6 tips to sidestep common year-end points and miles pitfalls

As the year draws to a close, it's the ideal moment to finalize your annual points and miles checklist before time runs out.

With various loyalty programs and credit card perks, the year-end is crucial for maximizing every chance before the new year arrives. Here are six key actions to take this month to prevent any unpleasant surprises in January.

Review airline elite qualifying criteria

Status qualification miles and dollars typically reset on January 1, while American Airlines Loyalty Points reset on March 1. If you're just a few miles (or dollars) short, you might think about booking a flight before the year ends.

If fitting in another flight isn't possible, consider buying your way up to the next elite status tier. Alternatively, adding a new credit card could help, as some credit cards can assist you in achieving airline elite status.

Should you choose to make a final effort for airline elite status, ensure that the time and money spent will yield benefits for the next year. Here are some resources to help you plan:

• Last-minute tactics for attaining American AAdvantage elite status
• Last-minute tactics for achieving Delta Medallion elite status
• Last-minute tactics for securing United Premier elite status
• Last-minute tactics for obtaining Alaska Mileage Plan elite status

Monitor your hotel elite qualification status

Most hotel statuses must be renewed each year to enjoy their perks. If you’re just a few nights away from achieving the next tier, consider booking a staycation or even doing a mattress run. With the school holidays approaching, this could be a great chance for some festive fun.

If you require more nights but wish to save cash, keep in mind that award stays count toward status in several loyalty programs.

Numerous programs also allow you to accumulate status through hotel credit cards. For instance, the World of Hyatt Credit Card grants five qualifying night credits annually toward your next tier. Additionally, you can earn two more qualifying night credits each time you spend $5,000 on the card.

Certain hotel credit cards offer elevated tiers of elite status simply for holding the card. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card grants complimentary Platinum Elite status to cardmembers. Similarly, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides top-tier Hilton Diamond status as a benefit of membership. Terms apply.

The details for the Hilton Aspire Card have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

Looking for tips to enhance your hotel elite status? Check out these articles:

• Last-minute tactics for achieving World of Hyatt elite status
• Last-minute tactics for obtaining Marriott elite status
• Last-minute tactics for securing IHG One Rewards elite status
• Last-minute tactics for achieving Hilton Honors elite status

Make sure to utilize your annual airline, credit card, and travel credits

Numerous credit cards come with attractive perks that can help mitigate the annual fees. If you possess any premium travel credit cards, make sure to redeem all available credits, and if not, create a plan to utilize them before they expire.

For instance, cardholders of the American Express® Gold Card receive up to $10 in Uber Cash* and up to $10 in dining statement credits each month. Additionally, cardmembers of The Platinum Card® from American Express should be aware of the following credits that may need to be used by year-end (enrollment is required for certain benefits):

• Up to $200 in airline incidental fee statement credits annually with one qualifying airline of your choice
• Up to $15 in Uber Cash each month (up to $35 in December)*
• Up to $50 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits every six months
• Up to $200 in prepaid hotel statement credits for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection stays annually (requires a two-night minimum stay for The Hotel Collection)
• Up to $199 in Clear Plus membership statement credits each year
• Up to $20 in digital entertainment statement credits monthly
• Up to $300 in Equinox statement credits annually
• Monthly Walmart+ statement credit, excluding Plus Up Benefits
• Up to $300 in SoulCycle statement credit with the purchase of an eligible SoulCycle At-Home Bike

*To access this benefit, download the Uber App and link your eligible card as a payment method. Valid for U.S. purchases.

Numerous other cards provide statement credits that may need to be utilized before the year ends. It's wise to review your credits and devise a strategy to use them before they lapse.

Achieve annual spending targets for bonuses

Many credit cards feature annual rewards contingent on spending a specific amount within a defined timeframe. If you're nearing the spending threshold on a card with a calendar-based requirement, you might want to use that card more frequently this month.

Some credit card spending bonuses linked to the calendar year include:

• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 within a calendar year to earn an economy companion ticket valid for 12 months.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Receive a second Hilton free night award after spending $30,000, and a third after $60,000 spent within a calendar year, in addition to the free night awarded automatically each year upon card renewal.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Gain a night reward after $15,000 in spending during a calendar year on your card.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, plus a second free night after spending $60,000 in the same period.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year to receive a $1,000 discount voucher applicable toward two tickets on the same flight.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Obtain a free night award worth up to 35,000 points after spending $60,000 within a calendar year, in addition to the free night awarded upon each card renewal.
• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Spend $15,000 in a calendar year to receive a free night at a Category 1-4 hotel, in addition to the free Category 1-4 night received after each card anniversary.

Achieve your Southwest Companion Pass

One of our top benefits in the travel industry is the Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a companion to fly with you for (almost) free for the duration of the pass.

To qualify for this pass, you need to accumulate 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year or complete 100 segments on Southwest flights.

The Companion Pass is valid until December 31 of the year following the year it was earned. For instance, if you earn it in 2023, it will expire on December 31, 2024. Conversely, if you earn it in January 2024, it won't expire until December 31, 2025.

Regrettably, Companion Pass qualifying points do not roll over to the next year. If you’re nearing 135,000 qualifying points this year, make sure all points are credited to your account as soon as possible.

If your last few points come from one of the many Southwest credit cards, only purchases made by your December statement closing date will count. Points that post a few days after the closing date will count toward the year they are posted, not necessarily the year the purchase was made.

For those planning to earn the Companion Pass in 2024 to keep it through the end of 2025, avoid fulfilling your minimum spending requirements on any new Southwest credit cards until January. You can start meeting the spending threshold after your December statement closes, but we recommend waiting until the new year to prevent any timing issues.

Obtain your British Airways Travel Together Ticket

While quite different from the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass, British Airways offers a similar benefit known as the Travel Together Ticket.

To qualify for a Travel Together Ticket, you need to spend $30,000 on your British Airways Visa Signature® Card within a calendar year. Achieving this will grant you a one-time pass that allows a companion to fly on a British Airways award ticket, or gives you a 50% discount on the Avios cost for solo travelers.

You will still need to pay taxes and fees, but this can be an excellent way to save Avios on flights to Europe, particularly in business class. The Travel Together Ticket is issued at the end of the billing cycle when you hit the $30,000 spending mark and is valid for a reward flight taken on British Airways within two years of issuance.

Key takeaway

As the year draws to a close, it's crucial to make the most of your credit card perks and secure your desired elite status. Now is also the ideal moment to verify that all your hotel stays and flights have been properly credited.

Lastly, even though 2023 isn't finished, it's not too early to start planning your strategy for 2024. For insights into his 2024 elite status approach, staffer Clint Henderson shares which statuses he's letting go and which ones he's aiming to requalify for.