If you’ve ever been hit with analysis paralysis when it comes to making a decision, you’re not alone. For me, the feeling usually strikes when I’m sitting on a stash of credit card rewards and trying to figure out how to use them wisely.
Such was the case a few weeks ago, when the balance of 150,000 Membership Rewards points on my American Express® Gold Card stared back at me from the Amex app on my phone.
I’m always thrilled to have a healthy supply of transferable points, but this also leads to pressure to find the “perfect” redemption worthy of my hard-earned rewards.
Unfortunately, points paralysis is alive and well, so let’s talk about how to move past seeking perfection to make your travels more affordable and enjoyable.
Related: This month’s credit card transfer bonuses
Consider the savings
The pursuit of perfection can often leave you disappointed. Instead, aim for convenience and value.
Building up a cache of credit card rewards is a good idea — to an extent. Saving up your points or miles for a specific redemption is one thing, but remember that devaluations can happen at any time, making points and miles a poor long-term investment.
I had to remind myself of this several times before I finally decided to use my Amex Gold points.
What spurred me to action was realizing I’d save $500-plus by using Membership Rewards points to book a series of one-way flights between New York, Seattle, Oahu and Philadelphia to enjoy a weekend with my mom in Hawaii.
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Once I reframed how I thought about redeeming my points — I wasn’t losing them, I was using them to my advantage — a lightbulb went on. I remember thinking, “Using these points means saving on out-of-pocket costs. Of course, it makes sense to redeem them this way.”
My redemptions for this trip weren’t unicorns. I transferred 44,000 points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and paid $11.20 in taxes and fees to save about $400 on two one-way flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Still, they provided sufficient value to be good enough.
If I had paid cash for these flights, I would have forfeited a big chunk of my trip budget before I even touched ground in Oahu.
Related: 12 apps and websites that make award redemptions easier to find
Different redemption strategies
TPG staffers take different approaches to redeeming credit card rewards. Some mostly travel solo, while others split their rewards among themselves, their spouses and their children.
Then there are those of us who use a two-player strategy where we recommend cards to our partners or add them as authorized users so we can rapidly accrue points, miles and cash back for joint future redemptions.
Related: Credit card strategies for couples
Following a budget
Olivia Mittak, TPG credit cards editor, tries to get between 1.5 and 2 cents per point when paying for an award ticket.
“I’m not opposed to getting less-than-ideal value for my points if it’s a flight I wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. I think a lot of people get too caught up in redeeming for luxury and maximum value, and that shuts them out of opportunities.”
Prioritizing personal preference
Oftentimes, TPG credit cards writer Augusta Stone views her redemptions as fun, “just because” experiences.
“I redeem miles to visit friends when I want to; I don’t have to, but I want to, so why not do it for free? The same thing applies when I travel with my partner for his work. If he’s going to a cool place to cover a game, and I can get a flight on miles, fantastic.”
Prioritizing premium travel
When deciding whether to make a redemption or pay cash for airfare, Danyal Ahmed, TPG credit cards writer, starts by looking at possible redemptions and then moving to cash fares.
“I’ll compare the cash price to what I could pay using points. If the airfare booked with points is valued at more than 3 cents per dollar, it’s a pass for me.” Still, he prefers booking premium cabins when flying.
“I’ll save up my points or pool with my family to try and secure first- or business-class seats. If a trip comes up last-minute or if I’m planning a multicity trip where shorter flights are not available in business (or the point cost doesn’t make sense), then I’ll redeem for economy.”
Related: The credit cards that help fuel my luxury travel
Opting for premium stays
Carly Helfand, TPG director of content, enjoys the occasional premium flight but prefers to splurge on luxury stays.
“I absolutely love staying at fancy hotels and resorts, so I try to get great value for my points by staying at some of the top properties in the world. I’ll spring for a premium-cabin flight in points only once or twice a year if it won’t totally demolish my overall points balance — it’s fun, but it’s not super important to me.”
Trying for maximum redemption value
Chris Nelson, TPG credit cards writer, is big on getting the maximum value possible out of every point he earns and will typically only use points for a less-than-stellar redemption if it’s out of necessity.
“If the redemption value is low and the cash price is high, I’ll only use points for essential trips — like helping a family member get somewhere,” he says. Though he will splash out on a solid business-class points fare, he typically sticks to economy cabins so he doesn’t deplete his reward balances too quickly.
“I won’t use points if the cash price is low or if I’m not getting at least 1.5 cents per point on flights. Hotels are a little different for me, as I hate getting low redemption rates and would rather pay cash.”
Bottom line
Credit card rewards, whether earned in the form of points, miles or cash back, are meant to be used. The exhilaration of finding a unicorn redemption — one that offers a value of several cents per point and puts you in a premium cabin or stunning hotel suite — is incredible. Just remember that these are called unicorns for a reason.
Don’t let points paralysis prevent you from using your credit card rewards to offset travel expenses and make memories wherever your journeys take you.
Related: Why the best point redemptions are sometimes the most practical
