Editor’s observe: This can be a recurring submit, commonly up to date with new data and affords.
One of many questions I’m usually requested is, “How a lot is some extent or mile price?”
The true reply varies from level to level and individual to individual and relies on your journey targets and the way properly you’ll be able to maximize a selected loyalty foreign money. Nonetheless, some rewards are clearly price greater than others — my aim is to present you a way of how they stack up.
Traditionally, TPG has valued factors and miles based on a mix of the worth at which we’d purchase the miles, award prices in this system (factoring in availability and charges) and our personal experience within the interior workings of the applications. Nonetheless, we’re within the means of evolving our valuations to change into as data-driven as attainable.
Searching for a handy option to see your entire factors and miles in a single place? Download the free TPG App!
That data-driven course of started final November with our 4 main transferable currencies — American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Capital One miles. Now, we’re utilizing a mathematical mannequin that takes into consideration a variety of elements particular to transferable factors, together with:
- Distinctive switch companions (not shared by different card issuers).
- Essentially the most beneficial particular person companions in this system.
- The bottom redemption worth if you redeem factors or miles straight for journey.
Based mostly on this rollout, we are actually rounding the valuations for our bank card currencies to the closest five-hundredths of some extent with the intention to higher seize the real-world worth they provide cardholders. We totally count on these numbers to fluctuate over time as we refine our equations and roll out further data-backed resort and airline valuations within the coming months.
Likewise, we moved three airline currencies — American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus miles — to a data-backed model final December. Nonetheless, we now have put these valuations on pause whereas we work out a problem with our knowledge supplier. We’re excited to have data-backed valuations up to date later this yr.
Observe: These valuations aren’t offered by card issuers.
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Factors and miles valuations
* Calculated utilizing TPG’s revamped data-backed valuations methodology, launched in December 2021.
Factors and miles information
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, it hasn’t been quiet within the factors and miles house just lately.
In large information for Delta loyalists, Delta just lately made important adjustments to the way in which you earn Medallion status as well as the benefits of achieving top-tier status. Specifically, Delta is elevating the Medallion Qualification {Dollars} thresholds by 33% for all tiers excluding Silver Medallion for 2024 standing. Additionally, starting Feb. 1, 2023, Delta will roll out six new Selection Advantages choices.
American Airways and British Airways launched reciprocal upgrade certificates, that means AAdvantage loyalists can now use systemwide upgrades on some British Airways flights. Moreover, Flying Blue introduced a brand new set of Promo Rewards that embody some U.S. cities.
In the meantime, Aeroplan unveiled a brand new, doubtlessly high-value redemption choice within the type of HotelSavers. Better of all, Aeroplan says it has hidden some candy spot redemptions inside its HotelSavers choices. Aeroplan elites and premium credit score cardholders may also benefit from a status match opportunity with Avis.
On the resort aspect, IHG One Rewards introduced a brand new bonus points promotion, and Marriott Bonvoy launched its Week of Wonders.
Lastly, cardholders can once again transfer Capital One miles to switch companions — this comes after transfers had been unavailable for greater than every week.
Information-backed valuations replace
As famous within the introduction, we moved to data-backed valuations for 3 main airline applications — American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus — final yr. Nonetheless, we’ve run into a problem with our knowledge supplier that’s brought about us to place data-backed valuations on maintain. What you see now are valuations calculated for March, however we plan to publish up-to-date valuations for these three airways quickly.
Journey bank card affords
There isn’t a scarcity of incredible new welcome bonuses on many widespread playing cards — listed here are a couple of of our favorites this month.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Towards the tip of 2021, Capital One launched its first premium rewards card, and it is without doubt one of the most enjoyable journey bank cards available on the market, due to nice incomes charges and included perks.
The cardboard is at the moment providing a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, price $1,388 based on our valuations, due to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Official software: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
The usual Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is at the moment providing the identical welcome bonus because the Enterprise X. You’ll be able to earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. Just like the Enterprise X, the Enterprise card earns 2 miles per greenback on the whole lot.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Official software: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Specific
With the present welcome provide on the Amex Platinum, you’ll earn 80,000 factors after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership.
After all, the cardboard is jam-packed with advantages like airport lounge access, hotel elite status and extra. These advantages could make your journey expertise smoother and extra luxurious than ever earlier than — particularly with the most recent additions. The cardboard has a $695 annual price (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Platinum Card.
Official software: The Platinum Card from American Express
American Specific® Gold Card
One of the crucial widespread playing cards with TPG staffers in the course of the pandemic, the Amex Gold affords 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in your new card inside the first six months of card membership. This welcome provide is price $1,200 primarily based on our valuations, however make sure you examine the CardMatch tool to see if you happen to’re targeted for an even higher offer (provide is topic to vary at any time).
The cardboard is nice for a lot of on a regular basis purchases. You’ll earn 4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and 4 factors per greenback on eating at eating places. The cardboard has a $250 annual price (see rates and fees).
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Official software: American Express Gold Card
The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific
The Enterprise Platinum Card offers 150,000 Membership Rewards® factors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases along with your card within the first three months of card membership. Per our valuations, this welcome provide is price at the very least $3,000, however you may get much more worth when redeeming for high-end airfare.
The cardboard additionally gives a slew of additional perks just like (however barely completely different from) the non-public model — you’ll be able to compare the two cards in this guide to see which one can be a greater match on your pockets.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Official software: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier Card is a superb selection for frequent vacationers, street trippers and foodies alike. The cardboard earns 3 Citi ThankYou points per greenback spent at eating places, supermarkets and fuel stations, and on air journey and resorts. You’ll be able to switch these factors to top-notch switch companions like Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and others.
The cardboard is at the moment providing a welcome bonus of 80,000 ThankYou factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Citi Premier Card.
Official software: Citi Premier Card
Associated: 4 reasons the Citi Premier Card should be on your shortlist
Airline bank cards
Airline bank cards allow you to earn airline miles and offer you perks with their respective airways, like free checked bags.
Proper now, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card is providing 40,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Well-known Companion Fare™ from $121($99 fare plus taxes and charges from $22) with this provide after making $2,000 or extra in purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account. .
Moreover, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card affords 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and charges from $22). To qualify, you will need to make $2,000 or extra in purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
And if you happen to’re trying to earn American Airlines miles, take a look at the next playing cards and their present affords:
Associated: The best airline credit cards
Resort bank cards
A number of hotel credit card welcome bonuses present a easy option to increase your factors balances. You should utilize these factors to economize on resort stays around the globe, irrespective of the place your travels take you.
The portfolio of IHG Rewards bank cards underwent major upgrades earlier this yr, and there are at the moment some strong affords obtainable:
All of those new affords put you in a terrific place to earn a ton of bonus factors or miles as you get able to journey once more, and there could also be extra to return.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on here.
Extra reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Benji Stawski.
That is The Factors Man’s everlasting web page for essentially the most up-to-date valuations, so you’ll be able to bookmark it and examine again every month for updates.