How to present the gift of travel: From utilizing points and miles to arranging a vacation package
As the holiday season kicks off, you might be pondering what to get that special someone in your life. While some enjoy unwrapping tangible gifts, others — like many writers here at TPG — prefer to gift experiences like vacations. Though giving the gift of travel may seem a bit daunting, if you’re aiming to surprise your spouse, children, or loved ones with a getaway, we’ve got some suggestions for you.
While we adore surprising our friends and family with travel plans, sometimes it’s crucial to keep the recipient informed, especially when the gift involves travel. Are they able to take time off from work or family commitments for the trip? Are you gifting the trip to them along with a "plus one" so they don’t have to travel solo? Does your recipient even have an interest in traveling? These are all important questions that can be addressed beforehand with a few meaningful conversations.
Once you’ve confirmed that your recipient would cherish the gift of travel, here are some ways to bring that idea to life.
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Leverage your points and miles to arrange travel
JLCO JULIA AMARAL/GETTY IMAGESIf you have a collection of points and miles that you can’t possibly use all by yourself, sharing some for a loved one’s journey is a fantastic idea. Given your familiarity with these programs, it’s often best for you to make the award bookings on their behalf. If you’re traveling too, consider using your points and miles for your travel companion and paying cash for yourself to earn some extra miles to help offset your expenses.
Before finalizing any arrangements, make sure to review the latest bonus transfer offers. If there’s a worthwhile offer related to booking specific flights or hotels you’re interested in, taking advantage of it can be very beneficial and help conserve your points and miles. It’s a smart way to maximize the points you currently possess.
Arrange a vacation package or cruise
QUENTIN BACON/CELEBRITY CRUISES/FACEBOOKVacation packages can offer exceptional value when they bundle airfare, accommodation, and sometimes even a rental car and activities. We've spotted some great deals through Costco Travel. Keep an eye out for offers from airline vacation divisions. For instance, Delta Vacations is currently featuring a Black Friday promotion where you can save up to $300 on vacation packages. In past years, there have been discounts for American Airlines vacation packages and British Airways London vacation deals (including airfare and hotel) for less than $600 per person.
Additionally, booking a vacation package removes the hassle of researching and organizing every aspect of a trip. If flying to your next destination doesn’t appeal to you, consider exploring cruise options for you and/or your travel companion. Many popular cruise lines are offering enticing Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals that will surely catch your eye.
Purchase travel-related gift cards
During the holiday season, it's common to see promotions that reward gift card purchasers with a bonus for personal use. This year, you can buy a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for just $399.99. Moreover, travel isn’t limited to hotel and flight gift cards; you can currently acquire a $100 Uber gift card for only $90.
The key takeaway is to be vigilant if you plan to gift travel using gift cards. Keep an eye on your email for targeted offers or check TPG for deal updates. You can frequently discover discounted travel gift cards or ones that include some sort of bonus upon purchase.
Even if you can’t spot a discounted gift card, at the very least, ensure you’re accumulating as many points as possible when purchasing a gift card.
Leverage Hyatt Globalist elite status to book a reservation for someone else
As a Hyatt Globalist, your elite status can enhance someone else’s stay through the Guest of Honor program. Essentially, if you’re a Globalist elite member, you can use points to book a stay for a family member or friend and pass on your elite privileges to them. What does this entail? Depending on the property, it could mean your gift recipient enjoys additional perks like Regency Club or Grand Club access, complimentary breakfast, and late checkout. If you want to treat a loved one to a special experience, this is a fantastic way to do it.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai. SUMMER HULL/DinogoUtilize a credit card to earn a welcome bonus when purchasing your gift.
If you're planning to pay cash for the gift of travel, be sure to treat yourself. Here are some of our top credit card picks that come with generous welcome bonuses.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Notable perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 (see rates and fees) | Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases; earn 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary. |
| Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express | $550 (see rates and fees) | Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. Terms apply. | Up to $200 in annual airline fee credit, up to $100 in Hilton on-property credit and up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | $95 | Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus a $300 statement credit on Chase Travel℠ purchases within the first year. | Earn 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout. |
| Ink Business Preferred Credit Card | $95 | Earn 00,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | Cellphone and purchase protection, extended warranty, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement. |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (see rates and fees) | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply. | A lengthy list of benefits, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and statement credit for Clear Plus membership (enrollment required for select benefits). |
The details for the Hilton Aspire Amex card have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.
Key takeaway
Travel is a luxury that not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy. Consider gifting a complete trip or part of one to someone special. Whether you secure a cruise package or use your points and miles for a hotel stay, giving someone an unforgettable experience is one of the best gifts you can offer. Who knows, they might just develop a passion for travel and become your go-to travel buddy for future adventures!
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