Thread by @bopinion

✈️ International travel is largely being put on hold again, and with it the chance to tap the staggering balance of rewards points and airline miles many consumers have accumulated.

Some airlines and hotels are devaluing their loyalty program points trib.al/o349K23

A flight or a stay that used to require, say, 100,000 points could cost much more than that.

Industry experts say more travel providers are likely to follow suit next year so they can decrease their outstanding liabilities trib.al/4E2HvVs

✈️ Southwest decreased the value of its Rapid Rewards points by 6%
✈️ Delta reduced the value of points customers use for some international flights
✈️ United Airlines devalued points for some of its partners when travelers book close to the departure date trib.al/4E2HvVs

As for hotels, Marriott, which operates the Ritz Carlton, St. Regis and Westin chains, said starting in March it will do away with award charts, which specify how many points are typically needed for a stay trib.al/4E2HvVs

With the exception of Marriott, companies often change the terms of members' points with little to no warning.

Those who have typically stuck to just accruing points with a single airline are the most vulnerable trib.al/4E2HvVs

When points are devalued, those loyal to a specific airline have fewer options than someone who uses a credit card with transferable points that can be applied to flights on dozens of carriers, such as an Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards trib.al/4E2HvVs

Those with single airline cards should consider booking travel now, even if it's tentative and several months out, to lock in current rewards benefits.

Remember: Airlines and hotels are still pretty flexible when it comes to rescheduling trib.al/4E2HvVs

💳 For those with credit cards that have more flexibility, stop hoarding those points in the hopes they'll be used for a trip one day.

Take advantage of non-travel items points can be used for trib.al/4E2HvVs

Consumers can’t do much when the terms change for formerly enticing rewards points or airline miles.

Try calling to see if you can get a card's annual fee waived (if there is one) or request to be switched to a card with more flexible benefits trib.al/4E2HvVs

Consider being charitable if there are points or miles you're unlikely to redeem anytime soon.

Some nonprofits will accept them.

The airline, hotel or card company may even match the donation thepointsguy.com/guide/donate-p…

Whatever you do, don’t put these decisions off.

Millions of people will be looking to get the most of their miles, and their chances of redeeming them for something they want are higher if they beat others to the gate
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