Points 101
Redemption Sweet Spots Worth Knowing
Five redemptions that reliably return several times what the same points fetch anywhere else.
Hyatt via Chase Ultimate Rewards
The best hotel redemption available to most people, and it is not close: a point sent to Hyatt returns more than twice what the same point returns at Marriott or Hilton. Hyatt is the last big program still publishing an award chart, so an expensive property can cost the same points as a cheap one, and Chase transfers 1:1 instantly. It did get pricier on May 20 2026, when Hyatt widened from three pricing bands to five and moved over a hundred properties up a category, so check the current award price rather than trusting an old range.
ANA via Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada
ANA's Roundtrip Business to Japan is a legendary sweet spot — often 75,000–88,000 miles round-trip in business class vs. $5,000+ cash. Bookable with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (transfers from Amex/Chase/Citi).
Air France / Flying Blue Promo Awards
Flying Blue runs monthly flash sales with up to 50% off award prices on specific routes. Business class transatlantic as low as 30,000 miles one-way during promos.
Category 1–4 Hilton properties
Hilton's lower categories offer solid CPP — especially with the 5th night free benefit on Hilton Aspire and Surpass cards. Beach resorts in the Maldives, Bora Bora, and Thailand often fall in the 95k–120k range per night.
Southwest Companion Pass
Earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year and a companion flies free with you for the rest of that year plus the entire next year. Effectively doubles every flight redemption.