The year is coming to a close. It's the perfect time to make sure you've finished your annual points and miles tasks.
The end of the year is a good time to take advantage of loyalty programs and credit card benefits. Here are some things to do this month to make sure you don't get a surprise.
Most companies have reverted to their pre-pandemic metrics despite some travel providers extending elite status and reduced requirements.
The status qualification miles and dollars are usually reset on January 1. You can take a flight before the end of the year if you are a few miles away.
If you can't fit another flight into your schedule, you may be able to get into elite status. Adding a new credit card to your wallet can help you earn elite status in the airline industry.
If you decide to make a last-minute push for airline elite status, make sure the money you spend will benefit you next year There are some guides that you can use to plan.
You can get airline elite status.
To get the benefits, you have to reearn your hotel status every year. If you are just a few nights away from earning that next level of status, it might be a good idea to go on a mattress run or stay in a hotel. This is a great time to do something fun over the holidays.
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If you need more nights but don't want to spend a lot of money, keep in mind that the award stays count.
You can work towards status with hotel credit cards through many programs. Every year, the World of Hyatt Credit Card gives you five credits towards your tier status. Every time you spend $5,000 on your card, you'll get two additional night credits.
Some hotel credit cards give high tiers of elite status just for being a card holder. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Cardmember, you will receive complimentary Platinum Elite status. You can get top-tier Hilton Diamond status with the American Express Aspire card.
The information for the card has been collected by a third party. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.
These stories will give you some tips for leveling up your status.
There are last-minute tips for securing hotel elite status.
Credit cards have benefits that help offset the cost of the card. If you have a premium travel credit card, you'll want to make a plan to redeem your credits before they're gone.
Cardmembers of the American Express Gold Card can get up to $10 in cash and dining statement credits every month. The Platinum Card from American Express may have to be used before the end of the year if you don't enroll.
You can use the statement credits on many other cards by the end of the year. It is a good idea to make a plan to use your credits before they are gone.
Don't let credits go to waste.
Annual perks are offered on many credit cards. If you are close to meeting the spending requirements on a card with a calendar-based threshold, you may want to use it more this month.
Credit card spending bonuses are based on a year.
Credit cards that offer rewards for annual spending are related.
The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks. For the life of the pass, another person can fly with you.
You need to accumulate 125,000 points in a year to get this pass. The requirement will go up to 135,000 points per year in the year after that.
The Companion Pass ends on December 31st of the year after you earned it. The Companion Pass will end on December 31, 2023. The Companion Pass will be valid until December 31, 2024.
Companion Pass points don't carry over from one year to the next. You will want to make sure all your points hit your account as soon as possible.
Only purchases made before the December statement closing date will count, if you earned your final few points from a Southwest credit card. When the points are posted, they count toward the year when the purchase was made, not the year you made it.
If you don't meet your minimum spending requirements on any new Southwest credit cards until January, you won't be able to get the Companion Pass in time. You can hit the minimum spending after the December statement closing date. I recommend waiting until the new year starts to make sure you don't have any problems.
There are 13 lessons from 13 years of Southwest Companion passes.
The Travel Together Ticket is a companion pass that British Airways also offers.
You need to spend $30,000 on your British Airways Visa signature card within a year to earn a Travel Together ticket. If you do that, you will get a one-time pass to bring a companion on a British Airways award ticket or a 50% discount on the redemption cost.
You still have to pay taxes and fees, but this could be a good way to save money on a flight to Europe. When you reach $30,000 in purchases, the Travel Together Ticket will be valid for a reward flight on British Airways if you take it within two years of the issue date.
British Airways has a system for booking award flights.
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to maximize your credit card benefits and earn your desired elite status. It's a good time to make sure all flights and hotel stays are credited.
Even though 2022, isn't over, it isn't too late to plan your strategy for the following year. They weighed in on what statuses they're downgrading and which ones they're re qualified for.
The additional reporting was done by Ryan Smith.
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