AwardWallet is a convenient tool that many frequent travelers use to track their airline, hotel, car rental, and other loyalty program information. I find it especially helpful just for tracking account numbers. Storing passwords with AwardWallet is optional, although I do that, too, in order to get updates on account balances and warnings about points that may expire in less frequently used accounts. You can also use AwardWallet to link accounts from multiple friends and family members if you want to track their balances.
Now AwardWallet is releasing a new, upgraded version of its site with a cleaner look and more features.
One of the best upgrades is the ability to select groups of accounts at once and check only those sites for updates. I don’t need to check all 47 accounts each time I want more information. AwardWallet now makes it easier to check just the 5 or 10 that haven’t been updated recently. Click on the blank checkbox at the top of the page to filter, and then select an action to perform. (One possible confusion: the “delete” and “update” actions are not actually included in the “Actions” menu.)
I also like the improvements that make it easier (or more obvious) to select individual users from the sidebar or to select all accounts vs. just active accounts from the tabs at the top. These filtered views can help find the information or account that you’re looking for in a hurry. For example, I rarely access my HawaiianMiles account and that one doesn’t need to be on the top of my screen at every visit.
However, I think these tabs could be improved further. My wife’s account is at the bottom of the list because users are sorted alphabetically; I want her near the top and could not find a way to change the order. I also think a tab just for “inactive” accounts would be useful so I can review only those accounts I use infrequently. Mixing them in with all accounts can be confusing.
Back to improvements. Be sure to check out the “Trips” tab. AwardWallet showed upcoming travel plans before, but I didn’t use it because I found it too difficult to read. The new look is much cleaner, and I like that it’s just a simple list of upcoming travel — I don’t really need more than that. I will continue to use my TripIt Pro account since I find it easier to share travel plans with others and organize information for more complex trips. However, AwardWallet is now much more suitable for less frequent travelers or those interested in saving money.
UPDATE: All 100 invitations and ~40 upgrade codes have been used.
UPDATE 2: More invitations available!
To try out the new AwardWallet for yourself, you can use my invitation link. The first 100 people will be able to log into the beta site, so it’s first come, first serve. Any existing account information will be preserved. Once invited, you’ll also get to invite 5 more people. 😉
Too slow? Take advantage of a free AwardWallet Upgrade. These last six months and normally cost a few dollars. Upgrades allow you to monitor more accounts at once, more easily. Please make a note on the spreadsheet if you take an upgrade so other readers know it’s been used. (One per person.)
