Strategically buying airline & hotel points can be a great value, especially for aspirational redemptions. This can save you a huge amount off the retail cost of a first & business class flight, or a five star hotel stay.
We frequently see loyalty programs offer promotions on purchased points, so in this post I wanted to recap the best offers that are currently available. I buy points all the time, so I think it’s always worth being aware of what’s available.
In this post:
Current promotions on purchased points
Here are 11 deals on buying points right now from major airline & hotel programs, ranked by promotion expiration date:
- Through December 19, 2021, British Airways Executive Club is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased Avios / buy points for as little as 1.36 cents each / more info here
- Through December 21, 2021, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is offering up to a 60% bonus on purchased points / buy points for as little as 1.24 cents each / more info here
- Through December 21, 2021, Southwest Rapid Rewards is offering up to a 40% discount on purchased points / buy points for as little as 1.65 cents each / more info here
- Through December 23, 2021, Alaska Mileage Plan is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased miles / buy miles for as little as 1.97 cents each / more info here
- Through December 23, 2021, Air France-KLM Flying Blue is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased miles / buy miles for as little as 1.38 cents each / more info here
- Through December 23, 2021, United MileagePlus is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased miles / buy miles for as little as 1.88 cents each / more info here
- Through December 30, 2021, World of Hyatt is offering up to a 30% discount on purchased points / buy points for as little as 1.68 cents each / more info here
- Through December 31, 2021, Wyndham Rewards is offering up to a 40% bonus on purchased points / buy points as little as 0.93 cents each / more info here
- Through December 31, 2021, American AAdvantage is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased miles / buy miles for as little as 2.15 cents each / more info here
- Through December 31, 2021, Hilton Honors is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased points / buy points for as little as 0.5 cents each / more info here
- Through January 4, 2022, IHG Rewards is offering up to an 80% bonus on purchased points / buy points for as little as 0.56 cents each / more info here
In each of the above cases, I linked to a post that talks about when it does and doesn’t make sense to buy points from those programs, so check that out. Don’t necessarily assume that a 100% bonus in one program is a better deal than a 50% bonus in another program, since different programs have different value propositions to begin with.
Of the above offers, I tend to think the best offers are those from Alaska Mileage Plan, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt.
Which credit card should you buy points with?
The best credit card for buying points depends on the program you’re making a purchase from.
Some loyalty programs process points purchases directly (including American AAdvantage). In those cases, points purchases qualify as airfare spending, in which case you’d want to use one of the following cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Green Card
Points purchases from other programs are facilitated by points.com. For points.com purchases I’d recommend using a card on which you’re trying to reach minimum spending, or otherwise a credit card that maximizes your return on everyday spending, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review), Citi® Double Cash Card (review), or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review).
If you are purchasing from a foreign program, I’d recommend using the Capital One Venture X, since the other two cards have foreign transaction fees.
Bottom line
Buying airline & hotel points can represent a great deal, especially when there’s a lucrative promotion. We’re seeing several programs offering year-end promotions, so if you’d benefit from one of these, it’s at least worth being aware of what’s available. I buy points several times per year, though usually only if I have a short-term use in mind for a travel experience, and know the math checks out.
Are you taking advantage of any of the opportunities to buy points at the moment?
Its is so tough booking a trip from Singapore to ATL on business. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Only flying blue but too overpriced.
How are you arriving at 1.36 cents? The $$ cost is close to $3,103 for 200,000 miles. That's close to 1.55 cents.
There's just one reason why you will want to purchase points. You have an upcoming redemption. As it's becoming more evident than ever before, airlines and hotels are devaluing their points and loyalty programs. Dynamic pricing, and other ways to make such less valuable. Also ways to make it more expensive such as through hotel categories. Credit card points are always more flexible. The problem which is nothing new is that this blog like many...
There's just one reason why you will want to purchase points. You have an upcoming redemption. As it's becoming more evident than ever before, airlines and hotels are devaluing their points and loyalty programs. Dynamic pricing, and other ways to make such less valuable. Also ways to make it more expensive such as through hotel categories. Credit card points are always more flexible. The problem which is nothing new is that this blog like many other is biased. Paid promotions which counter credible advice along with posts that don't affect one's points and miles strategy.
So you’d rather Lucky censor this information and withhold it from readers?
You’re entitled to your views. The snark and derision in your post is completely unnecessary and off-putting. I personally have found great value in purchasing points over the past year. I’m confident that Hyatt points will continue to be a good value even after the upcoming devaluation. And, given that there’s free cancellations on most airfare now, I’ve found great value in being...
So you’d rather Lucky censor this information and withhold it from readers?
You’re entitled to your views. The snark and derision in your post is completely unnecessary and off-putting. I personally have found great value in purchasing points over the past year. I’m confident that Hyatt points will continue to be a good value even after the upcoming devaluation. And, given that there’s free cancellations on most airfare now, I’ve found great value in being able to make multiple speculative bookings with points and then cancel the ones I don’t need - as opposed to having to deal with expiring travel funds. I acknowledge that not everyone will share my views on this. But casting aspersions on this is just wrong.
Don't forget the LifeMiles promo which can let you generate points for a good value by transferring!