Airline programs, compared
Ten frequent flyer programs worth knowing, what each does best, and which to use for Japan, Europe, the Middle East, Hawaii and flights at home.
Airline miles are less interchangeable than they look. The same business class seat to Tokyo can cost 52,500 points through Virgin Atlantic and up to 85,000 through Aeroplan, with very different cash charges on top. The trick is not to collect every program, but to earn flexible bank points and know which program to send them to for each trip.
United MileagePlusDiscounts and Saver business for United cardholders; a good search tool for Star Alliance.1.2¢ per mileRead the guide →
Delta SkyMilesFlexible, cancelable awards and companion certificates for Delta Amex holders.1.2¢ per mileRead the guide →
American AAdvantageA published partner chart for JAL, Qatar and Cathay in business.1.45¢ per mileRead the guide →
Air Canada AeroplanStar Alliance business on a distance chart, without fuel surcharges.1.5¢ per pointRead the guide →
Air France-KLM Flying BlueThe airline every bank transfers to, with monthly Promo Rewards.1.4¢ per mileRead the guide →
Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubANA first and business to Japan at fixed prices.1.5¢ per pointRead the guide →
British Airways and AviosQatar Qsuites, Iberia and Aer Lingus with one shared currency.1.4¢ per AviosRead the guide →
Atmos Rewardsoneworld partners on a distance chart, with stopovers.1.55¢ per pointRead the guide →
Southwest Rapid RewardsFare-based awards and the Companion Pass.1.25¢ per pointRead the guide →
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerSingapore Airlines’ Suites and business on a published chart.1.3¢ per mileRead the guide →Values per point are typical values, explained in What is a point worth?
Which program for which trip
One-way prices from the U.S., at the lowest published or reported level. The pick balances points, cash charges and choice of flights; fewer points is not always the cheaper trip. Each guide has the details.
Japan in first class
ANA, booked through Virgin Atlantic72,500points from the West Coast · 85,000 from the East
Japan in business
ANA, booked through Virgin Atlantic52,500points from the West Coast · 60,000 from the East
Also consider JAL through AAdvantage, 60,000; Aeroplan, from its published chart
Europe in business
Star Alliance airlines, booked through Aeroplan60,000points from the East Coast, plus a CA$39 partner fee and taxes
Also consider Iberia with Avios, about 40,500 off-peak; Aer Lingus through Atmos, 45,000
Europe in economy
Partner airlines such as Iberia and Finnair, booked through AAdvantage22,500miles one-way on off-peak dates, from American’s published chart
Also consider Flying Blue Promo Rewards, which change monthly
The Middle East
Qatar Airways Qsuite, booked through Atmos70,000points in business from the U.S. to Doha
Also consider AAdvantage, 70,000; Avios, priced by distance
Hawaii
Alaska and Hawaiian, booked through Atmos12,500points in economy from the West Coast
Also consider Aeroplan from 12,500; AAdvantage partners, 22,500
Singapore
Singapore Airlines, booked through KrisFlyer112,500miles in business from the West Coast · 154,000 in Suites
Flights at home
Southwest, with a Companion PassFare-basedpoints follow the cash fare, and a companion flies for taxes
Also consider United and Delta cardholder discounts
Which banks reach which programs
Amex
Membership Rewards
16 airline partners
- DeltaOnly here
- Aeroplan
- Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlantic
- British AirwaysAvios
- KrisFlyer
AlsoANA, Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways
Chase
Ultimate Rewards
10 airline partners
- United
- Southwest
- Aeroplan
- Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlantic
- British AirwaysAvios
- KrisFlyer
AlsoAer Lingus, Iberia, JetBlue
Capital One
Capital One Miles
18 airline partners
- Aeroplan
- Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlanticvia Virgin Red
- British AirwaysAvios
- KrisFlyer
Japan Airlines2 : 1.5
AlsoAeromexico, Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, TAP, Turkish Airlines
Citi
ThankYou Points
15 airline partners
- AmericanOnly here
- Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlantic
- British Airwaysvia Qatar
- KrisFlyer
- Japan Airlines
AlsoAvianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines
Bilt
Bilt Points
17 airline partners
- AtmosOnly here
- United
- Southwest
- Aeroplan
- Flying Blue
- Virgin Atlantic
- British AirwaysAvios
- Japan Airlines
AlsoAer Lingus, Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Iberia, Qatar Airways, TAP, Turkish Airlines
Logos mark the programs with a guide here, plus Japan Airlines; every other airline partner is listed under Also. Shaded: the only bank that reaches that airline. Flying Blue is the one program all five share. Ratios are in Transfer partners, explained.
The Atelier Take
Two or three programs cover most trips: Aeroplan for Star Alliance, Virgin Atlantic for Japan, and Flying Blue or Avios for Europe; earn bank points and choose at booking time.