Travel Points & Miles Valuations — How Much Are They Actually Worth? [July 2024]

Credit cards, airlines, and hotels don’t publish their own points and miles valuations, so there are no official answers on what points and miles are actually worth. Therefore, it’s up to you to make your own conclusions on that value.

But we’re here to help.

Many factors come into play when determining this metric. Below are questions you should ask yourself when evaluating the value of points, and we’ve taken them all into account to create our point and mile valuations:

• How valuable are these points?
• How flexible are these points, and how many transfer partners are there?
• What are your redemption options?
• How much would you buy points and miles for?
• What’s the average redemption value from 3 different bookings?
• How abundant is award availability?

Upgraded Points’ July 2024 Points and Miles Valuations

Flexible Points Programs

Hot Tip:

Use our dedicated transfer partner tool calculator to review transfer ratios, times, and bonuses for all major flexible point programs.

Airline Loyalty Programs

Hotel Loyalty Programs

Upgraded Points’ Highest-Valued Points

Not all miles and points are created equal, so naturally, each category has its own winner with the most valued points. Here’s what we ranked as the highest-valued points and why:

Transferable Points: American Express Membership Rewards Points

American Express Membership Rewards continues to be the king of transferable points. Amex partners with all 3 major alliances (SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld) and many non-alliance partners, so it’s easier to find award space with them than with other transferable points. Amex transfer partners include Qantas, Air Canada, and Emirates, among others.

Hot Tip:

It is no secret that transferable points are our favorite rewards to earn, thanks to their flexibility and the powerful redemptions they offer. If you’d like more information on the major transferable point currencies, we’ve put together complete guides on how we value Amex Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Capital One miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.

Airline Miles: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines has the best of both worlds: a variety of partners and solid redemption rates. Some of Alaska’s Oneworld partners include American and Japan Airlines, and the airline’s non-alliance partners include Emirates, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and more.

Hotel Points: World of Hyatt Points

World of Hyatt has the most reasonable redemption rates of all the major hotel chains. Further, we’ve found that there are virtually no blackout dates and that all hotels are on a standard award chart, so you always pay the same price for a room at any hotel. This allows you to explore fantastic Hyatt redemption opportunities, ensuring maximum value.

Movers and News

It was a busy month in the world of points and miles. Here is what made waves last month:

Capital One Lounge Coming to JFK Airport

Capital One says it will open a vast 13,000-square-foot Capital One Lounge in the retail hall of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in Terminal 4.

The amenities offered will include a full-service coffee bar, grab-and-go and small plate options, shower suites, power outlets at every seat, Wi-Fi, and more. Capital One says the lounge will feature an “in-lounge bodega,” a beloved staple in New York City, along with collaborations with local breweries and mixologists, among other exciting offerings.

Capital One Lounge JFK will become the fourth Capital One Lounge. Currently, the issuer has 3 open lounges in Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Another lounge in Las Vegas (LAS) is in development.

The only way to access the Capital One JFK Lounge (when it opens) is with an eligible card, such as a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or a Capital One Venture X Business Card.*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.

Fiji Airways Will Soon Join the American Airlines AAdvantage Program

Fiji Airlines — the national carrier of Fiji — will join the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program.

American Airlines and Fiji Airways frequent flyers will soon be able to enjoy reciprocal benefits when flying with the other airline, such as priority check-in and boarding, complimentary baggage allowance, preferred seats, and more.

Likewise, AAdvantage members will also be able to redeem AAdvantage miles on Fiji Airways flights.

This is particularly exciting for AAdvantage members as Fiji Airways is the only airline to operate nonstop service between Fiji and the U.S.

While a date is yet to be set, we can expect the partnership to go live “in the coming year,” and the Fijian flag carrier prepares to become a full member of the Oneworld alliance in 2025.

First Look at the Delta One Lounge at New York-JFK [39,000 Square Feet!]

Just off of the TSA security screening lane at New York (JFK)’s Terminal 4 is a new airport lounge. But it’s not just any lounge – it’s the first Delta One lounge, an ultra-exclusive offering by Delta Air Lines for its premium customers.

Located between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4, the over 39,000-square-foot lounge features a year-round outdoor terrace, a full-service brasserie, a market, wellness spaces, and more. Interestingly, it will be available to travelers departing and arriving on Delta One flights.

The Delta One Lounge is open daily from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Notably, just having a specific credit card isn’t enough to get you into this lounge. The Delta One Lounge is limited to travelers flying on Delta One, whether domestically or internationally, and international SkyTeam business class passengers.

Hilton Honors Reveals Elite Status Benefits at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)

In February, Hilton Hotels announced a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), as part of a new strategy to give guests access to hundreds of new independent boutique-style hotels.

Eventually, more than 500 boutique-style SLH hotels will be bookable through Hilton.com and, more importantly, using Hilton Honors points. 

One of the biggest questions we had when the partnership first launched was about the benefits for Hilton Honors elite status members. Here’s what you can expect from SLH stays:

• Member: Guaranteed member discount, complimentary Wi-Fi and late checkout, bottled water, no resort fees on award stays
• Silver: 20% elite tier bonus, fifth award night free, plus all “Member” benefits
• Gold: 80% elite tier bonus, complimentary breakfast for 2 guests, space-available upgrades, fifth award night free, plus all “Member” benefits
• Diamond: 100% elite tier bonus, complimentary breakfast for 2 guests, space-available upgrades, fifth award night free, plus all “Member” benefits

Hyatt Acquires Me and All Hotels From Lindner

Hyatt announced on June 28 that it had acquired the German brand me and all hotels.

Me and all hotels have a pretty small footprint, boasting just 6 properties across Germany. However, its pipeline includes hotels in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Stuttgart spanning 1,000 rooms. Additionally, Hyatt says it plans to grow the brand outside of Germany and is in “various stages of negotiation.”

Me and all hotels currently fall under the JdV by Hyatt brand, but will eventually become a standalone brand under the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Most of the properties fall on the lower end of Hyatt’s award chart, which makes them great options for points bookings or using a Category 1-4 free night certificate. 

Now Live: Select Premium Chase Cards Lose Priority Pass Restaurants

As of July 1, 2024, those who hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card have lost one of the cards’ best benefits: access to Priority Pass restaurants.

The decision to drop restaurants but not other experiences differs from both Amex’s and Capital One’s Priority Pass memberships (enrollment required). This means that eligible Chase cardholders will still be able to access other Priority Pass experiences, such as spas, nap pods, and game lounges.

If you’re one of the many who have enjoyed airport restaurant access via Priority Pass, there are still a couple of alternatives available to you. Each of these cards includes a Priority Pass Select membership with access to participating cafes, restaurants, and markets.

• Capital One Venture X Business card
• Citi Prestige^® Card (no longer open to new applicants)
• Mastercard^® Black Card™

Virgin Atlantic Massively Increases Award Costs and Fees for Delta One Flights to Europe

If you’re booking Delta One business class awards to Europe, the price you’ll pay just went up significantly in terms of points and cash. 

Previously, you could book Delta One (Delta’s business class) via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and get yourself to Europe in style for just 50,000 points per passenger. That pricing didn’t include the U.K., sadly, but it was a fantastic offer and included just $5.60 in taxes and fees.

Nearly all Delta One pricing to Europe has gone up, requiring more Virgin Points and adding hefty cash fees at the time of booking. Rather than the $5.60 in taxes and fees, you’ll now pay over $1,000 on top of the points required for the award ticket.

New Opportunities To Purchase Points

If you need to boost your mileage balances but aren’t in the market for a new credit card, here are the latest opportunities to purchase points with a bonus:

• Avianca LifeMiles: 155% bonus
• Hilton Honors: 100% bonus
• IHG One Rewards: 100% bonus
• Marriott Bonvoy: 50% bonus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 70% bonus
• Wyndham Rewards: 35% bonus

Hot Tip:

Keep track of the latest point purchase promotions and discounts on our dedicated page, which we update each time a new promotion launches. 

New Airline Route Changes

Here are the airlines that announced last month that they were adding, removing, or relaunching routes:

U.S. Airlines

• Alaska Airlines Adds Destinations and Expands Schedule Amid Summer Travel Demand
• Alaska Airlines Adds Nonstop Service Between Portland and New Orleans
• Alaska Airlines Connects LA With 2 New Mexican Destinations
• American Airlines Adds Seasonal Service to Grand Canyon From LAX
• Breeze Announces 3 New Nonstop Routes [Fares Starting at $79]
• Delta Adds New Routes and Increases Service for the Winter Travel Season
• Frontier Airlines To Start Low-Cost Flights Between New York and Atlanta
• Frontier Eyes Transcontinental Market in Its Latest Network Expansion
• JetBlue Adds Daily Flights to Presque Isle, Maine
• JetBlue to Launch First-Ever Flights From Long Island in October
• JSX Adds More Florida Routes and Plans To Restart West Coast Seasonal Service
• Spirit Airlines Adds New Route From Birmingham, Alabama, to Fort Lauderdale

International Airlines

• Air Canada Adds 3 New Winter Sun Routes
• KLM Launching Flights Between Portland and Amsterdam This Fall
• Turkish Airlines Plans To Add 4 New Routes to Its U.S. Network
• Virgin Atlantic Announces Return to Canada With New Toronto Flights
• WestJet Launching New Route Between Minneapolis and Calgary in Spring 2025

New Hotel Openings

Here’s the latest on hotel openings:

Hilton

• Keight Hotel Opatija Becomes Hilton’s First Curio Collection Property in Croatia

Hyatt

• 2 Luxury Hotels Joining World of Hyatt in New Orleans
• Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka Opens [Category 1]
• Destination by Hyatt Brand Debuts in Peru With Opening of The Legend Paracas Resort

IHG

• Coco Palms Resort in Kauaʻi To Rebrand as the First Kimpton Hotel in Hawaii
• Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo Slated To Open in Early 2025
• IHG Expands in Portugal With 9 New Hotels and Nearly 1,000 Rooms
• Moire Hoi An, Vignette Collection Will Debut in Vietnam Later This Year

Marriott

• Marriott Expands in Oman With Opening of The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort
• Marriott Opening 10 Hotels in France by the End of 2025
• Marriott Opens Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Munich

Boutique and Luxury Properties

• Ennismore To Expand Its Portfolio With Lifestyle Hotel Brand Our Habitas
• Ennismore Will Open First Scandinavian Hoxton Hotel in Oslo

Final Thoughts

The value of points and miles can vary, but you always want to ensure you get great value when redeeming those hard-earned points.

When it comes to flexible points, Amex Membership Rewards points are valued the highest on a cent-per-point basis. These points are extremely flexible, thanks to the large number of Amex airline and hotel partners. Membership Rewards also offers good transfer rates with a ton of redemption options, ensuring you can get the most out of your points.