Maximising your adventures abroad often comes down to your ability to accumulate valuable travel awards for free travel. Whether through flights, hotel stays, or strategic credit card spending, travel award programs can make your trips more affordable, comfortable, and rewarding. However, it can be difficult know which award programs will allow you to personally reap the greatest benefits, especially if you’re a rather novice traveller.

But fear not, as we thought we’d highlight some of the top travel award programs for airlines, hotels, and credit cards, all of which will provide you with outstanding travel perks. Most importantly, we’ll also explore the most active Facebook and Reddit groups that will allow you to connect with other fellow backpackers and globetrotters. You’ll be able to share tips and stay updated on the latest travel deals from those in the know.

The aim of this guide is to help you better understand how to optimise your travel rewards to get the most out of your travel experiences. Get ready to enjoy more affordable travel and greater opportunities with these special programs and tips.  

Travel Smarter: Best Award Programs and Online Travel Groups You Need to Join

Airline Awards Soaring You to New Heights

Airlines offer some of the most recognisable travel award programs out there, allowing frequent flyers to earn miles or points that can later be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, or other perks. However, not all programs are created equal, with some offering unique advantages that are definitely worth exploring further. Here’s a short list of some of the most notable current airline programs that are available to travellers.

American Airlines AAdvantage

One of the largest and most used airline programs, American Airlines’ AAdvantage grants you the ability to earn between 40% to 120% more miles on flights and everyday purchases such as groceries or dining out. AAdvantage miles are redeemable for free flights, cabin upgrades, and even full vacation packages. Elite status with AAdvantage carries a number of key benefits, such as free upgrades, priority boarding, and complimentary checked bags.

Acquiring a premium membership is one of the powerhouse strategies in the airline program, and this is the go-to hack to take advantage of the greatest offers. You’ll be turbocharging your ability to earn extra miles by earning loyalty points in a much shorter period of time.

Delta SkyMiles

This is another top-shelf award airline program that is known for its flexibility, user-friendly features, and a whole lot more. One of the greatest benefits of the program is that SkyMiles do not expire, so you can accrue miles over time with no pressure to needlessly redeem them by a certain date.

You can start hoarding your miles by acquiring them through flying, via using Delta credit cards, and through other programs with which the company has entered into partnerships with. Your SkyMiles can then be used for free flights, to upgrade your seats, or be traded-in for luxury travel experiences. Being able to accrue miles from Delta’s broad network of global airline partners adds even more flexibility to the program.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus shines in international travel due to its broad range of airline partnerships and the ability to earn miles among the more than two dozen member airlines within the Star Alliance fleet, which collectively fly to over 1,200 destinations worldwide.

You can earn up to 80,000 bonus miles as a welcome bonus simply by signing up for a United Club Infinite Card. Simply spend $5,000 on everyday purchases within the first three months of activation to receive this incredible offer.  

Benefits of MileagePlus include free access to Economy Plus seating and priority boarding. Premier members receive even more added perks, such as priority pre-boarding and free checked bags. United credit cards also allow earning bonus miles on everyday spending.

As you can see, MileagePlus, through strategic utilisation of its partnerships, offers excellent value and thereby makes one of the top choices for travellers who regularly fly domestically or internationally.

Hotel Loyalty Programs Worth Your Sleepover

While airline loyalty programs get most of the press, hotel loyalty programs can help you extend your travel budget even further. By implementing the right strategy, you can earn free stays, room upgrades, late checkouts, free food, and more without incurring any additional costs. Check out the following options which are sure to see you start sleeping more comfortably while travelling.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy leads the charge in hotel loyalty programs because of its huge network of properties that cover more than 30 hotel brands throughput the world. Marriott boasts some impressive properties such as the popular Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa in Canada which overlooks the Niagara River’s famous Horseshoe Falls.

The Bonvoy program earns points from stays at any Marriott property like the one previously mentioned, as well as from everyday purchases such as dining, spa services, fuel purchases, etc. Points can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and unique experiences that include VIP access to concerts and sporting events.

If you do ever end up tiring of gazing at the impressive falls and need a change of scenery, simply head to the hotel’s Burning Springs Spa & Thermal Pools for a bit of pampering. Alternatively, you can book a tour to Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore the enticing wineries and sample the unique local icewine.

Of course, if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can always simply chill in your luxurious hotel suite and browse local online casino Canada platforms for a bit of fun and relaxing entertainment, potentially racking up additional points by ordering an in-room meal with a shaken martini from Marriott’s exceptional room service.  

Marriott’s program also offers up to 10 points for every dollar spent. In addition, complimentary room upgrades, late checkouts, and guaranteed room availability can be had by elite members. Additional benefits that come with Marriott Bonvoy include the possibility to earn points across its wide range of hotel brands-from its most luxurious to its budget-friendly hotels, giving you even greater flexibility in accruing points more quickly.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is yet another powerhouse hotel loyalty program offering a broad range of travel benefits for its members. One of the greatest strengths of Hilton Honors is the ability to pool your points with family or friends, combining your balances for easier larger redemptions for truly impressive bonuses.

Hilton Honors members can earn points on everything from stays worldwide to Hilton-branded credit cards and other partnerships. Free breakfast, room upgrades, and access to Hilton’s Executive Lounges top the long list of elite perks. Hilton Honors points can also be redeemed for free nights at some of Hilton’s 8,000+ hotels worldwide.

Additionally, the flexibility of Hilton Honors is one of the friendlier points systems out there, allowing you to use partial points and cash payments when booking rooms.

World of Hyatt

Hyatt’s program boasts some of the most potent point values in the industry, so you can expect more from every hard-earned point. Though the program operates far fewer properties than Marriott or Hilton, the rewards tend to be more lucrative, particularly for elite members.

The main ways to earn points within World of Hyatt include staying directly with them, dining at participating restaurants, and using Hyatt-branded credit cards. These points can be redeemed for free nights, suite upgrades, and spa treatments at participating hotels. Within its multi-tiered elite status system, benefits range from receiving bonus points to guaranteed late checkout and free room upgrades.

Although Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors are often compared side by side, Hyatt’s per-point value is regularly higher than those offered by its competitors, though Marriott’s vast network does again allow for more flexibility among frequent travellers.

Credit Card Programs that Supercharge Travel Rewards

Some of the most powerful tools for increasing your travel rewards are travel credit card programs. If you apply for a travel-oriented credit card, you’ll be able to earn points through day-to-day purchases and can then transfer them to your favourite airline and hotel programs for maximum value.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

One of the most flexible travel programs out there, the Chase Ultimate Awards program enables cardholders to transfer points to a variety of different airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt.

This flexibility in the ability to seamlessly transfer points enables you to make travel redemptions that maximise travel deals. Other redemption options include getting cash back, gift cards, and Apple or Amazon purchases. Those with an eligible Chase card can also redeem their points for access to selected special events.

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Membership Rewards program is another flexible program out there, as your points can come from nearly any purchases you’ve made on your card, from expensive international flights down to a simple coffee. You can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, or travel booked via Amex Travel.

Easily maximise your rewards from everyday purchases such as groceries, fuel, and travel which will help you accumulate points more quickly. Point can be easily transferred to the program’s airline and hotel partners, such as Delta SkyMiles, British Airways, and Hilton.

Best Facebook and Reddit Groups for Travel Award Enthusiasts

In the game of travel rewards, being part of an online community that shares deals, tips, and strategies is crucial. These groups are usually goldmines of information that may also teach you how to better stretch your points. Most importantly, you can learn of exclusive one-time special deals which are surprisingly readily available if you know where to look.  

Facebook Group: Award Travel 101

The Award Travel 101 Facebook group is an excellent resource for both budding and well-seasoned travellers. Group members regularly update each other on how to maximise travel rewards, find the best deals on flights, and take advantage of various credit card bonuses. The group provides members with real-time updates on travel promotions and limited time offers, so it’s a valuable asset if you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Facebook Group: Award Travel By ROAME

ROAME Travel is another ‘must-join’ group for those interested in airline and hotel rewards. This group is specifically targeted at keeping its members updated on how to capitalise on the latest up-to-date information available to take advantage of promotions, earn points, and book travel awards.

It’s also an excellent spot to learn from others who have first-hand knowledge of being able to successfully navigate these programs.

Reddit Community: r/awardtravel

The r/awardtravel subreddit niche community on Reddit consists of a large group of seasoned travellers who constantly post various strategies for earning and redeeming points, help answer questions about specific travel programs, and share real-time updates on new travel deals.

Whether you’re a fledgling or an experienced individual in this field, r/awardtravel is a great way to stay up to date with the latest to maximise your travel reward options.

Maximise Your Travel Rewards

Knowing the best times to plan your travel point redemptions, maximising credit card bonuses, and having flexibility with travel dates can go a long way in securing even more value from your travel reward programs.

One of the best approaches that can be used in maximising benefits is through timing, since choosing to redeem your rewards for flights or hotels during off-peak travel periods when demand is low means that your points will go further, and you can better ensure availability of being able to redeem your award travel points. Another key approach is banking points with credit card sign-up and category bonuses.

Utilising several different programs collectively at once, including airline, hotel, and credit card loyalty programs, will of course yield you with the greatest possible rewards. By diversifying the sources of your travel points and knowing how to take advantage of the transfer opportunities among different programs, you can help cover more of your various travel expenses. 

Another good tactic or rule of thumb is to simply ask and potentially receive special travel offers even if they’re not publicly advertised. Airlines especially are known to be flexible in this regard. You can head over to their chat support or in person at their airport service counters, and more often than not, you could be flying Business or First class with having to redeem fewer points than you might otherwise have to. It never hurts to try.