The Bon Voyant Journal · The Savvy Traveler
Travel Beautifully Without Paying Full Price
Making the most of points, miles, and travel rewards—without losing sight of the experience.
There is something wonderful about checking into a beautiful hotel or boarding a flight knowing that points and miles helped make the trip possible. Over the years, I’ve used airline miles for flights to San Diego—twice—and Seattle, and I’ve used miles for upgrades on Delta Air Lines flights. I’ve also redeemed hotel points for stays in San Diego, Atlanta, London, Ireland, and Scotland.
Some of those redemptions were practical. Others were about treating ourselves. That’s what I enjoy most about travel rewards: they give us choices.
But my first rule is simple: just because you can book with points doesn’t mean you should.
Compare the points price with the cash price
Before redeeming hotel points, look at what the room would cost in cash for the same dates, room type, and cancellation terms. Then compare that amount with the number of points required. A redemption that looks exciting at first glance may not be a particularly good value.
For example, a $300 room available for 30,000 points represents approximately one cent per point if there are no extra fees. A $150 room requiring those same 30,000 points represents only half a cent per point. Neither figure tells the entire story, but the comparison helps you make a more informed choice.
The Bon Voyant Tip: Calculate value before you redeem, and compare the complete cost—including taxes, fees, and differences in benefits.
Atlanta: a practical hotel redemption
At the Hilton Marietta Hotel & Conference Center in the Atlanta area, we used 20,000 Hilton Honors points per night. It’s a useful illustration of how rewards can help offset the cost of a trip without requiring a huge number of points.
I don’t have the cash rate from that stay, so I wouldn’t claim it was a particular cents-per-point bargain. What it demonstrates is that rewards can be useful for everyday travel, not only once-in-a-lifetime vacations.
London: when the experience matters
At the end of one of our trips, we wanted to treat ourselves to a special final night in London. We chose The Waldorf Hilton, London and used 80,000 Hilton Honors points for one night.
We knew we were using more points than we would have needed for a more modest hotel. That was a deliberate choice. We wanted the experience, and we were happy to spend the points on it.
It’s a reminder that points are not trophies to collect forever. Their purpose is to help you enjoy the travel that matters to you. Mathematical value matters, but so does personal value.
The Bon Voyant Tip: Sometimes the right redemption is the practical one. Sometimes it’s the special one. Understand the tradeoff and choose intentionally.
Airline miles are useful for flights—and sometimes upgrades
I’ve redeemed miles for trips to San Diego and Seattle, and I’ve also used miles to upgrade eligible Delta Air Lines flights. Depending on the airline, ticket, and availability, an upgrade may be a wonderful way to make a journey more comfortable.
Before redeeming miles, compare the cash fare with the award price and any taxes or fees. For upgrades, check eligibility and availability before assuming you can use miles. An upgrade is not guaranteed simply because you have a mileage balance.
For longer journeys, added comfort may be exactly the benefit you want from your rewards.
Know the different kinds of rewards
Airline miles, hotel loyalty points, and transferable credit card points are related, but they are not interchangeable. Airline miles may be usable with the airline and eligible partners; hotel points generally work within a hotel program; and certain credit card programs allow transfers to participating travel partners.
Transferable points can be flexible, but transfers are often final. Before moving points into another program, verify that the flight or hotel you want is available and that the redemption makes sense.
Earn thoughtfully, not excessively
Everyday purchases, shopping portals, eligible hotel stays, and loyalty promotions may help you earn more points over time. The key is to earn rewards on spending you would have done anyway—not to buy things you don’t need just to increase your balance.
Credit card interest and fees can quickly erase the value of rewards. If you use a rewards card, consider the full cost of holding and using it, not only the advertised points.
Five questions before you redeem
- What is the total cash price for the same booking?
- How many points or miles are required, and what extra fees apply?
- Would I rather keep these rewards for a future trip?
- Are the cancellation terms, benefits, and restrictions different?
- Is this an experience I genuinely want?
One quick calculation can help: (cash price minus additional award-booking fees) ÷ points required × 100 gives an approximate value in cents per point. It’s a useful guide, not an absolute rule.
The Bon Voyant Perspective
Travel rewards have helped us reach destinations across the United States and Europe, save on accommodations, enjoy more comfortable flights, and occasionally indulge in a special hotel stay. The 20,000-point nights in the Atlanta area and our 80,000-point final night at The Waldorf Hilton, London, reflect two perfectly reasonable ways to use points.
My advice is to understand the value of your rewards, compare the alternatives, and remember why you earned them in the first place: to travel.
Travel beautifully isn’t always about spending more. It’s about making thoughtful choices that help you experience more.
Travel Beautifully. Experience More.