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Points and miles aren’t just about free flights. When used strategically, they can unlock experiences worth thousands of dollars, from luxury hotels and business-class cabins to everyday savings like waived parking fees or domestic flights for only the cost of taxes and fees.
For instance, 50,000 to 70,000 credit card points can cover a business-class ticket to Europe that would normally cost over $5,000. Your out-of-pocket expense for taxes and fees will often be under $300 each way. And that’s just scratching the surface of what smart travel rewards redemptions can deliver.
Between the two of us, we’ve spent decades testing loyalty programs and finding the best ways to stretch points further. Here are 10 of our favorite redemptions from 2025, to illustrate what kind of trips and savings you can aim for with the right strategy.
Redeeming 60,000 World of Hyatt points for three nights at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg was an excellent use of points. With cash rates running about $474 per night, those points saved me more than $1,400 in total.
What made it even better is that this isn’t just any hotel; it’s the smallest Park Hyatt in the world, with only 31 rooms inside a restored 1930s mansion. The stay felt special, thanks to thoughtful details like marble bathrooms, locally inspired textiles and a peaceful courtyard shaded by a jacaranda tree. For a fraction of the cash cost, this redemption offered both solid value and a memorable experience.
I earn World of Hyatt points through the co-branded World of Hyatt Business credit card, and also transfer them from my Chase Sapphire Reserve® at a 1:1 ratio.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
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Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
During the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, hotel prices skyrocket, so using points can be a lifesaver. Cash rates at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre were going for over $600 a night, but I booked two nights for 60,000 Hilton points each instead.
While the hotel itself isn’t the most luxurious, its location was unbeatable — right in the heart of the city, within walking distance of the major venues and attractions. By redeeming points, I saved more than $1,200 in cash and stayed exactly where I wanted to be during one of the busiest times of the year.
I earn Hilton Honors points through the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, but you can also earn them through Hilton’s suite of co-branded credit cards. You can also transfer points from Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points — like The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card — at a 2:1 ratio.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Learn how to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Learn how to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Learn how to apply for the American Express® Gold Card.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through CNN Underscored.
At just 9,000 World of Hyatt points per night, the Hyatt Centric Arlington was an outstanding use of points for a stay of four nights. With cash rates around $240 nightly, I redeemed 36,000 points total — a solid deal on its own.
But as a World of Hyatt Globalist member, award stays also include free parking, which saved me another $45 per night. Altogether, this redemption delivered over $1,200 in value from a relatively modest number of points.
The hotel itself is modern and comfortable, with recently refreshed rooms and a convenient Rosslyn location just steps from the Metro. Best of all, Georgetown is only a short walk away across the Key Bridge. It’s easy to explore Washington, DC, without being stuck in the middle of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.
I earn Hyatt points both through the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card and by transferring them from my Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card at a 1:1 ratio, which makes stays like this easy to book.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
With cash rates starting at €1,500 per night (around $1,750), the Eriro Alpine Hide in Ehrwald, Austria, is the kind of splurge that most travelers would only dream about. With just nine suites perched at 5,000 feet in the Tyrolean Alps, the property stands out for its minimalist design, handcrafted details and sweeping views of the Zugspitze massif.
All rates include three meals a day for two people. Instead of paying out of pocket, I booked my stay using a Free Night Reward from the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, which made this once-in-a-lifetime experience feel completely attainable. You can also earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Between the spruce sauna, meditation caves and locally inspired cuisine, it was the kind of stay that delivered far more than just a night’s rest — and all for the cost of a single credit card perk.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Learn how to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through CNN Underscored.
With cash rates topping $800 per night, the St. Regis Mauritius was the perfect place to put my Marriott Bonvoy points to work. I redeemed 237,000 points total — or 79,000 points per night for three nights — which saved me well over $2,400. The property itself is as stunning as its location on the Le Morne Peninsula, with suites featuring private terraces, soaking tubs and the signature St. Regis butler service.
Beyond the rooms, the resort offers six restaurants, an expansive Iridium Spa and easy access to water sports like kite surfing at the world-famous One Eye spot. This redemption wasn’t just about saving cash; it unlocked a luxury beach escape that wouldn’t have been justifiable otherwise.
If you’re looking to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, there are several co-branded credit cards, and you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.
Learn how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Learn how to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Learn how to apply for the American Express® Gold Card.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Delta SkyMiles aren’t ideal for booking premium cabins on long-haul flights, since Delta tends to ask exorbitant amounts of miles for those, especially in its Delta One business class. You are usually better off using miles from the loyalty programs of partner airlines, like Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club, to book business class on Delta.
SkyMiles can shine instead on domestic itineraries, where using Delta’s loyalty currency sometimes results in great deals, at least in economy class. Take the case of an escape to the Caribbean from New York City in early September, which cost me just 23,200 SkyMiles plus $11.20 in taxes and fees for a round trip flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to frequent-flyer site The Points Guy, those SkyMiles are worth $348; even adding the fees, it was about $100 cheaper than the cheapest economy cash ticket on the same route.
I scored that low price in miles thanks to the TakeOff 15 benefit provided by my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. That’s a 15% discount on the SkyMiles required for award flights operated by Delta. There are two other Delta co-branded cards offering TakeOff 15, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. That discount is part of the reason that frequent Delta flyers should have a Delta co-branded credit card offering it.
And the best part? I was upgraded to first class on both legs, thanks to my Delta Diamond Medallion status. These days, domestic first class includes complimentary hot meals only on longer routes, and the 1,600-mile New York to San Juan service qualifies. With full in-flight meals — including the ability to choose before the flight from five entrees — and access to the Delta Sky Club lounge at JFK, thanks to the Delta Reserve card, those 23,200 SkyMiles went a really long way.
— Alberto Riva, senior money editor
Learn how to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Learn how to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Learn how to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
Sometimes the simplest redemptions deliver some of the best value. On several flights this year, I’ve used just 4,500 Atmos Rewards points (formerly Alaska Mileage Plan miles) for short-haul American Airlines flights, which normally have cost over $150 in cash. That’s an easy way to cover a quick trip while keeping your travel budget intact. These have included flights like San Francisco to Phoenix and Washington National to Boston.
Short-haul flights like this are ideal for points because the redemption rate often far exceeds the cents-per-point value you’d get on standard purchases. That can be a smart choice for covering domestic hops, weekend getaways or last-minute trips without breaking the bank.
Atmos Rewards points are coveted for their flexibility, since they can be used to book awards on many partner airlines, but they aren’t very easy to earn. The only way to get them is by flying Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines or their partners, or transferring them from Bilt Rewards, as well as using co-branded credit cards. The newly issued Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card has an annual fee of $395, but its potential benefits have landed it a spot among our picks for the best airline credit cards.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
This summer, I flew one-way from Paris to Washington Dulles in Air France business class for just 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points — a fraction of the cash cost, which would have been around $5,000. Instead of booking through the Amex travel portal, I transferred points to Flying Blue, Air France and KLM’s loyalty program, which made the redemption possible.
The flight included a lie-flat seat, two checked bags, lounge access at Paris CDG and a full French-inspired multicourse meal with wine and champagne. Even without a transfer bonus, this redemption delivered enormous value for relatively few points.
Best of all, you can transfer most major credit card points currencies to Flying Blue, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou points.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the American Express® Gold Card.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
In August, Air Canada’s loyalty program Aeroplan emailed me an offer. As a holder of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I was eligible for a certificate that would take 5,000 Aeroplan points off a future redemption, to anywhere. I enrolled in the offer without knowing what I’d use the certificate for, but I was fairly sure that I’d find something, since Aeroplan is a valuable tool for US-based travelers. You can use Aeroplan points to book award flights on a vast array of partners, including top products like the posh long-haul first class on Lufthansa or United’s Polaris business class.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I found myself needing to travel to Montreal in December. While airfare was relatively cheap in cash, that certificate could reduce the cost in points to a pittance. I found an award seat from New York’s LaGuardia airport for 8,500 Aeroplan points, applied the certificate, and ended up paying an extraordinarily low 3,500 points plus $28 in taxes and fees. Since Aeroplan points are valued 1.4 cents according to The Points Guy, my cost would be equivalent to about $77 including the fees. First class across the Atlantic it may not have been, but it was still half the cash price.
I transferred the necessary points from my Chase Sapphire Reserve account, which appeared instantly in my Aeroplan account, and booked the flight without a hitch. That was a great example of a key tenet of points redemptions: They can deliver high value even for short flights in coach class.
As for earning Aeroplan points, the best ways to do that include flying Air Canada or its partners, using the co-branded Aeroplan® Card issued by Chase or transferring points from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One miles, which all can be transferred at a rate of 1:1.
— Alberto Riva, senior money editor
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn how to apply for the Aeroplan® Card.
By taking advantage of a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, I was able to book a one-way flight from London Heathrow to San Francisco, California, for only 7,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. Even with about $300 in taxes and fees, this 10-hour transatlantic flight was an incredible value compared with typical cash fares.
I flew in Economy Classic, which included a checked bag, seat selection and complimentary meals and drinks. Redemptions like this highlight how timing and transfer bonuses can stretch your points far beyond their usual value.
Similar to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, you can transfer points from most major credit card programs to Virgin Atlantic, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points.
— Kyle Olsen, travel editor
Learn how to apply for the American Express® Gold Card.
Learn how to apply for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Whether you’re chasing luxury hotels, lie-flat business-class flights or just saving on short-haul domestic trips, points and miles can unlock experiences and savings that far exceed their face value. The redemptions above show how a little strategy — like leveraging transfer bonuses, using free night awards or booking during peak-season surges — can turn everyday credit card points into unforgettable travel.
With careful planning, the rewards you earn can stretch across continents, hotels and airlines, and make it possible to enjoy high-end experiences without paying full price.
As with all CNN Underscored articles, our coverage of travel rewards and credit cards is grounded in independent, objective reporting and hands-on experience. This article was co-written by Kyle Olsen, CNN Underscored’s travel products editor and Alberto Riva, senior money editor, both of whom have decades of combined experience navigating airline and hotel loyalty programs. Their firsthand insights on points transfers, award redemptions and credit card strategies are based on real-world use to give readers actionable guidance for getting the most value from their travel rewards.
Click here for rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Click here for rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Click here for rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Click here for rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
