Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

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Delta and SPG Crossover Rewards Explained

When the Crossover Rewards program offered to Starwood Preferred Guest and Delta SkyMiles elite members debuted last year, it was the only program of its kind. It offered elite members of both programs reciprocal benefits that took membership perks to a whole new level.

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Virgin America Elevate Program Review

Who Is Virgin America Elevate Good For?

Depending on where you live or where you usually fly, you might never have the opportunity to fly Virgin America, let alone fly it often enough to use its frequent flyer program.

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What is Global Entry and Why Do You Need It?

Now that you’re learning the ins and outs of miles and points and are traveling the globe on the cheap, there’s probably one downside that you’ve discovered: the long wait to pass through customs upon re-entering the United States after a trip overseas. There’s good news though. Smart travelers can sign up for Global Entry, which eliminates waiting on that long customs line.

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LATAM Pass Program Review

LATAM Airlines, which was formed from the LAN and TAM airline merger, is a Chile-based carrier that serves South America, Central America, North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Oceania. If you’re in North America, it can still pay to be a member of its frequent flyer program LATAM Pass, even if you don’t frequently fly to the south.

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The Ins and Outs of the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest Airlines

The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is one of the greatest perks offered by an airline rewards program if you want to bring someone along when you travel.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Program Review

Who Is Southwest Rapid Rewards Good For?

With its lack of seating assignments, checked bag charges, and change and cancellation fees, Southwest has never fit the mold of your average American airline. It’s gone even farther on its own path since its merger with AirTran.

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Points and Miles that Don’t Expire

It can be tough to keep up with airline and hotel rewards programs and their point expiration policies. Generally, points will expire after 12 to 24 months of inactivity. This means if, during a specified period, you do not earn or redeem miles, you will automatically forfeit them.

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ThankYou Rewards from Citibank Program Review

citi thankyou rewards

Who Is Citi ThankYou Rewards Good For?

As far as credit points programs go, Citibank is actually an old player in the game, more akin to American Express Membership Rewards than Chase Ultimate Rewards or the Capital One Venture program.

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How to Keep Your Miles from Expiring

Earning miles can be challenging so letting them expire really shouldn’t be an option. There are plenty of ways to keep your reward accounts open by earning, redeeming, or buying miles. Here are some ways this can be achieved without breaking the bank.

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Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Program Review

Who Is JAL Mileage Bank Good For?

Asian award programs are largely underutilized by North American travelers, in no small part because of the difficulty of finding English-language (or even easily translatable) information on the program, and JAL is no exception. But with the changes in other oneworld partners, JAL has quickly become the best and in some cases the only place to turn for certain awards.

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Should You Pay an Annual Fee for Your Reward Credit Card?

When the average consumer is shopping around for a credit card, their biggest consideration may be how much it will cost them. What’s the APR? Should I choose a no annual fee card? What are the other fees?

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Air Canada Aeroplan Program Review

Who Is Air Canada Aeroplan Good For?

Aeroplan is actually run separately from Air Canada, so it is more focused on profits than some other airline loyalty programs. However, as many of the major U.S. airlines are changing their tune, Air Canada’s practices such as crediting miles on the basis of how much you paid for your ticket are less foreign today than they used to be.

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Upgrade Your Travel Experience Without Elite Status

Upgrade Your Travel Experience Without Elite Status

Travel can be a stressful experience if you’re not an elite member with an airline or hotel program. There are long lines, cramped seats and hotel rooms, and a la carte pricing that is leading to some pretty inflated costs for even the most basic travel arrangements.

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Iberia Plus Program Review

Who Is Iberia Good For?

Iberia Plus is a reward program that many casual awards travelers don’t consider, but should. Iberia and British Airways are actually one and the same. But like the Air France/KLM/Delta relationship, Iberia/British Airways operate their flights and their frequent flyer programs somewhat independently.

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How to Negotiate the Credit Card Reconsideration Line

When you first start applying for reward credit cards, it is a simultaneously exciting and scary process. Free flights: Yay! Credit card denials: Not so cool.

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Lufthansa Miles & More Program Review

Lufthansa-MilesMore

Who Is Lufthansa Miles & More Good For?

For many North American frequent flyers, Lufthansa is best known for its uber-luxurious first class, but in Europe, it is actually the largest airline, and it has the largest frequent flyer program on the continent. The program has more than 25 million members.

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Finding Last-Minute Flights With Miles

Finding Last-Minute Flights With Miles

Last week was one of those weeks when I thanked my lucky stars that I keep so many points and miles on hand in different programs.

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JetBlue TrueBlue Program Review

Who Is JetBlue TrueBlue Good For?

One of the newer players in American aviation, JetBlue started right at the end of the last millennium as part of a new wave of domestic low-cost carriers, but has blossomed into a serious player in the last 15 years.

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The 3 Things That Hold People Back From Their Dream Vacations

The 3 Things That Hold People Back From Their Dream Vacations

You landed here at RewardExpert because you are curious about points and miles. But if you’re not using them yet, or you’re just wading in the kiddie pool collecting miles on a bunch of different airlines when you fly, maybe using the same airline reward credit card you’ve had for a decade I have to ask, what’s holding you back?

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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program Review

Who Is Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Good For?

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has an intriguing fan base. People who live in the Northwest, near the airlines hubs, love its availability, perks and pricing. But many people who don’t live near or regularly fly Alaska Airlines routes are also devoted Mileage Plan members.

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