Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One of the questions I often ask is “How much is a point or a mile worth?”
The answer really varies from time to time and from person to person and depends on your travel goals and how well you can maximize a particular loyalty coin. However, some rewards are clearly more valuable than others – my goal is to show you how they stack up.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Historically, TPG was worth points and miles based combination of prices that we will buy miles, awards in-program costs (including availability and fees) and our expertise in the inner workings of programs. However, we are in the process of evolving our valuations to be as data-driven as possible.
Looking for a convenient way to see all your points and mileage in one place? Download TPG App for Free!
That data-driven process began last November with our four main transferable currencies – Bonus points for American Express members, Pursuit of ultimate bonus points, Citi ThankYou Rewards Points and Capital One mile. Now, we’re using a mathematical model that takes into account a number of factors specific to transferable points, including:
- Unique remittance partners (not shared by other card issuers).
- The most valuable individual partners in the program.
- Basic redemption value when you redeem points or miles directly for travel.
Based on this implementation, we’re currently rounding valuations for our credit card currencies to the nearest percentage of a point to better capture the true value they provide cardholders. We fully expect these numbers to fluctuate over time as we refine our equations and roll out additional data-backed hotel and airline valuations in the coming months.
Likewise, we transferred three airline currencies – America’s advantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus miles – to a data supported model last December. However, we have put this pricing on hold while we resolve the issue with our data provider. We’re excited to update our data-driven valuations later this year.
Note: These valuations are not provided by card issuers.
Pricing points and miles
* Calculate using TPG’s improved data-driven pricing methodologyReleased in December 2021.
News about points and miles
As you can see in the table above, it hasn’t been quiet in the recent point and mile space.
Important news for Delta loyalists, Delta has recently made significant changes to the way you obtain Medallion status and the benefits of achieving top level status. In particular, Delta is raising the Medals Eligible Dollar threshold to 33% for all tiers excluding Silver Medals for 2024 status. And starting February 1, 2023, Delta will roll it out. six new Choice Benefits options.
American Airlines and British Airways issue a reciprocal upgrade certificate, which means AAdvantage loyalists can now use system-wide upgrades on select British Airways flights. And Flying Blue announced a new set of Promotional rewards including several US cities.
Meanwhile, Aeroplan has revealed a new, potentially high-value redemption option in the form of Hotel. On top of that, Aeroplan says it has hidden some cool redemption points in its HotelSavers options. Aeroplan elites and premium credit card holders can also take advantage of status matching opportunity with Avis.
On the hotel side, IHG One Rewards announced a bonus points promotion and Marriott Bonvoy launched Wonder week.
And unfortunately, Cardholder still cannot transfer Capital One mile to any of Capital One’s transfer partners.
Update pricing based on data
As noted in the introduction, we switched to data-driven pricing for the three major airline programs – American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus – last year. However, we encountered an issue with our data provider that caused us to pause data-driven pricing. What you see now is pricing calculated for March, but we plan to publish updated pricing for these three airlines soon.
Travel credit card deals
Enough New amazing welcome bonus on many popular cards – here are some of our favorite cards this month.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
In late 2021, Capital One launches its first premium rewards card, and it’s one of the most exciting travel credit cards on the market, thanks to its high earning rates and accompanying perks.
The card currently offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, worth $1,388 at our valuation, thanks to Capital One’s excellent hotel and airline transfer partners.
For more details, see Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card full review.
Official app: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Standard Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card currently offers the same welcome bonus as Venture X. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Like Venture X, the Venture card earns 2 miles a dollar on everything.
For more details, see Full review of Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Official app: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Platinum Card® from American Express
With the current welcome offer on Amex Platinum, you’ll earn 100,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases during the first six months of your card membership.
Of course, the card has a lot of benefits such as access to airport lounges, the hotel’s elite status and more. These benefits can make your travel experience smoother and more luxurious than ever – especially with most recent addition. The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Registration is required for some benefits.
For more details, see Amex Platinum Card full review.
Official app: Platinum card from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
One of the most popular cards with TPG employees during the pandemic, Amex Gold offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases on your new card within the first six months from the card membership. This welcome offer is worth $1,200 based on our valuation, but be sure to check CardMatch . Tool to see if you be targeted for an even higher offer (Offers are subject to change at any time).
The card is great for many everyday purchases. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar at US supermarkets (for purchases up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar for dining at restaurant. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
For more details, see Amex Gold Card full review.
Official app: American Express Gold Card
American Express Business Platinum® Card
Platinum merchant card suggestions 120,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases with your card during the first three months of your membership. This welcome offer is worth as little as $2,400 in our review, but you can get more value in exchange for premium flight tickets.
The card also offers a a bunch of extra perks similar to (but slightly different from) the personal version – you can compare two cards in this tutorial to see which will suit your wallet better.
For more details, see Amex Platinum Business Card full review.
Official app: Platinum merchant card from American Express
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier Card is a great choice for frequent travelers who love to travel and eat out. Cards earn 3 Citi ThankYou points every dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, air travel and hotels. You can transfer these points to top transfer partners like Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles and others.
The card currently offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
For more details, see full review of Citi Premier Card.
Official app: Citi Premier Card
Related: 4 reasons the Citi Premier Card should be on your list of choices
Airline credit card
Airline credit cards allow you to earn miles and give you perks with their respective airlines, like free test bag.
Now, Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card is offering a higher bonus of 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, you’ll enjoy the Alaska Companion Fare, which lets you carry another passenger on eligible paid itineraries from as little as $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from just $22) with this offer.
Besides, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card offers 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22). To qualify, you must purchase $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of your account opening.
And if you’re wanting earn American Airlines milesCheck out the following cards and their current offers:
Related: Best airline credit cards
Hotel credit card
Some hotel credit card welcome bonus offers a simple way to increase your points balance. You can use these points to save money on hotels around the world, no matter where your trip takes you.
Catalog of IHG Rewards credit cards passed big upgrade earlier this year and there are some solid deals now:
All these new offers put you in a great position to earn tons of bonus points or miles when you’re ready to travel again and possibly more. If you haven’t already, be sure Sign up for our daily newsletter for the biggest travel news updates of the day.
For Amex Gold Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Benji Stawski.
This is The Points Guy’s permanent page for the most up-to-date reviews, so you can bookmark it and check back every month for updates.
