Do solo travellers have an unfair advantage in the points and miles game?

In a Points Well Made first, today's post has been kindly written by Neil Woodhouse, otherwise known on Tiktok and Instagram as ManofMilesUK.

We would like to extend this invitation to any of you who may wish to guest write, just simply email sam@pointswellmade.co.uk with an idea, and we will try and make it work!

Hi, I'm Neil – or as some may know me, ManofMilesUK – and let me show you the good, the bad and the uncomfortable reality of being a solo-travelling points collector/addict.

First, an apology for the slightly obnoxious subheading. Is it a bit provocative? Absolutely. Is there some truth in it? …well yes!

Solo travel isn't always glamorous. It can be lonely, uncomfortable and at times genuinely challenging. But if you're willing to embrace that discomfort, the rewards can be incredible – not just from a personal growth perspective but, surprisingly, in the world of points and miles too.

There's a common misconception that the more you spend, the easier this hobby becomes. More spending means more points, and therefore more points makes everything easier... right?

Not necessarily. In the points and miles world, less really can be more, and here’s why.

1. Generating points: You don't always need to spend more

Let's start with the obvious one. Yes, as a solo traveller my household spend is generally lower than that of a family. But I also need far less to achieve exactly the same travel goals.

Take a Barclays Cabin Upgrade Voucher. A couple can use one voucher to upgrade both passengers on a one-way journey. I use that very same voucher... and it upgrades my entire trip.

The same applies to the British Airways American Express Companion Voucher. A couple flying Business Class to New York might need around 180,000 Avios for a return trip. I only need around 90,000.

Couples often earn more points through spend than I do - but they also need twice as many to book the same trip. Meanwhile, living alone certainly doesn't mean I spend half as much. That's the irony of the points and miles game: I generate less, but require even less.

2. Availability: One reward seat is far easier to find than two

This is probably the biggest advantage of travelling solo, particularly if premium cabins are your goal.

Reward availability is often the limiting factor in this hobby. For that same New York flight, a couple needs two reward seats on exactly the same flight. I only need one.

Airlines like British Airways soften this problem by guaranteeing a minimum number of reward seats on each flight, but many airlines don't, especially when it comes to First Class.

This year alone I'll be flying First Class with Japan Airlines, Emirates and Singapore Airlines using points. On every single one of those flights, there was only one First Class reward seat available when I booked. When a First Class cabin only has four or six seats to begin with, the chances of finding two reward seats together are dramatically lower than finding just one.

Sometimes travelling alone isn't just an advantage - it's the only reason the trip is even possible.

3. Flexibility: I only have to convince myself

The final advantage is flexibility.

I'm accountable to nobody but myself. I don't need to persuade a partner that positioning through Madrid is worth it because it saves 150,000 Avios. I don't need to drag young children across a huge airport during a five-hour connection. I don't have to coordinate annual leave with anyone else's work schedule.

If the cheapest Business Class redemption to Rio starts with a Ryanair flight to Madrid, I'll happily book it. If the only Emirates First Class reward home from Japan routes me through Amsterdam, brilliant. I'll make a weekend of it.

Those little detours often become some of the most memorable parts of the trip.

In this hobby, flexibility is often as valuable as the points themselves.

But let's not pretend it's all luxury lounges and champagne

There are downsides too.

I'm lucky to have a career that gives me enough flexibility and financial freedom to travel, and I'm fortunate that travel is how I choose to spend my disposable income. I appreciate that not everyone has that luxury.

Even when you're flying Business or First Class for around 10% of the cash fare using points, travelling solo is still expensive.

Hotels aren't half price because you're travelling alone. Neither are taxis, airport transfers or excursions. Every expense falls on one person, and trust me the costs add up far quicker than most people realise. Flying in Business or First is often the cheapest part of the trip.

So, do solo travellers have an unfair advantage when it comes to points and miles?

I genuinely think we do.

Not because we earn more points, but because we can extract more value from every single one.

Solo travel isn't easier. It's different. But if you're willing to embrace the occasional downsides, stay flexible and learn the game, travelling solo can become one of the greatest advantages you have in the points and miles world.

It won't be for everyone. But if you're prepared to step outside your comfort zone, the opportunities and experiences waiting on the other side can be those that most people only ever dream about.

Neil Woodhouse

Neil Woodhouse is the founder of ManofMilesUK Ltd and the creator of @manofmilesuk across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. He helps UK travellers maximise points and miles through practical advice, mentoring, education, training, and concierge services, making reward travel more accessible and helping clients unlock exceptional value from their hard-earned points.