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Frequent flyer points are convenient if you are someone who loves to travel but looking for ways to save on a flight or two. These points can open the door to a world of discounts that can be beneficial in saving for your trip. Unfortunately, they come with an expiry date which can be most unfortunate when you need it the most. Instead of letting your points go to waste here are five ways to prevent them from expiring.
Keep your account active
Most frequent flyer points expire if you keep your account inactive. If you keep your account inactive for 18 months your Quantas points will expire. It usually does not cost much to keep your account active with activity such as using your points to stay in a hotel that is affiliated with your rewards programme or using a car rental service. However, if you are not planning to travel anytime soon then using your points to shop online at a frequent flyer store can help keep your account active. Just keep in mind that you need to use partners that are affiliated with your reward program.
Keep up to date
The only way you can make the most of your points is if you stay in the know. Reward programs change, and you need to be aware of these changes. Some reward programs point even decreases in value, so you need to be one step ahead in finding out the value of your points before they expire. Make sure to read all notices sent by your issuer about changes concerning the points program. If you are notified that the frequent flyer points are being cancelled on your card, then try to redeem them before you lose all of your points for good.
Kick it forward
If you find yourself in a position where you don’t necessarily have enough points to book you a flight or a stay in a hotel but have just enough to spend online but nothing appeals to you then you can pass your points to someone else. If your points expire in the next few days, then that could be a sad situation where all your hard-earned points go down the drain. However, the silver lining in your dark cloud could be to pass it to someone who will make good use of them.
Transfer your points
You can transfer your points from one card to another to keep them in use without them expiring or extra charges. Transferring your points between family members can also prevent your points from being lost. There is one final option that can make it less of a hassle…
Change your card
If you really use your credit card points to help you travel in and around Australia, then maybe it is time to consider a card that has the right features. First, find a card that matches your type of budget by looking at its interest rate and repayments. You can do this by comparing various credit cards online. Then you can weigh the value of the points to find a card that offers the best deal for your money. Lastly, you can look for a card that has a longer period when it comes to its expiry date. Some cards can take up to 4-years before it expires.
Always keep in mind to sign up for a card that will be able to blend into your budget and lifestyle instead of the other way around.
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