21 program × region strategies

Program strategy guides

Which program for which trip. Best uses for each transferable bank-points and airline-mile currency by region.

Air Canada Aeroplan · 2 strategies

For Europe

Air Canada Aeroplan

Aeroplan to Europe: Lufthansa First Class at 110k pts, Swiss business at 70k, partner-redemption density unmatched.

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For Asia

Air Canada Aeroplan

Aeroplan to Asia: ANA, EVA, Asiana, Thai, Singapore, every Star Alliance Asia carrier at chart prices.

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Alaska Mileage Plan · 1 strategy

For Asia

Alaska Mileage Plan

Alaska Mileage Plan is the cheapest way to fly Cathay Pacific to Asia. 50k business or 70k First class.

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Amex Membership Rewards · 5 strategies

For Europe

Amex Membership Rewards

Amex MR's strongest Europe plays: Flying Blue Promo Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA partner awards.

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For Asia

Amex Membership Rewards

Amex MR is the king of Asia premium awards via Virgin Atlantic (ANA), Singapore KrisFlyer (Suites), and ANA itself.

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For Maldives

Amex Membership Rewards

Amex MR for Maldives is about Hilton (Waldorf, Conrad) at 1:2 ratio plus Qatar Qsuite via AAdvantage transfers.

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For Mexico

Amex Membership Rewards

Amex MR for Mexico is best used on Hilton properties or AeroMexico via Flying Blue partner pricing.

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For Bora Bora

Amex Membership Rewards

Amex MR for Bora Bora: Hilton Conrad Bora Bora is the headline play, plus IHG via Chase positioner.

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Chase Ultimate Rewards · 5 strategies

For Europe

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase UR's best transatlantic plays: Iberia off-peak business, Aeroplan to Lufthansa, and World of Hyatt for hotels.

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For Asia

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase UR's Pacific plays: Aeroplan to Star Alliance Asia, Virgin Atlantic to ANA, Hyatt for hotels.

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For Maldives

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase UR's Maldives play is Park Hyatt Maldives at Hyatt cat 7 (30k pts/night), one of the best hotel redemptions globally.

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For Mexico

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase UR for Mexico is mostly about Hyatt resorts. Andaz Mayakoba, Hyatt Ziva Cancun, plus United for flights.

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For Hawaii

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase UR to Hawaii: United and Aeroplan for flights, Hyatt for the Andaz Maui resort.

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Citi ThankYou Points · 3 strategies

For Europe

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi TY's killer Europe play: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles at 45k points to Europe.

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For Asia

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi TY to Asia: Singapore KrisFlyer for Suites, Virgin Atlantic for ANA business, Turkish for the Star Alliance chart.

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For Turkey

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi TY → Turkish Miles&Smiles 45k business class to Istanbul is one of the best transatlantic redemptions in points-and-miles.

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Hilton Honors · 1 strategy

For Europe

Hilton Honors

Hilton's Europe portfolio is broad. Use Conrad properties + 5th-night-free for the best per-point value.

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Marriott Bonvoy · 1 strategy

For Maldives

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy's Maldives lineup: St. Regis Vommuli, Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands, W Maldives, JW Marriott. Best play uses 5th-night-free.

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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club · 1 strategy

For Asia

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is the cheapest way to fly ANA in business or first class. Period.

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World of Hyatt · 2 strategies

For Asia

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt's Asia portfolio includes the highest-CPP hotel redemptions in any program globally. Park Hyatt Saigon at cat 4 is the standout.

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For Mexico

World of Hyatt

Hyatt's Mexico resort portfolio is among the strongest in points. Andaz Mayakoba and Hyatt Ziva all-inclusives are highlights.

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