I always joke about how I wear the “points” in the relationship, because points and miles are my domain.
Luckily, Mr. Points Traveler likes to travel. Mr. Points Traveler likes points and miles. However, there is something Mr. Points Traveler doesn’t like to do, and that is planning.
Many moons months ago, Mr. Points Traveler expressed interest in visiting Europe for the first time with his childhood best friend. I was thrilled that he suggested using miles (BA Avios to be exact) for the trip instead of paying over $1,500 for the round trip flight. He booked a round trip flight from JFK-Dusseldorf almost all on his own. Yay, he learned something from the blog (jk).
Well time sure does fly by, and his trip is only days away. In conversation earlier this week, I casually asked him if he was excited about his upcoming trip.
“Absolutely – you always plan the best trips”, he replies.
Wait – what?!
Pause right there. Since when was I planning this bromantic getaway? Andrew, his childhood friend, is a very seasoned traveler, so I assumed he was in good hands. Little did I know, they both assumed that since I helped with the flights, then I pretty much designated myself as their personal travel agent. Oyyy. Men.
Now these two guys are scheduled to go to Amsterdam and Berlin next week and all they have on the table at the moment is a flight to DUS.
So… I frantically have a few days to put together this awesome trip that they envisioned already planned.
My first thought was to have them take the high-speed train from Dusseldorf to Amsterdam as soon as they arrive. Then somehow they have to get to Berlin a few days later (suggestions?). Eventually, they have to get back to DUS so they make it back to New York in once piece. BA Avios might come in handy again for that one. I have a lot to piece together at the moment.
So there’s my mini-rant for this morning. Sure, there’s no doubt that I love points and miles, but advanced notice about these things would be appreciated!
My question to you: Is there someone in particular that “wears the points” in your family or group of friends? I assume if you’re reading it’s probably you… I’d love to hear your perspective and similar stories!
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P.S. – Any planning advice, hotel recommendations, train/bus info, or general travel trips for Berlin and Amsterdam would surely be appreciated if anyone has them!
I love your title lol and yes I “wear the points” From earning to planning. Others just reap the benefits.
I “wear the pants” for friends and family – LOL! Great term by the way.
This does put pressure on making things as perfect as possible. Including, taking into account different people’s schedules, expectations, etc.
OMG, YES! I am having this EXACT same issue right now with my family and I’m sorry to tell you after over 20 years it does not go away! I bought a week of my beloved $249 timeshare 11.75 months ago for my in-laws 50th anniversary and here I sit with it expiring in a WEEK and they still haven’t booked it!
So, either I let $249 go down the toilet, or I’m a b!tch for “forcing” them to make a @$%$#% decision about a GIFT or I just take it away and book it myself…also making me a b!tch when they come back a month from now saying they’re ready to take a trip and I say “uh…”
There. I feel better!
I wear the “points” for my whole extended family… :( Just booked 2 flights from CDG-LAX yesterday for family members in 2 weeks. They came to me and said he hasn’t booked anything and needs help. He only booked one way to Europe and got stuck. I offered to use my UR points for him… but he will pay me back AA.
I also wear the “points” but planning trips is something I absolutely LOVE so if someone came to me last minute like that, I’d embrace the challenge and be thrilled. Good luck planning!
I get the points and miles, and my wife does the planning for our family trips.
I do all the credit card applications for both of us, and help her on the line during phone calls to close accounts.
She figures out destinations, hotels close to public transportation, train schedules, museum open and close times, etc.
When I’m traveling alone, my planning generally consists of asking my seatmates, during final approach to landing, “What is there to see and do in this city?”
I tried doing the award trip bookings for friends and extended family until I realized that their Goldilocks pickiness was totally sabotaging the process. Without experience dealing with the difficulty in booking award travel, people often have unreasonable expectations. I still try to help on the “earn” side; just not the “burn”.
Yes I am that person but I wasn’t always. I took it over because I thought I could do it better. After over 30 years together we still have the occasional glitch like you are describing where he thinks I am handling it and I think he is handling it, so I get what you are feeling right now. I agree with Roberto that it makes it tough at times because you feel responsible for everything going as planned. I am a more seasoned and laid back traveler than my husband and so that also plays a role. Things happen and I deal with it better than he does. He has mellowed year by year though. Mostly he really appreciate all the value I can give to our travels so it can be very satisfying to wear the “points” for me.
I wear the pants, BUT send the links of the trip to the interested parties and then wash my hands of it. As an educator, I provide the reading material options only.
I wear the points and it is frustrating! If I only had the money wasted on change fees and expired awards!! My husband is unable to commit to a schedule and thinks that he should be able to fly/stay where ever or when ever he wants!! he surely can…for a price!!
Could be some funny posts of their story after the trip if you don’t do the planning!
Oh but wait, being a point fanatic that might mean not earning anything if you don’t plan…troubling!
I do all the cc churns and planning for me, my wife, and parents. We’ve accumulated about 5,000,000 in points and miles. It’s a fun hobby.
Yep I wear the points! Hubby earns the status and most of the AA points – I organize, analyze, research and determine the best possible use. Last year we took my brother and his wife on our annual Caribbean adventure. They called 10 days after we returned asking “could we do that again in 2014? We would have never been able to navigate our way through vacation without your guidance” Final word – it was their first time traveling in Business/First all the way – they got a card this year to start earning points from their personal and business purchases – and asked me to help them choose. They never want to go back to coach again. My brothers comment -” I’ve had her for 30 years and she was happy with whatever I paid – One trip and you ruined all that!” P.S Brother….You are welcome (evil sisterly grin)
I definitely wear the points for my whole family! Just came back from a family trip to NYC (Philly on the side) and there was always a complaint and nobody ever followed the “proposed schedule” for the day, and people always asking, “What now? – Another museum?!”…But we all survived otherwise and the trip was fun! I try to give my siblings multiple options of things to do or eat and also make sure my parents aren’t overbooked with activities and can return to hotel to rest anytime. =)
We were just in Berlin a couple of months ago and did a great “free” walking tour through http://www.newberlintours.com It was almost 4 hours long and really fun and informative. You just tip at the end what you think it was worth, which in our case was a lot. Most of the tour guides seemed to be young. They also have a pub crawl that while we did not get to participate in I have heard is a lot of fun as well.
Oh.. and yes I definitely wear the points in the family.. but my wife raises our son so she does the real work :-)