My husband is incredibly supportive, but when it comes to collecting frequent flyer miles and points there are things he simply will not do.
Some things are too much trouble; others he considers to be ethically suspect.
Let’s face it: this is a crazy hobby and the lengths we go to maximize our miles can be excessive, to say the least.
Every one has their own take on what they are willing to do, and on where to draw the proverbial ethical line.
Here are the nine things my husband won’t do.
Where a Reluctant Spouse Draws the Line
1. Change hotels midstream: Once we arrive at our destination, my husband will not change hotels just to get a free night. For that reason, credit cards that offer a free night every year are not attractive to us, because it means paying a high rate for the remaining nights — compared to a a low rate we could get on Priceline for the entire stay.
2. Open excessive numbers of credit cards: The fewer cards the better, as far as my husband is concerned. He will not apply for a credit card with a fabulous bonus if we do not have an immediate use for the miles.
3. Call to request a retention bonus: No one likes to call the credit card company only to be placed on hold or transferred to another department, especially my husband. If he is the primary cardholder and an annual fee has posted, I place the call to request a fee waiver, and he affirms whatever deal is offered.
4. Go on “mattress runs”: Some people will book phantom stays at hotels just to earn extra points or to gain status in a hotel loyalty program. No way, Jose!
5. Charge small purchases at local restaurants or the neighborhood dry cleaner: My husband prefers to pay cash for small purchases when he goes out for lunch or patronizes small businesses. He thinks the swipe fees the banks charge merchants are too high for small businesses to absorb.
6. Open a Bluebird, a Red Card, a Serve account, or any other manner of reloadable debit card: Fuggedaboutit, he says. These accounts do not function like an FDIC insured bank.
7. Fly an indirect route: My husband doesn’t mind changing planes if it gives him a chance to stretch his legs and grab lunch, even if it adds a couple of hours on to a trip. But there is no way that he is going to fly around in circles just to earn miles, or accept some crazy routing to save miles.
8. Buy gift cards: Gift cards lack the consumer protection of credit cards, and they make it more difficult to track your spending for budget purposes. They are too much of a hassle when buying gas and they hold you up in the check-out line.
9. Hang up and call again: My husband doesn’t have the patience to spend hours on the phone to book an award ticket, and I don’t blame him.
Can you relate to any of these? Please share in the comments.
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