If you're a travel enthusiast who is married or in a relationship with a domestic partner, it's a lot easier to rack up fast rewards points.
With two people earning signup bonuses and strategizing their spending, you can usually earn double the rewards in a short amount of time. While earning double doesn't mean a lot when it comes to booking airfare with rewards (because you still need two tickets), it can make a big difference when it comes to lodging and hotels.
Why? Because most award nights are good for double occupancy, meaning you can book two people for the same number of points as one.
Some rewards programs make pooling points easier than others, however.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the best rewards programs for couples who want to pool points. You can transfer points to each other's accounts, including premier travel card accounts that offer special travel privileges.
For example, if one spouse has a Chase Freedom and the other has a Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can pool points in the Reserve account. This makes it easier to get free nights at hotel loyalty partners like Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, IHG Rewards and Marriott.
Hilton Honors
Thanks to new changes to the Hilton Honors program, you can pool points with anyone in the program.
They don't even have to be a spouse or domestic partner, nor do they need to live at your residence.
Here's what the fine print has to say: "Pooling your Hilton Honors Points makes it easier to share incredible travel experiences together. With a few easy steps, you can pool your Points with up to 10 other members to use towards your next reward stay. No fees attached."
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Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest lets you pool points with a spouse or domestic partner if you both have active accounts and have shared the same address for at least 30 days. This makes it easier to book higher tier resorts that cost more points or to rack up enough points to take advantage of "Nights & Flights" or 5th night free promotions.
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt lets you combine points with any other member to redeem for a reward. You can also transfer other benefits. Here's what the fine print has to say:
"Share points or eligible awards including; Free Nights, Points + Cash and select room upgrades with any World of Hyatt member. It's a great gift idea or an easier way to plan a vacation with family and friends."
Marriott Rewards
Marriott Rewards (and Ritz Carlton) lets you combine points with a spouse or legal partner at the time of an award booking. This perk makes it easier to book air + hotel packages or take advantage of the brand's 5th-night free promotion.
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Citi ThankYou Points
The Citi ThankYou program lets you transfer points between account holders and you don't even need to be married or share an address.
Still, you should hold off combining points until you're ready to make a redemption. Due to the way the program works, transferred points expire if you don't use them within 90 days.
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