Once you start joining many different travel rewards programs and earning rewards points, it can get tricky keeping track of all of your programs, point balances, and expiration dates. This is where a service called AwardWallet can help you out.
AwardWallet provides a free service that helps you manage your reward balances and travel itineraries. When you register, you must enter in all of your membership numbers for you and your family. (Don’t forget, get those kids frequent flier accounts too!, see #8 in Getting Started) After that, AwardWallet takes over and emails you with any balance changes and before your points expire. You can also see all of this information when you log into your account in a handy chart that looks like this…..
In addition, when I make travel plans, at some point in the booking process, I am entering in a frequent flier or hotel rewards member number or using points to book my travel. AwardWallet gets this information as well and tracks and monitors my trip itineraries. Also I get emails with any schedule changes and reminders to check in.
Like I said, AwardWallet is a free service but for a donation (and you pick the amount!), you can upgrade your AwardWallet account to an AwardWallet Plus account every 6 months. I think that the differences in the memberships are minimal, but you do get unlimited point expiration notices with your Plus account and only up to 3 point expiration notices with a regular account. But for me, I donate to support the development efforts. I usually give $10 every 6 months as this gets me a an Award Wallet OneCard.
AwardWallet OneCard is a credit card sized plastic card with magnetic strip (which enables you to check in for your flights at airport kiosks ). The card will have your personal account numbers and program phone numbers printed on the front and back sides. The card can contain up to 30 different loyalty program accounts listed. They have two types of cards: gold and silver. Those AwardWallet members who have over 1 million miles and points will get a gold card and those who have fewer than 1 million miles and points will get a silver card.