Want to save money on travel?
Want to save money on travel but haven’t signed up with any loyalty programs? You could be leaving perks, discounts, and rewards on the table. Airlines, car rental companies, train apps, and travel booking platforms all offer free programs to save money and make your journeys smoother. Here’s a quick guide to some of the best programs you should consider joining, along with their benefits and how to sign up.
Airline Loyalty Programs: Maximize Your Miles
Every major airline has a loyalty program, and you’re missing out if you’re not signed up. Programs like British Airways Executive Club and United Airlines MileagePlus reward you with points (or miles) for every flight you take. These points can be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, priority boarding, and more.
- British Airways Executive Club
- Benefits: Earn Avios points for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. Enjoy perks like free additional drivers on rental cars, lounge access, and priority boarding.
- How to Sign Up: Visit the British Airways Executive Club page and create a free account.
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Benefits: Earn miles on flights and through shopping partners. Redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or even experiences like concerts.
- How to Sign Up: Head to the United Airlines MileagePlus page and register for free.
Pro Tip: Sign up for each loyalty program even if you fly with different airlines. Most programs are free, and points add up faster than you think. Also, check out Airline Alliances!
Car Rental Programs
If you rent cars often, joining a car rental loyalty program is a no-brainer. Avis Preferred is one of the most popular options, offering members faster service and exclusive discounts.
- Avis Preferred
- Benefits: Skip the lines at rental counters, get faster pick-up and drop-off, and earn points toward free rentals.
- How to Sign Up: Enroll for free on the Avis Preferred website.
Other car rental companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget have similar programs, so it’s worth checking out whichever company you use most often. See which company partners with your favorite airline!
Booking Platforms: Unlock Hidden Discounts
Booking sites like Expedia offer loyalty programs that reward you for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars through their platform.
- Expedia Rewards
- Benefits: Earn points on every booking, which you can redeem for discounts on future trips. Expedia members also get access to exclusive rates and perks like free breakfast at select hotels.
- How to Sign Up: Join for free on the Expedia website.
Other platforms like Booking.com and Hotels.com have similar programs. If you tend to book through one site regularly, it’s worth signing up.
Other Travel Programs to Consider
- Hotel Loyalty Programs: Chains like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards offer free memberships that can get you free nights, room upgrades, and late check-outs.
- Credit Card Travel Rewards: Many travel-focused credit cards let you earn points or miles on every purchase, which you can then redeem for flights, hotels, and more. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees for extra savings.
- Travel Insurance Loyalty: Some travel insurance providers offer loyalty discounts or perks for frequent buyers.
Know Your Benefits
One example of a perk: “Avis benefits include a free additional driver for Executive Club Members (British Airways free loyalty program) and fast-track priority service counters for Avis Preferred customers (Avis free loyalty program).”
True story: I booked an Avis rental car through the British Airways website. I am a loyalty member of both programs. When booking a car, I could enter my Avis number and British Airways number. I also had the option to use points, or Avios, to take money off the car rental price. One of the perks that I wanted was a free additional driver.
When my partner and I arrived at Avis, the person behind the counter tried to charge us for an additional driver. Luckily, my partner has a great memory, and I am a whiz at finding documentation. This is why it is essential to know your benefits and your perks!
Did we pay extra for the additional driver? Heck no! We knew our benefits.
Bonus: I earned British Airways Avios, Avis Preferred Points, and Credit Card Points all from one booking!
Final Thoughts
Almost every company has some benefit to signing up, from grocery stores to retail stores, I’m looking at you Sephora. Just like those industries, signing up for travel loyalty programs only takes a few minutes, and the benefits far exceed the effort. Whether you’re flying across the globe, renting a car, or taking a quick train ride, these programs can help you save money, enjoy exclusive perks, and make your journeys a little more luxurious.
Happy Saving!
