US gateway award guides

United Polaris hub. IAD-CPT is the only non-stop from US East Coast to South Africa.

United and American both run major hubs here. Best US gateway between the coasts for European business class redemptions.

The single most-served US international gateway. Every major foreign carrier flies here, which means more sweet-spot inventory than anywhere else.

United's largest international hub. EWR-SIN is the longest commercial flight in the world; EWR-DEL is the only US-India non-stop.

Underrated international gateway with Cathay, JAL, Qatar, and Lufthansa all running widebodies. Less competition for saver inventory than JFK.

American's biggest hub. The non-stop DFW-SYD is the only direct connection to Australia from the central US.

American's Latin America fortress hub. Best US airport for South America premium cabins; Madrid via Iberia 34k points one-way.

Delta's largest hub. Skipping JFK and using ATL through SkyTeam partners often opens better Delta One saver inventory.

Pacific Rim hub. The widest selection of Asia and Australia routes from any US airport, most route-pairs have multiple competing carriers.

United's Pacific gateway. Best US airport for Asia premium awards via Polaris and Star Alliance partners.

Alaska's home base + Delta's secondary Pacific hub. Use Alaska's 25k Hawaii award + low-priced partners like Cathay, JAL, and Qantas.