For travel hackers with dozens of loyalty accounts, it can be a hassle to keep track points and miles. However, maintaining an organized system is essential to maximizing your rewards and ensuring your points never expire. Whether you like to automate this task or create your own spreadsheets, having a system in place is crucial.
If you’re new to points and miles, this guide will help you get started. In addition to providing a detailed overview, I’ll help you choose the best point tracking method, including mobile apps and traditional spreadsheet methods.
Why tracking points and miles matters
Most points and miles have expiration dates, and failing to track them can result in forfeiting valuable rewards. The last thing you want to do is spend months (or years!) accruing points for a dream redemption, only to find the miles have expired.
Tracking points not only helps you avoid this fate, but it also allows you to plan out award redemptions more effectively. By knowing exactly how many points and miles are in your various accounts at any given time, you can take steps to increase them or figure out which ones you can use for travel bookings.
Tools for tracking points and miles
If you prefer to use technology to track points and miles, there are lots of options out there. These tools allow you to put points tracking on autopilot, automatically updating your balances and notifying you when points are about to expire. This is great for people who want a more foolproof option for tracking rewards.
The major drawback to point tracking apps? They are susceptible to hacking. If hackers get into these sites and access your passwords, they can wipe out your balance. On the other hand, if your rewards account is ever compromised, you can rely on these apps to notify you when your balance drops.
Another drawback to point-tracking tools is that some don’t provide live updates, nor do they track all rewards programs. For example, Award Wallet no longer tracks American or United miles. So if you have a lot of rewards in those programs that you want to track, you’ll have to do it manually. Despite their limitations, point tracking tools are convenient, and many offer free plans.
Here are three point tracking tools to consider using:
AwardWallet
AwardWallet is the most popular app for managing loyalty accounts. I’ve personally used it for over a decade. AwardWallet lets you track points with over six hundred loyalty programs, including airlines, hotels, rental cars, retail stores, and more. In addition to your own accounts, you can manage accounts belonging to your household members. This is incredibly convenient if you’re in charge of points and miles accounts for your family (like I am).
AwardWallet allows you to link your loyalty accounts and automatically updates balances, expiration dates, and activity. Its most useful feature isthe balance watch, which triggers notifications for upcoming expiration dates and changes in account balance.
All you have to do is provide your loyalty program credentials, and AwardWallet automatically updates your point balances every time you log in. The free version of allows up to two updates per 24 hours, while Award Wallet Plus provides unlimited updates. Free accounts are limited to three expiration date lookups per account, while this feature is unlimited for Plus members.
This leaves the question: Is AwardWallet safe? As a digital point tracking tool, it’s susceptible to cyber attacks like any other. In 2015, AwardWallet was hacked and around 250 accounts were compromised. So it’s definitely a risk worth considering.
NOTE: Email me for a FREE AwardWallet Plus upgrade code. If you haven’t joined AwardWallet, consider using my referral link. I’ll receive six months of Plus membership if you join with my link. Also
Pros
- Tracks over 600 loyalty program accounts.
- Allows tracking of family accounts.
- Free account option.
Cons
- AwardWallet no longer tracks American Airlines or United.
- Advanced features require a paid subscription that costs $49.99 per year.
- Passwords are stored on AwardWallet’s database, making them susceptible to hackers.
MaxRewards
MaxRewards has only been around for a few years and provides numerous functions related to your rewards account. A lot of people use MaxRewards to track credit card rewards, welcome bonus progress and annual bonus spending. The Gold version of the app also activates Amex Offers and some quarterly bonus categories automatically.
The app notifies you of the best card to use at specific merchants while shopping, which is helpful if you’re juggling multiple cards (like most of us are). While MaxRewards tracks credit card points and cash back, it doesn’t track other reward programs. That makes it inconvenient if you want to keep track of airline miles and hotel points.
I signed up but never used the app. However, I looked through some of the Reddit reviews for MaxRewards. Common complaints include broken connections and concerns about providing banking logins to a third party.
Pros
- Tracks credit card and cash-back rewards.
- Helps users optimize their credit card spending for maximum points.
- The premium version can auto-activate quarterly category bonuses for certain cards.
Cons
- Reports on Reddit indicate the app has synching issues, particularly with Chase.
- The app requires your bank login credentials.
- Advanced features are available through MaxRewards Gold, which costs $168 per year.
The spreadsheet method
While digital tools are convenient, some travelers prefer the hands-on approach of spreadsheets. This method offers complete customization and control. It’s ideal for folks who like to be hands-on with their rewards programs. Plus, it’s more secure since you don’t have to provide your rewards logins and risk getting your accounts hacked.
If you’re going to track points with a spreadsheet, keep the document in an accessible place and include the following fields:
- Program name
- Name of account holder
- Current balance
- Expiration date
- Last earn/redeem activity
- Point goal
The key to setting up an effective spreadsheet is to update it regularly and keep an eye on expiration dates. You may even want to set calendar reminders on your phone to help you stay on top of these important dates. Again, this option may take more time and effort but if you want to do it this make, make sure you’re also thorough.
Pros
- Complete customization to fit your tracking preferences.
- No reliance on third-party platforms.
- More privacy and security, since your data isn’t shared online.
Cons
- Requires regular manual updates.
- No automatic notifications for expiring points or miles.
- This method is more error-prone than a point tracking app.
What’s the best way to track your points and miles?
The best way to track your points and miles is up to your preferences. I personally prefer a point-tracking app like AwardWallet because it automates the process for me. I don’t have to think about the majority of my loyalty points expiring because AwardWallet sends me notifications before it happens. In fact, I recently saved 126,000 Avianca Lifemiles from expiring when I received an expiration alert from the app.
A while ago, my sister let 12,000 AAdvantage miles expire because AwardWallet doesn’t track American Airlines accounts anymore and she wasn’t tracking them manually either. The worst thing you can do with your points is let them expire. So make sure you have some system in place for tracking your points and miles.
Tracking points and miles is essential for maximizing the value of your travel rewards. With the right tools and strategies, you can stay organized, avoid point expiration, and make informed decisions about redemptions. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the world of loyalty programs, implementing a tracking system will help you unlock the full potential of your rewards.
