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While most airlines and hotels have made announcements about how to change or cancel your reservations due to the coronavirus, you might be wondering what to do about the travel plans you made through your rewards credit card. If you made reservations with points or miles, what happens next?

I checked out three of the major rewards card issuers to see what policies they’re offering during this confusing time.

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In short: Check with the airline, hotel, or rental car your reservation is for first before contacting your credit card. Then, determine the best time to call your credit card company. Issuers are essentially asking customers to hold off on calling about future trips to reduce the wait time for customers who have tickets for the next few days.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase has set up a how-to page for Ultimate Rewards travel cancellations and changes.



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If you booked through Ultimate Rewards, you can submit a cancellation request online. If you paid with points, you’ll get points credited back to your account.

Screenshot : Lisa Rowan ( Chase )

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If your trip is between three and seven days away from beginning, Chase asks you to use the refund form above. Call customer service (the number on the back of your card) if your trip is fewer than three days away from beginning.



You may also be able to make changes to your trip (like choosing a later date) while logged into Ultimate Rewards.

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Capital One Travel

Capital One recommends checking with the airline for which you’ve booked rewards travel before contacting Capital One.

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If your trip starts within the next three to five days, the company recommends calling; if it’s fu rther away than that, it asks that you hold off and call closer to the travel date.

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American Express Travel

If your trip is more than 72 hours away, American Express asks that you don’t call. If you need to change or cancel travel you booked through American Express Travel, the company will honor airline/hotel/cruise/car rental policies. It’s also waiving its own flight change fees made through April 30.

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American Express will process canceled tickets as a statement credit refund, even if you paid with points, according to The Points Guy. However, that site has heard from customers who were able to receive their refunds as points.



Have you had to cancel travel arrangements you made with points or miles? Tell us about your experience—and share your tips for managing your upcoming trips—in the comments.

Source: Lifehacker.com

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