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Don't Leave Points on the Table: Your End-of-Year Points & Miles Checklist!
Published on December 30, 2025, 2:12 AM

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Time is running out! The end of the year is fast approaching, and that means it's crunch time for maximizing your points and miles. AwardWallet has put together a handy checklist of things you should absolutely tackle before January 1st. This isn't just about being organized; it's about potentially saving serious money and boosting your travel game for 2025!

What's on the list? Think strategically pooling points with family to reach redemption goals faster, making sure you actually use those expiring credits you've been hoarding (we all do it!), and figuring out if you're close to snagging valuable hotel or airline elite status through end-of-year spending. Hitting those yearly spending thresholds on your credit cards could also unlock valuable bonus points or perks.

Why does this matter to you? Well, nobody wants to see hard-earned points vanish or miss out on elite status benefits that can make travel smoother and cheaper. This checklist is your cheat sheet to ensure you're squeezing every last drop of value from your loyalty programs before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. So, ditch the holiday shopping for a bit and give your points and miles some love – your future travels will thank you!

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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