Unlock Travel Perks: Why You Should Sign Up for Travel Loyalty Programs

One of the questions we continually get asked is are travel reward perks really worth it? Are using points difficult and how challenging are they to use? We can honestly say, if you're not leveraging travel loyalty programs, you're leaving free travel rewards and exclusive perks on the table! Whether you fly frequently, enjoy hotel stays, or rent cars occasionally, signing up for loyalty programs is an easy way to enhance your travel experience and stretch your budget further.

Tahiti, French Polynesia

Why Join? The Benefits Are Real:

1. Earn Free Flights, Hotel Stays, and More

Loyalty programs reward you with points or miles for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free flights, hotel nights, car rentals, and even travel experiences. Over time, these rewards can lead to significant savings—sometimes even covering entire trips! We have redeemed miles for free flights and hotels, trust us these can really save you. Even if you don’t have enough points to get roundtrip flights, there are travel programs out there that offer ways to reduce your travel costs. For example, Ash and I use the new(er) pooling feature that United offers to pool our miles for one free flight.

2. Enjoy VIP Treatment & Exclusive Perks

Members often receive priority boarding, faster check-in, dedicated customer service lines, and even complimentary upgrades. Hotel loyalty programs frequently offer free Wi-Fi, late check-out, or even welcome gifts upon arrival. Two of the most important hotel loyalty perks to us is early check in and late check out. The convenience of checking in early after a long flight or lounging a few extra hours longer at the beach before having to pack up can really enhance your trip. Add in perks like free breakfast at a hotel or skipping a busy line at a rental car facility can make your travel life much easier and help you start enjoying your vacation faster. Some hotels even offer happy hours, free appetizers, or meals for loyalty members depending on your status. All of these VIP and exclusive perks can make your travel experience stand out.

3. Access Special Member-Only Discounts

Loyalty members often get access to exclusive promotions, reduced rates, and special partner deals. Some programs also offer bonus points on stays, flights, or purchases during promotional periods, allowing you to rack up rewards faster. We like to take advantage of these special deals whenever we can. Extra bonus miles are great for accelerating towards your next trip!

4. Lounge Access & Travel Comfort

Higher-tier members in airline and hotel programs can gain access to lounges with free food, drinks, and a quiet space to relax before a flight. Even entry-level membership in some programs can grant you perks like priority seat selection or waived baggage fees. If you have not experienced airport lounge life, this is simply a game changer.

5. Transferable & Flexible Rewards

Many programs let you transfer points between airline and hotel partners, making it easier to accumulate enough points for a big redemption. Some programs also allow family pooling, so multiple travelers in your household can contribute to a shared points balance. It can be a bit tricky to navigate at first but once you link your mileage rewards programs you can start earning and redeeming faster.

Four Seasons Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Strategic Tips for Maximizing Your Rewards

1. Start with Programs You Actually Use

Signing up for every program out there can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on the airlines and hotel chains you use most often. If you live near a major airline hub, consider prioritizing their frequent flyer program. While we would recommend signing up for every loyalty program you may use, do this process gradually. First focus on hotel programs like Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, or IHG (think Holiday Inn or Intercontinental). Next focus on airlines. If you live near a larger hub (like Denver) then focus on the larger airlines like United or Southwest. If you have options in your area, then look at the big airlines first like United, American Airlines, Delta, or Southwest. Lastly, if you plan to use rental cars, try to sign up for one of the major rental car loyalty programs like Hertz, Enterprise, Dollar, Avis, etc. From there, adjust as you’d like as your travel needs evolve.

2. Pair Loyalty Programs with Credit Card Rewards

Many travel credit cards allow you to earn bonus points on travel purchases that transfer directly to your preferred loyalty programs. Co-branded airline and hotel credit cards (i.e. The United Explorer Card or the World of Hyatt credit card) also offer sign-up bonuses that can fast-track you to a free flight or hotel stay.

3. Don't Overlook Smaller Programs

Even if you don’t frequently stay with a certain hotel chain or fly a specific airline, joining their program is still worth it. Some points never expire, and you might find yourself accumulating rewards faster than expected through promotions or credit card transfers. Your travel needs will naturally evolve overtime, so make sure your reward programs evolve with them.

4. Utilize Program Partnerships

Many airlines and hotels partner with other brands, allowing you to earn and redeem points across different platforms. For example, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to over 30 airline programs as well as airlines within the same alliance (e.g., OneWorld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam). This allows you to use miles across multiple carriers.

5. Track & Manage Your Points

To make the most of your rewards, keep an eye on expiration dates and track your points using a spreadsheet or a travel rewards app. Some programs reset expiration dates with any account activity, meaning a small purchase or points transfer can extend your balance for years.

Example: Turning Points into Travel

Imagine you’re a frequent traveler with a major airline (for example United). By joining their loyalty program and using a co-branded credit card (such as the United Explorer Credit Card), you could accumulate enough points for a free round-trip flight in just a few months, plus save on baggage fees, while also accelerating earning miles. If you also stay at a partner hotel chain, you can rack up additional points, unlocking elite status perks like free breakfasts and room upgrades—all without spending extra money!

Final Thoughts: Start Earning Today!

Signing up for travel loyalty programs is one of the easiest ways to unlock free perks and stretch your travel budget. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a frequent flyer, loyalty programs can help you travel better, for less. Next time you book a trip and are presented the option for signing up for a rewards program, take the leap. Don’t miss out on potentially free trips in the future—sign up today and start maximizing your rewards!

Trying to find your next bucket list trip idea? Check out our blog on how to choose your next adventure! Or check out our favorite Spring Destinations!