Baby Boomer Travel (part 2)

Last time we looked at the advantages of airline/alliance selection to maximize our miles. Now, let’s discuss strategies in gathering those eggs into the nest and ways to ensure we get the most miles for our dollar. Airline partners, hotel, rental car, affinity cards and others award miles on their customers’ airline of choice... as long as they are a partner and you meet the requirements for earning those miles. That said, the various programs could become very convoluted from here on. This "partnering" necessitates the choosing of a "Primary" carrier/alliance and then picking two or three partners in each additional category to keep your migraines to a minimum. Plans and benefits are so wide ranging that once again, I will deal in generalities and try to show you where and how to look for the maximum miles.

The airlines themselves offer many bonuses ranging from purchase on-line to Kiosk check in. They also offer additional miles when you book your vacation through their provider, which may or may not be owned and operated by the airline. The best way to see what is offered is to visit the airline's web site and click on their specific Frequent Flyer program and then special offers, bonuses and the like. Airlines also offer bonuses by mail and are often targeted at individuals or specific geographical areas. Your mileage statement may reveal such offers and while you may think that an envelope contains only junk mail from the airline, always read the accompanying material so you do not miss out on these wonderful offers. Airlines are also emailing bonus offers to specific demographic targets.

Long Distance and Mobile Providers - One of the biggest shake-ups in bonus mileage has been in the volatile long distance provider’s and cellular companies affiliations with the airlines. The truly conscientious leisure traveler can just about earn a free round trip ticket a year through proper timing and attention to the market. It seems that consumer outcries keep these folks on their toes and vying for your long distance/cell dollar. Note that these are definitely not the cheapest long distance rates by any stretch of the imagination but about five minutes effort with pad and pencil will tell you if such a plan is right for you.

Car Rentals - It seems lately that the partners/players who change affiliations most with the airlines and change their plans most often are the rental car companies. Many have changed the way they award airline miles very drastically allowing only miles by days rented or dollars spent. There was a time that a car rental meant an easy 500-mile bonus. Now, that bonus is 50 miles and you may be charged a surcharge to get them. My last Avis rental showed a 7.5% surcharge for the miles I earned.

Hotel plans are going the opposite way of rental car plans in that they are consolidating and simplifying. The hotel frequency plan that is best for you is simply the one which meets your needs and offers the best value and bonuses tailored to your travel. The plans vary so dramatically in nature and scope that they will be discussed in detail in a future article. But for now, it is important to know that some give no miles, only discounts, some offer points which can be transferred to airlines, some allow airline miles to be transferred into the hotel plan and one or two do it all.
Affinity cards are an outstanding source of miles. Many are tied directly to a specific airline while American Express and Diner's Club International offer the greatest flexibility in allowing transfer to airlines, rental cars, hotels and others. I prefer the Amex and Diners because of this flexibility. I can "top off" a hotel or airline program to achieve an award or get a one week car rental. From time to time, both of these plans run bonus offers which allow you to transfer points at up to double their original value. Buying your airline ticket, with a partner affinity card, will also offer a bonus in many cases. Playing your cards correctly can lead to a free airline ticket or a free 3 or 4 night hotel stay per year just on bonuses.

Certainly, there are more programs that offer bonuses and should be kept on the back burner for when the need arises. You can earn thousands of miles when you buy a car, new home, refinance your home and play the stock market. In fact, you can earn miles buying foods that keep you healthy... It's your choice!

Next time, we will deal with Hotel stays and how to Stay at the Ritz and Avoid the Pitz. Please feel free to send your travel questions on any topic, not just “how to,” to: Bob-Jones@BookingWiz.com