Top 5 Reasons You Should Care About Points & Miles
Posted on 25. Jan, 2012 by PointsAdvisor in Earn Points, Miles and Rewards, Points.com News & Updates
In our loyalty program-saturated world here at Points.com, it’s easy to forget that not everyone is an avid point/mile collector. I recently met someone that told me they couldn’t be bothered with loyalty programs (the horror!), and that they didn’t carry a single loyalty card in their wallet.
For anyone who has ever questioned the hype around loyalty programs, here are our top 5 reasons you should care about loyalty programs.
1. Frequent flying not required:
Gone are the days when the only people that reap the benefits of reward programs are frequent flyers. Airline loyalty programs remain rewarding, but even if you don’t fly, there are a ton of other ways to collect points/miles. Check your local grocery stores, coffee shops, retail stores, car rentals, pharmacy – anywhere you spend money – to find out what their loyalty program offerings are. Loyalty isn’t just for brick-and-mortar stores anymore either. Many online retailers offer points/miles for purchases. Check out our latest promos page to see a few online retailers who are offering points/miles for purchases.
2. You’re spending money, why not earn points/miles while you do it:
As mentioned above, loyalty programs can now be found at most major retailers. They give retailers a way to reward their most loyalty customers, and most programs get more rewarding the more you spend. If you find yourself frequenting the same stores, as many of us do, joining a loyalty program can pay off in dividends. Some retailers offer discounts after reaching a certain balance, or even cash off your purchase. Others allow you to redeem for merchandise you wouldn’t have been able to fit in your budget.
3. There are more ways to earn points & miles than ever before:
Many loyalty programs now offer new and innovative ways to collect their currency. Some programs host online malls that allow you to earn points/miles for shopping through their site, while others allow you to create gift registries, so your friends and family can give you points/miles for special occasions. Loyalty programs are working hard to find new ways to go where their members are, making sure that it’s easy for you to make use of their program.
4. You can use points & miles for a lot more than just flights:
I’m always happy when I hear from a friend or Points.com user who has used their points/miles for their dream vacation, but some of the most memorable (and useful) rewards can come from redeeming for merchandise. One of my teammates redeemed for a Dyson vacuum cleaner, another, a gift card for Amazon.com. I’ve known others to use their miles for new digital cameras or a discount off of an Ancestry.com subscription (something you can get on Points.com). Although you should always compare the value of each redemption option before hitting “go”, sometimes it’s worth it to pass up on the vacation for something else you really need.
5. There are ways to earn faster than ever before:
Many loyalty programs now offer options to allow you to buy more points/miles, or transfer them to family members and friends. These increasing options give you more ways to get points/miles when you’re close to redeeming. Another option is to follow our Points.com Earn Opportunities feed, that lists the latest promotions for your programs.
Yes, being an avid collector requires a little bit of extra work, but it can really pay off over the long run if you are patient and determined.
Happy earning!
PS. If you’re new to the loyalty game and Points.com, check out our popular post: 5 Tips for New Points.com Users.
What’s your favorite part about being a loyalty program member?
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