how its calculated.
3. Save Up Those Points
Whether it’s through the use of a travel credit card or through banking, a lot of travelers do not make good use of the points they’ve earned because they don’t know whether or not they can use them after booking a flight. Before you book any travel loyalty program, try to speak with someone who is familiar with how the program works so that you’re certain that once you’ve earned enough points for your trip, you can go ahead and book it.
4. Check Out The Benefits
When you’re applying for any travel credit card, make sure that you spend enough time choosing the best one for your trip. One of the most well-known travel loyalty programs is that of Airline Miles and it’s well known because it just doesn’t give you points to use on flights. It also offers you discounts on car rentals, hotels, and other travel related expenses.
