Travel Rewards Tips: Beyond Flights & Hotels

Travel rewards programs help millions of people experience the world. The setup is simple: spend on travel costs with a specific credit card, then earn free flights and lodging along the way.

The setup might be simple, but the fine print within travel rewards programs can be dizzying. Most people stick to programs that match their lifestyle. Frequent travelers focus on heftier rewards and savings, while fans of luxury might target programs that revolve around business-class flights and four-star hotels.

As mentioned up top, programs are focused on transportation and lodging, since these are typically the priciest part of a trip. But what about rewards programs that extend their reach beyond the scope of flights, hotels, and airport lounges?

Interesting question.

Over the last few years, more companies have started to expand their rewards offerings. Not only can members apply points to hotels and flights, but also for adventurous experiences and beyond. And, on the other end of the spectrum, some non-travel companies have started to enter the rewards space.

Want to elevate and evolve your approach to travel rewards? I’ve got a few travel rewards tips that go beyond the standard formula. Let’s see what sorts of truly unique programs are out there and how they could work for you.

Earn rewards points from Airbnb

Officially, Airbnb doesn’t offer any type of structured rewards or loyalty program. However,

when you use certain travel rewards credit cards to book Airbnb stays, you can earn points toward other rewards.

Capital One offers three rewards programs that allocate points for Airbnb stays. These include its Capital One Venture Rewards, Capital One Venture X Rewards, and Capital One VentureOne Rewards cards.

Two airlines also offer miles in exchange for Airbnb bookings made through their platform. These include Delta Air Lines and British Airways. To earn miles, make sure that you book Airbnbs that are offered directly on the Delta and British Airways websites.

Bundled rewards programs like One Key Rewards

Let’s venture into unique territory: hybrid rewards models. One Key is a new rewards program launched by Hotels.com, Expedia, and VRBO. Users sign up and start booking on these platforms, which allows them to collect One Key Cash and ‘trip elements’.

As program members book, they’ll progress through various tiers, starting at Blue and ending at Platinum. Blue Rewards includes perks like free price tracking for flights on Expedia, while Platinum includes experiences like room upgrades and price drop protection.

Costco members: join Costco Travel

Costco truly knows no bounds. I’m sure I’m late to the game on this one, but I was floored to realize that Costco has an entire travel department. If you’re already a member of Costco, then check out their travel program.

The company wields its massive retail power to bring its members exclusive pricing on hotels, flights, cruises, rental cars, and more. I’ve taken a look around the website and can assure you—the options are incredibly varied, from European cruises to adventures in Maui. The resort stays, in particular, are worth a gander.

Retail & meeting rooms with Accor Live

Accor Live has one of the most expansive and varied rewards programs in the travel sector. This hotel group offers a loyalty program that isn’t dissimilar to other rewards programs from leading hotel groups like Hilton. But there’s a lot more on offer than exclusive hotels and cheap flights.

One of its more unique elements is allowing rewards members to spend points on general purchases. From Apple Air Pods to rice cookers, members can choose to spend their hard-earned points on those mundane things they haven’t gotten around to purchasing. I haven’t seen this shopping in many other places.

Another unique feature is the option to book event spaces and meeting rooms. Accor’s travel rewards program includes access to over 20,000 offices around the world. I personally don’t envision a future in which I would use this—but I think it’s worth shouting out as a remote worker.

Travel rewards tips: Conclusion

Your approach to travel rewards should be focused on your lifestyle. But there’s plenty of flexibility in how you access rewards, whether leveraging your Costco membership or using points to shop on Accor. So if you’ve been feeling a little underwhelmed, then dig a bit deeper for a new program.