What are points and miles worth? TPG's April 2026 monthly valuations

One of the questions people often ask us 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 much you maximize a particular loyalty currency. Still, some rewards are worth more than others, and our goal is to give you a sense of how they stack up.

Historically, TPG has valued points and miles based on a combination of factors: the price at which we would purchase the points or miles, award costs in the program (factoring in availability and fees), and our expertise in the program's inner workings. However, we now also utilize extensive data for seven U.S. airline loyalty programs and five hotel loyalty programs to more accurately estimate the value you should aim to achieve from your rewards.

What are credit card points and miles worth?

What are Bilt Points worth?

What are airline points and miles worth?

*Calculated using TPG's data-backed valuations methodology launched in September 2023.

What are hotel points worth?

**Calculated using data from Gondola (a free hotel search and direct booking platform for frequent travelers). April 2026 is our first set of valuations that uses data from Gondola.

Top points and miles news for April

March was a huge month for United Airlines, as it made a series of major announcements. The carrier unveiled what is arguably the most luxurious offering from any U.S. commercial airline, the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with its "Elevated" interior. This luxe new jet features 64 lie-flat Polaris seats, including eight spacious Polaris Studio suites fitted with extra-large 27-inch 4K inflight entertainment screens.

The inaugural long-haul international United Elevated service departs San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on April 22. Any Polaris passenger (including those booked with MileagePlus miles) can reserve a Studio suite for $499 per person. Domestic familiarization flights from SFO to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) began March 29 and are now headed for Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., with no additional charge for Studio seats.

United also revealed the "Coastliner," a custom Airbus A321neo with 20 lie-flat Polaris suites for cross-country routes from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), alongside plans for 50 transatlantic A321XLRs.

The airline also announced the CRJ-450, a modified, posh regional jet with just 41 seats. CRJ-450 aircraft, which will include seven first-class seats, carry-on lockers for first-class passengers and Starlink Wi-Fi, are set to debut before the end of 2026.

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Finally, a "Relax Row" lie-flat economy-class seat is coming to United Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft from 2027. This addition will make United the first North American carrier to offer the concept made popular by Air New Zealand.

With this flurry of premium announcements, now is a great time to earn United MileagePlus miles.

Top offers for earning points and miles in April

April's cobranded card offer of the month is for Marriott American Express cards. Three Marriott Amex cards have welcome offers that match the highest we've ever seen, earning up to 200,000 Bonvoy points.

Now, here are some of the best options this month for those seeking a new travel rewards card that earns transferable points or miles.

American Express Platinum Card

Find out your offer on the American Express Platinum Card® and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Platinum Card offers many useful statement credits, including:

• Up to a $75 quarterly Lululemon statement credit for purchases made at U.S. stores (excluding outlets) and online***
• Up to a $200 annual Oura Ring statement credit (for hardware purchases only, not for memberships)***
• Up to a $100 quarterly statement credit for U.S. Resy restaurant purchases***
• Up to a $120 annual statement credit for Uber One membership (subject to auto-renewal)***
• Up to a $25 monthly digital entertainment statement credit***

Additionally, the card's hotel statement credit offers up to $600 each year (up to $300 biannually) when you book prepaid American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection**** stays via American Express Travel®.

***Enrollment is required.
****The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

The Platinum Card has a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.

Official application link: American Express Platinum Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) currently offers 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The Sapphire Reserve earns 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel℠ (including The Edit hotel bookings), 4 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly and 4 points per dollar spent on hotels booked directly.

The annual fee is $795, but cardholders receive up to $500 in statement credits for hotel bookings made with The Edit each calendar year (up to $250 twice a year on prepaid bookings with The Edit of two or more nights), up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables (up to $150 in credits biannually) and more.

Check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve card review for more details.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

Chase unveiled the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) in June 2025. This card has a welcome offer of 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

This product earns 8 points per dollar spent on purchases through Chase Travel (including The Edit), 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising. It comes with multiple flexible statement credits but has an annual fee of $795.

See our Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card review for more information.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

Capital One Venture X Business

New applicants for the Capital One Venture X Business can earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This card has an annual fee of $395, but you'll receive a $300 annual travel credit to use with Capital One Business Travel. You'll also receive 10,000 miles every account anniversary date (starting on your first anniversary) as well as complimentary access to Capital One airport lounges.

You can get great value from your Capital One miles by transferring them to 15-plus airline and hotel partner programs.

Check out our Capital One Venture X Business card review for more details.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allows new cardholders to earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. The annual fee for the Capital One Venture card is $95 — a reasonable amount for a card with such a generous welcome offer.

See our Capital One Venture Rewards card review for more details.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

American Express Gold Card

One of the most popular cards with TPG staffers, the American Express® Gold Card lets new cardholders find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after they spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The American Express Gold Card is great for many everyday purchases. You'll earn 4 points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent) and 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

The card has a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), so check out our Amex Gold review to determine whether it's a good fit.

Official application link: American Express Gold Card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.