A travel rewards plan built around your next big trip
You have points in three programs and no idea if they add up to a flight. Tell your todo.is agent where you want to go and what you already hold. It researches how each program works, which partners can book your route, and gives you a step-by-step plan with links to check award prices yourself.
The prompt
- Make me a travel rewards plan. Goal trip: [GOAL TRIP]. My current points and miles: [POINTS I HAVE]. My cards and normal monthly spending: [CARDS AND SPENDING]. Research which programs and airline or hotel partners can book this trip, how many points it typically takes (with sources), and whether my points can be transferred to them. Tell me if I already have enough, and if not, the simplest way to close the gap without carrying a balance. Include fees and taxes to expect on award tickets, how far ahead seats usually open, and which dates are easier. Give me a one-page PDF plan with steps and links, and set a reminder [WHEN TO START SEARCHING] to start checking award availability. Don't apply for cards or book anything; I'll do that myself.
What to change
- [GOAL TRIP]: Route, dates or season, cabin and travelers, e.g. "2 people, Chicago to Tokyo, economy or premium economy, April 2028".
- [POINTS I HAVE]: Program and balance, e.g. "Chase UR 85,000; United 32,000; Marriott 60,000". Screenshots work too.
- [CARDS AND SPENDING]: Your current cards and rough monthly spend, e.g. "2 cards, about $2,500 a month". Say if you pay in full each month.
- [WHEN TO START SEARCHING]: E.g. "11 months before departure" or "May 1, 2027". Many airlines release award seats about a year ahead.
Example result
- Travel rewards plan: Chicago to Tokyo, 2 people, April 2028
- Point costs are typical ranges from program award charts and recent reports, with sources in the PDF. They change, so check live prices before you transfer anything.
- What you have
- • Flexible bank points: 85,000
- • Airline miles: 32,000 with a US airline
- • Hotel points: 60,000
- • Total usable for flights: about 117,000
- Ways to book the route
- • Partner airline A (in your airline's alliance): economy saver awards often 35,000–45,000 miles one way per person on the partner chart
- • Partner airline B (your bank points transfer 1:1): economy round trip often lower on its own chart for its own flights, but adds higher fees and surcharges
- • Premium economy: often 55,000–75,000 one way per person, and seats are scarce
- The plan
- • Economy for 2 is within reach. Two one-way saver seats each way at around 35,000 = 140,000 total. You're about 23,000 short.
- • Close the gap with normal spending: at $2,500 a month on your current card's bonus categories, roughly 4–6 months
- • Keep the hotel points for the stay: 60,000 can often cover 2–4 nights at a mid-range hotel in Tokyo
- • Don't transfer points until you see a bookable seat. Transfers are usually one-way and can't be undone.
- Timeline
- • Now–April 2027: earn the remaining points, pay the card in full each month
- • May 2027: start searching award space (about 11 months out). Your reminder is set.
- • Search midweek dates and be flexible by 2–3 days. Early April is cherry blossom season and the busiest.
- • Expect taxes and fees in cash on each award ticket, often $5–$300+ depending on the airline.
- Links in the PDF
- • Award search pages for both partner airlines, the transfer partner list for your bank program, and hotel award charts
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and add your dream trip, your point balances and your cards.
- Paste it into todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp, with screenshots of your balances if that's easier.
- Your agent researches the programs and partners and sends a one-page PDF plan with links.
- When the reminder comes, ask it to check award search pages for your dates and list what it finds.
Tips for a better result
- Never transfer points speculatively. Find the seat first, then transfer, then book quickly.
- Points only pay off if you pay your card in full. Interest wipes out any rewards.
- Flexibility beats more points: shifting by two days or flying from a nearby airport often opens saver seats.
- Your agent remembers your balances, so next time you can just say "plan Lisbon for next summer".
travel rewards plan: FAQ
- How many points do I need for a flight? It depends on the program, route, cabin and season. Short domestic flights can be under 15,000 points, while long-haul business class often needs 70,000 or more one way.
- Can todo.is book award tickets for me? No. Your agent researches options and can check public award search pages, but you transfer points and book yourself.
- Should I open a new credit card for the bonus? Only if you can meet the spending without changing your habits and will pay in full. Consider your credit situation, and speak to a financial adviser if unsure.
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