This is a very brief overview of how we redeem miles and points for max value. For more details, please read our Comprehensive Guide to Award Travel For Beginners.
When redeeming miles and points, it is very important to have a basic understanding about different programs and partnerships. It is important to familiarize yourself with airline alliances and partnerships. For quick reference, here is a list:
Transfer Partners and Alliances
Even if you only have one airline’s miles, you’re not necessarily limited to redeeming on just that airline
In general, you cannot transfer one airline’s miles to another airline. But you can use the airline program with which you have miles to book partner flights. For example, if you have American Airlines AAdvantagemiles, you cannot transfer them to another airline, but you can use those miles to book flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, LATAM, and any other OneWorld Alliance partner.
With that said, it is still a good idea for beginners to collect miles that are transferrable to multiple airlines and hotels.
Our two favorite programs that earn points that are transferable to both airlines and hotels:
See also: 25 reasons to open a Chase Sapphire Preferred card
I prefer points that can be transferred to multiple airlines because you will have even more options! For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards has 10 airline partners. There is at least one partner in each of the 3 major airline alliances in the world. This means that you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book flights on over 50 airlines!
- American Express Membership Rewards
- How to transfer Amex MR to airline and hotel partners
- Amex has 19 airline transfer partners
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- How to transfer Ultimate Rewards to partners
- Chase booking portal vs. transferring to partners
- Chase Ultimate Rewards has 10 airline partners
You may be able to share miles and points without paying fees if you have points in the programs mentioned above.
It is also important to learn how to calculate the value of a point or mile when redeeming.
Here are some other posts that may help:
- This post is specific to American Airlines, but the principles apply to many other airlines: How award seats work on American Airlines
- How to Book American Airlines flights with British Airways Avios (Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards)
- How to book American Airlines flights with Etihad miles (Amex points)
- How to book Delta flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Hawaii:
- Best Ways to Book Hawaii on Points and Miles
- How We Scored Airfare and Hotels for a Week in Hawaii and One-Way Business Class Tickets to Europe for Less Than $700 Total
- Marriott hotels in Hawaii
Napa:
Europe:
- Best Ways to Book Europe with Ultimate Rewards
- $1130 Stay at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam for 95$
- How We Scored Airfare and Hotels for a Week in Hawaii and One-Way Business Class Tickets to Europe for Less Than $700 Total
- How we flew to Italy for (almost) free… and you can too!
Mexico:
- How to Save up to 50% of Your Miles (or Get 2 Award Tickets for the Price of 1)
- Puerto Vallarta on Points: Two Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards