Credit Card Points and Miles for Travel
Points and miles are one of the most powerful ways to save money—and unlock luxury—when traveling. Whether it’s a free night at a 5-star hotel or a business class flight for the cost of an economy seat, your points can take you farther than you think.
But earning points is only half the equation. Knowing how to redeem them for maximum value is where most people get stuck.
That’s where we come in.
Whether you have a million points and want to stretch them further, or you’re just starting to explore rewards travel, we’ll help you:
Understand which programs give you the most value
Find the best flight and hotel redemptions available
Avoid costly transfer mistakes or low-value redemptions
Book your trip using the points you already have—or guide you toward earning them faster
Our Points Pro service takes the guesswork out of award travel. We’ll help you fly smarter, stay better, and spend less—so you can enjoy more of what actually matters: the trip.
Examples of our redemptions:
Singapore Airlines Business Class. Round trip: Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore. Cost: 214,000 points + $89. Cash Value: $4,800.
Singapore Airlines Business Class. Round trip: Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore. Cost: 214,000 points + $89. Cash Value: $4,800.
Japan Airlines Business Class. One way: San Francisco to Tokyo. Cost: 90,000 points + $249. Cash Value: $3,800.
Japan Airlines Business Class. One way: San Francisco to Tokyo. Cost: 90,000 points + $249. Cash Value: $3,800.
CONRAD TOKYO. 5-night hotel stay. Cost: 190,000 points + $0. Cash value: $5,700.
CONRAD TOKYO. 5-night hotel stay. Cost: 190,000 points + $0. Cash value: $5,700.
4-night hotel stay. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. Cost: 140,000 points + $0. Cash value: $6,400.
4-night hotel stay. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. Cost: 140,000 points + $0. Cash value: $6,400.
Qatar Airways Business Class. One way: Cape Town to Los Angeles. Cost: 75,000 points + $90. Cash Value: $3,700.
Qatar Airways Business Class. One way: Cape Town to Los Angeles. Cost: 75,000 points + $90. Cash Value: $3,700.
Emirates Business Class. One way: Los Angeles to Dubai to Johannesburg. Cost: 158,000 points + $1250. Cash Value $4,400.
Emirates Business Class. One way: Los Angeles to Dubai to Johannesburg. Cost: 158,000 points + $1250. Cash Value $4,400.
Hilton Hotel Singapore Orchard. 5-night hotel stay. Cost: 90,000 points + $0. Cash value: $3,200.
Hilton Hotel Singapore Orchard. 5-night hotel stay. Cost: 90,000 points + $0. Cash value: $3,200.
American Airlines Economy Class. One way: Phoenix to San Francisco. Cost: 4,500 points + $6. Cash Value $120.
American Airlines Economy Class. One way: Phoenix to San Francisco. Cost: 4,500 points + $6. Cash Value $120.
American Airlines Business Class. One way: Phoenix to Frankfurt. Cost: 57,500 points + $6. Cash value: $3,800.
American Airlines Business Class. One way: Phoenix to Frankfurt. Cost: 57,500 points + $6. Cash value: $3,800.
Swiss Airlines Business Class. One way: Zurich to Los Angeles. Cost: 70,000 points + $90. Cash Value $6,000.
Swiss Airlines Business Class. One way: Zurich to Los Angeles. Cost: 70,000 points + $90. Cash Value $6,000.
Qatar Airways Business Class. One way: Dallas to Bangkok. Cost: 95,000 points + $280. Cash value: $4,200.
Qatar Airways Business Class. One way: Dallas to Bangkok. Cost: 95,000 points + $280. Cash value: $4,200.
Korean Airlines Economy Class. One way: Tokyo to Seoul. Cost: 7,500 points + $30. Cash Value $280.
Korean Airlines Economy Class. One way: Tokyo to Seoul. Cost: 7,500 points + $30. Cash Value $280.
United Airlines Business Class. One way: Seoul to San Francisco. Cost: 75,000 points + $120. Cash value: $2,100.
United Airlines Business Class. One way: Seoul to San Francisco. Cost: 75,000 points + $120. Cash value: $2,100.
Our favorite credit cards
American Express Platinum Card
Our favorite travel card with the most travel and non-travel benefits, statement credits, and lounge access. Earn 5x points on airfare and travel booked through amextravel.com.
Welcome offer: 150k points; $695 annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best travel card to start with to begin earning points. Earn 3x points on dining, 2x on travel, and 5x on travel booked through Chase.
Welcome offer: 60k points; $95 annual fee
American Express Gold Card
Best card for supermarkets, earn 4x points on supermarkets and dining. Up to $400 in credits per year.
Welcome offer: up to 100k points; $325 annual fee
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase’s best premium travel card with easy to use travel credit, travel protections, and Chase Sapphire lounge access.
Welcome offer: 60k points; $550 annual fee
Chase Freedom
Best overall earning credit card with rotating category earning rates and no annual fee. Cash back can be converted to points with either Chase Sapphire card.
Welcome offer $150 (or 15k points); $0 annual fee
Capital One Venture X
Great premium travel card with flat earning rate, lounge access, and $300 travel credit.
Welcome offer: 75k points; $395 annual fee.
*Take Me There may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions and reviews are the author’s and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any entities.
