Earning Airline Miles vs. Hotel Points — What’s the Best Option?

There are many types of points, and they can all have different values. It can be confusing, especially if you’re just getting into the points and miles hobby.

We’re often asked, “Is it better to earn airline miles or hotel points?” — so that’s the question we’ll help answer.

In this post, we’ll talk about the benefits of earning hotel points, the benefits of earning airline miles, hotel vs. airline credit cards, and whether or not you should be focusing on one versus the other.

Airline Miles vs. Hotel Points vs. Transferrable Points

We focus on 3 main types of points — airline miles, hotel points, and transferrable points.

• Airline miles are earned through a frequent flyer program.
• Hotel points are earned through a hotel brand’s loyalty program.
• Transferrable points are earned through rewards programs and can be transferred to hotel or airline programs.

You can earn any combination of hotel points, airline miles, and transferrable points as they all can work together.

Hot Tip:

If you’re new to this, check out our beginner’s guide to points and miles to help you get started.

How Much Are Airline Miles and Hotel Points Worth?

There’s more than one way to look at the value of airline miles vs. hotel points. It can all come down to the numbers for the analytical folks in the crowd.

Our valuations, based on several factors, are a good reference point to help you determine if you’re getting poor, good, or great value from your points and miles. Keep in mind these are averages — you can get far more or far less value depending on how you use your points and miles.

Let’s take a look at our point and mile values for just some of the major hotel and airline programs (as of August 2023):

Based on these examples, airline miles are worth 1.32 cents each, and hotel points are worth 0.78 cents each on average.

While you may look at those numbers and decide that airline miles are worth more than hotel points, that’s not always the case.

For example, World of Hyatt points are worth ~1.5 cents each, but you can often get over 2 cents per point in value. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles are worth ~1.2 cents each, but plenty of redemptions result in a value of less than 1 cent per SkyMile.

Bottom Line:

While the value of airline miles vs. hotel points is somewhat subjective, on average, airline miles have a higher cents per point/mile value than hotel points.

The Benefits of Earning Hotel Points

If you value hotel stays more than flights, then hotel points may be worth more to you, regardless of what the numbers say. Considering you’ll usually spend much more time in your hotel on vacation than on the flights to get there and back, placing more value on hotel points can make sense.

Having hotel points at your disposal can allow you to book more nights in hotels than you would if you were paying with cash, or they can make it possible to book a nicer room in a more expensive hotel.

Take, for example, a luxury stay at IHG’s Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman. A room at this resort can easily cost over $1,000 per night, which would be out of reach for many travelers. However, you could book a night there for just 70,000 IHG One Rewards points, resulting in huge value from your hotel points.

As another example of maximizing value, you can book the Park Hyatt Sydney, with iconic views of the Sydney Opera House, for 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night (standard). Alternatively, you could take the family on an epic Disney vacation and stay at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando for just 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night (standard).

Hotel points can open up a world of travel experiences without shelling out huge sums of cash.

The Benefits of Earning Airline Miles

Airline miles are wonderful since they can save you money on one of travel’s most significant expenses — flights. You may value airline miles more than hotel points if you aren’t particular about staying in luxury accommodations or if flying in premium cabins is important to you.

One of the best things about earning airline miles is the ability to use them to book luxurious business or first class flights that have a high cash price tag. The excitement of a lie-flat bed or even a shower on an airplane is worth it for plenty of travelers who focus on earning airline miles over hotel points.

So what can you do with airline miles? You could book a bucket list flight in Qatar Airways Qsuites from the U.S. to the Maldives for as few as 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Or fly from anywhere in the U.S. to Hawaii for only 7,500 Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles miles one-way in economy or 12,500 miles in business class.

If Europe is in your plans, you can get there for only 55,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles in business class.

Having plenty of airline miles can make the often uncomfortable part of travel — long flights in cramped seats — a thing of the past.

Hotel vs. Airline Credit Cards

When comparing hotel credit cards vs. airline credit cards, you’ll need to look at multiple factors to determine the best option for you. Each of these types of cards can offer a suite of benefits that offer value above and beyond earning points and miles.

While the pure cents-per-point valuation of airline miles tends to be higher than hotel points, the higher earning potential on many hotel credit cards can sometimes negate that difference.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card earns 6 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants, plus 4 points per dollar spent on U.S. online retail purchases. The United℠ Explorer Card has a similar annual fee and earns only 2 points per dollar spent at dining and 1 point per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

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.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome Offer

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

165,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$825

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
• 6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

• Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
• Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Hilton Honors

LIMITED TIME OFFER

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

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Card Highlights

• Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• 2x miles on United^® purchases, dining, and hotel stays
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

If you spent $1,000 at a U.S. supermarket with each of these cards, you’d earn 6,000 Hilton Honors points, worth ~$30, and 1,000 United MileagePlus miles, worth ~$12.

Hot Tip:

When comparing hotel vs. airline credit cards, it’s essential to remember that some cards earn transferrable points. In the example above, if you put that same $1,000 supermarket spend on an American Express^® Gold Card, you’d earn 4,000 Membership Rewards points, worth ~$88.

So while United miles are worth more than Hilton Honors points individually, your return on spending is more than double when earning Hilton Honors points vs. United MileagePlus miles in this example.

Hotel credit cards can also help you earn elite status faster; some even come with a free night certificate.

Here’s a quick look at some of the best hotel credit cards:

Don’t count out airline credit cards, though, as they can still be valuable to your travel wallet. Many airline credit cards have benefits that will enhance your travel day, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, and lounge access.

Plus, some airline credit cards help you earn elite status faster, making you eligible for perks like priority check-in and free upgrades.

Here’s a quick look at some of the best airline credit cards:

Transferrable Points — A Great Alternative

We love earning airline miles and hotel points here at Upgraded Points, but there’s another type of point we love earning even more — transferrable points.

Transferrable points allow you to earn 1 type of point that can be transferred to multiple hotel and airline partners when you are ready to redeem, thus providing more flexibility than earning hotel or airline points alone.

The major transferrable points programs are:

These 4 programs offer excellent credit card options with massive welcome bonuses to earn many points quickly.

To see the value of transferrable points, consider this scenario: You are deciding between earning Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays or United MileagePlus miles for flights. Instead of choosing, you could focus on earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to both United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy (plus additional hotel and airline transfer partners), allowing you to collect 1 type of point without choosing between airline or hotel points. Then you can transfer those points to whichever hotel or airline partner you choose almost instantly.

Final Thoughts

The value of hotel points vs. airline miles is highly subjective and ultimately comes down to a personal choice. While the cents per point valuation of airline miles tends to be higher than the valuations of hotel points, that doesn’t necessarily mean airline miles are always more valuable than hotel points.

To decide for yourself, consider how you like to travel and what part of your trip you value more.

If you can’t decide between airline miles and hotel points, the good news is that you don’t have to. While you can earn both, you can also focus on transferrable points, which offer more flexibility than earning airline or hotel points alone.

The information regarding the Choice Privileges^® Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.