Life is unpredictable. No matter how much we plan, emergencies and last-minute changes can throw everything off course. This became especially clear to me recently when my father-in-law suddenly passed away. In the midst of the emotional weight of losing a loved one, there were also logistical challenges—travel changes, last-minute flights, and unexpected hotel stays. Thankfully, my points, miles, and credit card benefits softened the financial and logistical stress, allowing me to focus on what truly mattered.
Canceling Flights Without Hassle
At the time, one of my kids had a trip planned to Nashville for the weekend, while another was skiing in Colorado. My daughter’s ticket to Nashville had been booked using miles, and given the circumstances, we needed to cancel her flight immediately. The flexibility of miles became a game changer—I canceled her ticket that I had booked with miles and was refunded the miles directly back into my account a few days later. There was no worry about dealing with airline credits that expire after a year or potential fees for cancellations. With miles, the refund process often operates under different rules, giving you flexibility without the stress of losing money on a non-refundable ticket.
Last-Minute Hotel Stays Near the Hospital
During this difficult time, we needed to stay close to the hospital for several nights. Having a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that I could transfer to Hyatt made an enormous difference. Rather than scrambling to find and pay for last-minute accommodations, I quickly booked Hyatt stays near the hospital, giving us a comfortable place to rest in between the late nights and early mornings. The ability to transfer points on demand is one of the biggest advantages of flexible rewards currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards—it allowed us to handle an urgent need without out-of-pocket expenses adding to our stress. An unintended bonus of these stays was accumulating additional nights toward my Hyatt Globalist status for 2026, helping me maintain valuable elite benefits.
Covering Last-Minute Flight Costs
My son, who was skiing needed to fly back home immediately. Finding seats on a last-minute flight is challenging, and the costs for these limited seats can be staggering. Fortunately, my Amex Platinum card’s $200 airline fee credits came in handy. These credits helped cover the additional seat selection charges and extra fees that often come with booking flights at the eleventh hour. This benefit saved us from an even higher unexpected cost during an already overwhelming time.
A Shoutout to Southwest Airlines
Another unexpected but greatly appreciated moment came from Southwest Airlines. My son originally had a flight booked from Denver back to Los Angeles, but since he now had to return home to New York for the funeral, we needed to cancel his original flight. Southwest made an exception and refunded the ticket—no questions asked, no requirement for proof. They simply did a kind thing in a difficult moment, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
Why Having Points and Benefits Ready Matters
This experience reinforced just how crucial it is to always have a reserve of points, miles, and credit card perks available. Emergencies don’t wait for the perfect time, and when you need to make quick decisions, the flexibility that points and benefits provide can be invaluable.
Miles Offer Flexibility: Refund policies for miles tend to be more forgiving than cash fares, making it easier to cancel or rebook in an emergency. Hotel Points Can Provide Immediate Stays: Having transferable points means you can book hotels close to where you need to be, without worrying about last-minute price hikes. Credit Card Benefits Can Offset Costs: Airline fee credits and other perks can ease the financial burden of last-minute changes and expenses.
The Points Mom’s Got IT!
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One Response
Airlines also offer Bereavement flights.