Give The Gift of Travel This Holiday Season

When you are thinking about getting a friend or loved one a present this holiday season, look beyond the stores, beyond your computer, and just look up to see the world around you. This holiday season, instead of giving someone a tangible gift, give him/her an amazing experience, and take that person on a trip. It could be to the other side of the world, or just a weekend stay in an exciting city, but it can be an experience that will last a lifetime.

Use all the points and miles that you earned with sign up bonuses and bonus spend from your credit cards, and cash those points in for a trip. Your points are not earning interest, and loyalty programs continue to devalue their points over and over again, so why not use them now?

Travel as a present in most cases is just simply better than a tangible gift. The excitement of receiving a trip or vacation as a present will almost always be more exciting than a gift. Not to mention that the travel experience will continue to give joy leading up to the trip, during the trip, and years and years after it ends. 

An experience is priceless, but the experience is definitely better if your trip is for free, or close to it. If you want to escape this year with a present anywhere in the United State, such as skiing in Colorado or enjoying the beaches in San Diego, look no further. A round trip plane ticket for domestic travel is $11.20 plus around 25k points per person for almost every single route with nearly any airline; however, these flights could be much more or much less depending on the airline and the dates.

Delta is currently running a number of flash sales, including flights to Florida for 10k SkyMiles R/T or even to the Caribbean for 16k R/T. Not to mention American Airlines, which has been offering a number of select routes for 5k miles one way through their online web specials. No matter where you go, be sure to stay at a hotel using points, whether it be Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott or any other chain. If you are feeling even more adventurous, stay at an amazing AirBnb.

With the end of the year coming soon, you should be sure to maximize any remaining benefits, whether it be for a   companion certificate with Delta or Alaska, or any sort of upgrade certificate, such as an American SWU, Delta GPU, or United’s new PointsPlus points. If you have the Southwest Companion Pass, make sure to utilize it in order to save even more points or dollars. Check out why Southwest Companion Pass is the best deal on airfare. 

If you use points, or if you choose to pay with cash, the person with whom you choose to have an adventure this year will definitely be thankful. You will be creating lasting memories. Regardless of why you choose to travel, whether as a present, a vacation, to visit family, or even for a work trip, have a safe flight, a Happy Holiday, and a Happy New Year.