Miles and Points give us the ability to spontaneously fly to visit a friend because we feel like it, or book a last minute staycation for you and your loved one, or take that weekend trip by yourself to just get away from everything. Regardless of how you use your miles and points, giving back to our family and friends is truly important – without them, we are nothing.
The best memories in travel are made when you share them with someone – that special dinner or cocktails during sunset; unforgettable moments. It’s important to give back and take your loved ones on trips – no matter the distance or length.
Travel with Miles to Visit Each Other
One of the easiest ways you can reunite with someone is to see them in person – so why not spontaneously book them a last minute ticket to visit you – or both of you get away somewhere for the weekend? If you don’t have time to travel or your friend/family member is unable, find a middle-ground that works for the both of you.
Using your miles and points for someone else is quite easy – you shouldn’t have issues redeeming your rewards for another person. Being together and sharing moments is what strengthens us and creates those special memories that can be cherished for a lifetime.
redeem your miles for family and friends
Book a Staycation
If you don’t have time or feel like venturing too far from your home, you can easily book a staycation in your home city – find a nice hotel and make plans (what you might do in the city during the day, dinner reservations, etc.) – arrange the stay as if you were doing it somewhere where you don’t live.
Many people have been experimenting with staycations recently as they just don’t have time or the resources to travel, but do still want a break from day-to-day life. You can always redeem your hotel points for a nice stay and invite someone along.
Travel Together with Miles
Most of us, thankfully, have weekends off and that leaves two full days to spend with someone special – a quick weekend trip departing on Friday after lunch and returning on Sunday night could be just what you need. Remember to select a destination with up to 3 hours of flying and on a nonstop flight – this will save a ton of time.
If you’re pressed for time, make sure to plan accordingly and reserve all of your activities beforehand as you don’t want to be scrambling last minute and trying to figure out new plans. Incorporate some luxury to make the trip extra special – fly First Class, visit lounges, stay at a nice hotel, etc. – there’s a budget for everyone and in my opinion, it’s worth overspending on experiences and memories you’ll hold with you forever.
use miles and points for travel both near and far
Redeeming Miles/Points for Others
You can generally redeem your airline miles and points for anyone – some frequent flyer programs have a restriction whereby you need to prove your relationship with that person, though this is rare. Make sure to keep an eye on your email or phone in case the airline calls you to verify that you did indeed redeem your miles for another person.
Redeeming hotel points for someone else is trickier as it generally cannot be done. Some hotel programs do offer you the ability to book using a free night certificate for someone else, but this is the exception rather than the norm. You can always book a hotel reservation for yourself and indicate two guests and add the additional guest’s name onto the reservation and just say you are arriving later.
All in All
Miles and Points give us the ability to create special memories that we normally would not be able to, such as flying First Class or staying at luxurious hotels. These memories are best made when sharing the experience with somebody else as we are nothing without our family and friends – which is why we should always make the time to see them as much as possible, as there is nothing more important in life than making connections with the people we love.
In addition, you can always give back by donating your miles and points to various organizations that help those in need – I usually do this if I have a smaller mileage balance in an account that I know I will not use any time soon.