Points Valuations

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transfer to Aeroplan for Star Alliance flights (1.8-3.0 cpp)
• +Transfer to ANA Mileage Club for premium cabin awards (3-5 cpp)
• +Transfer to Virgin Atlantic for Delta flights (2-3 cpp)
• +Transfer to British Airways for short-haul flights (1.5-2 cpp)

Avoid:

• -Pay with Points at checkout (0.7 cpp)
• -Statement credits (0.6 cpp)
• -Gift cards through Amex portal (0.5-1 cpp)
• -Amazon Pay with Points (0.7 cpp)

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transfer to Hyatt for hotel stays (2-4 cpp)
• +Transfer to United MileagePlus for award flights (1.5-2.5 cpp)
• +Transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards for domestic (1.5 cpp)
• +Chase Travel portal with Sapphire Reserve (1.5 cpp guaranteed)

Avoid:

• -Cash back at 1 cpp (leaving value on the table)
• -Amazon Pay with Points (0.8 cpp)
• -Apple purchases with points

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transfer to Turkish Miles&Smiles for Star Alliance (2-3 cpp)
• +Transfer to Virgin Atlantic for Delta flights (2-3 cpp)
• +Transfer to JetBlue for domestic (1.3-1.5 cpp)

Avoid:

• -ThankYou portal for gift cards (1 cpp)
• -Statement credits (1 cpp with Premier)

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transatlantic economy on Star Alliance (30-50k, worth 2-4 cpp)
• +Transpacific business class (75-90k, worth 3-6 cpp)
• +Short-haul Canada/US flights (6-12.5k, worth 1.5-2 cpp)
• +Mini RTW (multi-stop awards across Star Alliance)

Avoid:

• -Merchandise through Aeroplan store (< 1 cpp)
• -High-tax redemptions on Air Canada metal (fees eat the value)
• -Hotel bookings through portal (often < 1 cpp)

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transfer to Turkish Airlines for Star Alliance awards (2-3 cpp)
• +Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan (1.5-2 cpp)
• +Transfer to Wyndham Rewards for hotel stays (1.2-1.5 cpp)
• +Erasing travel purchases at 1 cpp (solid floor)

Avoid:

• -Amazon purchases
• -Gift cards through portal

Best ways to redeem:

• +Transfer to British Airways Avios for short-haul (1.5-2 cpp)
• +Transfer to WestJet Rewards (1.2-1.5 cpp)
• +RBC travel portal for flights (fixed rate)

Avoid:

• -Gift cards (< 1 cpp)
• -Merchandise

Best ways to redeem:

• +Flash sales and partner awards (1.5-3 cpp)
• +Delta One/Premium Select when cash prices are high (1.5-2 cpp)
• +Short domestic flights during off-peak (1-1.5 cpp)

Avoid:

• -Premium cabin at peak times (0.5-0.8 cpp)
• -SkyMiles marketplace shopping
• -Magazine subscriptions

Best ways to redeem:

• +Statement credit (1:1 value)
• +Direct deposit to bank account

Avoid:

• -Gift cards (sometimes less than 1:1)
• -Merchandise through issuer portal

Best ways to redeem:

• +Cineplex movie tickets (1-1.2 cpp)
• +Grocery discounts at Sobeys/FreshCo/IGA

Avoid:

• -General merchandise
• -Travel bookings through portal

Best ways to redeem:

• +Statement credit against travel purchases (1 cpp)

Avoid:

• -Non-travel redemptions

Best ways to redeem:

• +Statement credit (1:1)
• +Direct deposit
• +First-year match (effectively 2x on everything)

Avoid:

• -Gift cards at less than face value (rare with Discover)

Best ways to redeem:

• +Travel bookings through issuer portal
• +Statement credits

Avoid:

• -Merchandise catalogs

Best ways to redeem:

• +Off-peak at premium properties (0.8-1.2 cpp)
• +5th night free on award stays (20% bonus)
• +Transfer to airlines at 3:1 with 5k bonus per 60k (limited use)

Avoid:

• -Peak pricing at low-category hotels (0.3-0.5 cpp)
• -Marriott Moments experiences
• -Airline transfers at 3:1 (usually poor value)

Best ways to redeem:

• +5th night free on award stays (effectively 20% bonus, 0.6-0.8 cpp)
• +Premium properties at standard rates (Conrad, Waldorf — 0.5-0.8 cpp)
• +Points + Cash combinations

Avoid:

• -Low-category hotels (0.3-0.4 cpp)
• -Amazon Shop with Points
• -Experiences/events