5 Reasons You Need To Stop Hoarding Points and Miles
Talking about points and miles all day means I regularly hear people boast about the massive balances they’re holding onto “just in case.”
“I have over 500,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points!”
A huge points balance is an exciting milestone, and watching your points stack up feels like progress. Those balances represent free flights, luxury hotel stays, and trips you might not otherwise take.
But here’s what I also see: unused miles. Flights not taken. Memories not made.
The truth? Hoarding points can be a big mistake. Not because building a balance is bad…but because letting them sit there means missing out on the experiences they could unlock.
Unfortunately, missed travel is just the beginning. Here are the top 5 reasons you need to stop hoarding and start booking.
1. Devaluations
A devaluation is when an airline or hotel suddenly raises award prices. That means the same flight or room now costs you more points (and, sometimes a lot more). It is rare that prices ever actually decrease.
If you hold onto your points too long, you’re almost guaranteed to watch their value shrink. Today’s 50,000-mile flight could cost 75,000 miles in six months.
2. Points Can Expire
Your points can sometimes have an expiration date. If there’s no account activity for an extended period, you can kiss your points goodbye.
Don’t be sad by hoarding points and miles
Although the time limit is generally reasonable (18-24 months with no activity) that isn’t the case for all of them. Points and miles in some programs expire within a set period of time from when they were earned and cannot be extended.
When you hoard points and miles, you run the risk of forgetting about them and letting them expire before you can use them.
3. Award Availability Can Change
Hoarding points and miles for a future trip may leave you missing out altogether. Loyalty programs are constantly changing. Partnerships end without warning. Sweet spots disappear overnight.
Use your points to travel, don’t hoard them!
By waiting too long to book, you risk losing access to the exact trip you’ve been saving for. That dream redemption might not be around when you’re ready.
4. You Can Keep Earning More Points and Miles
Unlike devaluations and program changes, this one is entirely in your control: you can always earn more points.
You can keep earning more points. There’s no reason to hoard points and miles.
The longer you’re in this, the better you get at it. You’ll develop a card application strategy. You’ll know exactly which card to use at the gas station or grocery store. Meeting minimum spends becomes second nature (and you may even make some labels to print on them so you don’t forget!).
Of course, it does get harder over time. Banks implement more rules like the Chase 5/24 rule. But even with these restrictions in place, many people still find it possible to earn hundreds of thousands of miles every year from sign-up bonuses.
There’s no reason you should be hoarding your points and miles when you can simply keep earning more.
5. They Aren’t Worth Anything Until You Use Them
Points and miles only create value when you redeem them. If you don’t have a specific trip you’re planning for, don’t let them collect dust…use them to explore somewhere new!
Related Articles to help you spend your rewards:
Loyalty Programs and Transfer Partners
https://travelfreely.com/combine-chase-ultimate-rewards/
Citi ThankYou® Points Guide
Why Capital One Venture Miles Are Great
