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By maximizing the value of points and miles, you can unlock extraordinary experiences from luxury hotel stays to business-class flights. And even if you’re looking for a way to beat parking charges on your next hotel stay or avoid paying for airfare on a no-frills domestic flight, travel rewards and transferable credit card points can save you money — big time.
For example, you can use 50,000 to 70,000 points earned with a credit card to book a $2,500+ business class ticket from the US to Europe for just the cost of taxes and fees, often under $150 each way. And that’s just one of the hundreds of ways you can redeem your points for incredible value.
With more than a quarter century of combined experience in the travel rewards world, our travel editors are pros at redeeming points. Here’s a look at their top-10 travel rewards redemptions.
Our best hotel redemptions
200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for five nights at the Bodrum Edition
A couple of years ago, I spent 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for five nights at The Bodrum Edition, a luxurious stay in the heart of the Turkish Riviera. The hotel has 110 elegantly designed rooms, suites and villas, many with private pools and sea views. But the real highlight of the hotel is its serene infinity pool, which is pictured on many Marriott marketing brochures.
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points here was particularly rewarding given the hotel’s high cash rates, which can soar to over $1,300 per night during peak season. The hotel’s stunning location, exceptional service and the added benefit of Marriott’s fifth-night-free policy make it an outstanding use of points.
There are dozens of ways to earn Marriott points, but opening a cobranded Marriott credit card is usually the fastest.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
210,000 IHG One Rewards points for four nights at the Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman
The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa is one of the newer luxury resorts in Grand Cayman, and it was my pick for a 2023 trip. The resort has a beautiful private beach and its location makes it an easy drive to many of the island’s great restaurants and tourist attractions. My wife and I loved our stay and plan to return next year.
Cash rates are often well over $600 per night and can rise rapidly during peak travel season. Thankfully, you can book it for 70,000 IHG One Rewards points per night and IHG credit card holders can get their fourth night free on award stays. This made my four-night stay just 210,000 IHG points.
To earn the points, I opened the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card which offered 175,000 bonus points when I applied. I had 180,000 points after I earned the bonus and bought the remaining 30,000 points during a promotion that sold IHG points for 0.5 cents apiece, which cost $150.
The downside to this redemption? The Kimpton Seafire charges an $80 per night resort fee that isn’t waived when you pay with points. Still, redeeming points saved me a boatload of money when compared to paying for the stay.
— Andrew Kunesh, senior travel and money editor
27,000 World of Hyatt points for three nights at the Hyatt Centric Arlington
While certainly not a D.C. luxury option, I redeemed 9,000 World of Hyatt points per night during off-peak dates at the Hyatt Centric Arlington. Cash rates during my stay were around $190 per night, so it saved me a nice chunk of change on a stay I needed to book anyway.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
360,000 Hilton Honors points for five nights at the Hilton Moorea
The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa in French Polynesia is a dream destination for many, and redeeming Hilton Honors points here can make this paradise more accessible. This is especially true when you leverage Hilton’s fifth-night free benefit, a perk included for all Hilton Honors elite members. You can earn Hilton elite status with a Hilton Honors credit card, including the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card.
Though not as opulent as the Conrad Bora Bora, the exceptional setting and charming overwater bungalows make it a standout redemption. And at over $600 per night on most dates, redeeming Hilton points is a great way to take a luxury vacation without breaking the bank.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
15,000 points for three nights at the Lindner Hotel Prague Castle
A good portion of my family lives in Prague, so I visit the city a few times per year. My home away from home in the city — the Lindner Hotel Prague Castle — is a charming hotel located just north of downtown, with nice rooms and a great on-site bar and restaurant. Even better? It costs just 5,000 World of Hyatt points per night on standard dates and 3,500 points on off-peak dates.
My and my wife’s Czech wedding is in Prague next year, so we stayed at the hotel for three nights earlier this year when scouting out a venue. Cash rates were around $160 per night during our stay, so the 15,000 points we spent gave us over 3 cents per point in value.
— Andrew Kunesh, senior travel and money editor
Our best flight redemptions
100,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points for Lufthansa first class
Lufthansa first class is one of the most sought-after first-class seats in the sky. The onboard experience is excellent with top-notch dining and a huge lie-flat seat. Plus, the ground experience in Frankfurt gives you access to a dedicated first-class terminal and Porsche transfers from the terminal to your aircraft.
I flew Lufthansa first class from Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) in 2018 and absolutely loved the experience. Of course, the more than $9,000 that this ticket usually requires was out of budget, so I booked with Air Canada Aeroplan points instead. This route (and Lufthansa first-class routes from New York and most other US airports) costs 90,000 points plus minimal taxes and fees.
You can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Capital One to Aeroplan. If you’re short on points, look through our guide to the best credit card welcome offers to earn quickly.
— Andrew Kunesh, senior travel and money editor
6,000 miles for short-haul American Airlines flights with Etihad Guest
I’ve used this redemption countless times to fly around the country. Using Etihad Guest miles for short-haul American Airlines flights is a hidden gem if you have American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One or Citi ThankYou Rewards, all of which transfer instantly 1:1 to Etihad.
When there’s award availability, for just 6,000 miles, you can book popular flights like Washington, D.C. (DCA) to New York-LaGuardia (LGA) or Los Angeles (LAX) to Phoenix (PHX). This is a fantastic deal, especially when cash prices are high on peak travel dates.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
50,000 Amex points for Qatar Airways first- and business-class to the Maldives
After our Prague wedding, my wife and I are heading to the Maldives for our honeymoon, and last week, I finally booked the flights. I was able to book Prague (PRG) to Doha (DOH) to Male (MLE) on Qatar Airways for 50,000 Amex points per person. The first leg is in business class, the second is in first class. Needless to say, we’re both really looking forward to this one.
I booked the flights by transferring 100,000 Amex points to British Airways Avios during a 30% transfer bonus, giving me 130,000 Avios. Taxes and fees worked out to just over $200 per person. Not a bad deal given this itinerary costs well over $3,000 per passenger.
Want to stock up on Amex points? Right now the editor-favorite American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership, with up to $100 back. This limited-time offer ends Nov. 6, 2024.
— Andrew Kunesh, senior travel and money editor
50,000 Flying Blue miles for long-haul Air France business class
Flying Blue is the joint loyalty program for Air France and KLM, and you can transfer rewards from any of the following point currencies at a 1:1 ratio:
The loyalty program frequently offers transatlantic business-class flights starting at 50,000 miles with additional taxes and fees of around $300. Occasionally, you can even find this deal for flights between the West Coast and Europe. I’ve booked routes like Bordeaux (BOD) to Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX) and Prague (PRG) to Paris to San Francisco (SFO) at this rate.
Air France business class includes lie-flat seats, amenity kits and consistently excellent dining. And of course, you’ll save thousands of dollars by booking with points instead of paying for your ticket.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
81,000 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles for business class from New York to Frankfurt
My favorite way to fly to Europe from New York has long been Singapore Airlines’ fifth-freedom route between New York-JFK and Frankfurt (FRA). This flight continues to Singapore (SIN), but you can book the New York to Frankfurt portion outright. I’ve flown this route in both premium economy and business class and am a big fan of the service, food and huge lie-flat seat.
The best way to book this flight is by transferring American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One or Citi ThankYou Rewards to Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program. This flight costs 81,000 miles in business class, which is a far better deal than paying $3,000+ for a one-way ticket.
— Andrew Kunesh, senior travel and money editor
Bottom line
Truthfully, a “good” redemption is all about unlocking a new experience and saving money. Maximizing your points and miles can unlock experiences whether it’s a vacation at a high-end resort or saving cash on a short flight.
These redemptions show that with the right approach, travel rewards can significantly enhance your adventures.
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