point-me Self-Serve Tool for Exploring Points-Based Travel

The point.me Self-Serve tool serves as a user-friendly solution for individuals exploring points-based travel. It facilitates searches across a vast network of over 100 airlines and 30+ loyalty programs, presenting users with comprehensive flight options. The tool excels in simplifying the decision-making process through easy sorting and step-by-step booking instructions. It supports major airline loyalty programs, offering flexibility for redemption across more than 100 airlines. Notably, it integrates with AwardWallet, enhancing the overall user experience by organizing and centralizing points and miles balances efficiently.

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However, recent feedback from a CNN article highlights potential drawbacks [link], specifically regarding the tool’s search speed and the absence of a calendar view. Concerns have been raised about results taking longer to load due to simultaneous searches across multiple airline loyalty programs. Additionally, the lack of a calendar view limits users who prefer a more comprehensive approach to comparing prices across different dates.

Overview of point.me Self-Serve Tool:

• Functionality: Assists users in finding and booking flights using points from over 100 airlines and 30+ loyalty programs.
• Search and Compare: Offers filters for sorting and comparing flight options to find the best one.
• Flexibility Tips: Recommends being flexible with dates, exploring alternative airports, and considering different classes of service for better results.
• Automatic Syncing: Supports automatic syncing with partner AwardWallet or manual addition of loyalty program balances.

Booking Flights with Points:

• Holistic Recommendation: Provides a point.me pick recommendation based on experience and the cost to redeem for the selected flight.
• One-way Rewards: Suggests searching for two legs individually for better results.
• Limited Seats: Reminds users that airlines offer a limited number of reward seats, especially for large groups.

Hotel Bookings:

• Direct Booking: Advises booking directly with hotel loyalty programs for easier use and comparison of paid rates versus point values.
• Credit Card Points: Generally not recommended to use credit card reward points directly for hotel stays due to lower value.

point.me Self-Serve Plans:

1. Standard Plan – $129/year:
   • Unlimited searches for personal use, subject to fair use policies.
   • Sync your reward account balances for comprehensive visibility.
   • Step-by-step booking instructions for a seamless process.
   • Exclusive monthly destination tips enhance user insights.
   • Annual billing includes a 10% discount, offering cost-effectiveness.
2. Premium Plan – $260/year:
   • All features of the Standard plan.
   • 10% discount on all Concierge services.
   • Personalized points strategy consult call, valued at $200.
   • 5 Starter Passes to gift to friends and family annually, a $25 value.
3. Starter Pass – $5:
   • 24-hour access to the Standard plan.
   • Ideal for a single trip, providing great value for short-term users.

point.me Concierge Services:

1. Full-Service Booking – $200/passenger:
   • Experts handle every aspect of award booking.
   • Personalized service includes identification of the best redemption values.
2. Earn Elite Status – $200/person:
   • Mileage Run team crafts personalized mileage runs to meet specific goals.
3. Points Strategy Consulting – $200/person:
   • Strategic consulting on earning points and miles based on individual travel goals.
4. Additional Services – $100/passenger:
   • Cancellations and redeposits for concierge-booked itineraries.
5. Cancellations and Redeposits for Outside-Booked Itineraries – $200/passenger:
   • Offers flexibility for cancellations and redeposits.
6. Custom Quote for Round-the-World and Complex Bookings:
   • Starting at $800/couple, caters to intricate travel plans.
7. Custom Quote for Honeymoon Bundle:
   • Assists 3,000 couples annually in using wedding expenses for luxury trips.

Booking Process:

• Complexity: Booking flights with points is more intricate than paying with money, but the value is often worth the effort.
• Instructions: point.me provides step-by-step instructions, including transferring points and direct bookings with airline programs.
• Time Estimate: Most reward bookings can be completed in 10 minutes or less.

A Quick Example – DCA to SJU, 11/29/23

Let’s dive into a practical journey using point.me from DCA to SJU on 11/29/23. This quick example will guide you through the easy steps of finding and booking reward flights.

• Visit point.me Website: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the point.me website.
• Login or Create an Account: If you’re a returning user, log in using your credentials. For new users, take a few moments to create an account.
• Example: Select Departure and Arrival Cities: On the intuitive homepage interface, locate the departure and arrival city fields. For this example, enter “DCA” as the departing city code (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and “SJU” as the arrival city code (Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico). Choose your desired travel date as 11/29/23 to tailor the search to your specific plans.

• Explore Transfer Options: If you have loyalty points in a specific program but find a preferred airline in another, the tool assists by offering guidance on points transfer. For instance, consider transferring American Express Membership Rewards to Delta or using Bilt Rewards to transfer to American.
• Select a Specific Flight: Navigate through the presented options and select a specific flight that aligns with your travel preferences, timing, and point balance.

QuickLook in Beta Phase

point.me’s main concern has been a latency issue, causing longer load times due to simultaneous searches. To address this, they’ve introduced QuickLook, a feature still in testing that acts as a quick guide to recent findings by others. It helps users compare options before diving into a search, providing a snapshot of available flights and prices on specific routes and dates from the past. In the example I mentioned earlier, clicking on the “Get a QuickLook” button revealed that the information was last refreshed 21 hours ago, which is reasonably recent.

Although QuickLook isn’t available for all routes yet, they’re actively working on expanding it. The goal is to give users more flexibility when using their points for flights. Remember, QuickLook is a sneak peek, not the final decision-maker, so always check live availability before booking.

Pros:

1. Comprehensive Functionality: The point.me Self-Serve tool offers a broad range of functionalities, enabling users to find and book flights using points from a vast selection of over 100 airlines and 30+ loyalty programs.
2. Search and Comparison Tools: Users benefit from filters that simplify sorting and comparing flight options, making it easier to identify the best choices based on individual preferences and needs.
3. Flexibility Recommendations: The tool provides valuable tips on being flexible with travel dates, exploring alternative airports, and considering different classes of service, enhancing the chances of finding optimal flight options.
4. Automatic Syncing with AwardWallet: The automatic syncing feature with AwardWallet streamlines the management of loyalty program balances, offering users a centralized and organized view of their points and miles.
5. Holistic Booking Recommendations: The point.me tool delivers a point.me pick recommendation, drawing on extensive experience and considering the cost-effectiveness of redeeming points for the selected flight.
6. Concierge Services: Users have the option to access concierge services, offering expert assistance for various aspects of travel, including full-service booking, earning elite status, and strategic points consulting.
7. Range of Plans: The tiered subscription plans, including the Standard and Premium options, cater to different user needs, offering flexibility in terms of features and pricing.
8. Transparent Pricing: The pricing structure for subscription plans and additional services is transparent, providing users with a clear understanding of the costs associated with various offerings.
9. Efficient Booking Process: The tool acknowledges that booking flights with points can be more complex than traditional methods but provides step-by-step instructions, making the process straightforward. Most reward bookings can be completed in a short time frame.
10. Diverse Tips for Users: The tool offers practical tips for users, emphasizing flexibility when searching for flights, supporting all major credit card loyalty programs, and providing over 30+ airline loyalty program options.

Cons:

1. Search Speed: The tool can be slow at times in delivering search results, probably because it’s searching multiple airline loyalty programs simultaneously. I’ve noticed the delay, and it might affect user experience, especially for those who want quick comparisons.
2. Calendar View Absence: Not having a calendar view to compare prices on different dates for the same route is a limitation, as noted in the CNN article. I agree adding this feature would make the user experience better, especially for those with flexible travel schedules.
3. Lack of Free Trial: The absence of a free trial option for the subscription plans may be a drawback for users who prefer to explore the tool’s features before committing to a paid plan.
4. Subscription Costs: While the tool offers valuable features, potential users need to weigh the subscription costs against their travel frequency and preferences to determine if the plans align with their needs.
5. Dependency on AwardWallet: While the automatic syncing with AwardWallet is a convenient feature, users who do not use or prefer other loyalty program tracking tools might find the tool’s dependence on AwardWallet less appealing.
6. Subscription Lock-In: Users opting for an annual subscription might find themselves locked into the service, and if their travel plans change, the tool’s value proposition may diminish.
7. External Dependency for Award Booking: Users opting for concierge services for full-service booking may find themselves dependent on external expertise, potentially limiting their ability to handle aspects of the booking process independently.
8. Hotel Booking Recommendations: While the tool provides guidance on hotel bookings, it generally cautions against using credit card reward points directly for hotel stays. This limitation might influence users seeking a comprehensive solution for both flights and hotel bookings.

In summary

The point.me Self-Serve tool simplifies the complexities of reward travel. Its user-friendly features, diverse plans, and concierge services cater to various needs. The seamless AwardWallet integration enhances convenience by allowing users to effortlessly track loyalty program balances in one central place. The tool excels in providing step-by-step instructions and support for diverse loyalty programs.

The tool does exhibit certain limitations, such as search speed, the absence of a calendar view, and the lack of a free trial option. Additionally, users should carefully assess the subscription costs in relation to their travel habits. The dependency on AwardWallet, potential subscription lock-in, and reliance on external expertise for concierge services are also factors that users should consider before fully committing to the tool.

New to the world of earning miles and points? Check out my articles on easy ways to earn miles and points [link] for valuable insights. I also have a beginner’s guide to credit card points and miles to help you get started. Enjoy your shopping and have a fantastic holiday season!

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored or paid, and I have no affiliations with any of the mentioned programs at the time of writing. While I have made efforts to provide an accurate review, errors may exist, and updates may be necessary.