A welcome bonus is only worth what you redeem it for. This guide covers the trips where transferable points stretch furthest: which program to use, what the award costs in points, where the points come from, and how to book it. Prices are as of 2026; award pricing changes, so confirm at each program before you transfer.
Sweet spots by trip type
| Trip | Best value on points (2026) | Points come from |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | Alaska Atmos Rewards economy from about 12,500 points one way | Bilt; or Chase through United and Southwest |
| Japan | ANA business class, 75,000 to 90,000 ANA miles round trip | Amex |
| Europe | Iberia business from about 40,500 Avios each way off-peak | Chase, Amex, Bilt |
| The Maldives | Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, a category 7 Hyatt, near 40,000 points at the Moderate tier | Chase |
| African safari | Aeroplan business, about 90,000 to 120,000 points one way with a free stopover | Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt |
| Patagonia | LifeMiles or Atmos economy from about 12,500 one way | Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt |
| Hyatt all-inclusive | Hyatt points; check each resort’s tier pricing | Chase |
Hawaii
Programs and prices. Alaska’s Atmos Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan) often prices economy near 12,500 points one way and adds cheap inter-island hops. Southwest can dip under 20,000 points round trip from West Coast cities when fares are low. Turkish Miles&Smiles books United flights for about 25,000 miles each way in economy, up from the old 10,000. Since Hawaiian Airlines joined oneworld in April 2026, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Qatar Avios also book Hawaiian flights.
Getting the points. Chase transfers to United and Southwest at 1:1. Capital One and Bilt transfer to Turkish, and Bilt transfers to Atmos. Every major bank currency reaches at least 1 Avios program; the transfer partner chart shows which.
Booking. Find saver space on the operating airline first, then transfer only the miles you need. Taxes and fees are low on these routes. See the Avios sweet spots for the Hawaiian options.
Japan
Programs and prices. ANA business class is the headline value. ANA’s own round-trip chart prices it from the U.S. at about 75,000 miles off-peak, 85,000 regular and 90,000 high season. The same ANA flights cost roughly 52,500 Virgin Atlantic points one way from the western U.S. and 60,000 from the central and eastern U.S. For more routes, Aeroplan and United cover ANA and United nonstops, and Japan Airlines books with Atmos Rewards or oneworld Avios.
Getting the points. ANA takes Amex Membership Rewards at 1:1, and Marriott Bonvoy at 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points; ANA transfers are not instant. Virgin Atlantic is a 1:1 partner of Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One and Bilt.
Booking. Search saver space first; United’s site shows the ANA space Virgin agents see. Virgin books ANA by phone and not within 14 days of departure. The full breakdown is in the ANA award chart guide.
Europe
Programs and prices. Flying Blue, the Air France and KLM program, prices awards dynamically and often lands economy round trips near 30,000 to 50,000 miles, with monthly Promo Rewards that cut costs further. Iberia Avios is the business-class value, from about 40,500 Avios each way off-peak from the U.S. East Coast to Madrid, with off-peak premium economy near 26,000. Virgin Atlantic books Air France, KLM and Delta flights, and Aeroplan covers Star Alliance carriers such as Lufthansa and Swiss.
Getting the points. All 5 bank currencies on this site transfer to Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic at 1:1. Chase, Amex and Bilt reach Iberia; Chase, Amex, Capital One and Bilt reach Aeroplan.
Booking. Check Promo Rewards in the month they appear, and use Virgin Atlantic on Air France or KLM to avoid high surcharges. See Flying Blue sweet spots and Avios sweet spots.
The Maldives
Hotels and prices. The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a category 7 World of Hyatt resort. Under the 5-tier chart in force since May 20, 2026, category 7 nights run near 40,000 points at the Moderate tier and into the 65,000 range at Top (the old chart topped out at 35,000), and Alila Kothaifaru Maldives also books with Hyatt points. Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton add the St. Regis, W and Waldorf Astoria Maldives at higher point costs. Points often beat the cash overwater-villa rate.
Flights. Most awards route through the Gulf to Malé. Qatar Airways books through American at about 40,000 miles each way in economy, or through Atmos and Avios; Emirates Skywards prices its own flights from about 35,000 miles with higher fees; Etihad books through American at about 40,000.
Getting the points and booking. Earn Hyatt points with the World of Hyatt Card or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 from a Sapphire Reserve, or 4:3 from a Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred since October 1, 2026. Book the resort first, since award villas are limited, then add flights. See the Hyatt award chart.
An African safari
Getting there. Start with Aeroplan. It books Star Alliance business to Johannesburg, Nairobi or Cape Town through Europe or the Middle East, often around 90,000 to 120,000 points one way, with no fuel surcharges and a free stopover. One example: the U.S. to Cape Town through Addis Ababa on Ethiopian business, with a stopover, has priced around 115,000 Aeroplan points plus about $63. Virgin Atlantic books Kenya Airways economy from about 50,000 points.
Lodges. World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy both include African camps. Virgin Red has offered an all-inclusive Kenya safari camp at 100,000 points a night for 2, with a 2-night minimum covering game drives, meals and airstrip transfers. Camp award space is limited.
Getting the points and booking. Aeroplan takes Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt at 1:1. Lock the lodges first, since camps fill while flights stay flexible, then book the flights and use the stopover.
Patagonia
Gateways. Fly to a hub first, then connect: Buenos Aires (Ezeiza or Aeroparque) to Ushuaia in Argentina, or Santiago to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine in Chile. Book the long-haul award and the regional hop separately.
Programs and prices. Atmos Rewards books American and LATAM with economy to southern South America from about 12,500 miles and business around 35,000 to 50,000 one way. Avianca LifeMiles is the cheapest Star Alliance option, with economy from about 12,500. Virgin Atlantic prices LATAM at 25,000 points for flights under 4,000 miles and 37,500 each way to Chile and Brazil. The Buenos Aires to Ushuaia hop has priced from about 7,300 American miles plus roughly $8, or pay cash on a low-cost carrier such as JetSMART.
Booking. American and LATAM awards in the region usually book by phone. Search saver space first, call to book, then add the regional flight. LifeMiles takes Amex, Citi, Capital One and Bilt; see LifeMiles sweet spots.
Hyatt all-inclusive resorts
The resorts. Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection covers about 75 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean: family-friendly Hyatt Ziva, adults-only Hyatt Zilara, and the Secrets, Dreams, Breathless and Zoëtry brands. All book with World of Hyatt points, which most all-inclusive chains do not allow.
Prices. Under the old chart most priced at about 15,000 to 25,000 points a night. Hyatt’s May 20, 2026 overhaul moved pricing to 5 demand tiers, so check the resort’s current tier price at Hyatt before you transfer. Because cash all-inclusive rates run high, these redemptions often return well above 2 cents a point.
Getting the points. Use the World of Hyatt Card, which adds an annual free night, or transfer Chase points: 1:1 from a Sapphire Reserve, 4:3 from a Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred since October 1, 2026. See the Hyatt award chart for each resort’s category.
Sweet spots by program
Award charts
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to fly to Hawaii with points?
Often Alaska Atmos Rewards near 12,500 points one way in economy, or Southwest when fares are low. Turkish Miles&Smiles books United flights for about 25,000 miles each way. Confirm current pricing at each program.
What is the best way to fly to Japan with points?
ANA business class: about 75,000 to 90,000 ANA miles round trip from the U.S., or roughly 52,500 to 60,000 Virgin Atlantic points one way on the same flights. Confirm current pricing at each program.
What is the best way to fly to Europe with points?
It depends on the cabin. Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic are flexible and often cheap in economy; Iberia Avios off-peak business from about 40,500 Avios each way is the standout for premium cabins. Confirm current pricing at each program.
How many points is the Park Hyatt Maldives?
As a category 7 resort under Hyatt’s 5-tier chart since May 20, 2026, near 40,000 points at the Moderate tier and into the 65,000 range at Top. Confirm the current category and pricing at Hyatt.
Can you book safari lodges with points?
Yes. World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy include African camps, and Virgin Red has offered an all-inclusive Kenya camp at 100,000 points a night for 2. Confirm current pricing and dates at each program.
What is the cheapest way to fly to Patagonia with points?
Avianca LifeMiles and Alaska Atmos Rewards price economy to southern South America from about 12,500 miles one way, and the Buenos Aires to Ushuaia hop has priced from about 7,300 American miles. Confirm current pricing at each program.
Can you book Hyatt all-inclusive resorts with points?
Yes. World of Hyatt books its Inclusive Collection resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean with points, priced by category and demand tier since May 20, 2026. Confirm current pricing at Hyatt.