Many travelers often find themselves wondering how to efficiently use their points and miles to book trips. While individual bookings aren’t handled directly by The Points Guy (TPG), there are several recommended companies that specialize in helping travelers navigate their award flight options.
Cranky Concierge
Cranky Concierge is a well-established travel planning service created by Brett Snyder. Initially focused on utilizing points and miles for booking trips, it has now evolved into a full-service travel agency. TPG has collaborated with Cranky Concierge multiple times, including booking unique hotels like Six Senses Shaharut using IHG One Rewards points. They charge a fee of $275 for round-trip bookings with miles, while cash transactions start at $95.
Point.me
Point.me provides advanced search tools to uncover difficult-to-find awards and offers a concierge service. Their full-service flight booking costs $200. The team at Point.me prides itself on a wealth of airline experience and client interactions, which they leverage to optimize travel plans for customers. They also provide a premium service that includes consultations and discounts. Users have had positive experiences but reported communication challenges for very complex bookings.
JetBetter
Operated by former TPG contributor Juan Ruiz, JetBetter offers award flight bookings and consultations starting at $150 for one-way travel and $250 for round trips. For travelers not using points, JetBetter can assist in planning entire trips. Ruiz emphasizes the service’s ability to uncover valuable award flights that may otherwise go missed.
Travel on Point(s)
Travel on Point(s) is a blog and booking service that offers submission-based requests for flights. Their fees begin around $100, escalating based on the complexity of the booking. They caution users to be prepared to book immediately upon receiving results, as award flight availability can change rapidly.
10xTravel
Another notable service is 10xTravel, which employs a straightforward online form for booking help. They charge a nonrefundable fee of $50 to initiate a search, in addition to booking fees that can lead to significant costs, especially for families. TPG readers have mixed reviews, though many appreciated the assistance for complicated itineraries.
Conclusion
While personal bookings aren’t possible through TPG, these services are designed to help travelers maximize their points and make informed travel decisions. For those who prefer a DIY approach, TPG has several guides and resources available.
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