A year ago, we made our best guesses at what would happen with credit card rewards in 2023.
11.12.2023 - 20:35 / lonelyplanet.com
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
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Finding out you’ve somehow let your precious stash of hotel points or airline miles expire is a terrible feeling, especially if you’ve been saving them up for a while. Thankfully, taking small steps like paying attention to expiration policies, using a website or app to track your points and miles and keeping your accounts active can help you avoid this harrowing prospect.
A lot of it really depends on the type of rewards you’re working with. Credit card rewards points, for instance, won’t expire as long as your account remains open, while airline and hotel loyalty program policies vary greatly.
For those, if there’s no activity on your account for a certain amount of time, they’ll likely expire, with few exceptions. That said, you can complete certain activities to keep your account active, like using a co-branded credit card, redeeming rewards, earning elite status or booking a flight or hotel stay.
Here’s everything you need to know about when credit card rewards, hotel points and airline miles expire.
How to get started with travel points and airline miles
While your credit card rewards won’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing, there is one caveat. Should you ever decide to close your account, any remaining points will be forfeited, so make sure you transfer or redeem them first.
Here’s how four of the top flexible rewards programs handle expiring points, plus a few redemption options and co-branded credit cards with lucrative welcome bonuses to help get you started.
The best travel credit cards for 2023
One of the best loyalty programs on the market, Chase Ultimate Rewards lets you earn points as long as you use an associated card. While the program offers many options when it’s time to redeem them, you’ll get the best value by
A year ago, we made our best guesses at what would happen with credit card rewards in 2023.
You don't need me to remind you that points and miles can be used for fancy flights and posh hotel stays.
From January to December 2023, the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed over a million visitors. The Turks and Caicos Islands received 1,432,844* visitors combined for air and cruise for January -November 2023. There were 595,503* air arrivals and cruise visitors were 836,341* for the period. The air arrivals represent a 6.35 percent increase over the corresponding period in 2022 which saw 559,941 arrivals and 54.49 percent over the same period in 2021 which saw 365,460 arrivals.
Silver Airways made its inaugural flight to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, December 18th, 2023. The airline will operate twice-weekly flights non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales.
Low-cost Icelandic airline Play is going all out for the end of the year by offering a whopping 50 percent off its already low airfare to Europe.
Thailand is perfect for families and kids of all ages.
Although it has been years since I’ve traveled in mesmerizing Tokyo, my memories are as vivid as though they had been sparked yesterday—pleasures aswirl in unique flavors and noises, creativity and ingenuity. So when luxury publisher Assouline released the new book Tokyo Chic, I dove into its 312 lush-paper-stock pages, with more than 200 photographs and illustrations, which are bound in an outsize (10-by-13-inches, 6.4-pound) format—a hefty hardcover wrapped in silk. The brainchild of Andrea Fazzari, whose deft imagery and words are love letters to the inimitable capital, Tokyo Chic showcases a massively enthralling—yet strikingly intimate—city. Currently based in Tokyo, Fazzari is a James Beard Award-winning photographer, author and restaurant maven with notable backgrounds in fashion and film. Born in New York City, she has lived in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain and Thailand—and speaks four languages. What a sophisticated guide to have at your armchair traveler’s fingertips! Indeed, this coffee table tome would make a treasured holiday gift for those who have already vacationed in Japan or simply dream of doing so.
Being a points and miles enthusiast means I have a drawer of credit cards. Choosing which cards to carry in my wallet can be a daunting task at times. However, one card will always have a slot in my wallet: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is no easy feat. Maybe you're shopping for the friend who has everything already or someone you don't know that well—you're stumped on what to buy, but still want their gift to be thoughtful and practical. Or, maybe you've accidentally waited too long to finish up your holiday shopping and need a gift with zero shipping time required. In any case, a gift card is a great idea for travelers. We put together a list of the very best gift cards for travelers, with options for book worms, outdoor enthusiasts, and beauty gurus included. From suitcases to skincare to entire vacation rentals, you can put your gift to good use and rest easy knowing your giftee got exactly what they wanted: something they picked out themselves. Plus, some have physical card options, if sending an email isn't the glamorous gift-giving experience you imagined.
There’s a joke in certain circles, that whenever something goes wrong in Paris, we blame Emily. I think you know of whom I speak.
As the seasons change, there’s no better time to escape the busy city life and take a road trip. The New England region has a rich history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for scenic drives. If you’re in the northeastern United States looking for an escape, here’s an extended weekend guide sharing the best places to visit on a road trip through Central and Western Massachusetts, including small towns, historical landmarks, mountainous terrain — all with a stunning backdrop.
Illinois is brimming with festive activities and unique experiences, promising to be the go-to destination for an unforgettable winter experience. Lean into the holiday season in December, partake in outdoor winter activities and meet the Bald Eagles of Illinois in January, and indulge in Chicago’s theatre scene and automotive heritage in February.