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Earning and Using Airline Points

June 21, 2017
•
5 min read
IMG Alaska Airlines first class seats featured
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Interested in using your airline miles and points, but not sure how to go about it? Have you already earned tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of them and want to learn the best ways to use them for their maximum value? See posts written by our highly knowledgeable team of points industry veterans, selected specifically to help you learn how to earn airline miles and use them like a pro.

Just want to know...

... What points are worth and if purchasing points is worth it? See our updated Points Valuations
... The best airline & hotel transfer partners? See: 10 Most Valuable Transfer Partners for Flights & Hotels
... The best ways to fly to Asia in business class? See: Top 8 Ways to Fly to Asia in Business
... The best ways to get to Europe in business class? See: Top 10 Ways to Fly to Europe in Business
... The most valuable airline credit cards? See which American, Delta and United card is best.

Alaska Airlines - Mileage Plan

See: all things Alaska

Using Points: want to use your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan points? See this post:

American Airlines - AAdvantage

Earning Points: Want to earn AAdvantage miles? See this post:

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Using Points: Want to use your AAdvantage points? See this post:

British Airways - Avios

See: all things British Airways

Earning Points: Want to earn Avios? See this post:

  • Earn 100k British Airways Avios

Using Points: Want to use your British Airways Avios points? See these posts:

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

See: all things Delta and SkyMiles

Have a Delta Companion Certificate and want to use it? See this post:

Earning Points: Want to earn Delta SkyMiles? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use your Delta SkyMiles? See these posts:

JetBlue Airways - TrueBlue

See: all things JetBlue

Earning Points: Want to earn TrueBlue points? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use your TrueBlue points? See this post:

Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards

See: all things Southwest

Earning Points: Frequent Southwest flyer? Want to earn a Companion Pass? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use your Rapid Rewards? See this post:

United Airlines - MileagePlus

See: all things United

Frequent United flyer? Want to earn United points? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use your United Miles? See these posts:

Virgin America - Elevate

See: All things Virgin America

Virgin America will be merging with Alaska Airlines, and Alaska's Mileage Plan will take over. Here's what you need to know:

Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our guides or travel resources page. Still nothing? Shoot us an email and we'll do our best to get back to you: info@thepointsguy.com. If you'd like to see something added to this FAQ, send us a Facebook message with what you think we're missing. If your request is popular with other readers we'll add it!

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Apply now
for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5XNew! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Valuable dining and food-related credits
  • Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Multiple travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
  • Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.