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Have you checked your credit card travel benefits?

Have you selected a hotel rewards program?

Have you selected an airline rewards program?

Every December, I conduct a travel audit to help me create a travel plan for the following year. I review my expenses to see where I succeeded and where I can optimize for the future. By analyzing my 2025 wins and losses, I’ve built a roadmap for an incredible 2026.

In 2025, I saved $9342 by utilizing airline and hotel rewards programs, specifically redeeming the most points with Hilton and Southwest. While the data above does not represent every trip, it reflects the major journeys I documented on my website. The budget ($11740) is based on the cost of accommodations and flights at the time I booked the trip. You added correctly. I spent only $2398 visiting 11 states. Here are three tips to help you plan for 2026.

1. Utilize Hotel Rewards Points to Create a Travel Plan

In 2025, I successfully redeemed over 219,000 Hilton Honors points for a stay in Cartagena. By utilizing the Hilton Honors benefit, 5th night free on award stays, I significantly extended the value of my points. However, I missed the mark during my 4th of July trip to Nashville by charging the entire stay to my credit card. In 2026, I plan to be more strategic, utilizing “Points + Cash” to lower out-of-pocket costs when a full award stay isn’t the best value.

Cartagena, Columbia

My Strategy for Maintaining a 200,000+ Point Balance:

  • HGV Assessments: Paying my Hilton Grand Vacations annual assessment with my Hilton Honors American Express card earns 10 (Base), 14 (Aspire Card Bonus), and 10 (Diamond Bonus) points per dollar spent, earning me an automatic 19,107 points or more each year.
  • Owner Updates: Attending 4–5 presentations per year, earning 75,000 points per update. I have an update scheduled for 100,000 points.
  • Daily Spend: Using my Hilton card (3X) for grocery purchases and select restaurants (up to 34 points per dollar).
  • Bonus: Leveraging authorized user spend to trigger additional Free Night Awards. Please note that you are responsible for any charges made by your AU.
Create a Travel Plan
e-Rewards Invite-only

2. Utilize Southwest Rapid Rewards Points to Create a Travel Plan

2025 was a powerhouse year for Southwest Rapid Rewards. By registering for every promotion in the app, I ended the year with over 100,000 points.

  • Earned a 25% bonus on Rapid Rewards credit card purchases.
  • Secured 2X Companion Pass points through targeted offers.
  • Triggered a promotional Companion Pass for January and February 2026.
  • Bonus Cash: I earned $300 in Southwest gift cards through L&E Research focus groups, which I’ve already applied to my 2026 trip to Belize. I will also leverage e-Rewards.
Pendry Chicago Fine Hotels & Resorts

3. Monitor Benefits Across Travel Rewards Credit Cards

The biggest takeaway from my 2025 review? Don’t leave money on the table. In December, I realized I had not redeemed several time-sensitive benefits. For 2026, I am scheduling my credits to ensure they don’t expire:

Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts

Use the $300 credit in the first half of the year for a domestic stay, then again in the second half for an international trip.

Quarterly Hilton Credits

Use these specifically for my quick trips to Arizona to see the grandbaby.

Free Night Awards (FNA)

I have five awards to stack with existing points to completely offset hotel costs.

 

HGV TOC 2025

Use This Hack When You Create a Travel Plan

The trip to Orlando for the HGV Tournament of Champions was complimentary, and I attended a conference for work that was paid for by my employer. Even though I did not pay for either trip, I still received reward points on my Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, American Airlines, and Southwest accounts. You can take advantage of complimentary trips by signing up for all travel rewards programs—it costs nothing to join, and most points do not expire.
Rooftop View Embassy Suites Nashville

Create Your Travel Plan for 2026

Looking back on what I did right in Cartagena and where I overspent in Nashville, I’m heading into 2026 with a clear plan and a mountain of points. While I will be attending another work conference, my district is only paying the registration fee. For this trip, I am responsible for my flight and accommodations—but as you can see, I have points to spare for the trip to New Orleans. 

My last word of advice: always review your current credit card benefits before applying for a new one. Ensure you are actually using the perks you’re already paying for.