Inflation has greatly impacted point values. I am too young to remember this but it used to be that you actually had to fly in an airplane or stay in a hotel to get these miles/points. Now, just charge your grandchildren into debters prison and you can get the 1% freebee that used to be a reward for being a good customer. I tend to use them whenever I see a reward I want, like a free subscription ot the Economist (jk). If you store these things up and never use them, the point inflation will kill you. Unlike bank accounts, these points don't have an interest rate to ease or bail out the owners from inflation's bite. I just wish I had stashed some money in EUR or CAD two years ago when I had the chance to move away from the Bush Peso.