7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Take Advantage of United's Excursionist Perk for Free Intra-Region Flights

United's Excursionist Perk presents a clever way to enhance your travel plans, especially when you're navigating complex multi-city trips. Essentially, this perk allows MileagePlus members to add a free one-way flight to their itinerary, but it needs to be within a different geographical region from the starting point of the ticket. The magic here is that you can cleverly piece together longer routes without having to spend more miles. This could be a genuine win for those organizing large family gatherings across various locations. Imagine combining several regional hops and potentially snagging a longer flight at no extra cost.

However, there are rules to this game. You'll need to strategically design your itinerary, making sure the 'free' flight is outside the region where you originally start your journey. This means you'll want to explore travel plans that weave through different geographic areas to maximize the perk's potential. The most significant value generally comes with itineraries that involve multiple regions and return to the initial starting point. Keep in mind you need sufficient miles, but even so, this perk allows for efficient use of miles if implemented correctly. Spend some time learning the details of eligibility to effectively use this sometimes overlooked feature.

United Airlines' Excursionist Perk presents an intriguing option for those seeking to maximize their mileage redemptions. Essentially, it enables MileagePlus members to add a free one-way flight within a multi-city itinerary, provided it's situated in a different region from the original departure point. It's an exclusive benefit for MileagePlus members, and while joining the program is free, it does, of course, require accumulating enough miles for flights.

The perk's clever design allows you to combine routes in a way that might not be apparent at first glance. For instance, you could potentially craft an itinerary like Denver to Munich, Munich to Lisbon, and then Lisbon back to Denver – all without incurring additional mileage charges. Naturally, this can lead to substantial savings. You might discover that instead of paying for two separate, shorter flights within the US, you can effectively obtain a longer, potentially more valuable flight for free.

The Excursionist Perk reveals its full potential when booking itineraries with at least three one-way awards. If all the right conditions are met, you can potentially add one of those flights at no additional cost. Its origins can be traced back to October 2016, as a replacement for the older stopover option on particular award tickets. The key to leveraging the perk is ensuring the added free flight is in a different MileagePlus region than your starting point.

This perk is particularly well-suited for roundtrip travel that connects distinct regions, potentially leading to the greatest returns. Some routes incorporate flights that would ordinarily require a greater number of miles, offering a chance to optimize mileage usage. The impact of the Excursionist Perk is amplified when strategically combined with travel reward programs like those offered by certain credit card providers, potentially streamlining the process of amassing miles for future flights.

In summary, while the Excursionist Perk may appear somewhat complex, its potential for reducing travel costs and adding flexibility to itineraries is clear. Understanding its intricacies is beneficial for travelers who wish to maximize the value of their earned miles or rewards, particularly for multi-city journeys, pushing them to explore new travel routes and destinations that might otherwise go unnoticed. It's a reminder that travel optimization isn't simply about finding the cheapest option, but rather maximizing the value of the opportunities available to discerning travelers.

What else is in this post?

1. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Take Advantage of United's Excursionist Perk for Free Intra-Region Flights
2. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Use Marriott Points Advance to Lock in Multiple Rooms Before Having Full Points
3. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Pool American Express Membership Rewards Points Among Family Members
4. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Book Delta SkyMiles Flash Sales for Group Travel to Secondary Cities
5. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Leverage Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners for Multiple Hotel Brands
6. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Use Air Canada Aeroplan Family Sharing to Combine Points from 8 Members
7. 7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Apply Southwest Companion Pass Strategy for Multiple Family Pairs

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Use Marriott Points Advance to Lock in Multiple Rooms Before Having Full Points

When planning multi-city family reunions, Marriott's Points Advance can be a valuable tool for securing accommodations. This feature permits you to reserve multiple rooms even if you don't currently have enough points. It's especially handy when points prices are anticipated to climb, allowing you to lock in a rate.

However, this flexibility comes with a caveat: you need to earn the necessary points within a specific timeframe. The current policy requires that you accumulate those points within 60 days of booking or 14 days before your arrival, whichever comes first. This can add a layer of complexity to the planning process.

Furthermore, earning points for multiple rooms under this program has become more restricted. You can only earn points on qualifying expenses for up to three rooms if they are booked under the same Marriott Bonvoy account, and you must occupy one of the rooms. While this feature can offer convenience, the tighter timeline for point accumulation requires meticulous planning and careful coordination to ensure both rooms and points are ready on time.

Marriott Bonvoy's Points Advance feature offers an intriguing approach to securing hotel rooms, particularly when planning events like family reunions. It allows members to reserve rooms using points, even if they haven't yet accumulated the full amount needed at the time of booking. Essentially, it's a reservation hold that requires you to earn the points within a specific timeframe – currently, within 60 days of booking or 14 days prior to arrival, whichever comes first. This feature was even more lenient in the past, giving travelers a longer window to earn the necessary points.


However, there are certain limitations to be aware of. For instance, if you aim to earn points on multiple rooms, you'll need to occupy one of them, ensure your Marriott Bonvoy number is linked to each booking, and pay for each room personally, all with matching check-in/out dates. It appears Marriott's system can handle up to three rooms at a single property in this manner.

The Points Advance mechanism is particularly useful when trying to secure rooms at popular destinations where point prices might rise. By locking in your booking, you are effectively insulating yourself against potential increases. However, keep in mind that flexibility for changes might be more limited compared to standard bookings.


This approach presents a viable strategy for large family gatherings. While you're still responsible for earning the required points, the feature essentially offers a period of time to do so, locking in your reservation with its existing point cost. This could be a worthwhile strategy, especially if your family reunion coincides with a period of increased hotel demand or prices.



One interesting aspect is that it's possible to leverage this for obtaining higher room categories or particularly desirable locations. Often, those options are quicker to book out using points, so securing your place early might be a key advantage for a smoother family gathering.


Furthermore, families could potentially combine their earned points, optimizing resources through the Points Advance mechanism to make a larger group booking feasible. This approach allows you to think about travel in a slightly more strategic way, using the tool available and the points earned to optimize larger family stays and potentially securing better value when compared to traditional non-refundable bookings that require payment upfront. While not a magic bullet, this feature offers flexibility and potentially reduced financial risk for the organizer, especially when managing multiple rooms within a single group.

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Pool American Express Membership Rewards Points Among Family Members

When planning multi-city family reunions, the ability to pool American Express Membership Rewards points among family members can significantly enhance your travel options. Adding authorized users to your primary account, for at least 90 days, allows these family members to transfer their earned points into a single pool. This is especially beneficial if they also link their frequent flyer accounts to the main cardholder's profile. It effectively creates a combined resource for larger redemptions, offering more flexibility and potentially access to premium travel experiences like business or first-class flights.

The program's versatility and the wide range of airline and hotel partners are attractive aspects of this strategy. Nevertheless, understanding the nuances and logistical complexities of transferring and pooling points across different partners is essential for achieving maximum value. This can pose a challenge, particularly when families need to coordinate bookings, especially for complex travel itineraries. While the system is designed for flexibility, strategizing and effective communication amongst family members are key to smoothly leveraging this program to maximize your travel potential.

Sharing American Express Membership Rewards Points within a Family: A Look at the Mechanics and Potential

American Express's Membership Rewards program offers a unique feature where family members can potentially combine their points. This can be a valuable tool, particularly for larger families planning multi-destination gatherings.

The core mechanism involves adding authorized users to a primary cardholder's account. Once an authorized user has been linked for at least 90 days, the main account can then link their frequent flyer accounts. This allows a degree of point sharing and movement between family members, though it isn't as seamless as some other loyalty programs.

The Membership Rewards program boasts a broad range of airline and hotel partners, making it one of the more versatile transferable points currencies. Points can be applied towards a variety of perks, ranging from travel rewards and gift cards to even experiential events and statement credits. In theory, this system allows a family to accumulate rewards from different card types and consolidate them towards larger bookings.

However, achieving this unified point system for a multi-person family trip requires careful management and an understanding of how the point transfer works. Redeeming points for flights and hotel stays often involves a level of logistical complexity. While American Express has various FAQs to help address common questions about the program, comprehending the intricacies of moving points between family members, particularly for optimal booking value, can be a challenge.

Moreover, there's always the possibility that complexities could arise. For example, if a cardholder unfortunately passes away, the executor of their estate would have to handle the transfer of Membership Rewards points, adding a layer of administrative burden in an already challenging time.

The ability to pool points can potentially enhance booking opportunities, allowing families to potentially unlock more desirable flights and accommodations. It can simplify point management by combining multiple balances into one, especially for situations where some family members are less active cardholders. However, managing expectations and individual contributions can be complex if not handled thoughtfully, as it requires careful tracking and a well-defined plan to ensure a fair allocation of rewards within the family. While the functionality exists, it's essential to acknowledge the potential pitfalls and complexities that might arise when families pool their points.

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Book Delta SkyMiles Flash Sales for Group Travel to Secondary Cities

Planning a family reunion in a less-traveled city? Delta SkyMiles flash sales can be a hidden gem for finding affordable flights. These surprise sales, which often pop up without much notice, can drastically cut down on the miles you need for a roundtrip ticket. You could potentially fly to Europe for as little as 27,000 SkyMiles or Australia for around 70,000 during one of these sales.

Delta also caters to groups, offering special itineraries for ten or more travelers with flexible ticketing and competitive pricing. This can make planning travel for a larger family easier.

However, to take advantage of these sales, you'll need to keep a close eye on Delta's designated flash sales page. These deals are usually short-lived, typically lasting only 48 hours. A key aspect to remember is that while the miles required might be very low, international travel often comes with hefty taxes and fees, which can sometimes top $100 for a roundtrip ticket.

If you're clever about booking during these flash sales, you might be able to make those multiple stops for your family reunion easier to afford and maximize your SkyMiles, which is helpful when trying to organize travel across multiple locations.

Delta's SkyMiles flash sales can offer interesting opportunities for those seeking cost-effective group travel, particularly to secondary cities. While these sales often lack a set schedule, making them a bit unpredictable, they can lead to significantly lower award flight prices. For example, round-trip flights to Australia have been observed at 70,000 SkyMiles during these periods, a notable discount compared to typical award pricing.

Interestingly, flash sales frequently target less popular destinations, such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. This likely stems from Delta's efforts to optimize the use of their aircraft and fill seats on routes that may have lower demand compared to primary hubs. This strategic approach can result in attractive fares for those willing to consider destinations beyond the usual tourist hotspots.

Delta's website features a dedicated page where you can input your departure city and see available destinations and mileage costs during a flash sale. However, these opportunities are typically short-lived, often lasting only 48 hours. Hence, it's crucial to stay informed and react quickly if a favorable deal surfaces.

One notable aspect is that the number of miles needed to redeem an award flight is usually lower during flash sales. Nevertheless, one has to remain cautious about hidden costs. Taxes and fees, especially for international travel, can be substantial, sometimes exceeding $100 for a roundtrip ticket. These charges are not typically reflected in the initial mileage cost and can sometimes impact the overall value proposition of a flash sale ticket.

It's also noteworthy that the Delta SkyMiles program operates a Basic Economy fare class. This option, while offering low fares during flash sales, has limitations regarding earning miles and contributing towards Medallion Status. For some travelers, these limitations could offset the benefits of a lower upfront price.

When it comes to optimal redemption strategy, flash sales and partner awards generally offer the most value from SkyMiles. This is an important consideration when planning group trips, particularly for those looking to maximize their reward potential. Careful planning and an awareness of the fine print associated with these sales can lead to considerable savings and travel opportunities for those who plan ahead.

There seems to be a correlation between the time of year and flight availability. Summer months often exhibit more competitive pricing to secondary destinations due to an increase in leisure travel demand. It’s worth understanding these seasonal fluctuations to optimize the timing of your booking efforts.

Delta has also been experimenting with new fare structures. Basic Economy fares, while appealing due to lower costs, come with significant restrictions. While suitable for certain travellers focused on minimal upfront costs, they also diminish flexibility. Before committing to a booking, it's crucial to understand the trade-offs involved.


The SkyMiles loyalty program has its own set of benefits that can be useful for those planning group trips. Medallion status holders can leverage perks like complimentary upgrades and priority boarding even when booking via flash sale fares. It’s worth exploring these features and understanding how they might enhance your overall travel experience.


In conclusion, Delta's SkyMiles flash sales can be a valuable tool for securing more affordable group travel to secondary cities, particularly for those who are flexible and willing to explore less popular destinations. While these sales come with their own nuances, an understanding of these intricacies and a strategic approach can help families and groups make the most of these potentially attractive deals.

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Leverage Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners for Multiple Hotel Brands

When organizing a multi-city family reunion, maximizing your travel budget is key. Leveraging Chase Ultimate Rewards points through their transfer partners can provide a significant advantage for securing hotel accommodations across various brands.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program enables you to transfer your points to a diverse group of hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and IHG One Rewards, all at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility allows you to choose from a vast network of hotels, potentially exceeding 15,000 worldwide. You can essentially pick and choose which hotels best fit your family's needs and preferences throughout the different cities you'll be visiting, offering far more choice compared to only using the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal directly.

Often, transferring points to these hotel loyalty programs leads to a better return on your points compared to using them directly within the Chase system. This can be a substantial benefit, as you effectively get more "bang for your buck" when redeeming your points, extending their purchasing power towards potentially higher-end accommodations or simply allowing you to secure more nights for your reunion. This strategic approach to point management can significantly impact the cost of your reunion lodging and free up some additional funds for other activities.


By carefully aligning the specific hotel brand with your chosen destinations and travel plans, you can effectively make your Chase Ultimate Rewards work harder for your family reunion, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses while still enjoying comfortable and convenient lodging throughout your journey.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer a flexible path to hotel stays through partnerships with numerous brands. This can be particularly useful when planning large family reunions that might involve multiple hotels and locations.


The program boasts a network of 14 hotel and airline partners, where you can transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio. This means each Chase Ultimate Rewards point becomes one point in the hotel loyalty program. The roster includes familiar names like IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt. It is worth noting that smaller brands like Kimpton and a few luxury hotel chains are also part of the mix. This range of choices presents various options for family members with different tastes and preferences in accommodation.

While the transfer ratio seems straightforward, the actual value of the points within each hotel loyalty program can vary significantly. Some programs, like Hyatt's, have historically offered higher point value for redemptions than others. Consequently, careful consideration of the desired redemption destination is key to ensuring you're maximizing the value of your points.

Booking multiple rooms for a large family can be a bit more complex with some hotel loyalty programs than others. Hyatt and Marriott, for example, allow for multiple rooms to be booked with a single set of points. This can be advantageous for families wishing to stay in close proximity, potentially in adjacent rooms. It's an area where you might want to conduct your research to make sure you pick the optimal program.


The global reach of these hotel loyalty programs is a massive benefit. With over 15,000 hotels worldwide participating, you can theoretically redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points anywhere. This level of flexibility is invaluable when planning reunions that involve family members from various regions.


However, you should also be aware that some of these hotel loyalty programs have gone through a series of devaluations in recent years. In simple terms, the number of points required for certain redemptions has increased. This makes it crucial to stay informed about these changes when planning for a major family event to potentially avoid disappointment.


There are also often short-term promotional periods where hotel partners offer bonus points or special transfer bonuses. Understanding when these happen and strategically coordinating your point transfers and booking around them can generate savings for your family reunion.


Another appealing aspect of Chase Ultimate Rewards is that your points do not expire as long as your account remains open. This aspect can be quite helpful for longer-term planning. You can accumulate points gradually without constantly worrying about expiration dates.


It's not uncommon for a family to hold multiple loyalty programs, especially if different family members use various cards. Using Chase Ultimate Rewards as a central point hub allows for easy transfer and utilization within different programs. It might be possible to utilize a combination of point programs to achieve your desired goals, possibly helping with accruing status in various hotel chains more quickly.


Finally, using Chase Ultimate Rewards points to upgrade your stay is a viable strategy. Many hotels allow you to use points to secure better rooms, such as suites, or access to perks like lounge access or expedited check-in. This type of point use can enhance the overall travel experience and comfort levels, especially for multi-generational family gatherings.


Using Chase Ultimate Rewards for a family reunion involves understanding the interplay of different factors, including point value, availability, expiration policies, and the specific hotel programs. Careful planning and consideration of the many aspects can help create a pleasant and economical experience for everyone.

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Use Air Canada Aeroplan Family Sharing to Combine Points from 8 Members

Air Canada's Aeroplan program now offers a "Family Sharing" feature that lets families combine points from up to eight members. This simplifies the process of saving up for family trips and using those points for rewards. Essentially, everyone's points go into a single pot, making it easier to book flights and other perks without extra charges when redeeming.

The process of setting up Family Sharing is fairly straightforward, requiring just a few steps. This feature promotes a unified approach to earning and using points as a family unit. It can be incredibly useful for managing multi-city family reunions, which often require a lot of coordination.

Ultimately, Aeroplan Family Sharing can make travel planning easier and more efficient, especially when multiple family members are involved. It streamlines the path to family vacations and makes it simpler to reach those travel goals together, whether it is a trip to Canada or farther afield. While it may not entirely solve the challenges of organizing complex family travel, it removes some of the obstacles inherent to managing multiple individual point balances and makes reaching redemption goals a bit smoother.

Air Canada's Aeroplan Family Sharing presents an intriguing way to consolidate points across family members, which could be especially handy when organizing complex multi-city reunions. Essentially, this feature allows up to eight individuals to link their Aeroplan accounts under a single "family" umbrella. This means all points earned by each member are added to a shared pool, which can then be used by any member with redemption privileges. There are no extra fees for using the points from this shared pool.


Setting up this family structure is fairly straightforward. The designated "family lead" logs in to their Aeroplan account, agrees to the program terms, and then enters the details of up to seven other individuals. You don't need to prove any kind of familial relationship to participate, which is a curious approach, and potentially opens the feature up to more creative usage.


The primary benefit, of course, is the ability to combine everyone's point balances. This simplifies the process of planning for large group travel. Instead of juggling individual points and potentially dealing with individual reward availability, everyone's points are collectively available for redemption. This also makes it easier to secure those aspirational flights or hotel stays that might be out of reach for individual accounts, especially when a significant number of points are needed.


However, if you ever decide to change course, you can opt out of this pooling arrangement. At any point, an individual can move their points to another Aeroplan account outside of the family sharing group. It's worth noting, though, that transfers outside of the family group may result in fees.


The introduction of Aeroplan Family Sharing in November 2020 aimed to address the challenges families face when trying to maximize their points and miles across multiple individuals. The program design promotes more efficient collective travel planning by making it easier for families to accumulate points and redeem them for group trips. While this feature does add a degree of complexity to point management, it seems to align with current trends for programs that aim to offer greater flexibility to travelers.

Whether or not Family Sharing is a beneficial program depends largely on the individual travel preferences of the members involved and how well they can coordinate their plans. The flexibility it affords can be a powerful tool in some circumstances but could also introduce potential complications if individuals don't effectively communicate about their use of points or have diverging travel preferences. Nonetheless, it's a fascinating development in loyalty programs, and how it is ultimately used and perceived by travelers will likely influence the direction other airlines might take as they try to tailor their services towards family travel.

7 Practical Tips for Managing Multi-City Family Reunions with Points and Miles - Apply Southwest Companion Pass Strategy for Multiple Family Pairs

When planning a multi-city family reunion, the Southwest Companion Pass can be a valuable tool for saving money on flights. This pass essentially provides a "buy one, get one free" deal for flights, making it incredibly useful for families traveling together. To qualify for the pass, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or fly a certain number of segments within a calendar year. These points can be earned in various ways, including through flying Southwest, using their credit cards, and shopping through their portal. It's not unusual for families to strategize with two Southwest credit cards (one personal, one business) to hit that 135,000 point threshold, which can lead to a significantly lower cost per traveler.

The beauty of the Companion Pass is its flexibility. You can designate a companion and they travel with you for free (excluding taxes and fees), and you can switch who your companion is for future trips. This gives you a high degree of flexibility if your family reunion involves numerous individuals across multiple destinations. While the points accumulation process might appear slightly daunting, families have proven time and again that it's a practical tool to greatly reduce costs and simplify coordinating trips, making reunions that stretch across several locations easier and more affordable. This option is particularly useful when planning multi-city journeys, and if used effectively, families can significantly lower their travel costs for a large number of people.

Southwest's Companion Pass offers a unique approach to family travel, particularly when coordinating multi-city reunions. It's essentially a buy-one-get-one-free ticket deal that can last up to two years, with only taxes and fees owed for the second passenger. To earn this valuable perk, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or complete 100 one-way round trips in a single year.

While accumulating 135,000 points may sound daunting, it's achievable through various avenues, such as utilizing the Southwest shopping portal or using Southwest co-branded credit cards. A smart strategy might be to apply for two Southwest credit cards—one personal and one business—to leverage sign-up bonuses and help accelerate the point accumulation process.

One of the interesting features of the Companion Pass is its flexibility with regard to who is the designated companion. You can change the companion associated with the pass for each trip. This can be very helpful when trying to organize trips for a large group with various combinations of family members.

Furthermore, the Companion Pass can be a powerful tool when planning travel around family reunions, especially if multiple family members have earned their own passes. In a practical sense, this translates to significantly more travelers flying for free. It's this inherent ability to save money that makes the Southwest Companion Pass one of the more attractive rewards programs in the industry, especially for families traveling together.

You can often find anecdotal evidence of families who have taken advantage of multiple Companion Passes to travel extensively around the United States. This demonstrates the program's practicality in a real-world setting. It’s worth noting that it is often more efficient to earn a Companion Pass through point accumulation from various spending activities, rather than relying solely on flying Southwest frequently.

In essence, the Companion Pass offers a degree of control and management of larger group travel plans through the ability to easily add companions and manage the booking process. The flexibility it affords for families trying to plan complex travel itineraries is arguably one of the biggest benefits. It can dramatically impact costs, giving families more spending power for other activities or enhancing the travel experience in other ways.