Use Points to Travel This Fall!

With cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and more laid-back vibes, the fall provides a welcome respite from the hectic summer pace.

And since the weather can be more variable and fewer people are venturing far from home, it also tends to be a great time to score deals on flights and lodging.  As you’re sorting out how to maximize your PTO (Paid Time Off) for the rest of the year, consider saving big $$$ by using points. 

Some issues with using points, whether it is airline, credit card, or hotel points, is that it is confusing and also like trying to hit a moving target as companies are constantly changing their points programs.   Usually, these changes result in points being less valuable. 

This is where “The Points Guy” comes in!  They have created formulae to convert points into dollars and cents and vice versa.  If you have an iPhone, feel free to go to the app store and download “The Points Guy” app.  Currently, there is no “Points Guy” app for Androids, so you can use the charts below. 

            Reasons to book fall travel NOW:

1. Lower Prices: Travel demand plummets as kids go back to school!
2. Better Deals: Airlines and hotels know fall demand is lower, so they sweeten their offers for cash and points pricing. 
3. Holidays: There are two schools of thought:  Work around the holidays, or take your vacation overlapping with a holiday to use less Paid Time Off days.
4. Points, Points, Points: The fall is the best time to cash out on points (before their values go lower) and recently, two major airlines have revamped their FF (frequent flyer) programs.

NOW is the time to check your points and consider flushing them out, see the charts below, which list cents per mile and bon voyage!!