If you could only ever redeem miles through a limited number of frequent flyer programs again, which would they be? I’ll share my picks, and then I’m curious to hear how my choices compare to those of others.
In this post:
What makes a frequent flyer program useful?
Admittedly this question is entirely theoretical. For those of us in the United States with access to credit cards, the reality is that you never really have to commit to just several frequent flyer programs, as the major transferable points currencies give you access to dozens of partners. That kind of flexibility is invaluable. Furthermore, lots of loyalty programs sell miles at a discount, in a way where it can make sense to outright purchase miles and then immediately redeem.
But still, if you had to commit yourself to only redeeming points through a limited number of airline frequent flyer programs, how would you go about picking them? Essentially I’d try to find the programs that offer the best balance between good redemption rates, a lot of airlines and routes you can potentially redeem on, access to as much award availability as possible, and an easy booking process.
Furthermore, I’d want to consider which routes I frequently fly and want to redeem on, rather than just the general value of a program. However, I wouldn’t base my choice on whether a program has a particular sweet spot, but rather would base it on the overall value and flexibility offered.
Admittedly a major issue with making a choice is acknowledging that programs change over time. I’m not sure I’d want to be locked into any program for a lifetime, so I’m basing my choices on the current realities of redemption options.
I think the other major issue is that we’re increasingly seeing discrepancies in award availability between airlines. In other words, many airlines don’t make most of their award space available to partner programs, and that makes it really hard to commit to any programs.
The frequent flyer programs I find to be most valuable
With the above out of the way, let me share what I’d currently consider to be the most valuable programs for award redemption opportunities. If I could only redeem through these eight programs again, I actually wouldn’t feel like I’m losing out that much (at least based on current conditions).
With that in mind, below are my picks, roughly in order, starting with my favorite. If you wanted to make this a list of the top five programs for redeeming miles (as I see it), then just ignore the last three programs on the list. Separately, also consider airline points expiration policies, and award ticket change and cancelation fees.
Air Canada Aeroplan
I consider Air Canada Aeroplan to be one of the most useful frequent flyer programs. Aeroplan has reasonable redemption rates, an amazing array of airline partners, and allows stopovers for 5,000 points. Simply put, I think Aeroplan leaves one best positioned for aspirational redemptions. On top of that, there are no fuel surcharges through Aeroplan.
I book a ton of awards through Aeroplan, ranging from a “simple” Lufthansa first class award across the Atlantic, to a complicated round the world journey with stopovers. Unfortunately the biggest challenge for the value of Aeroplan points is airlines increasingly limiting award space to members of their own programs, which makes it tough to build complex awards.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is the most useful SkyTeam frequent flyer program, in my opinion. A lot of us like to fly across the Atlantic, and Flying Blue has access to more Air France and KLM business class award space than partner programs.
Historically, Air France and KLM have probably been the two best airlines at releasing transatlantic premium award space regularly, and I frequently redeem this way for travel to Europe. Availability isn’t quite as good as it used to be, sadly, but there are still great redemption opportunities.
While there are carrier imposed surcharges through Flying Blue, they’re quite mild. Flying Blue transatlantic business class awards start at just 50,000 miles one-way, and you can even have a free stopover on a one-way award. Furthermore, in many cases Flying Blue has fair award pricing on partner airlines, so it’s also a program I use for SkyTeam partner redemptions.
American AAdvantage
While I’d consider Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus to both be pretty uncompetitive when it comes to redemption value, American AAdvantage is a different story, among the “big three” US carriers.
The reality is that AAdvantage has excellent partner redemption rates, especially on Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. These are among the most useful for traveling to the Middle East, India, Africa, Central Asia, etc., and AAdvantage miles leave you best positioned for those redemptions. While many of those awards are now restricted on routes to and from the United States, availability is still quite good between other regions.
I also find that AAdvantage often has good redemption rates on its own metal, including for first and business class travel on long haul flights, which can be practical, though not particularly aspirational. I also love how AAdvantage has no change and cancelation fees, so you can speculatively lock in itineraries that work best for you.
Alaska Atmos Rewards
The Alaska Atmos Rewards program has evolved a lot over the years, both for better and worse. Nowadays Atmos Rewards has a zone and distance based award chart, which is particularly lucrative for short haul awards.
I redeem a ton of Atmos Rewards points for domestic flights on American, like being able to fly from Miami to Chicago or New York for 15,000 miles in first class. You can also redeem Atmos Rewards points across oneworld airlines, plus on some other unique partners, like Starlux. The truth is that Atmos Rewards is the program I use most for redemptions, particularly for short haul flights.
Atmos Rewards even awards status points for award travel, including on partner airlines, which sure gives a whole new meaning to “mileage running.” When you combine that with the ability to earn status points through credit card spending, going for status with Atmos Rewards is lucrative.
British Airways Club
British Airways Club has a unique distance based award chart, which is valuable in many markets where other points currencies aren’t. Personally I don’t use British Airways Club quite as often as others do, but there’s no denying that the program is very useful for short haul awards, especially between regions.
Perhaps what’s most valuable is that you can transfer Avios between all the programs that use Avios as their rewards currency, including Aer Lingus AerClub, Finnair Plus, Iberia Plus, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. This unlocks so many opportunities, whether you want to take advantage of the award seat guarantee on Finnair, unlock extra award space on Qatar Airways, or redeem for JetBlue Mint.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
While Air France-KLM Flying Blue is my top SkyTeam frequent flyer program, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers some great redemptions as well. The program has extremely attractive redemption rates on Virgin Atlantic (thanks to the new dynamic award pricing), a lucrative distance based award chart on SkyTeam, and some niche redemption partners that represent a good value.
So whether you’re looking to redeem on Aeromexico, All Nippon Airways, or Air New Zealand, the program offers quite a few valuable opportunities.
Avianca Lifemiles
I’m going to include two Star Alliance programs on this list, since I use the programs in different ways. While I love Aeroplan for the ability to build complex awards with stopovers, I love Avianca Lifemiles for the ability to book simple Star Alliance first and business class awards.
Lifemiles has solid redemption rates in premium cabins on partners, assuming you can find award availability. What also makes lifemiles unique is how frequently we see transfer bonuses to the program (unlike with Aeroplan). So I acquire most of my miles with the program with a 20-25% bonus through a transferable points currency, getting me even more value.
Emirates Skywards
Okay, so Emirates Skywards has actually become a pretty bad frequent flyer program over time — redemption rates are high, carrier imposed surcharges have increased in many markets, first class redemptions are limited to Skywards elite members, and rewards from most transferable points currency no longer transfer to Emirates Skywards at a 1:1 ratio.
How on earth could I include Emirates on the list? Well, look, Emirates is a pretty fantastic airline, especially in first class. It’s one of my favorite first class products, and I do value “splurging” on flying it — I rack up a good number of transferable points, and on top of that, it’s easy enough to earn Skywards status with a credit card.
So while the program as such might not be that great, the fact that it allows me to get my Emirates first class “fix” does make it valuable to me. I typically redeem on Emirates multiple times a year, whether I’m just taking the fifth freedom flight between New York and Milan, or am traveling to the Middle East and beyond via Dubai. It takes some work, but it’s worth it for those inflight showers. 😉
Bottom line
Everyone has different frequent flyer programs that they value most based on their own redemption patterns. Personally the eight programs I redeem through most are Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Alaska Atmos Rewards, American AAdvantage, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways Club, Emirates Skywards, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Between those programs, I’d say most kind of awards are pretty well covered, and certainly a vast majority of my redemptions are accounted for.
Fortunately most of us don’t have to limit ourselves to a limited number of programs, given the flexibility afforded by transferable points currencies.
I’m curious — what frequent flyer programs do you value most and/or redeem through most?
As noted by others, Aeoplan's dynamic award pricing, beyond the limited availability on partner airlines, makes it unattractive most of the time even on its own flights: 250,000+ to Europe, Asia or Latin America are frequent examples. Well below 8th in a comparison ranking with others on your list.
Aeroplan is good if you can find award space, which has become a major problem lately. Turkish used to be the best option between Boston and Asia - nothing available now. Nothing on ANA either. Thai plus LH/LX shows up only close to departure, not ideal when flights are needed on specific dates. The only way back to the US with good availability is SQ/AI to Delhi, then AI to the US. LH/LX between Boston...
Aeroplan is good if you can find award space, which has become a major problem lately. Turkish used to be the best option between Boston and Asia - nothing available now. Nothing on ANA either. Thai plus LH/LX shows up only close to departure, not ideal when flights are needed on specific dates. The only way back to the US with good availability is SQ/AI to Delhi, then AI to the US. LH/LX between Boston and Europe is still wide open close to departure, though.
Same story with AA - CGK to BOS on JL used to be available when the schedule opened, but not anymore. Tokyo to the US now has ridiculous dynamic pricing, so have to originate elsewhere in Japan. And AA domestic connection also have ridiculous pricing the first day the schedule opens. Fares come back to normal on the second day, but by then the long haul JL awards are gone.
So a lot of these programs are fine for spur of the moment fun/review trips, not so good when you need to get somewhere on a specific date, even when you plan a year in advance.
@Ben,
Why not do a list of some of the worst+why.
Like Skymiles and Krisflyer.
It appears the writer likely wrote the article before learning about Emirates new “basic business” class fare. Sadly, this will probably spread throughout the industry. As it assures more profits for carriers.
I am surprised how Aeroplan is in this list. It used to be one of the best ones, but no longer. Recently, I checked availability to Boston from Dubai, and it gives me 700k as business class, but discreetly mentions that only 5% is business. And that isn't a one off price as it is all over the routes from the Middle East. Wodnerful deal!!
Only someone who hasn't tried redeeming Aeroplan for years would put it on anything but a scam list.
I’ve been using Aeroplan for six years. In February I flew Lufthansa first class from the East Coast to Prague for 90k miles. In August I did the same, but flying through Munich on the A-380 it was 100k. Those were released days before departure, but I’d already booked the same flights in business for 60k and 70k respectively, months in advance. There is still value there, but I would agree that availability is worse than it used to be.
I don’t know why you’re like lifemiles so much. I’ve been using them on and off for 10 years and every time I use them I regret it just canceled two award tickets cost me $450 and took over five business days to get the miles credited. Always regret using these guys and I’m not sure why you still recommend them?!?
I canceled a ticket about 1 week ago. I did it on-line (do you know it can be done on-line now?). Miles were credited immediately and the taxes took a few days. You can even choose to convert the value of your taxes into more miles that can be deposited immediately (although the $/mile rate is not good).
I don’t know why you’re like lifemiles so much. I’ve been using them on and off for 10 years and every time I use them I regret it just canceled two award tickets cost me $450 and took over five business days to get the miles credited. Always regret using these guys and I’m not sure why you still recommend them?!?
If you suscribe you get more miles and no cancel fees. They serve a purpose. A very solid purpose. I used them more in the past but still use them a lot now. I mean $1000 Sydney to Europe in biz. That’s why they are recommended. Not sure how many provisos need to go with it but such is life.
Hey Mick. Can you expand on the AU to Europe in biz. This would be very helpful to my situation living in Aus with family in Europe -
The last redemption I did was syd to London via sfo! All on United and it priced out at about 80k (from memory). Otherwise it’s just hope for Thai airways via Bangkok mostly. I look mostly very close in (so not good if you’re looking months in advance). Try lots of city pairs. Syd-muc, syd to Rome etc. seat aero for individual legs and then try to piece them together for a complete journey. It...
The last redemption I did was syd to London via sfo! All on United and it priced out at about 80k (from memory). Otherwise it’s just hope for Thai airways via Bangkok mostly. I look mostly very close in (so not good if you’re looking months in advance). Try lots of city pairs. Syd-muc, syd to Rome etc. seat aero for individual legs and then try to piece them together for a complete journey. It can be exhausting but if it works it saves a LOT of money. Then I just buy the points and press go.
One more Avios airline is Loganair. They are most famous for their Twin Otter flight from Glasgow to Barra where the local beach is the runway. Very cool.
I'm turning my attention more to programs that will give me improved availability on their own metal: EVA, AsiaMiles, ANA.
AAdvantage is great for JL F, for AA J YYZ-CUN/TQO/MEX.
Aeroplan is becoming deeply frustrating, for those of us without SuperElite. AF/KLM is solid, neither a bargain, nor a nuisance.
VS is a disappointment: unavailability on SkyTeam partners and bad IT/search. Alaska Atmos is great for Lingus, PorterReserve, Condor, Starlux.
Interesting re EVA. I really like them and used to use mileage plus until they skyrocket the redemptions. I’ll have to take a look. Any egs of good value uses? Thanks mate.
So United MileagePlus doesn't make the list, even though this blogger is a US-based traveler, and the UA program provides access to the biggest alliance, offers family pooling of miles, has no surcharges, has no redeposit fees, and its miles don't expire?
When a single redemption cost a bizillione miles, no amount of pooling together makes sense mate…
And its program costs 3x the others?
And stupidly high redemption rates for long haul UA flights and non-existant availability of *A flights for points or cash (compared to even two years ago).
btw I've been a MP member for 40 years and am lifetime Gold. The program is now a bait scam operation for US credit card holders.
United MileagePlus is garbage that's why it's not on the list.
For long haul economy UA redemption rates are not bad and I find their miles are easier to obtain using numerous credit cards.
Llifemiles are too much of a pain. I used miles earlier this year to fly from Poland to Mexico and it took hours on the phone to get the ticket. And then I had to dispute the Mexican tourist tax through my credit card as Lifemiles was totally incompetent at removing it.
Mileage plus sucks hard
Unfortunately out of LAX have gone down the tubes for me. Plenty of availability but triple the mileage needed compared to a couple of years back. Unfortunately learned from Delta.
Interesting. I would definitely have Finnair on my list, simply for the awesome JAL availability and ease of booking.
How can you make any opinion on MileagePlus since you can not use them? At least tell new readers why there is a void in your choices. I’m sorry but let’s be honest here. All of your readers on the MileagePlus hamster reel are saying what about me.
United has a good app and I used to use them A LOT for redemptions but I zeroed my account there and never use them. It’s just so much cheaper to use lifemiles or aero plan to fly. So I don’t think it’s necessarily bias on Ben’s behalf.
I had kind of given up on United miles, since they charged 200K+ transatlantic. But then I found a flight MUC to Maui via DEN for 80K. First leg 'J' on LH, second leg UA Premium, meh. But I keep checking. It would not be the first time I find a better flight within 24 hours of departure. Apart from that, I have miles/points with a handful of alliances, so for long trips like RTW's I have a nice buffet to chose from.
United has the best App At least you can see the seat map at any time.
I'm in a United hub. MileagePlus is a garbage program. Outside of some business travelers, in most cases onlly a fool puts spend on a United card when cards with transferable currencies such as offerings from Chase, Citi and Amex exist.
Current MP is a scam, period. No availability, redemption rates exorbitant.
(United flyer for twenty-some years; United Club card, MP 1K, Platinum, Gold, phased out in 2025). United had been the least bad option for corporate travel. Now that I don't travel for work, I mostly switched to non-US carriers for personal travel. Will cancel the card next year.
I'd like to suggest the FF program from downunder. It's true that Qantas doesn't have the best rates for redeeming, but they're not that bad either. What makes this program interesting is the fact that you can move your miles freely and free of charge between family and friends. So if you don't fly Oneworld a lot, you can still collect a meaningful amount of miles by snatching your kids' miles...
Ben, I find the use of the word 'restricted', regarding American Airlines and award availability on Qatar and Eithiad flights originating/arriving in the US (or North America in general) an interesting (deliberate?) verbiage choice. Would very much like your take on this.
The $150 CAD Aeroplan change/cancelation fee can really burn and add up. I like being able to lock in a seat with United and flexibility to change it. For example, I'm going to Germany and know I will have to show a return ticket to legally enter but I also know that the award seat I'll likely fly home on hasn't opened up yet. Easy to do with United, can be a bit more costly and clunky with Aeroplan.
You can just book Aeroplan Flexible for a ticket you're almost always gonna cancel
Agree. But it’s still a smallish cost on a business award. I changed my flight from Japan to Sydney last month by a day and didn’t overly worry about the $150. Was hoping lifemiles would show the space but they never did (on that specific day). 36k lifemiles v 45k aero plan. Both still good for ten hours in ANA biz
Aeroplan is still blocking lots of partners.
On top of that their algorithm will not come up with partner combos where overpriced AC alternatives exist (it wont for example show LO beyond WAW to Europe forcing sh!tty AC metal at dynamic pricing.
And the per person punitive cancel fees.
And the endless call center wait times.
And the increasing inability to put together itineraries that dont come up online (although thats the case with most programs)
Given the increasing restrictions on partner availability across most programs, I'd be really interested to see a ranking of programs based on redemptions/benefits on their own metal.
Super useful. I know that Cathay Pacific Asia Miles used to offer lower surcharges for all ex-U.S. BA flights, though on a recent snoop I found that BA surcharges have gone down significantly, sometimes as low as just £250 – is that new? That would significantly add to BA's value if so.
AsiaMiles is also a solid way to redeem JAL, Qatar, and--of course--Cathay itself. I get at least as much value out of it as Avios.
This is the way.
Oh, and please note, Delta SkyMiles, aka, SkyPesos, is not on here.
500K for one-way TATL DeltaOne for a 7-hour flight is absurd. So is 1-2 million for ATL-JNB.
It’s certainly not my favorite program, but SkyMiles have their uses. Domestic US bookings are often very attractively priced, they have occasional promotional deals, and once in a rare while I have seen good TATL fares on point.me.
Of all the airlines I’ve dealt with, Delta is the most pronounced in terms of having much better prices for roundtrip compared to one-way, something you can’t learn with a point.me search.
Anything on Delta metal will cost an arm and a leg but there are some sweet spots for partner awards. I just booked DXB-LHR-CDG on VS Upper Class (second leg on AF Europe Business) for 42,500 skypesos. Not too bad for 8 hours in business class.
Skymiles can offer good value for partner premium cabin redemptions for itineraries outside North America.
100%. 90k Oceanía to Europe is very good.
This may be niche, but you can also use Atmos Rewards to book Porter into Toronto. Great use of miles for quick hops to Toronto from Newark. Not particularly aspirational, but a nice thing to have for last-minute hockey trips :)