Before the pandemic, I preferred using ANA Mileage or Asia Miles (now “Cathay”) for a round-the-world ticket. However, airlines have shifted gears since the pandemic. The airlines sells premium seats for cash, play it safe with loyalty members or new dynamic redemption charts.
So, does this mean the dream of a round-the-world journey is out of reach? Join me as I unwind the burning question, revealing three essential things to consider. 🌍✈️.
Question:
“I’m planning a round-the-world trip for next year and feeling overwhelmed by all the options!
With Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Africa, and South America in mind, where do I even start?
I’ve got Chase UR, Amex MR, some United Airlines, and Air Canada miles. Any tips on which points and deals I should focus on this year? And what other factors should I consider?“
Before we move on, let’s determine which category you fall into.
- Category 1 – you’re raking in a ton of miles or credit card points every year (1.5M to 2M+ points).
- Category 2 – cruising at a more typical mileage pace (less than 1M a year).
If you are Category 1, literally you are a Pro. Even if airlines hiked up the mileage, you got the firepower to snag those dream trips.
But still do this. Keep your eyes peeled on TripPlus and award travel websites – they’re your golden ticket. Here are three top tips to continue watching those points and miles roll in faster than ever🚀💳:
• Ditch the old ones for regular spending and open new credit cards.
New cards often come with sweet sign-up bonuses (hello, The Business Platinum Card®‘s “No Lifetime Language” offer). Talking $1 = 10~15 Amex MR points or more because of those category bonuses. What if using old cards without sign-up perks? Meh, you’ll be looking at $1 = 3~5 Amex MR points, tops.
• Opt for credit cards with category bonuses for those big-ticket expenses.
When your expense doesn’t fit neatly into any category, whip out cards like Amex® Blue Business® Plus or Citi® Double Cash Card, where every $1 spent earns you 2 points. It’s all about maximizing those perks!
Now let’s turn to Category 2.
Here are three questions you need to ask yourself before planning a Round-The-World (RTW) trip.
- Which airlines would release the award seats (with reasonable redemption rate)?
- What type of miles do I need to toss in for these sweet seats?
- How do I weave these mileage seats into my travel plans?
“Which Airlines”
Let’s say you dream of Japan and Korea as part of your RTW trip. First, figure out which airlines fly between your spot and these destinations. Then, use tools like FlightConnections to map out your routes. Check if there are airlines releasing mileage seats.
Now let’s dive into the game. Take Vancouver, for example, ANA’s a bit tight on mileage seats, but Korean Air often spills the beans on plenty of business class spots. Check the airline’s site. Hit up their customer service for the real scoop. Use the tools like seat.aero or PointsYeah which can lend a hand too.
“What Type Of Miles”
Once you’ve scoped out which airlines are playing ball, it’s time to pick the best mileage program for redemption. Use the AwardPlus for a quick comparison. (But remember, it’s just a guide) Always double-check with the airlines or customer service before making any moves.
“How To Weave Into Your Travel Plans”
Now, it’s all about knowing the drill: how to seamlessly weave it into your travel plans? There’s a misconception that award travel costs money. The key here is not to force a trip. The redemption should fit well into your travel plan. Know your travel dates, map out your itinerary, identify those sweet redemption routes, and understand the golden window to redeem the tickets. That way, you can make every dollar count while soaring in style!
Nail these, and you’ve got the best shot at scoring that dream round-the-world adventure with your mileage points! 🌍✈️
Happy hunting! 🎉✈️
