A person in an airplane cabin pouring champagne from a bottle into a glass, with snacks and a napkin on the table.

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 stay 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.

Redemptions for our clients

  • Air France Business Class

    One way: Dallas to Paris.

    Cost: 60,000 points + $250. Cash value: $4,500.

  • Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

    4-night hotel stay.

    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.

  • 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.

  • Swiss Airlines Business Class

    One way: Zurich to Los Angeles.

    Cost: 70,000 points + $90. Cash Value $6,000.

  • Singapore Airlines Business Class

    Round trip: Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore.

    Cost: 214,000 points + $89. Cash Value: $4,800.

  • Hilton Hotel Singapore Orchard

    5-night hotel stay.

    Cost: 90,000 points + $0. Cash value: $3,200.

  • United Airlines Business Class

    One way: Seoul to San Francisco.

    Cost: 75,000 points + $120. Cash value: $2,100.

  • Emirates Business Class

    One way: Los Angeles to Dubai.

    Cost: 158,000 points + $1250. Cash Value $4,400.

  • Emirates First Class Upgrade

    One way: Dubai to Johannesburg.

    Cost: 46,000 points + $0. Cash Value $3,000.

  • Korean Airlines Economy Class

    One way: Tokyo to Seoul.

    Cost: 7,500 points + $30. Cash Value $280.

  • Qatar Airways Business Class

    One way: Dallas to Bangkok.

    Cost: 95,000 points + $280. Cash value: $4,200.

  • American Airlines Economy Class

    One way: Phoenix to San Francisco.

    Cost: 4,500 points + $6. Cash Value $120.

Our favorite credit cards

A letter from Atlantis The Royal Dubai and an American Express credit card on a wooden surface. The letter welcomes a guest and outlines benefits of the card membership, including breakfast, room upgrades, food and beverage credit, internet access, early check-in, and late check-out. The credit card has a chip, a military figure logo, and the name Kamron Shee.

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: up to 175k points; $895 annual fee.

Referral Link
A black card with blue lines and the name 'Kameron Shee' on it, placed on a dark blue booklet labeled 'KULM HOTEL ST. MORITZ' with a crest and four gold stars, on a beige tablecloth with a glass and a wooden box in the background.

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

referral link
Three bamboo steamers with Asian dumplings and green onions, on a wooden table, with a plate of stir-fried vegetables and a gold American Express credit card.

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

Referral link
A blue hotel directory with the name 'KULM HOTEL ST. MORITZ' in gold letters, and a sapphire preferred credit card with the name 'KAMERON SHEE' on it, placed on top of the directory. A wine glass is in the background on a beige tablecloth.

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

Referral Link
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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

referral link
A person holding a blank white card in front of a city street with tall buildings, cars, and American flags.

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.

Referral link

*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.

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