The end of the year is quickly approaching. Now is the perfect time to make sure you complete your annual points and miles tasks before it’s too late.
With many loyalty programs and credit card benefits, the end of the year is an important time to take advantage of every opportunity before the next year arrives. Here are six essential things you can do this month to avoid an (unfortunate) January surprise.
Check elite airline qualification details
Status qualification miles and dollars often reset on January 1, although American Airlines Loyalty Points reset on March 1. If you’re just a few miles (or dollars) shy, consider taking a flight before the end of the year.
If you can’t fit another flight into your schedule, you may also be able to work your way to the next level of elite status. Or you may find it helpful to add a new credit card to your wallet, as some credit cards can help you earn airline elite status.
If you make a last-minute decision to snag an airline’s elite status, make sure the money (and time spent) benefits you next year. Here are some guides to help you determine your strategy:
Related: How to Get Elite Airline Status
View the hotel elite qualification progress
Typically, you must re-earn your hotel status annually to enjoy the benefits. So if you’re just a few nights shy of earning that next level of status, it might be worth finding a hotel for a staycation or even a mattress run. With the school holidays just around the corner, this can be an excellent opportunity to do something fun during the holidays.
If you need more nights but don’t want to burn money, remember that awarded stays count toward your status in many programs.
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Many programs also allow you to work on status with hotel credit cards. For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card gives you five qualifying night credits each year toward your next tier. Every time you spend $5,000 on your card, you’ll also get two additional eligible night credits toward your next status.
Some hotel credit cards offer high elite status just for being a cardholder. For example the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card gives you free Platinum Elite status simply for being a card member. Plus, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card gives you the highest level of Hilton Diamond status as a cardholder benefit. Terms and conditions apply.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Card is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been verified or provided by the card issuer.
If you need tips to improve your hotel elite status, check out these stories:
Related: Last-minute tips for nailing hotel elite status
Use your annual airline, credit card and travel credits
Many credit cards offer great benefits to offset the annual cost of the card. If you have premium travel credit cards, make sure you have redeemed all available credits. If not, make a plan to do so before they expire.
This way, cardholders of the American Express® Gold Card get up to $10 in Uber Cash and up to $10 in dining statement credits. Also cardholders from The Platinum Card® from American Express You may need to use the following credits before the end of the year (some benefits require enrollment):
Many other cards also offer statement credits that you may need to use by the end of the year. It’s a good idea to check your funds and make a plan to use them before they expire.
Related: Don’t Let Your Balances Go to Waste: Your 2023 Year-End Credit Card Checklist
Meet annual bonus spending thresholds
Many credit cards offer annual benefits based on spending a certain amount over a certain period of time. If you’re close to meeting the spending requirements for a card with a calendar-based threshold, consider using it more often this month.
Some credit card spending bonuses based on a calendar year include:
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 per calendar year on your card and earn a 12-month economy companion ticket.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn a second Hilton award for a free night when you spend $30,000 and a third night when you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. This is in addition to the free night that is automatically awarded each year after you renew your card.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn a nightly reward after you spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- The Hilton Honors American Express business card: Earn a free night reward after you spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll earn a second free night reward after you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year and receive a $1,000 coupon for two tickets on the same flight.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn a free night worth up to 35,000 points after you spend $60,000 on purchases on your card during a calendar year. This is in addition to the free night that is automatically awarded each year after you renew your card.
- World of Hyatt Credit Card: Spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year and receive a free night at a category 1-4 hotel. This night is in addition to the free category 1-4 night you receive after each card anniversary.
Related: Free Elite Status, Bonus Points, and More: Credit Cards That Offer Rewards for Annual Spending
Secure your Southwest Companion Pass
One of our favorite perks in the travel world is the Southwest Companion Pass. With this pass, another traveler can fly with you (almost) for free during the term of the pass.
To earn this pass, you must earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 segments on Southwest in a calendar year.
The Companion Pass expires on December 31 of the year following the year in which you earned it. If you earn the Companion Pass in 2023, it will expire on December 31, 2024. However, if you earn the Companion Pass in January 2024, it will not expire until December 31, 2025.
Unfortunately, Companion Pass qualification points do not carry over from year to year. If you’ve racked up almost 135,000 qualifying points this year, you’ll want to make sure all the points hit your account as quickly as possible.
If you’re earning your last few points with one of the many Southwest credit cards, only purchases through the cut-off date of your December statement will count. Points posted within a few days of your closing date will count toward the year the points are posted – not necessarily the year you made the purchase.
For those who wait and want to earn the Companion Pass in 2024 so it’s valid through the end of 2025, make sure you don’t meet your minimum spending requirements for new Southwest credit cards until January. Theoretically, you can start reaching the minimum spend after your statement cut-off date in December. Still, we recommend that you wait until the new year starts to avoid something going wrong with your timing.
Related: 15 lessons for ages 15 and up using the Southwest Companion Pass
Earn your British Airways Travel Together ticket
Although significantly different from the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, British Airways also offers the opportunity to earn a companion pass called the Travel Together Ticket.
To earn a Travel Together ticket, you must spend $30,000 on your trip British Airways Visa Signature® Card within one calendar year. When you do this, you’ll earn a one-time pass that lets you take a companion on a British Airways award ticket or get 50% off Avios redemption fees if you’re traveling alone.
You’ll still be dealing with taxes and fees, but this could be a great way to save Avios on a flight to Europe, especially in business class. The Travel Together Ticket is issued at the end of the billing cycle when you reach a purchase amount of $30,000 and is valid for a British Airways reward flight taken within two years of the date of issue.
Related: Book award flights with British Airways Avios
In short
With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the time to make sure you maximize all the credit card benefits and earn the elite status you desire. It’s also the perfect time to confirm that all hotel stays and flights you’ve completed have been credited as ownership.
Finally, remember that even though 2023 isn’t over yet, it’s not too early to start planning your 2024 strategy. To inspire your 2024 elite status strategy, staffer Clint Henderson considers which statuses to demote and which to requalify for.
