The official end of summer is near, but that does not mean you have to stop adventuring—especially if you have a stash of miles and points to pay the way. In fact, come fall, airlines, hotels and credit card companies are eager to woo new business after the summer rush, offering special offers and promotions that can refill your loyalty program account in a jiffy. Plus, seasonal perks and benefits often pack extra value into the journey. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of September’s best loyalty rewards program deals.
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Multiply your points with fall promotions
Hilton’s bonus this fall is especially generous, offering double points during any Hilton Honors–participating stay between now and the end of the year. Even better, in certain cities like Bangkok, Barcelona, Mexico City, New York, and Tokyo among many others, you can rake in triple points.
Be sure to register for the promotion before checking into any stay. This includes a growing number of all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean and Europe, like the newly opened Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa with its 10 pools and private beach access.
Marriott Bonvoy is not far behind with its own fall promotion offering members 1,500 bonus points after each stay plus 3,000 more points when you stay at three different Marriott brands. The special deal lasts through December 6, but be sure to register by November 22 if you want to take advantage of it. With more than 30 brands, it is possible to rack up a lot of points if you travel often enough to try them all.
Accor’s numerous brands have a bonus of their own this fall. Earn as many as 2,500 Accor Live Limitless for every two nights. This includes stays at popular properties like Banyan Tree Phuket, Banyan Tree Bangkok, and the new Raffles Doha. Be sure to register for the promotion and reserve before September 23, although the stay can be anytime between now and October 31.
Earn extra miles and points with transfer bonuses
If you want to take advantage of Air France-KLM’s monthly Promo Rewards ticket discounts (25 percent off frequent flyer tickets to Europe on Air France and KLM? Yes, please!), don’t miss this month’s bonus when transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue. You can earn a 25 percent bonus for each Amex point you transfer between now and September 22. Combine the discount with September’s Promo Rewards, and you have yourself a good deal for fall travel.
Need Avios points instead? Chase Ultimate Rewards members can move points to the Avios program (Aer Lingus, British Airways, or Iberia) and earn a 30 percent bonus between now and September 22. Avios uses a distance-based award chart, and you can redeem points on any Oneworld alliance member, including American Airlines. For example, a trip less than 650 miles, like an American flight from New York to Chicago or Atlanta to Miami, only costs 6,000 points each way for an award ticket. By transferring just over 4,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Avios with this 30 percent bonus, you can score a free ticket. That is cheaper than the number of points American AAdvantage would charge for the same flight.
Tap into credit card benefits
Have you ever spent time scrolling through the dozens of deals, discounts, and rebates that are posted to your credit card account each month? You should. Among them is an enticing offer from Ennismore Hotels when you use a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred card to reserve a stay. You will earn a $30 food and beverage credit, free breakfast for two, and best of all, the fourth night free when booking through the link. Among the participating hotels are Delano Las Vegas, Mondrian Shoreditch London, Miami’s Mondrian, and SLS hotels on South Beach and the SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas among others.
