If you’re one of those people who sincerely enjoys traveling for business (or you have a nearly bottomless bank account), then you don’t need to worry about getting the most mileage from your buck. If you’re one of the rest of us, though, seized of uncontrollable wanderlust but still working for every dollar you make, then you’re going to need a good travel rewards programs. You might be aware of the big boys’ loyalty schemes, but there are a host of smaller or lesser known travel rewards programs that just might help you get where you’re going a little cheaper and a little more comfortably.
1. iPrefer
The Preferred Hotels loyalty program, iPrefer, is perfect for the international traveler. Not only is iPrefer free to join, it’s good at more than 600 indpendent hotels in 85 countries around the world – not the big chains. A great points system (and the option to use your rewards on a number of hotel services beyond just free rooms) make this one of the best programs if you like getting room upgrades, priority check-ins, late check-outs and the like and some top-notch properties.
2. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
For people who are based in or travel to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest on a frequent basis, there’s Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, a very generous rewards programs that provides travelers with benefits from 16 fellow airlines (including American and Delta) and 13 hotel chains. They even offer free stopovers on rewards flights, which is a rare benefit these days.
3. Wyndham Rewards
The Wyndham chain of hotels is one of the most expansive, diverse and wide-ranging in the world. More than 7,500 properties spread across Asia, Europe, North and South America are yours to explore when you sign up for this generous program. With the Wyndham rewards program, you can even earn points on rental cars, as well as everyday purchases (if you sign up for the credit card.) It can add up fast.
