Rewards
Rewards made easier to understand.
Airline miles, hotel points and transferable rewards, explained without the jargon — and with the caveats that actually matter.
Programmes we cover
Start here
Where would you like to begin?
- Points & MilesHow reward currencies are earned, redeemed and valued.
- Airline programmesFrequent-flyer programmes, carrier by carrier.
- Hotel programmesHotel loyalty programmes and their currencies.
- Transfer partnersWhich flexible currencies move where.
- Points valuationsHow we approach what a point is worth.
- Rewards toolsEstimate point value and transfer outcomes.
How rewards work
Four steps, whatever the programme
The mechanics are consistent across programmes. The numbers are not, which is why they live in dated guides.
- 01
Earn
From flights and stays, but for most people mainly from everyday card spending and promotions.
- 02
Transfer
Flexible bank currencies can often move into an airline or hotel programme. Usually irreversible.
- 03
Redeem
Award flights and hotel nights are where the value sits. Merchandise and gift cards rarely are.
- 04
Compare
Judge a redemption against the cash price you would genuinely have paid, not a fare you would never buy.
Points are a promise, not money
The issuer sets what a point buys and can change it. That is why acting on a balance beats hoarding it.
Availability decides value
A strong rate on a seat you cannot book is worth nothing. Award space is inventory the programme chooses to release.
Fees still apply
Taxes, carrier surcharges and resort fees are part of what a redemption costs, and they vary enormously by programme.
Airline loyalty
Popular airline programmes
- American AirlinesAAdvantageAAdvantage milesEarn milesRedeem milesElite statusoneworld
- Delta Air LinesSkyMilesSkyMilesEarn milesRedeem milesElite statusSkyTeam
- United AirlinesMileagePlusMileagePlus milesEarn milesRedeem milesElite statusStar Alliance
- Southwest AirlinesRapid RewardsRapid Rewards pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- JetBlue AirwaysTrueBlueTrueBlue pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- Alaska AirlinesAtmos RewardsAtmos Rewards milesEarn milesRedeem milesElite statusoneworld
- Air CanadaAeroplanAeroplan pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite statusStar Alliance
- British AirwaysThe British Airways ClubAviosEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite statusoneworld
Hotel loyalty
Popular hotel programmes
- Marriott InternationalMarriott BonvoyBonvoy pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- HiltonHilton HonorsHonors pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- HyattWorld of HyattWorld of Hyatt pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- IHG Hotels & ResortsIHG One RewardsIHG One Rewards pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- Wyndham Hotels & ResortsWyndham RewardsWyndham Rewards pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- Choice HotelsChoice PrivilegesChoice Privileges pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
- AccorAccor Live LimitlessReward pointsEarn pointsRedeem pointsElite status
Tools
Work the numbers yourself
Information feed
Latest rewards guides
Stay ahead of your next trip.
Important travel updates, airline changes, rewards news and useful guides.
- Airline policy changes
- Points & transfer bonuses
- Rules that affect your trip
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