Quick Tips: Accumulate bonus points and miles by organizing group travel

Traveling with friends and family can be a fantastic experience for everyone — plus, it’s a perfect chance for you to earn additional points and miles. You can easily accumulate these bonuses by booking some or all of the travel for your entire group. Just have your companions reimburse you for their portions.

I've organized various group trips, from weekend getaways with friends to family adventures spanning generations, and I’ve amassed tens of thousands of points and miles along the way. Here are some strategies I've discovered to maximize your rewards during group travel.

Establish a travel budget

Before you embark on your exciting journey, discuss possibilities and set objectives with your group. Where do you want to travel? What type of experience are you seeking? What’s the budget?

Once the group has settled on a preliminary plan, you can dive into the enjoyable part: exploring flights, accommodations, and activities. Personally, I've found that having one person lead the organization makes group travel smoother; most of my friends and family are more than happy not to take on that role.

Look for travel discounts and offers

Just like when booking for yourself, be sure to explore various options — including travel websites — to ensure you're securing the best rates and maximum points. Also, think about the types of rewards you’ll earn (airline miles, hotel points, or transferable points) and their worth to you.

For instance, since many of my family members are heading to Colorado in October for my wedding, I volunteered to arrange hotel accommodations for everyone. I discovered a budget-friendly hotel close to the wedding site on the Chase Travel℠ portal, earning an impressive 10 points for every dollar spent, thanks to the double-points welcome offer on my Chase Freedom Unlimited® (offer is no longer available).

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is currently providing an additional 1.5% back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — translating to up to $300 cash back. Consequently, you'll earn 6.5% on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 3% on everything else.

As a result, I'm accumulating approximately 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points from a two-night hotel stay. According to TPG's July 2024 valuations, these points hold a value of 2.05 cents each, and I know I can maximize their potential by transferring them to travel partners for future bookings.

Maintain organization while planning travel

Planning travel can become hectic with more participants involved, so it's essential to stay organized and keep communication clear.

When my fiancé and I organized a family cruise, we stored all important emails in a specific folder and tracked confirmation numbers and expenses in a spreadsheet. We then shared the necessary details with each relative, ensuring they had everything needed to join us at the port.

As a result, the trip was seamless for everyone — and we earned about 65,000 United Airlines miles by reserving all cabins through United's cruise portal.

In conclusion

Arranging a trip for a large group requires a bit more effort, but it can yield significant rewards in points and miles.

Consider it a reward for your efforts in making sure others enjoy a hassle-free vacation.

I’ve enjoyed organizing trips for my friends and family, and most people appreciate having someone take care of the details. Best of all, you get to share your passion for travel with those you cherish.