Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One of the questions people often ask me is, “How much is a point or mile worth?”
The true answer varies from point to point and person to person. It also depends on your travel goals and how well you can maximize a particular loyalty currency. Still, some rewards are clearly worth more than others, and my goal is to give you a sense of how they stack up.
Historically, TPG has valued points and miles based on a combination of the price at which we would purchase the miles, award costs in the program (factoring in availability and fees) and our own expertise in the inner workings of the programs.
However, we are in the process of evolving our valuations to become as data-driven as possible.
Looking for a convenient way to see all of your points and miles in one place? Download the free TPG app!
That data-driven process began in November 2021 with our four major transferable currencies — American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Capital One miles.
Now, we are using a mathematical model that takes into account a number of factors specific to transferable points, including:
- Unique transfer partners (not shared by other card issuers).
- The most valuable individual partners in the program.
- The base redemption value when you redeem points or miles directly for travel.
Based on this rollout, we are now rounding the valuations for our credit card currencies to the nearest five-hundredths of a point in order to better capture the real-world value they offer cardholders.
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We fully expect these numbers to fluctuate over time as we refine our equations and roll out additional data-backed hotel and airline valuations in the coming months.
Likewise, we moved three airline currencies — American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus miles — to a data-backed model late in 2021. However, we have put these valuations on pause while we work out an issue with our data provider. We’re excited to have data-backed valuations updated in the coming months.
Note: These valuations are not provided by card issuers.
Points and miles valuations
* Calculated using TPG’s revamped data-backed valuations methodology, launched in December 2021.
Points and miles news
February and the first week of March brought some changes to loyalty programs like World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles. Here’s the major news you should be aware of.
On the Hyatt side, Hyatt announced annual category changes. This time around, the hotel giant raised the award cost of 214 hotels across its global portfolio. This pushed many hotels from Category 4 to 5 and others from Category 7 to 8. This has big implications for how you can redeem Hyatt free night certificates, as many popular properties were pushed out of the category bands attached to said certificates.
Delta, on the other hand, announced a positive change. Those with a Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (or their business equivalents) are eligible for a 15% discount on all Delta-operated award tickets. This effectively makes SkyMiles worth 15% more for these cardholders. There is no limit on how many times you can use this discount.
Virgin Atlantic officially joined the SkyTeam alliance March 2. This expands redemption options for those with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles or Virgin Red points and gives Virgin Atlantic elite members benefits on all SkyTeam airlines.
Also, note that American Airlines’ AAdvantage program will do away with award charts in the coming months. Thankfully, partner awards will not be affected.
Finally, there are three ongoing transfer bonuses to be aware of:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: 50% transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy through May 15.
- Capital One: 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Red through March 30.
- Citi ThankYou: 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club through March 18.
- Citi ThankYou: 20% transfer bonus to Avianca LifeMiles through March 31.
Related: Best ways to maximize Capital One miles
Data-backed valuations update
As noted in the introduction, we moved to data-backed valuations for three major airline programs — American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus — in 2021. However, we’ve run into an issue with our data provider that has caused us to put data-backed valuations on hold. What you see now are valuations calculated for March 2022, but we plan to publish up-to-date valuations for these three airlines soon.
Travel credit card offers
There is no shortage of incredible new welcome bonuses on many popular cards — here are a few of our favorites this month.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Right now, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Per TPG’s valuation, that’s worth $1,200 when you leverage transfer partners, or $900 if you redeem through the Chase travel portal at 1.5 cents per point.
While the card has a hefty $550 annual fee, it includes perks like Priority Pass lounge access, an annual $300 travel credit and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, among other benefits. Plus, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on all travel and dining expenses, so you can quickly rack up rewards for your next big trip.
For more details, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Official application: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Toward the end of 2021, Capital One launched its first premium rewards card, and it is one of the most exciting travel credit cards on the market, thanks to great earning rates and included perks.
The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — worth $1,388 according to our valuations — thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners.
For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Official application: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The standard Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is currently offering the same welcome bonus as the Venture X. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Like the Venture X, the Venture card earns 2 miles per dollar on everything.
For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Official application: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
With the current welcome offer on the Amex Platinum, you’ll earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Of course, the card is jam-packed with benefits like airport lounge access, hotel elite status and more. These benefits can make your travel experience smoother and more luxurious than ever before — especially with the most recent additions. The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum Card.
Official application: The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
One of the most popular cards with TPG staffers during the pandemic, the Amex Gold offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. This welcome offer is worth $1,200 based on our valuations — but be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher offer. (Offers are subject to change at any time.)
The card is great for many everyday purchases. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
Official application: American Express Gold Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card offers 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. Per our valuations, this welcome offer is worth at least $2,400, but you can get even more value when redeeming for high-end airfare.
The card also provides a slew of additional perks similar to (but slightly different from) the personal version — you can compare the two cards in this guide to see which one would be a better fit for your wallet.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Official application: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Airline credit cards
Delta is running limited-time offers on most of its cobranded credit cards. Here’s a look at the current offers:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after $2,000 in spending in the first six months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $987. Offer ends March 29.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in spending in the first six months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,269. Offer ends March 29.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in spending in your first six months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,269. Offer ends March 29.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in spending in the first three months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,058. Offer ends March 29.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 95,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in spending in the first three months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,340. Offer ends March 29.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in spending in the first three months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,410. Offer ends March 29.
Additionally, Southwest is offering a promotional Companion Pass (valid through Feb. 28, 2024) on its cobranded credit cards (excludes taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way). These offers expire March 13:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: Earn a Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2024, plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn a Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2024, plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Earn a Companion Pass through Feb. 28, 2024, plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Related: The best airline credit cards
Hotel credit cards
Several hotel credit card welcome bonuses provide a simple way to boost your points balances. You can use these points to save money on hotel stays worldwide, no matter where your travels take you.
The portfolio of IHG Rewards credit cards underwent major upgrades early in 2022, and there are currently some solid elevated offers available:
All of these offers put you in a great position to earn a ton of bonus points or miles, and there may be more to come.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Benji Stawski.
This is The Points Guy’s permanent page for the most up-to-date valuations, so you can bookmark it and check back each month for updates.