Travel rewards are amazing, but it’s easy to make mistakes that cost you points or leave value on the table. Knowing the most common mistakes and how to avoid them can help you get the most out of your points and miles.

Here are the most common travel rewards mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Overspending to Meet a Bonus Requirement

Overspending just to meet a credit card sign-up bonus requirement costs you more than the bonus is worth.

How to Avoid:

• Only apply for cards with spending requirements you can meet with your regular spending
• Plan your spending in advance
• Put regular bills (utilities, rent, insurance, etc.) on the card
• Don’t buy things you don’t need just to meet the requirement

Mistake 2: Redeeming for Low-Value Options

Redeeming your points/miles for cash back, gift cards, or merchandise gives you very little value (usually 0.5-1 cent per point).

How to Avoid:

• Only redeem points/miles for travel (flights, hotels)
• Focus on premium cabins or luxury hotels for maximum value
• Avoid gift cards, cash back, and merchandise

Mistake 3: Letting Points/Miles Expire

Many travel rewards programs have expiration dates—if you don’t use your points/miles, you lose them!

How to Avoid:

• Keep track of expiration dates (use a tool like AwardWallet)
• Earn or redeem points/miles regularly to keep them active
• Set reminders for expiration dates
• Choose programs where points/miles don’t expire (Delta SkyMiles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, etc.)

Mistake 4: Not Checking Award Availability Before Booking

Don’t plan a trip around using points/miles without first checking if award availability exists!

How to Avoid:

• Check award availability before finalizing your plans
• Be flexible with dates and destinations
• Book early for the best availability

Mistake 5: Applying for Too Many Cards at Once

Applying for too many credit cards at once can hurt your credit score and make it harder to get approved for future cards.

How to Avoid:

• Only apply for 1-2 cards every 6 months
• Space out applications by at least 3-6 months
• Focus on cards you actually want and will use

Mistake 6: Using the Wrong Credit Card for Purchases

Using a card that doesn’t offer bonus points/miles for a purchase category leaves value on the table.

How to Avoid:

• Use a card that offers bonus points/miles for the category (travel card for travel, dining card for restaurants, etc.)
• Keep a few key cards in your wallet for different categories
• Use a mobile wallet to switch easily between cards

Mistake 7: Not Joining Loyalty Programs

Not joining airline and hotel loyalty programs means you’re missing out on free points/miles and perks.

How to Avoid:

• Join loyalty programs for airlines and hotels you use most often
• Always provide your loyalty number when booking flights or hotels
• It’s free to join—takes 2 minutes!

Common Travel Rewards Mistake	How to Avoid
Overspending for Bonus	Meet bonus with regular spending only
Low-Value Redemptions	Only redeem for travel
Letting Points Expire	Track dates, keep points active
No Award Availability Check	Check availability before planning
Too Many Apps at Once	Space out applications
Wrong Card for Purchase	Use bonus category cards
Not Joining Loyalty Programs	Join programs for brands you use

More Mistakes to Avoid

• Not using shopping or dining portals
• Ignoring elite status benefits
• Booking awards too late (or too early)
• Not comparing redemption options

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I already made one of these mistakes?

Don’t worry—learn from it and adjust your strategy going forward!

Can I get expired points back?

Sometimes—call the program and ask, but don’t count on it. Better to track expiration dates in the first place.

How many cards is too many?

It depends on your credit score and ability to manage them—for most people, 1-2 cards at first, then adding slowly.

Should I close cards I don’t use?

Usually not—closing cards can hurt your credit score. Keep them open (even if you don’t use them) to keep your credit history long.

Final Thoughts

Travel rewards are powerful, but it’s easy to make mistakes. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can earn and redeem points/miles effectively and get the most value out of your travel rewards.