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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
8 TPG staffers share their favorite redemptions so far in 2026
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
June 23, 2026 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: TPG's Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
TPG staffers shared their top points and miles redemptions for 2026, highlighting impressive value across domestic and international travel.
Examples include domestic flights, premium economy to Europe, luxury hotel stays, and business class tickets, often exceeding TPG's point and mile valuations as of mid-2026.
Redemptions spanned a variety of loyalty programs and travel goals, from bucket-list state visits to family trips during peak seasons.
The article demonstrates that high-value redemptions are possible for both flights and hotels, not just premium international routes.
What to consider
Some redemptions relied on status perks or limited-time transfer ratios, which may not always be available.
Redemption values can vary widely depending on travel dates, routes, and program changes; recent devaluations may impact future bookings.
Taxes and fees are often required in addition to points or miles, and can be significant for certain international itineraries.
What you'll miss from the article
Specific redemption strategies, point valuations, and real-world examples that illustrate how to maximize value for both routine and aspirational travel.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
It probably goes without saying that we at TPG love points and miles. We're constantly talking about our favorite redemptions, flagging deals and giving advice to each other on what to book and when.
2026 is nearly halfway over, so I decided to poll my co-workers and see what their favorite redemptions so far in 2026 have been.
Hopefully, you'll gain some inspiration from their successes as you plan your future travels.
Checking off another state on my bucket list
Olivia Mittak, credit cards editor
One of my travel goals is to visit all 50 states, so this Thanksgiving I'm knocking Arizona off my list with a visit to Phoenix. While exploring Seats.aero for award tickets between my home airport, Portland International Airport (PDX), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), I found an amazing deal on a one-way ticket home.
American Airlines Airbus A321 takes off. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
I redeemed 7,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles plus $11 in taxes and fees for a one-way flight from PHX to PDX. I would've had to pay $364 had I not used AAdvantage miles, meaning I received roughly 4.7 cents per mile in value. That's almost triple TPG's June 2026 of AAdvantage miles at 1.6 cents per mile.
I encounter an assumption a lot when talking to people about points and miles: that high-value flight redemptions only occur when booking international flights or long-haul business-class seats. That's definitely not true; there are plenty of great award tickets available for domestic flights, too.
Matt’s favorite redemption so far this year has been a KLM Premium Comfort flight from Austin to Madrid via Amsterdam for travel just after Halloween. He booked the itinerary for 40,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles plus $265 in taxes and fees.
The redemption came with a few extra perks. Matt has a three-hour layover in Amsterdam and is hoping to visit the new American Express Centurion Lounge if it opens before his trip. He was also able to select a bulkhead seat at no additional cost thanks to the one year of Flying Blue Silver status he received as part of the (no longer available) welcome offer on the Air France KLM Visa Signature® credit card.
With the current welcome offer, cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles, plus 100 Experience Points (XP) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Having flown KLM Premium Comfort before, Matt considers it one of the best ways to cross the Atlantic. He cited the comfortable seats, solid service and positive experiences with KLM’s customer service as reasons he enjoys the product.
He also views premium economy as a sweet spot for travel to Europe, offering a meaningful upgrade over economy without requiring the additional points typically needed for business class.
Zoe recently booked Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa in Pacific City, Oregon, for two nights in mid-July via Chase's Points Boost feature for 98,000 Ultimate Rewards points plus $250.
Pacific City, Oregon. Francesco Vaninetti Photo/GETTY
The Coastal Lodge & Spa is part of Chase's The Edit hotel collection, so Zoe will receive that $250 back as a statement credit via the Chase Sapphire Reserve®'s (see ) up to $500 annual The Edit credit (receive two credits of up to $250 each; minimum prepaid two-night stay required).
The cash price for this stay would've been $2,213, so Zoe got roughly 2 cents per point in value for this redemption.
Lyndsey Matthews, managing editor for loyalty programs
Lyndsey made what she called an impulse booking to Key West recently. For 12,500 Atmos Rewards points plus $18 in taxes and fees, she booked a one-way American Airlines flight from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Key West International Airport (EYW).
Key West, Florida. LISA-BLUE/GETTY IMAGES
The flight would've cost $331 in cash, netting her a valuation of 2.5 cents per point. That's a fair bit over our September 2026 valuation of Atmos Rewards points at 1.55 cents per point. This is another great example of how domestic flights can still provide fantastic value.
Lyndsey transferred Bilt Points from her Bilt Palladium Card (see ) to Atmos Rewards for this redemption.
Priyan used 92,000 World of Hyatt points for a four-night stay at the Dreams Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic in March. The cash value was roughly $1,800 during those dates, so he snagged a value of approximately 2 cents per point with this redemption. That's above TPG's June 2026 valuation of Hyatt points at 1.55 cents per point.
Secrets and Dreams Playa Esmeralda. CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY
(Note that Chase recently announced a devaluation for Sapphire Preferred cardholders transferring to World of Hyatt. Priyan made this redemption before these changes were announced.)
When these tickets were booked, the comparable cost was $17,406 for two tickets, giving a redemption rate of over 10 cents per point. That's incredible value, considering TPG values Atmos Rewards points at 1.55 cents per point.
Christine Gallipeau, senior editor for loyalty programs
Christine redeemed 564,000 IHG points for a four-night stay at Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam. As an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see ) cardholder, she was able to use the card's fourth-night-free perk for this redemption.
Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam. CHRISTINE GALLIPEAU/THE POINTS GUY
Cash prices when she booked were $1,113 a night, meaning she would've paid $4,810 (including taxes) for her stay without points.
Giselle redeemed 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (transferred to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club) plus $618 in taxes and fees for two adults and one lap infant to fly Air France Economy Comfort from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Miami International Airport (MIA) during Roland Garros, one of Paris' busiest travel periods.
GISELLE GOMEZ/THE POINTS GUY
At the time of booking, the same itinerary cost $3,823 in cash, giving her a redemption value of 12.8 cents per Chase point. That's extraordinary value considering TPG values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece as of June 2026.
Inspired to book your own redemption? Here's how to earn more rewards
If you've got ideas brimming in your mind for future travels, here are a few great welcome offers to help you earn points and miles for those trips:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
American Express Platinum Card®: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus 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.)
Atmos Rewards Summit credit card: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
There are many great deals to be had when redeeming points and miles, and these are some of the TPG team's favorite finds so far in 2026. From simple domestic routes to multinight stays at high-end properties, we've made redemptions that help us take our trips from planning to reality.
If you've got a stash of points or miles waiting to be used, hopefully these redemptions will inspire you. If you're short on rewards, check out our picks for the best welcome bonuses this month to help you rack up some more points and miles.
