Earn Your Rewards

Everywhere you go these days, it seems like someone is trying to get you to sign up for an airline or hotel rewards program or credit card. These programs offer everything from bonus points to free overnight stays to passenger-related perks—and choosing the right programs can really pay off, especially for road warriors. Here’s how to pick the most worthwhile programs.

Airline Rewards Programs

Virtually every airline has a rewards program. American’s AAdvantage; Continental OnePass; Delta SkyMiles; and United Airlines’ Mileage Plus, to name a few, all offer frequent travelers a variety of perks. Depending on the number of miles you fly, you may earn free airline tickets or upgrades; privileges such as priority boarding and access to airline clubs; and discounts through partnerships with hotels, rental car companies, and other companies. Some programs offer periodic promotions, giving you discounts on entertainment, electronics and consumer products.

Joining is free, and you can join as many programs as you want. But it’s a good idea to focus on one program and try to remain loyal to that airline, as long as you’re getting the pricing and service you need. That way, you can rack up points–and rewards–faster.

To determine which airline program is right for you, take a look at your travel habits. Where are the destinations you frequent most often? Which airlines offer the most direct or frequent flights to those areas? Do you have an airline that you simply prefer to travel? For example, if you love the staff on JetBlue or Southwest flights, then that airline might be the best option. Try to pick the best cross-section of your personal preferences and your travel needs.

Hotel Programs

Hotel programs operate similarly to airline travel rewards programs: Stay in the hotel, earn points, get free or discounted hotel or other services. All of the major hotel chains have programs, which are often valid across all of their brands. For instance, if you sign up for Marriott Rewards, you’ll earn points for stays at Marriott hotels, as well as Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott hotels, Marriott’s Residence Inns and even Marriott ExecuStay and Executive Apartments. Hilton offers Hilton HHonors, Hyatt offers Hyatt Gold Passport and the Starwood Preferred Guest program is valid for all Starwood hotels, including Four Points, Sheraton, Westin and several others.

As with airline programs, choose the hotel brand that you like best or which best serves the areas to which you travel, then try to stay loyal to that hotel to earn points and higher levels of service. However, if you’re going to stay at a new chain, it may be a good idea to sign up for the rewards card when you make your reservation, since program members, even new ones, often get preferential treatment upon check-in, including better rooms and more flexible check-in and check-out times.

Reward Credit Cards and Other Programs

Sometimes, you can supplement your rewards program with an affiliated credit card that gives you points or miles for each dollar you spend. While that can help you accelerate the rate at which you earn perks, be careful of high interest rates and fees, which can quickly offset any benefit. Instead, shop around for the best rate and low or no annual fees. Programs like the American Express Membership Rewards program give you the option to convert your points to a variety of different programs as you need them. Also look for reward programs through online travel Web sites and travel agent networks, which may offer incentives for those who frequently book through their businesses.

Managing and Redeeming Points

Take a look at the real value of the points you’re redeeming. This is where reading the fine print of your agreement comes in handy. Be aware of any limitations, including fare maximums and blackout dates. Expiring points can also be an issue–be sure you know how long your points are valid. And, before you cash your points in, consider whether you’re getting the best deal. If a flight to Florida this month will cost you $200 round trip, it may be better to fork over the dough now and save your points for the $800 trip to California next month.

When you sign up for a program, get your online login information and keep it in a safe place. After each trip, check your account to make sure your miles or points were properly credited. (They’re often not.) If all that gives you a headache, some handy portals will consolidate your programs in one easy place. FrequentFlyer.com helps you monitor travel points, while WebFlyer.com offers subscription programs that extend the expiration date of your miles and protect their value in case the airline goes out of business.