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The question is; what is the best way to redeem travel miles you earn?

You can earn miles by being loyal to an airline and receiving miles in an account or by using a credit card from an airline that also rewards you with miles from purchases you make with that card. You can also earn hotel points towards free stays at that hotel chain or sister properties by staying at that brand of hotel or by making purchases using their credit card.

Over time you will accumulate frequent flier points and hotel stay points to redeem

Ideally, you’ll accumulate enough to earn a free flight or free stay, and we all love the feeling of getting something for free. The best miles and points programs let you accumulate points in your account without having them expire. Unfortunately, not all programs offer this and they require you to use or lose your miles after a certain period of time, especially if your account is dormant for a while. So what do you do if you’re not ready to redeem your points or miles and don’t want to lose them?

Here are our suggestions for the best way to redeem travel miles and points. Usually, the best approach is to use the points or miles for what they are intended for. It’s usually best to spend hotel points on hotel sales and airline points or miles on flights.

So what is the best way to redeem travel miles and points?

The rule is that you should target to redeem one cent for each mile or point spent. It’s not always possible, but it is a good guideline. For example,

if the room costs $210 per night, you’re getting a fare or good deal if you’re spending about 21,000 points in redemption for the stay. The same goes for flights, use the one cent rule as a guideline. Some airlines, like Southwest, and some hotels will allow you to use a mix of points and money for the stay or flight.

You’ll have to call and speak with a booking agent directly to manage this as you usually can’t do this on-line.

Some loyalty programs allow you to put flight miles or points into a hotel program. Often the transfer is not good like two miles will only get you one hotel point. Do this only if you’re going to lose the points or miles, as something is better than nothing. This poor exchange often is part of a redemption plan for gift cards or magazines. You might receive offers via a catalog or online to visit a shopping portal where you can redeem merchandise for points. Know the value of the item in dollars before redeeming the miles or points. Recently I needed a new coffee maker. The model the catalog was offering was double the price in points vs in dollars at a major discount store. I would have only used the points to make the purchase if I didn’t want to spend money, but instead, I used my loyalty credit card to make the purchase and earned more points by doing so.

How Much Should You Tip? Guidelines for Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars

One question most travelers ask is how much should you tip? Typically the one place you end up tipping most frequently is in your hotel. There is the bellstaff, housekeeping, the concierge and dining room personnel. If they provide a service, they typically should get a tip. How much you should tip for those services does vary by country. Read on to see the suggested tipping amount by country and then how much you should tip in the United States.

Tipping Guidelines by Country

Tipping around the world is different than it is in the United States. Tipping guidelines now show that tipping has become expected and standardized even outside of the United States. In some countries, everyone from the waiter to the porter to the proprietor figure-in gratuities as part of their wages. In other countries, tipping is a different story. Before you go you should know what is the customary tip amount at your destination for various services. Here are some tipping guidelines to know what tip amounts are customary by country. Remember, the more assistance you need, or the more economically deprived the location it behooves you to err on the side of generosity. And if you’re still not sure what is proper to tip, ask someone in management of the establishment for a guideline, they will gladly help you understand how much you should tip.

Country	Tip	Comment
United States	15%-20%	Expected, but usually not included in the bill.
France	12%-15%	Usually included in hotel and restaurant bills.
U.K.	10%-12%	Service charge usually in restaurant bill.
Japan	10%-20%	Tip usually included in hotel, restaurant bill; otherwise, tipping not common.
Germany	10%-15%	Service charge usually included in restaurant bill; but small round up tip is the norm.
Hong Kong	10%-15%	Tipping common for all services.
Indonesia	10%	Usually included in the bill; additional tip can sometimes added.
Italy	10%	Tips expected for most services.
Malaysia	10%	Tipping usual for porters and room service.
Mexico	10%	Tipping common for most services.
Philippines	10%	Tipping common for most services.
Saudi Arabia	10%	Tips usually included in restaurant or hotel bill; extra 10% sometimes given for special service.

Related: How to Hide Money on Your Body

How Much Should You Tip at US Hotels

Two things influence the tip amount, the amount of service provided and the type of hotel. For example, a bellman who brings 5 large bags to your room at a luxury resort should get a larger tip than one who just takes and holds your bag for a few hours in a locked room after you check out.

Shuttle Bus Drivers for the hotel or parking structure: $1-2 per person, or $4-5 per party

Valet or Parking Attendant who brings your car to you, $1-$5 per trip

Bell Staff Typically $1-3 per bag when you are escorted to your room. If you call for bell service upon departure the same tip amount applies

Housekeeping $2-5 per night, leave the tip daily on the pillow or in an envelope marked tip as staff can change daily. A family of 4 should leave $5 per night whereas $2 may be reasonable for a single room occupant

Room Delivery of requested items: $2 for one item, and $1 for each additional item

Room Service and Waiters 15-20% of the total bill

Door Staff $1-2 for hailing a cab, and if they help with baggage, even to your Uber, tip accordingly

Concierge $5-10 depending on how involved the service

These suggested amounts are from The AHLA, which is the association representing all segments of the lodging industry, provided the above guidelines. You should rely on your own judgment as well.

How Much to Tip While Dining

Typically you should tip 15% to 20% of the BEFORE TAX amount. If the service was extremely great (or awful) tell management in addition to leaving the appropriate gratuity. They will be pleased to know which waiter is keeping guests happy and which they to train a bit more.

If you’re at a dining establishment where you go to the counter and place your order and take a number you place at your table and wait for the food to be brought to you, you should leave $1 to $2 dollars on the table upon leaving.

The counter help at fast food places do not need to be tipped.

How Much to Tip for Delivery and Take Out

Take-out No tip is required for counter service. Think picking up your food at a sandwich counter or doughnut shop.
Delivery Driver Usually $2-5 is adequate for the delivery person.

Tipping Guidelines for Casinos Within the United States

Bartenders: $1 per round for parties of two to four, up-scale bars the tip is $1 per drink.

Bellmen: $2-$5, depending on whether you will need services or advice during your stay.

Bingo and keno runners, keno writers: If playing for an extended period of time, $1 occasionally, even if not winning, is appreciated.

Cocktail waitresses: $2 a round for small parties; more for larger groups.

Dealers: Tips, or “tokes” as they are called in Las Vegas, can be given directly to the dealer between hands, throws of the dice or spins of the wheel, or small “side bets” are permitted. These can range from $1 to up to, half of your bet.

House keepers: About $1-$2 per day per person in the room, leave daily since the house-keeping staff can change daily.

Restaurant waiters: Standard 15-20 percent rule applies.

Room service waiters: Standard 15-20 percent rule applies.

Skycaps: $1-$2 per bag, depending on size and weight.

Showroom servers: $5-$10 for a party of two to four at a cocktails-only show; for a dinner show, $10-$20 for the same size group, depending upon service.

Taxicab/shuttle drivers: Standard 10 to 15 percent of the fare.

Valet parking attendants: $2-$5

How Much to Tip at a Salon or Spa

A 20 % tip is standard for your hairstylist or barber. Some salons have assistants who typically wash your hair and may offer a relaxing massage. They should get $5 to $10 depending on the service provided.

Tipping Your Dog Groomer

You entrust your dog’s safety and comfort to your groomer. You want them to do a good job and look forward to you and your pup coming back. Typically the %15-20% rule applies here too. If you have an easy to groom dog you can go with 15%. If your pooch is larger, very furry or requires additional attention, go with 20%.

Tipping Exceptions Around the World

Sometimes there are situations where tipping is not expected or the tip is built-in to the price. You need to look for these situations. Some restaurants include an automatic tip in the bill for larger parties. Less often restaurants include a mandatory tip on all bills, regardless of the number of people at the table. Always read the bill carefully so you know what you’re paying.

Another situation where tips are often included is on cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts. You will see a separate line on your bill reflecting the

tip amount you are being charged. The establishments are not to touch that money. It is supposed to go directly to the personnel and people that have served you the money is typically and divided up. Even in tip included establishments, you can give additional tips to people who have gone out of their way to do something well for you.

Tipping Guideline Apps for Your Phone

Never be unprepared. Download a tipping app onto your phone. Most apps work that you select a country for which you need advice on tipping amount such as meal service or taxi. Some even have a built-in calculator and other information such as local customs so you know how much to tip.

US News Recommends a few apps to help with tipping.

In closing, here’s a fun fact: the word “tip” is an acronym for “to insure promptness.” And our final recommendation is that if you “over” tip know you’ve made someone’s day and that kindness may just come back to you in another way. And lastly, plan ahead a get small bills in your destination currency to have handy for tips.

More Tips on Tipping

Check if the gratuity has been added to your bill. If it is you do not need to leave any additional money.
If you are using a coupon or a Groupon check on the original price and tip on that amount.
Leave your cash tip on the tray or in the holder of the bill, not out in the open. Including the tip on your credit card payment is also fine.
If you frequent a bar or coffee shop regularly be friendly, maybe address a barista by their name, and put $5 into the tip jar so that they see you doing it. Future visits should be pleasant and if you have a special request they will most likely take care of you with a smile.
If some can’t accept a tip, look them straight in their eyes, say thank you and if appropriate shake their hand.
Another appreciated action is making the effort to tell someone’s supervisor about their extraordinary service.

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Many travelers prefer to pay for rental cars with credit cards. In fact, if you don’t have a major credit card, you may find that some car rental companies will not rent you a car, or will require a large cash deposit to cover any potential damage.

Are you covered? You may even save money when you rent a car using a credit card, since some credit card issuers offer free protection in case of accident, loss or damage to the car. This protection, often referred to as collision damage waiver (CDW), is not usually insurance, but is an agreement under which you won’t be liable for the loss or damage as long as you comply with certain conditions. Some credit cards offer primary protection, which pays for damage or loss without requiring you to first file a claim with your personal auto insurance coverage. Others may provide secondary protection, which covers any damage or loss left unpaid after you have made a claim to your auto insurance company.

Many auto rental companies sell CDW protection for fees at daily rates which can add up depending on the duration of your rental. If you have adequate protection through your credit card issuer and/or under your own auto insurance policy, you may not need to purchase the rental company’s CDW unless the country you are driving in requires you to do so. If you do not purchase the rental company’s CDW, be sure you clearly decline it when you sign the rental contract.

Ask your credit card issuer before you travel if it provides CDW, if it applies in the countries where you will be driving, exactly what is covered (for instance, personal injury or personal property may not be included), what restrictions and limitations may apply, and how the claims procedure works.

Check with your travel agent or the rental company before you travel to make sure you can use your credit card CDW. Not all rental companies accept credit card CDW, and in some countries, such as New Zealand and Italy, as of this writing, customers are required to purchase the rental company’s CDW, even if their credit card offers coverage.

If you violate the car rental agreement, the CDW may not cover you. For example, if you have an accident in a country in which your car rental agreement prohibits you from driving.

Some additional tips for renting cars overseas: Ask your travel agent before you leave if you will need and international driver’s permit to drive in the countries you’re visiting.

When you rent a car, the rental company may place a “hold” on your credit card for anticipated charges, plus incidentals. The amount of the hold is “frozen,” which means you’ll have less credit available for other purchases. Ask the clerk how much the hold will be and when it will be removed. To avoid tying up your credit line, you may want to use one credit card for car rentals and hotels, and another for daily purchases. This may be less of a problem with cards that do not have credit limits.

If you purchase pre-paid vouchers for car rentals, keep copies of them for your records, ask for confirmation from the travel agency that the rental company was paid for the voucher, and ask for a receipt from the clerk when you present the voucher. Keep in mind that these vouchers may not cover all charges (taxes, re-fueling, or CDW, for example), or may not cover additional fees if you change your reservations (such as the location or date of pick-up).

Report any problems with the car to the rental agency immediately and keep a record of who you spoke with. It’s best to try to resolve any problems on-site before you leave. If you wait until you return to the U.S., you may find it difficult or impossible to resolve the problem to your satisfaction.

Try to report any accidents or damages to the car rental company and your credit card issuer (if you’re using the credit card CDW) within 24 hours. Take pictures of the damage, if possible.

If your plans change and you want to keep the car for a shorter or longer period of time than you had agreed, get details in writing about extra charges such as mileage, daily charges, or drop-off fees

Avoid dropping off your car at the last minute. Return it early enough to allow time for inspection and to resolve any billing problems or questions. If you drop off the car and fail to get an inspection, it may be difficult to prove what damage is yours, and what occurred after you dropped off the car.