Find out how to obtain benefits on products and services by accumulating points and find out which ones are worth it
Buying Cheaper Airline Tickets: This is the benefit most people think about when it comes to saving miles. But the truth is that, by knowing how to use advantageous programs, it is possible to obtain discounts on numerous products and services, even those that are part of your routine.
Below are lesser-known benefits offered by companies:
Car rent
You can use your miles to fully or partially deduct the cost of renting a vehicle. The amount needed to close a deal varies depending on the car model: the more popular it is, the fewer kilometers it will use. If the points are not enough to complete the bill, you can pay the difference in cash.
Delivery, transport and supply
Depending on the benefits program, miles can be exchanged for credits on apps like Uber and iFood. The conditions of use and prices are specified in the site descriptions. The larger the voucher, the more miles you will have to pay. After making the purchase, simply enter it in the app and the price of the service drops automatically. Some gas stations offer the same benefit.
Clothing, cosmetics, electronics and household products
Large chain stores collaborate with advantageous programs that allow you to purchase clothes, accessories, beauty products, electronics, appliances, furniture, kitchen utensils and decorative items across kilometers. Through them you can make the full payment or use them to deduct part of the amount and complete the rest in cash.
Tickets for tours and shows
Some programs offer the opportunity to exchange miles for tickets to shows, theater performances, dance performances and amusement parks. The advantage is that you can enjoy these city tours or plan to attend the events during a domestic or international trip.
Hotel accommodation and travel comfort
Another option is to use your miles to make reservations at the program’s partner hotels or transfer your miles to hotel membership clubs, which offer discounts to registered customers.
Plus, you can enjoy more comfort while traveling. Airline loyalty clubs have different levels: customers in the highest categories are usually entitled to priority boarding, can choose better seats on planes, carry extra baggage and visit VIP lounges at airports.
When is it best to pay with miles?
Terra consulted airline miles experts to answer the question. According to Rodrigo Goés, financial educator, it may be more advantageous to pay for everyday products and services in the traditional way (with credit, debit or PIX card), but through the benefits club, and leave the use of points for special occasions.
“This way the person accumulates more miles in the program and, in the future, can exchange them for valuable items, such as tickets to expensive destinations. There is also the possibility of selling them and turning them back into money,” she recalls.
In general, however, the criteria for deciding when it is worth paying for a purchase with miles are subjective. If they are close to expiring, for example, it is always best to use them, so as not to lose access to the benefit.
Additionally, they can help with financial organization. If money is tight for a month and you need to make an urgent purchase, miles can offset some of the value of a new device, like a refrigerator or cell phone. “Their biggest advantage is flexibility,” says Marcelo Rubles, a financial educator.
For him the important thing is to exploit the advantages strategically and master the rules of use. “The most common thing is for people to accumulate points using their credit card. However, on banking platforms, the use of points is limited and does not pay off,” he adds.
The ideal, therefore, is to transfer this score into a benefits program, transforming the points into airline miles. And, from that moment on, make exchanges for tickets, products or services. Since there are several options on the market, such as Livelo, Smiles, Clube Azul and Latam Pass, Denniego Araújo, administrator, recommends doing some research before making a decision.
“You need to have well-defined goals: do you intend to use the miles for travel or shopping? If the intention is to travel, has the destination already been defined? Which airline best serves the region you live in? It is worth answering these questions and studying the benefits of each program before transferring points,” he says.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
