One of the questions people often ask us is: “How much does it cost to have a point or a mile?”
The real answer varies from point to point, and people vary. It also depends on your travel goals and your maximization of specific loyalty currency. Still, some rewards are more valuable than others, and our goal is to give you an idea of how they stack up.
Historically, TPG values points and miles according to a combination of factors: the price we purchase points or miles, the cost of rewards in the program (accessibility and expense considerations), and our expertise in the internal operation of the program. However, we now use extensive data to provide better estimates for loyalty programs for the top seven airlines in the U.S. to estimate the value you should get from the rewards. Read the interpreter post about data-driven valuation for a complete method breakdown.
What are credit card points and mileage values?
What is the value of Bilt Rewards?
What are air point and mileage values?
* Calculated using valuation methods supported by TPG launched in September 2023.
What are hotel points?
High Points and Miles News
July saw a series of major announcements from Citi. Here is an overview you should know.
Citi launches new premium rewards card for the first time
Citi has released a new Citigroup Elite Card (See rates and fees). The card will be available at an annual fee of $595 and will be powered by the popular Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Chase SapphireReserve® (See rates and fees).
New Strata Elite cardholders can earn 80,000 bonuses after spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account Thank you for your reward points; branch applicants can get a higher 100,000 discount under certain conditions.
In addition to the generous welcome offer, the main benefits of this new premium card include:
Reward points: Earn 12 points per dollar for hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel; spend 6 points per dollar on air tickets through Citi Travel; 6 points spent in restaurants on Citi Nights (6pm on Friday and Saturday to 6am East); 3 points per dollar per dollar on restaurants at other times; and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.
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Declare credits: Receive up to $300 per calendar year for two nights (or longer) hotel bookings through Citigroup; for qualified partners such as American Airlines, Best Buy and Live Nation, the annual “squandered credit” is up to $200 per year; for up to $200 per year for Blacklane credit ($100 for half a year); for up to $120 per four years for global entry or TSA Precheck application fees.
Lounge entry: Enjoy four Admiral Club Lounge Passes and Priority Pass Membership for each calendar year.
Related: Are you eligible for the 80,000 welcome bonus from the Citigroup elite?
Reward + brand rebranded as Citigroup Card
Citi automatically converts all existing Citi rewards + cardholders to Citigroup Card (See rates and fees). New cards come with an annual fee of $0, and new cardholders spend $1,000 in the first three months after opening, earning 30,000 bonus points.
The card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel; 3 points per dollar per dollar at supermarkets, gasoline and electric car charging stations and at certain buses; 3 points per dollar spent in an optional category (such as streaming services, fitness or pet supplies); 2 points per dollar per dollar at restaurants; 2 dollars spent on all other purchases. This is an impressive offer for a card without an annual fee.
Citi Rewards+ information has been collected independently by Tocts Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi adds Aadvantage as transfer partner
In line with the Strata Elite launch, Citi adds American Airlines Aadvantage as a 1:1 transfer partner for the following thank you racing card:
This game-changing addition makes Citi the only major issuer that can be transferred directly to Aadvantage. This increase brings our valuation of Citi Thanks Rewards at 1.9 cents per point in our August 2025 valuation.
Information on the Citi reputation card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Citi Points Transfer to American Airlines Now: How Long Does It Take?
The highest quote for earning points and miles in August
If you are looking for a new travel reward card that earns transferable points or miles, here are some of the other best options for this month.
Chatong Sapphire Reserve
this Chatong Sapphire Reserve Currently, after you spend $5,000 on purchases for $5,000 in the first three months of your account opening, there is currently a limited-time welcome offer of the best 100,000 bonus points ever, as well as a $500 ChaseTravel℠ promotional credit.
Recent refreshed cards have updated their revenue rates, which include 8 points spent on purchases via ChaseTravel℠ (including editing), 4 points spent on direct booking flights, and 4 points per dollar spent on direct booking hotels. The new annual fee is $795, but cardholders will receive up to $500 statement credits for hotel reservations made for each calendar year ($250 for two days, two or more nights of editing), up to $300 for statements, each year at the restaurant restaurant for your statement year, for Sapphire Reserve and Saphire Reserve and Crevial and 150 creting and 150 nirate and Callies and Caldies and Caldies.
Check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Reviews for more information.
Official application link: Chatong Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase recently released a brand new business card. Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business- (See rates and fees). This card offers a wide welcome of 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 in the first six months of your account opening.
The product is spent 8 points per dollar through Chase Travel (including editing), 4 points per dollar on flights and direct bookings, and 3 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising. It comes with multiple flexible statement points, but $795 per year. For more information, see our Sapphire Reserve for business card reviews.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card is a compelling option because of its high income rate and includes allowances. The card is currently welcome to 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of your account opening.
You will spend at least 2 miles on purchases and receive a variety of useful benefits, including $300 in annual credit booked through Capital One Travel, 10,000 miles per account anniversary, and free Capital One Airport Lounges.
Check out our Capital One Venture X Rewards card reviews for more details.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards credit card offers 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in the first three months after your account is opened. The annual fee for the Capital One Venture card is $95, which is a reasonable amount with such a generous welcome offer.
For more details, see our Capital One Venture Rewards card review.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Platinum card for American Express
and American Express Platinum Card®you can find out your offer to see if you are eligible for up to 175,000 membership reward points, after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Our valuation will make these points up to $3,500 based on transferring partners using membership rewards. Amex Platinum is full of benefits, so read our Amex Platinum review for all the details. The annual fee for Amex Platinum is $695 (see rates and fees).
Official application link: Platinum card for American Express
American Express Gold Card
One of the most popular cards for TPG employees, American Express® Gold Card Let new cardholders find out their offer and see if they are eligible for up to 100,000 member reward points as they spent $6,000 to purchase in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Amex Gold is perfect for many daily purchases. You will spend $4 per dollar on the US supermarket (up to $25,000 per year for purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar) and every dollar in restaurants around the world (up to $50,000 per dollar) (up to $50,000 per year for purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar). The card costs $325 annually (see rates and fees), so check out our Amex Gold Review to see if it makes sense.
Official application link: American Express Gold Card
The preferred credit card for ink business
this Ink Business First Choice® Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) In the first three months after opening the card, you are welcome to offer 90,000 bonus points after purchasing $8,000.
Ink Business Preferred offers 3 points per dollar in the first $150,000 to purchase travel, transport and advertising (i.e., including social media sites and search engines), as well as the anniversary year of Internet, cable and telephone services. For more details, check out our preferred credit card review for the ink business.
Official application link: The preferred credit card for ink business
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
