Have I gone too far with points and miles?

[cove]

This year I haven't been able to use all the points/miles our family has run up. Is this unusual to have many credit card sign ups in a year and multiple wallets to hold all these new plastic cards?
I read where someone had 30 plus million points to a hotel loyalty scheme and immediately thought I could do that instead of thinking wow that person has a problem.

 

[mark4217]

30mil will get you to space with Virgin Galactic, no points left after that trip. Dear I say it's probably in Y.

 

[DaveB]

My points earn has easily doubled the past couple of years yet have seen no real change in points balance. Has been fun being able to shower points being the flight travel agent for a dozen or so extended family, friends and work colleagues.

With my two daughters largely traveling with friends these days, they have quickly learned the value of planning ahead. They amused me when with one still living in London til Xmas and booking separately for April next year, they are departing an hour apart next Easter on flights to AKL and CHC.

 

[RooFlyer]

This year was the first that I deliberately tried to maximise my points earn by cc spend at (almost) every opportunity) and signing up for some credit cards I didn't need, and funnily enough just last night I was contemplating the result, plus the miles I've bought on AA and AS that haven't yet used, and thought 'I'll never use them all before they get devalued.' I'm restricted time-wise in my forward planning for hols and flights, so its actually difficult for me to use the points for long haul, in the cabin that I want.

So Santa is going to do extra work this year and I'm going to fly some far flung nephews and nieces (and their kids) down to Hobart to see their mother, who can't travel any more.

 

[GarrettM]

This year I haven't been able to use all the points/miles our family has run up. Is this unusual to have many credit card sign ups in a year and multiple wallets to hold all these new plastic cards?
I read where someone had 30 plus million points to a hotel loyalty scheme and immediately thought I could do that instead of thinking wow that person has a problem.

Perhaps you're just not travelling enough?

 

[cove]

Well GarrettM one of my sons has come to the rescue and he is taking his +one to the US. We booked them both tonight using two computers simultaneously because we could fix two problems in a few minutes.
The good news is that Mrscove's February Kris Miles have now been used and won't expire and nor will mine.
Meanwhile we are considering a June flight to America as we have an invite to a wedding in Los Angeles. This is complicated by one of my partners being away across those dates but a life sized photo in my office chair might work.

 

[serfty]

This year I haven't been able to use all the points/miles our family has run up. Is this unusual to have many credit card sign ups in a year and multiple wallets to hold all these new plastic cards?
I read where someone had 30 plus million points to a hotel loyalty scheme and immediately thought I could do that instead of thinking wow that person has a problem.

I know what your problem is....

Points/miles don't earn anything - they sit there until redeemed ... they do come at some cost ... and the longer it takes to redeem them then the cost increases notionally (based on what could have otherwise been done with the means to aquire each point/mile in the first place).

As the numbers guy I know you to be, I can easily comprehend your tribulation.

Consider the cost/benefits of your opportunities and how these 'excess' miles/points may have a benefit...

I was considering issues with some AA miles (nee DM) that we had since 2014 which were reducing in value and would be even less valuable by April, so now in early November I am off to the UK for a week ...

 

[cove]

I did go two lots of points to friends for Christmas and we have been making Miles for one of my brothers seeing he is flying others to France in business class.
These small steps have helped just enough but Mrscove is telling me "no more credit card sign ups...enough is enough". She may be correct on that idea but I am halfway to a BW World card....

 

[cove]

Gee Serfty I may book a RTW for two and go a mixture of Kris and AA miles to beat a bit of the devaluation. Los Angeles, NYC and London are always favourites.
I am just so glad my 49% partner still loves sending me monthly and quarterly bills (but no Christmas card thank you).

 

[serfty]

Gee Serfty I may book a RTW for two and go a mixture of Kris and AA miles to beat a bit of the devaluation. Los Angeles, NYC and London are always favourites.

Well the proof of the point/miles is in the burning - one thing is for sure- they don't gain intrinsic value.

 

[serfty]

BTW ... where do you stay in NYC? ...

 

[cove]

Marriott Marquis or Westin Times Square are places I like in NYC but I have tried a number of others.
We don't have a place there as the weather can go way too extreme for us.
I love the shows and after 5 nights we are good to leave.

 

[serfty]

I'll be in NYC and LAX in mid June- 72½K AAdvantage miles with QF F and AA F+ (3 class).

Staying at Chateaux 'monitor'.

Returning VA J ex LAX 94K and a few $$$.

 

[cove]

We may get there in June so I will stay in touch Serfty.
Have Flemings gift cards stored and Silver Oak in a wine storage cool room so we just have to get our plans in order.

 

[cove]

The miles expiry wolf got pushed away from the door tonight as we completed two SQ Suites bookings. That was quite a relief as those miles came from Citibank before they misbehaved. Three years goes by way too quickly and I did not fancy paying 1200 miles per 10,000 Kris Miles to extend them by 6 months.

 

[get me outta here]

Cove and serfty, I'll be in NYC for a month till early June, would loved to have met up with you there.

 

[cove]

GMOH are you in California for a couple of days or just transiting?

 

[get me outta here]

Cove, just transiting on this occasion, I have a month in NYC. Via HKG on way up and LAX on return.

GMOH are you in California for a couple of days or just transiting?

 

[serfty]

I'll be in NYC 10th-13th ... A couple of FT do's (Soup, Brooklyn , Wine) ...

 

[cove]

We are back in London after a quick trip to Switzerland where it tried to rain and rain.... Now Mrscove wasn't too happy with an economy run to Zurich but going out of London City would have been great except we were delayed by fog. That made it a longer day by several hours of waiting.
I think we will be in LOTFAP in August and December.
We may have to increase our travel to stop miles getting close to expiry with Kris Flyer