Thankfully We Had Reward Points
Thankfully We Had Reward Points
Every year, my in-laws come from the East Coast to visit us several times. Since we almost live on the other side of the country, it takes them a solid day’s worth of airline travel to finally arrive where we live. My in-laws always enjoy coming to visit us and other family, but as they continue to get older, the hassles and time required of airline travel to visit us seems to get worse with each visit. They experience long layovers and delays on a regular basis and going back to their home, after they have visited us for almost two weeks, always seem to result in some small travel nightmare.
On the last trip to visit us, it was no exception for my in-laws to experience another piece of airline travel hell with long layovers and a delay that would have stranded them. They try to avoid traveling during the winter months, since that obviously increases their chances of delays and travel difficulties. However, even when they visit in the summer time, something always seems to happen. This time, they were going to be stranded at JFK Airport in New York City for the night due to some kind of delay. It was already late at night and with no place to go, my in-laws in their 60’s would probably end up sleeping in a dingy airport terminal.
For almost two years now, my wife and I have exclusively used a rewards card to make almost every purchase. As a result, we’ve been able to accrue a sizable amount of reward points that we’ve used for hotel stays and airline tickets. We always try to have credit card rewards points available in an unfortunate situation like the one my in-laws were in to use if necessary. While my in-laws anxiously waited in that JFK terminal, I was able to contact a hotel who had a room and free shuttle available between JFK airport and the hotel’s location. This would allow my in-laws to stay the night in a clean, comfortable hotel room instead of the dingy airport terminal. Before I booked the room for them, they had gotten word that they would not have to stay the night in New York and that the airline had made arrangements for a departure within the hour.
Even though we did not have to use any reward points for my in-laws that night, it was convenient having the points to use if necessary. If you, a family member or friend ever gets into a situation where they are stranded, need help or otherwise, having those reward points available can be a relief in a difficult situation. Find a reward credit card that fits you and your lifestyle best.
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