Written by
Points Atelier
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Guides
Points, explained: the plain-English start
What points and miles are, where they come from, how they turn into flights and hotel nights, and the few rules that keep the whole thing worth doing.
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Guides
What is a point worth? How to judge a redemption
One line of arithmetic tells a good use of points from a poor one. Here it is, with the benchmark values, the floor each program pays in cash, and when paying cash is smarter.
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Guides
Transfer partners, explained
Which bank points move to which airlines and hotels, at what ratio, how long it takes, and the rules that stop a transfer from going wrong.
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Guides
Rakuten: cash back or points?
How the shopping portal works, how to have it pay American Express or Bilt points instead of cash, what that is worth, and the catches.
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Hotels
World of Hyatt, explained
Why Hyatt points are worth the most of the big three U.S. hotel programs, how the new five-level award chart works, what status is worth, the credit cards, and the hotels most worth the points.
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Hotels
Hilton Honors, explained
Hilton points are worth little each, but its free night certificates are among the least restricted of any major hotel chain. How the program works in 2026, every Hilton credit card, and the resorts where a single certificate goes furthest.
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Hotels
Marriott Bonvoy, explained
One of the largest hotel programs in the world, with points that are easy to earn and easy to waste. How pricing and certificates work in 2026, all six Marriott cards, and where Bonvoy points beat cash.
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Flights
United MileagePlus, explained
How United prices awards in 2026, the new discounts for cardholders, the best uses of United miles, every United card, and when to book Star Alliance partners instead.
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Flights
Air Canada Aeroplan, explained
One of the most useful Star Alliance programs for U.S. travelers: a published distance chart, a flat partner booking fee, and four banks that transfer in. What changed in June 2026, and where Aeroplan points go furthest.
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Flights
Delta SkyMiles, explained
No award chart, but some of the most forgiving award rules in the U.S. How SkyMiles works in 2026, where the miles still go far, every Delta Amex card, and the lounge rules that changed.
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Flights
American AAdvantage, explained
The last of the big three U.S. programs with a published partner award chart. How AAdvantage works in 2026, the oneworld seats worth booking, the Citi cards, and status by Loyalty Points.
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Flights
Air France-KLM Flying Blue, explained
The one airline program every major bank transfers to. How Flying Blue prices awards since its September 2026 fare change, what Promo Rewards are, the surcharges to expect, and where the miles go furthest.
