Flexible rewards points are often cited as a great tool in guarding against devaluations. The reason for that is that they allow – you guessed it – flexibility in redeeming points and even saving you from using your coveted airline miles and hotel points for award redemptions. There are four main flexible reward points I’m currently focusing on: American Express Membership Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Barclay Arrival Miles and Chase Ultimate Rewards. Each serves its own purpose and everyone has their own ways of putting them to use. Here’s what I’m redeeming my flexible rewards points for:
Membership Rewards
I know, I swore off Membership Rewards not too long ago but I had a change of heart. The main reason is because I find them to be the best transfer option for British Airways Avios. American Express Membership Rewards have over two dozen transfer partners along with many other redemption options. Many people are saving their Membership Rewards points for a Singapore Airlines Suites redemption, but I find Avios to be most practical since my Ultimate Rewards points are better channeled towards Krisflyer.
Starpoints
What makes Starwood Preferred Guest points so great is that you can get great value out of them for both free night redemptions and airline mile transfers. Since I earn the majority of my points from credit card spending, I find it easier to generate airline miles through Starpoints since every $1 essentially earns me 1.25 miles rather than the standard 1 mile. While I have on occasion transferred my Starpoints to American Airlines, I’m primarily saving them for transfer to Alaska Mileage Plan. That’s because while American Airlines can be earned through a variety of co-branded credit cards and flexible rewards programs, Alaska miles can only be earned through one of two ways: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card or transfers from the Starwood Preferred Guest program.
What makes Alaska miles so great is that their redemption levels are typically lower than other programs and you can get a free stopover on one-way awards. With a great selection of airline partners, you can travel virtually anywhere using Alaska miles.
Barclay Arrival Miles
I’ve been getting some flack for standing by my Barclay Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard with the upcoming devaluation, but I’d like to think I’ll be vindicated if the news that American Express may be severing ties with the Fidelity card is true. This card has long been pitted against the Arrival card and considered superior because it has no annual fee. But if the Fidelity card is out of the picture, the Arrival card retains its prime spot in my wallet. I like to use the card for hotel and airfare bookings when redeeming points or miles doesn’t make sense. Plus, it’s always a great way to off-set award booking fees.
Ultimate Rewards
Ultimate Rewards are…the ultimate rewards currency. I’m frequently transferring them to Hyatt Gold Passport for Points + Cash redemptions or free night awards. However, I also keep a stash on hand in case I need to book a United award flight. With the Chicago Seminars coming up in a couple of weeks, that is likely where my Ultimate Rewards to United transfer will come in handy. I may at some point transfer my Ultimate Rewards to Krisflyer for a Suites award, but I have no such plans in place at the moment.
That’s pretty much it when it comes to my flexible rewards accounts. At some point I might pick up a U.S. Bank Flexperks card, but for now I’m pretty well covered with these options.
Which flexible rewards currencies do you collect and what do you typically redeem them for?
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Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
| FTG Review | Reward Breakdown | Points Breakdown |
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Breakdown
Earn (pt.)
Spend
3 months
0
$3,000
Per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta Purchases
2.00
$1
All Purchases
1.00
$1
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