Understanding the best way to redeemed transferable points and airline miles is essential to get good value from rewards. Many of the sweet spots at Best Airline Awards are international business-grade flights, but if you know where to look, you can also find generous deals on domestic flights.
This article will discuss some of the best domestic reward list desserts. You can book many of these domestic dessert awards using American Express Member Rewards Points, Bilt Rewards Points, One Mile, Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, and Citi Thankyou Rewards Points.
Cheap reward tickets in Hawaii
Hawaii is a TPG reader favorite. Thankfully, there are many great ways to get to Hawaii with scores and miles. Here are some of our favorite ways to book flights to Hawaii with major U.S. carriers.
The best way to book a joint flight to Hawaii
The best flight to Hawaii is to book United Airlines flights with Turkish airline Miles & Smiles. This star league’s loyalty program charges only 10,000 miles to fly from anywhere in the United States to Hawaii. Better yet, one-sided business-grade tickets are only 15,000 miles – but reward the space challenge.
You can transfer BILT Points, Capital 1 Mile, Citi Thanks for Rewards Points and Marriott Bonvoy Point to Turkish Airlines.
Alternatively, you can transfer American Express membership reward points, one mile of the capital, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi Thankyou Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points to Singapore Airlines Krisflyer to book a joint flight to Hawaii. The reward fare from mainland America to Hawaii is 19,500 miles.
Flights from the United States, Alaska or Hawaii with Alaska Airlines Mileage Program
You can use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Mileage to book flights operated by Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines at dynamic speeds. You can also use the program’s distance-based partner reward chart to book flights from American Airlines to Hawaii.
The cheapest Alaska and Hawaii flights from mainland China to Hawaii usually start at just 10,000 miles, plus a $5.60 tax and fees from the West Coast. However, on peak dates, you may find that the price is significantly higher.
Meanwhile, the tax and fees from the West Coast to Hawaii are 17,500 miles and the tax and fees are $19. You will pay more miles for longer flights, but the price of the connecting itinerary is the same as the uninterrupted flight.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG Daily Newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts
You can transfer Marriott Hotel and Bilt Rewards points to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Program or make money directly with Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards.
Always looking for discounts on Southwest flights
If you have a partner pass, Southwest Airlines may offer the most affordable option to travel to Hawaii with points or cash. There are many ways to earn more Southwest points, including spending on Southwest credit cards and transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points or Marriott Bonvoy index to Southwest Quick Rewards.
Related: Best Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii
Joint flight with Türkiye mileage and smile
Turkish airline Miles & Smiles is still an underrated airline program and has great benefits. Similar to flights to Hawaii, you can book domestic flights from other United Airlines in Economic and Business Class in just 10,000 miles and 15,000 miles one way. While it’s hard to find reward space, this even includes cross-continental flights with Lie-flat seats.
These are one of the lowest reward rates for medium and long-distance routes in the country. For a comprehensive overview, check out our guide to Turkish Myers and Smile.
As mentioned above, you can transfer rewards from Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Citi Thankyou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy to Türkiye Miles & Smiles.
Related: Search the best websites for the Star League Awards
Joint flights with Avianca Lifemiles
Although Avianca LifeMiles has a standard region-based rewards table, you often see reward rates varying in many domestic rewards in the U.S., with taxes and fees of $5.60, including this flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Longer flights are more costly.
You can transfer American Express membership rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One Mile, Citi Thankyou Rewards points, Wells Fargo Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy Points to Avianca Lifemiles.
Related: Why You Need Avianca Lifemiles Traveling in the United States and Canada
Alaska Airlines’ short flights
Even outside of flights to Hawaii, you can get a great deal on both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines domestic flights using the Alaska Airlines Mileage Program. Alaska utilizes a distance-based partner flight rewards table, with flights below 700 miles only selling for only 4,500 miles, as well as taxes and fees. Some longer flights, such as flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) also fell into this price band.
Longer flights are more expensive, but they are reasonably priced. For pricing, see the award chart for Alaska partner flights in the United States
As a reminder, Marriott Bonvoy and Bilt Rewards points are transferred to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Program.
Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Katar Airways
Low Cost Delta Skymiles Award
The Delta Air Lines Skymiles program has been criticized for its turbulent reward pricing and lack of published reward sheets. Dynamic pricing undoubtedly made Skymiles redeemed the difficulties of high-value international flights. But sometimes you will find affordable domestic flights that can be booked through Delta Skymiles.
For example, consider this Chicago to Minneapolis flight, where you can book just 3200 miles in the basic Delta economy, or make 5,900 miles economically.
Delta even offers cross-continental flights at bargaining rates, such as this one from Boston to Los Angeles, which costs just 7,900 miles.
If you have a qualified Delta credit card, you are eligible for a 15% discount on Skymiles bonus tickets run by Delta, thanks to 15 benefits.
If you need to earn Delta Skymiles, you can use a Delta credit card or transfer American Express membership bonus points or Marriott Bonvoy points to Delta.
Benefit from Aadvantage’s dynamic pricing
If you have flexible travel plans, dynamic pricing for the American Airlines Awards can get you bargaining rates. For example, we found that the reward price between Detroit and Philadelphia is only 5,000 miles.
You can also find deals on short international flights between the United States, Canada or Mexico. For example, the flight from Dallas to Mexico City is only 8,000 miles, plus $51.68 in taxes and fees.
There are many ways to earn American Airlines miles, including spending on American Airlines credit cards and transferring Marriott Bonvoy points. Additionally, you can now transfer the Citi Thank You Point to Aadvantage.
Related: How to redeeate miles using American Airlines Aadvantage Program
Credit cards can help you earn rewards
In this article, we mention the various types of transferable rewards you can transfer to the choice of the airline loyalty program. Here are some of the best cards to earn transferable points or miles:
While some of these cards offer good welcome bonuses, remember that it can take some time to meet the minimum spending requirement for the bonus. Therefore, it is best to apply for a new card before you expect to book an award flight.
Related: Maximize your tickets: The best credit card for booking flights
Bottom line
Maximizing the value of transferable rewards and airline mileage requires understanding the best redemption strategy. While international business-grade flights to far-off destinations are often of great value, it is crucial not to overlook the sweet spots of the domestic reward list.
By leveraging transferable credit card rewards, you can find great deals on domestic flights. Take advantage of these opportunities and unlock the full potential of your rewards for domestic and international travel.
See BILT Mastercard Rates and Fees here.
See BILT Mastercard Rewards and Benefits here.
