Act Now: Global Travel Slowdown Means Loyalty Points Are More Valuable

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 27, 2025

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Increased Availability of Flights and Hotels

Reduced travel demand directly translates to a greater number of reward seats and hotel rooms available for redemption through your travel rewards program. This means securing that coveted business-class upgrade or booking a stay at a luxurious resort, previously difficult to achieve with points, might now be within reach.

• More Reward Seats: Airlines, needing to fill planes, are more likely to release reward seats for redemption, especially on less popular routes or during off-peak travel times. Airlines like United, Delta, and American Airlines, known for their substantial rewards programs, are prime examples where you might find better availability.
• Easier Hotel Bookings: Similarly, hotel chains such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Hyatt are more likely to have reward rooms available for your points.
• Accessing Desirable Destinations: That dream vacation to a popular destination, previously impossible to book with points, may now be attainable. Use tools like Google Flights' award calendar feature to identify when reward seats are available on your preferred routes. Dedicated award calendar websites for specific airlines can also be incredibly helpful.

Potentially Better Redemption Rates

While some loyalty programs inevitably devalue points over time, the current travel climate offers a temporary window of opportunity to maximize the value of your existing points. Strategic planning can make a significant difference.

• Maximize Point Value: By booking flights further in advance or exhibiting flexibility with your travel dates, you increase your chances of finding better redemption rates. Compare the value of redeeming your points against the cash price of the same flight or hotel stay to ensure you're getting the best possible deal.
• Avoid Devaluation: Delaying redemption carries a risk. Loyalty programs may devalue points in the future, diminishing the purchasing power of your accumulated rewards. Redeeming now safeguards against potential future losses.

Strategic Ways to Maximize Your Loyalty Points

The global travel slowdown isn't just about booking flights and hotels – it's about strategically utilizing all your loyalty program resources to get the most bang for your points.

• Strategic Redemptions: Consider using your points for upgrades, such as moving from economy to business class, or for booking luxurious accommodations within your points budget. The extra comfort and enhanced travel experience are often worth the points investment.
• Points Transfers: Many programs allow you to transfer points between different partners. This offers flexibility and the possibility of finding even better redemption opportunities.
• Credit Card Rewards: Leverage credit card rewards programs to accelerate your point accumulation. Many cards offer bonus points on travel spending, further fueling your travel aspirations. Be sure to track your point balances and expiration dates diligently.

Understanding Potential Risks and Devaluation

While the current situation is advantageous, it's crucial to acknowledge the potential for future point devaluation as travel demand recovers.

• Loyalty Program Changes: Airlines and hotels periodically adjust their point values. Staying informed about these changes allows you to proactively plan and redeem points before any devaluation occurs.
• Mitigating Devaluation Risk: Redeeming your points sooner rather than later is the best way to mitigate the risk of devaluation.
• Stay Informed: Regularly monitor your loyalty program accounts and subscribe to newsletters or alerts to stay updated on any changes or new redemption opportunities.

Conclusion

The global travel slowdown presents a unique opportunity to significantly increase the value of your loyalty points. Increased availability of flights and hotels, coupled with potentially better redemption rates, offers a strategic window to book dream trips previously out of reach. However, this advantageous situation is temporary. Don't miss out on this opportunity to maximize the return on your hard-earned loyalty points! Act now and book your dream trip before travel demand surges and redemption rates change. Start exploring travel deals and use your loyalty points wisely. Take advantage of this temporary increase in loyalty point value!