Don’t make these 5 end-of-year points and miles mistakes

The end of the year is quickly approaching. Now is the perfect time to ensure you’ve completed your annual points and miles tasks before it’s too late.

With many loyalty programs and credit card benefits, the end of the year is an important time to maximize every opportunity before the next year hits. Here are five essential things to do in the next few weeks to avoid an unfortunate surprise come January.

Related: Why the end of the year is the perfect time to open a premium credit card

Check airline elite qualifying metrics

Status qualification miles and dollars often reset on Jan. 1, though American Airlines Loyalty Points reset on March 1. If you are only a few miles (or dollars) shy of the next status tier, you might consider taking a flight before the end of the year.

If you can’t fit another flight into your schedule, you might also be able to buy your way into the next level of elite status. Or you might find it useful to add a new credit card to your wallet, as some cards can help you earn airline elite status.

If you decide to make a last-minute push for airline elite status, ensure the money (and time) spent will benefit you next year. Here are some guides to help you strategize:

Related: How to get airline elite status

Check hotel elite qualifying progress

You typically have to re-earn your hotel status annually to reap the benefits. So, if you are just a few nights shy of requalifying (or earning that next level of status), it might be worth finding a hotel for a staycation or even going on a mattress run. With school break right around the corner, this could be an excellent opportunity to do something fun with your family over the holidays.

If you need more nights but don’t want to burn through cash, remember that award stays count toward status in many programs.

Many programs also allow you to work toward status with hotel credit cards. For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card gives you five qualifying night credits toward your next tier of status every year, plus two additional qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card.

Some hotel credit cards provide high tiers of elite status just for being a cardholder. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card gives you complimentary Platinum Elite status as long as you hold the card. Also, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card gives you top-tier Hilton Diamond status as a cardmember perk. Terms apply.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you need some tips for leveling up your hotel elite status, check out these stories:

Related: Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status

Use your annual airline, credit card and travel credits

Many credit cards offer sweet benefits to help offset the annual cost of the card. If you have any premium travel credit cards, make sure you’ve redeemed all available credits — and if not, make a plan to do so before they expire.

For example, cardmembers of The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) may need to use the following credits before the end of the year (enrollment is required for some benefits):

Many other cards offer statement credits that you may need to use by the end of the year. It’s a good idea to check on your credits and make a plan to use them before they expire.

Related: Don’t let credits go to waste: Your end-of-year credit card checklist

Meet annual spending thresholds for bonuses

Many credit cards offer annual perks when you spend a certain amount during a set period. If you are close to meeting the spending requirements on a card with a calendar-based threshold, you might consider using that card more this month.

Some credit card spending bonuses based on a calendar year include:

• Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year on your card and earn an economy companion ticket good for 12 months.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year to earn a Travel Together Ticket, which allows you to add a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees when you book an award flight within the next two years. Or, if you travel solo, this ticket gives you a discount of 50% off the price in Avios.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn a second Hilton free night award when you spend $30,000 and a third when you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. This is in addition to the free night award given automatically each year on your cardmember anniversary.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn a free night award after spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
• Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year and receive a $1,000 discount voucher toward two tickets on the same flight.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn a second free night award valued at up to 35,000 points after spending $60,000 in purchases on your card during a calendar year. This is in addition to the free night award given automatically each year after you renew your card. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)
• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year and receive a free night at a Category 1-4 hotel, in addition to the free Category 1-4 night you receive after each card anniversary.

The information for the Aer Lingus Visa, Hilton Amex Aspire and Iberia Visa cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Free elite status, bonus points and more: Credit cards offering rewards for annual spending

Secure your Southwest Companion Pass

One of our favorite benefits in the travel world is the Southwest Companion Pass. This valuable pass allows another traveler to fly with you for (almost) free for the life of the pass.

To earn this pass, you’ll need to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 qualifying segments on Southwest in a calendar year. The pass will expire Dec. 31 of the year following the one in which you earned it. So, if you earn the Companion Pass anytime in 2024, it will expire Dec. 31, 2025. However, if you earn the Companion Pass in January 2025, it won’t expire until Dec. 31, 2026.

Unfortunately, Companion Pass qualifying points and flights do not carry over from year to year. If you are close to meeting the requirements for the Companion Pass, it may be worth taking a couple more flights or completing other points-earning activities before year’s end. But keep in mind that if you earn your final few points from one of the many Southwest credit cards, only purchases through your December statement closing date will count. Points posted within a few days of your closing date count toward the year when the points are posted — not necessarily the year in which you made the purchase.

For those holding off and looking to earn the Companion Pass in 2025 so it lasts to the end of 2026, make sure not to meet your minimum spending requirements on any new Southwest credit cards until January. Theoretically, you could hit the minimum spend after your December statement closing date, and the welcome bonus points would count toward next year’s Companion Pass — but we’d recommend waiting until the new year begins to avoid something going wrong with your timing.

Related: How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Bottom line

With 2024 almost over, now is the time to ensure you maximize every credit card benefit and earn your desired elite status. It is also the perfect time to confirm that all hotel stays and flights you completed this year were credited properly.

Finally, it’s not too early to start planning your 2025 strategy. For inspiration, check out our list of upcoming credit card and loyalty program changes and our top 2025 travel destinations.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.