What is the best way to use Chase points for domestic travel?

One of our top ways to use Chase points for domestic travel is to transfer them to United MileagePlus. You can then redeem United miles for domestic flights.

What is the best way to use Amex points for domestic flights?

Our 2 favorite ways to use Amex points for domestic travel are: Transferring them to Etihad Guest to book American Airlines Flagship Business or Flagship First Transferring them to Delta SkyMiles to book Delta economy or first class By following either of these, you can readily book flights on both American Airlines and Delta!

Should I use miles for domestic flights?

In general, it’s best to save your points and miles for international flights. That being said, if you can find a good deal for your miles, go ahead and use them!

How many points is a domestic flight?

With American AAdvantage miles, you may redeem anywhere from 7,500 to 12,500 miles for an economy flight. With United, that number is usually closer to 12,500 miles. With Delta, a domestic flight might be as cheap as 7,000 SkyMiles or as expensive as 40,000+ SkyMiles. Alaska Airlines charges as few as 5,000 miles for flights shorter than 500 miles in distance.

The 15 Best U.S. Domestic Flight Redemptions for Max Value [2024]

Updated: October 18, 2024, 10:31am CDT

Edited by:

How To Get Maximum Value When Redeeming Points for U.S. Domestic Flights
Best Ways To Earn Points for U.S. Domestic Redemptions
The 15 Best U.S. Domestic Redemptions
Final Thoughts

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At Upgraded Points, we are big fans of being world travelers — visiting the most exotic, far-and-away destinations, and doing so in first class while enjoying pure luxury and opulence.

But sometimes, domestic travel is just as reinvigorating. It’s possible to visit somewhere close to home and feel like you’re a world away. And that way, you don’t need to worry about flipping time zones, flying 24 hours at a time, and the increased planning required with going someplace totally foreign. Some of the easiest, best vacations are domestic!

So if you’re focused (at least in the near term) on booking trips within the U.S., you’ll want to keep this guide handy. We’ll give you some inspiration for high-value ways to redeem your points for domestic U.S. flights!

How To Get Maximum Value When Redeeming Points for U.S. Domestic Flights

You may get the greatest value for your points when you use them for typically expensive flights, whether that’s domestic or international. Among the numerous types of vacations you can book within the U.S., 2 that are known to be the most expensive are beach vacations and ski vacations.

If you live in a cold area and find yourself frequently looking for sunny places to escape to like Hawaii, California, and Florida, you will inevitably come across a situation where plane tickets are ridiculously expensive.

Similarly, if you’re booking a ski vacation during the peak winter high season, it’s not surprising to shell out thousands of dollars for flights and hotels.

As with all points redemptions, you should always compare the cash price with the points price to determine if it’s a good deal (and by extension, whether you should use points or cash).

In the case of U.S. domestic redemptions, don’t worry about hitting that crazy 10 cents-per-point redemption sweet spot, because it’s not going to happen.

When redeeming points for domestic flights, you’ll typically achieve a redemption value similar to the accepted valuations, though you might sometimes get a better-than-expected outcome. You might also get a lower redemption value, but chances are you’ll always get at least 1 cent per point of value.

In this next section, we’ll show you some of the best ways to use your points for U.S. domestic flights.

Best Ways To Earn Points for U.S. Domestic Redemptions

For domestic travel, you’ll want to earn points and miles you can use with U.S. carriers. Because of the way U.S. frequent flyer programs such as United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles work, it’s a bit more challenging to redeem partner airline miles for travel on a U.S. airline.

For example, Delta SkyMiles’s dynamic award pricing system makes it extremely difficult to suss out which award tickets are bookable by partners. Its mileage prices are mostly reasonable for domestic travel, anyway.

Best Ways To Earn Points for United Airlines Flights

United MileagePlus is a 1:1 Chase transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards.

In addition, it’s a 3:1 transfer partner with Marriott Bonvoy (which also offers a 10,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred).

Lastly, numerous co-branded credit cards enable you to earn United miles directly.

But broadly speaking, the best way to earn United miles is via Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards, which can transfer points to United MileagePlus. Here are our recommended picks:

OFFER ENDING SOON

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferGet up to $1,050 in Chase TravelSM value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Best Ways To Earn Points for Delta Air Lines Flights

Delta SkyMiles is a 1:1 Amex transfer partner within the American Express Membership Rewards program.

Also, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

Amex also offers a variety of co-branded credit cards to earn Delta SkyMiles.

You can certainly accumulate a lot of Delta SkyMiles with the co-branded cards, but it’s easier to earn more miles on everyday spending with Amex Membership Rewards cards. Here are some recommended cards you can consider opening:

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.¤
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

LAST CHANCE

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
60,000 points + up to $100 back

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,420

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

$325 annual fee (rates and fees)
No lounge access

Read Full Review

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Get the American Express^® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Best Ways To Earn Points for American Airlines Flights

American Airlines AAdvantage‘s primary transfer partner is Marriott Bonvoy, which transfers at a 3:1 ratio to American Airlines AAdvantage with a bonus of 5,000 miles after every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

Also, Barclays and Citi both issue co-branded American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards to earn AAdvantage miles directly:

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,050

Annual Fee

$99, waived for first 12 months

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Blue skies and fair winds make for a good day to fly! Choosing your airline can be difficult, since factors like location, time, and destination all go into whether or not you can fly somewhere.

An easy choice for many people is American Airlines, because they’re the largest airline in the world. If you’re an American, you’ve probably flown American Airlines at least once.

Frequent fliers tend to enjoy the treatment they can get, from boarding privileges to free bags to lounge access. There’s many reasons to fly with AA, and if so then getting a Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® could be for you.

Earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
No Foreign Transaction Fees
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome OfferEarn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
70,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.

Pros

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels

Cons

$595 annual fee
Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

U.P. Rating

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
15,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$210

Annual Fee

APR

20.74% - 29.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® is perfectly suited for those looking for a way to earn more American Airlines miles and earn Loyalty Points, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Pros

2x mile per $1 on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases

Cons

Other cards are more rewarding for frequent American Airlines flyers
Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
No Annual Fee
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flight

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.74% - 29.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.

Welcome OfferFor a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,050

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

With the CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®, you get a card that gives you perks like boarding privileges, free checked bags, and discounts on inflight purchases, while also earning more miles for your next award redemption.

Pros

2x miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on cable and satellite providers, at gas stations, on car rentals, and on select telecommunications merchants
1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Designed for businesses
For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
No Foreign Transaction Fees

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

Best Ways To Earn Points for Alaska Airlines Flights

Similar to American Airlines AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan does not have any 1:1 transfer partners; indeed, the only transfer partner is Marriott Bonvoy, which follows the same transfer ratio of 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus after transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Bank of America is the sole issuer of co-branded Alaska Airlines credit cards, which offers one of the best ways to earn Alaska Airlines miles:

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

U.P. Rating

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

Welcome OfferGet 60,000 bonus miles plus a $0 Companion Fare ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
60,000 bonus miles + a $0 Companion Fare

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card in your wallet, you could get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros

3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

$95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
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The 15 Best U.S. Domestic Redemptions

When you’re booking a flight on a U.S. airline such as United, your first instinct should be to redeem miles belonging to that airline (United MileagePlus miles in this example).

Using an airline’s miles to book will almost always steer you in the right direction. But if you have extra time and are willing to try to find partner award availability (particularly for premium cabin domestic flights), you may be able to cut down on the number of points you spend by up to 50%!

That American Airlines flight that costs 50,000 AA miles? You could possibly get that same flight booked for 32,500 Amex Membership Rewards points! That United Airlines flight that costs 50,000 miles? You might be able to get the same ticket booked for 15,000 Citi ThankYou Points!

To be clear, this generally only works on select premium cabin flights; you’ll still find the vast majority of availability when booking using the U.S. airline’s frequent flyer program. And in most cases, the mileage prices are reasonable enough to warrant booking through these programs.

Enough talk — let’s get into our top U.S. domestic redemptions you can make for maximum value.

We’ll dip our toes in partner-level award tickets for premium cabin redemptions early in this section, but we’ll focus on the cheapest realistic price you’ll find on a given domestic flight without worrying about the lowest theoretical price you’d find if you spent all day looking for partner award space.

Let’s get started!

1. United Transcontinental Polaris Class

United Polaris Business Class Seat on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — One of the top U.S. domestic redemptions you can book is United’s transcontinental Polaris class with Turkish Airlines miles! Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Our top redemption on this list also happens to be one of the most difficult to pull off in practice, but if you can pull it off, you’re getting a steal of a flight using points.

Usually, United charges 25,000 miles for Saver-level Polaris class availability on transcontinental flights.

But if you book your flights through Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (a Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou, and Marriott Bonvoy transfer partner), you can book one-way business class flights for 15,000 points!

That’s a savings of 40% of your points! And if you’re fine flying in coach, one-way economy tickets cost just 7,500 points!

Hot Tip: The challenge in pulling off this sweet spot redemption is in finding Saver-level availability. United is extremely stingy in releasing Saver-level Polaris class award space on transcontinental routes. Keep your dates as flexible as possible!

Check out some of these nonstop transcontinental routes you can fly aboard United Polaris class:

Los Angeles (LAX) – New York (JFK) one-way in United’s transcontinental Polaris class for 15,000 Turkish miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Newark (EWR) one-way in United’s transcontinental Polaris class for 15,000 Turkish miles + $6 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – New York (JFK) one-way in United’s transcontinental Polaris class for 15,000 Turkish miles + $6 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Newark (EWR) one-way in United’s transcontinental Polaris class for 15,000 Turkish miles + $6 in taxes and fees

Hot Tip: Need to earn more Citi points? Check out our complete guide to the best ways to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

2. American Airlines Flagship First

American Airlines Flagship First Class — American Airlines’ Flagship First is an elite premium cabin product reserved for select flights in the U.S. market. Image Credit: Stephen Au

One of the most comfortable ways you can fly in the U.S. is aboard American Airlines’ Flagship First product, which is only offered on A321T and 777-300ER aircraft.

Traditionally offered on select premium transcontinental flights, the cash prices that these flights command are immense (think $1,500 one-way).

Normally, American charges 50,000 miles for a one-way Flagship First ticket on a Saver award ticket, which actually isn’t a bad deal considering the high cash prices.

But if you are looking for the best deals possible and can be flexible, you can find Saver award space on American’s website and book that same ticket using Etihad Guest miles (transferred from Amex, Capital One, Citi, or Marriott Bonvoy) to save big!

In general, American Flagship First Saver award space is more generous than United’s transcontinental Polaris class Saver award space, so you probably have a better chance of booking the flight you want by using Etihad Guest miles.

For this flight, expect to redeem around 32,500 Etihad Guest miles one-way.

Here are a few example redemptions you can make:

Los Angeles (LAX) – Miami (MIA) one-way in American Flagship First for 32,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – New York (JFK) one-way in American Flagship First for 32,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – New York (JFK) one-way in American Flagship First for 32,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Santa Ana (SNA) – New York (JFK) one-way in American Flagship First for 32,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees

3. American Airlines Lie-flat Business Class

American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Business Class seat 4L — American Airlines’ Flagship Business is one of the most comfortable ways to fly around the U.S. Image Credit: Stephen Au

In addition to a top-quality first class product, American also offers a great business class product, should you be interested in booking lie-flat seats.

The benefit of Flagship Business is that it can be a bit cheaper than Flagship First. Plus, it’s easier to find a Flagship Business product, thanks to its offerings on other 777 and 787 aircraft.

On select domestic flights, you can find lie-flat business class seats akin to what you’d encounter on a long-haul international flight, which will maximize your comfort.

Here are the best routes you’ll often find lie-flat business class seats on:

Chicago (ORD) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in American Flagship Business for 37,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 55,000 miles for Saver-level availability
Dallas (DFW) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in American Flagship Business for 37,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 55,000 miles for Saver-level availability
Dallas (DFW) – Kahului (OGG) one-way in American Flagship Business for 37,500 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 55,000 miles for Saver-level availability
Los Angeles (LAX) – Miami (MIA) one-way in American Flagship Business for 25,000 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 25,000 miles for Saver-level availability
Los Angeles (LAX) – New York (JFK) one-way in American Flagship Business for 25,000 Etihad Guest miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 25,000 miles for Saver-level availability
San Francisco (SFO) – New York (JFK) one-way in American Flagship Business for 25,000 Etihad Guest miles transferred from Amex or Citi + $6 in taxes and fees
- American charges 25,000 miles for Saver-level availability

4. Delta First Class to Hawaii

Delta Airbus A220 First Class Seats 3A 3B — Fly Delta first class to Hawaii using Amex points! Image Credit: Greg Stone

Flying Delta to Hawaii is often the most convenient option, in addition to a great quality product. The diamond-stitched leather seats, warm service, and edible catering options make this one of the better airlines to fly nonstop to Hawaii.

The catch? It’s really difficult to book these flights using partner miles such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. To maximize your odds of booking these tickets, you ought to accumulate Delta SkyMiles or Amex or Marriott Bonvoy points (which can then be transferred to Delta).

The great news is that Delta is excellent about offering a “baseline value” for your points, so while redeeming Delta SkyMiles may not theoretically be the cheapest option, you’ll probably get at least 1.2 cents per point of value, often more.

Here are some of Delta’s terrific routes to Hawaii:

Atlanta (ATL) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in Delta One/Delta first class from 127,500 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Lihue (LIH) one-way in Delta One/Delta first class from 51,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Salt Lake City (SLC) – Kahului (OGG) one-way in Delta first class from 62,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Seattle (SEA) – Kona (KOA) one-way in Delta One/Delta first class from 54,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees

5. Nonstop Flights to Aspen

Planning a ski vacation to Aspen? Depending on which airport you fly out of, you could see large cash price tags upwards of $400 one-way!

Fortunately, it’s easy to use points to avoid paying hundreds of dollars for a short-haul domestic flight to Aspen.

United, American, and Delta all offer nonstop flights. If you can get 2 cents per point of value on this trip, consider it a success!

Here are some of the best nonstop flights available to Aspen:

Atlanta (ATL) – Aspen (ASE) in Delta economy class from 29,500 Delta SkyMiles + ~$6 in taxes and fees miles
Austin (AUS) – Aspen (ASE) in American economy class for 12,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Chicago (ORD) – Aspen (ASE) in United economy class for 14,200 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American economy class is also bookable for 12,500 AAdvantage miles
Dallas (DFW) – Aspen (ASE) in American economy class for 12,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Denver (DEN) – Aspen (ASE) in United economy class for 15,000 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Aspen (ASE) in United economy class for 12,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- American economy class is also bookable for 12,500 AAdvantage miles
- Delta economy class is also bookable from 19,500 Delta SkyMiles
Phoenix (PHX) – Aspen (ASE) in American economy class for 7,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees

Hot Tip: Be prepared for your next trip to the Rockies with our guide to airline ski/snowboard baggage policies and ultimate ski and snowboard trip packing list. Learn more about the 2 passes that cover Aspen Snowmass in our ultimate guide to season ski passes around the world.

6. Nonstop First Class Flights to Vail

Vail Ski Resort — Get your ski on by using points to avoid paying cash for your travels! Image Credit: Vail Resorts Management Company

Booking a ski trip to Vail can get ridiculously expensive, just like booking a ski trip to Aspen.

And while there are differences, there’s no way to get around it — you’ll be spending quite a bit of money here.

The closest airport to Vail is Eagle County (EGE), and there are many nonstop flights operated by the big 3 U.S. airlines.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

Atlanta (ATL) – Eagle County (EGE) in Delta first class from 41,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Denver (DEN) – Eagle County (EGE) in United first class from 25,000 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Los Angeles (LAX) – Eagle County (EGE) in United first class from 25,000 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Miami (MIA) – Eagle County (EGE) in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Philadelphia (PHL) – Eagle County (EGE) in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Eagle County (EGE) in United first class from 25,000 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees

7. Nonstop First Class Flights to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is known for its outdoorsy and rugged terrain, as well as the annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium that hosts dozens of Federal Reserve and finance professionals.

Often voted as the best ski resort location in North America, it’s no surprise that the idea of flying to Jackson Hole for a domestic vacation has probably crossed your mind.

Well, hesitate no longer because those traditionally expensive flights are now almost free, thanks to points!

All of the Big 3 U.S. carriers operate flights out of their hub airports to Jackson Hole (JAC). If you’re interested in the best deal, American and United offer reasonable fares, while Delta tends to be the priciest.

Here are some of the best example redemptions you can make:

Atlanta (ATL) – Jackson Hole (JAC) one-way in Delta first class from 55,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Boston (BOS) – Jackson Hole (JAC) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Dallas (DFW) – Jackson Hole (JAC) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Houston (IAH) – Jackson Hole (JAC) one-way in United first class from 27,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Newark (EWR) – Jackson Hole (JAC) one-way in United first class from 50,000 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees

8. Nonstop Flights to Alaska

Alaska’s scenery and wildlife are often associated with storybook imagery and picturesque wilderness you’d only find in high-budget Hollywood movies.

Whether it’s glaciers, fjords, rivers, national parks, wildlife spotting, or rugged activities like fishing, a trip to Alaska will make you one with nature.

But getting to Alaska can be expensive — most of the flights from the continental U.S. you’ll find fly into Anchorage (ANC), and depending on when you fly, you might observe economy ticket prices exceeding $500 one-way!

Here are some solid redemptions you can make on flights to Alaska:

Atlanta (ATL) – Anchorage (ANC) one-way in Delta economy from 34,500 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Chicago (ORD) – Fairbanks (FAI) one-way in United economy from 18,100 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Houston (IAH) – Anchorage (ANC) one-way in United economy for 18,800 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Minneapolis (MSP) – Anchorage (ANC) one-way in Delta economy from 24,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees

9. Nonstop Flights to Yellowstone

A visit to Yellowstone National Park is one of the glorious trips you can book within the U.S. As the first national park in the U.S. and also widely accepted to be the first national park in the world, making a vacation to enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone is a must-do.

To check out Old Faithful and all of its surrounding attractions, you can fly into Bozeman (BZN). Here are a few great redemptions you can make using points:

Atlanta (ATL) – Bozeman (BZN) one-way in Delta economy class from 23,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Charlotte (CLT) – Bozeman (BZN) one-way in American economy class from 10,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Houston (IAH) – Bozeman (BZN) one-way in United economy class from 12,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Bozeman (BZN) one-way in United economy class from 12,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees

10. Short-haul Flights Between the Midwest and the Northeast

The Northeast is home to some of America’s most quaint towns. And although visiting states like Maine and Massachusetts isn’t quite as popular as Florida or California, it’s still definitely worth a look.

Here are some great example domestic redemptions you can make:

Chicago (ORD) – Burlington (BTV) one-way in United economy class from 12,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Milwaukee (MKE) – Portland (PWM) one-way in United economy class from 12,500 United miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Minneapolis (MSP) – Pittsburgh (PIT) one-way in Delta economy class from 16,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Rapid City (RAP) – New York (LGA) one-way in American economy class from 12,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
St. Louis (STL) – Boston (BOS) one-way in American economy class from 12,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees

11. Short-haul Flights Within the Pacific Northwest

If you’ve ever looked at ultra-short-haul flights within the Pacific Northwest, you’ll know that Alaska Airlines basically has a monopoly on these routes. Furthermore, these plane tickets are often very expensive when you take into account how short they are.

So if you’re booking a short-haul flight within the Northwest, you can redeem either Alaska miles or Delta SkyMiles to save a few hundred dollars:

Boise (BOI) – Spokane (GEG) in Alaska economy class from 5,000 Alaska miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Eugene (EUG) – Salt Lake City (SLC) in Delta economy class from 12,500 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Portland (PDX) – Kalispell (FCA) in Alaska economy class from 5,000 Alaska miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Seattle (SEA) – Sun Valley (SUN) in Alaska economy class from 5,000 Alaska miles + $6 in taxes and fees

12. Intra-Florida Flights

Need to travel within Florida and can’t take a car?

If you’re using points, chances are you’ll get a good deal booking American economy flights with AAdvantage miles.

Here are a few solid redemption ideas:

Key West (EYW) – Miami (MIA) one-way in American economy class from 7,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Miami (MIA) – Pensacola (PNS) one-way in American economy class from 12,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Tallahassee (TLH) – Miami (MIA) one-way in American economy class from 7,500 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees

13. First Class Between the West Coast and Nashville

Nashville is a fast-growing city. Known to be an incredible music mecca, Tennessee’s economic hub is a popular domestic vacation spot.

Here are some examples of nonstop first class flights you can book using points:

Los Angeles (LAX) – Nashville (BNA) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
- Delta first class is also available from 44,000 Delta SkyMiles
Phoenix (PHX) – Nashville (BNA) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Salt Lake City (SLC) – Nashville (BNA) one-way in Delta first class from 44,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
San Francisco (SFO) – Nashville (BNA) one-way in United first class from 45,300 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
Seattle (SEA) – Nashville (BNA) one-way in Delta first class from 26,500 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees

14. First Class Between the Upper Midwest and Phoenix

The winter season in the Midwest can get blisteringly cold. To avoid being cooped up in your house all day, go ahead and make your way down to Phoenix. The weather is much warmer year-round, and American offers tons of nonstop flights.

To book first class, you’ll redeem around 25,000 AAdvantage miles. Here are a few interesting nonstop flights you can book:

Bismarck (BIS) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Columbus (CMH) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Fargo (FAR) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Grand Rapids (GRR) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Indianapolis (IND) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Milwaukee (MKE) – Phoenix (PHX) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees

15. First Class Between the South and Las Vegas

Our last redemption in this guide is booking first class flights for a short vacation to Las Vegas!

There are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling, like shows and live entertainment, resort hopping, sightseeing, and sunbathing!

Flying in first class can be affordable — check out these sample redemptions:

Atlanta (ATL) – Las Vegas (LAS) one-way in Delta first class from 61,000 Delta SkyMiles + $6 in taxes and fees
Austin (AUS) – Las Vegas (LAS) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Charlotte (CLT) – Las Vegas (LAS) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Dallas (DFW) – Las Vegas (LAS) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees
Miami (MIA) – Las Vegas (LAS) one-way in American first class from 25,000 AAdvantage miles + $6 in taxes and fees

Final Thoughts

In short, redeeming points and miles for U.S. domestic travel won’t net you those ultra-aspirational redemption values you’d find on international flights aboard Emirates or Lufthansa first class. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve excellent redemption value domestically!

To maximize your redemption value, the best flights to book are transcontinental or Hawaii flights aboard lie-flat-configured aircraft with true premium seats. These tickets are much more comfortable than your run-of-the-mill domestic recliner seat with enhanced legroom.

But if you would prefer not to visit a major coastal city, you can also redeem points to check out Nashville, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Yellowstone, Aspen, Jackson Hole, and much more.

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