TPG readers' best award flight redemptions so far this year
We recently asked our TPG Lounge readers to share their best award flight redemptions of 2019 so far. Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Redemptions to Hawaii, Nassau and Europe
When it comes to redeeming airline miles, our TPG Lounge members certainly know how to get the biggest bang for their buck, whether it's scoring (nearly) free flights to Hawaii, the Bahamas or all over Europe.
"Two round-trip Delta One tickets from Detroit to Honolulu for 150,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles for tickets that were $2,800 a piece." — Ryan W.
"Five round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Nassau (via Fort Lauderdale) on Southwest for 76,000 Rapid Rewards points plus $56 in taxes. We volunteered for the Bahamas Red Cross, helped triage evacuees from islands affected by Hurricane Dorian, and packed supplies to send." — Shey M.T.
"52,500 miles one-way in business on American Airlines from Los Angeles to Madrid. Absolute best redemption ever was 36,000 miles for a round-trip flight from LAX to Paris on American Airlines. It was in economy but for round-trip, I’ll take it." — Soroya G.G.
"Chicago to Shanghai in United Polaris business class, then Shanghai to Zurich and Zurich to Chicago in SWISS business class, for 150,000 United miles." — Bradley O.
"57,500 AAdvantage miles plus $5.60 each way [to fly from] Los Angeles to Paris up front in a lie-flat seat on Air Tahiti Nui." — Darin L.
"77,000 SkyMiles for two Delta One tickets from Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (CDG). Works out to more than $0.24 per point." — George W.
"20,000 Avios and $80 for an American Airlines flight from New York to Barcelona booked three days before departure." — Yevgeny K.
"100,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles and $17 to fly round-trip from Seattle to Budapest in business class on American Airlines." — Maria B.
"I used United's Excursionist Perk earlier this year, to fly in economy from Boston to Geneva, Zurich to Santorini and New Delhi to Boston for a total of 72,500 miles and $125 in taxes. I drove through beautiful Switzerland from Geneva to Zurich, and spent five days there. For the Greece to New Delhi leg, I used 20,000 AA miles on flights operated by Etihad." — Karan B.
Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles
Adventures in Asia, Australia and the Middle East
Our TPG Lounge readers never fail to impress us with their airline award redemptions, allowing them to reach their final destinations in style aboard some of the best business- and first-class products in the skies.
"So far, I've had redemptions from Auckland to Taipei in Air New Zealand business class for 55,000 miles and Taipei to New York via Tokyo in ANA business class for 80,000 United miles. I have flights coming up from New York to Seoul in Korean Air business class for 62,500 SKYPASS miles transferred from Marriott, then Chengdu to New York in Hainan Airlines business class for 50,000 Alaska miles." — Alex Z.
"Booked ANA first class from Houston (IAH) to Tokyo (NRT) for March 2020 back when American Express had the 30 percent transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic. Transferred 70,000 American Express Membership Rewards points and 29,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a $20,000 ticket." — Josh M.
"Recently redeemed 120,000 miles for ANA first class from Chicago to Tokyo. It'll be my first time going in first class on a long-haul flight. April can’t come soon enough!" — Chau T.
"JAL from Chicago to Tokyo for 60,000 miles there in business class and 80,000 miles back in first, with American Airlines miles." — Tim S.
"80,000 United miles to fly from San Francisco to Taipei in EVA Air's Royal Laurel business class, then 50,000 Alaska miles for the way back from Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific business class." — Peter L.
"Houston to Tokyo in ANA first class for the Olympics next year for my wife and daughter. 90,000 miles each using Avianca Lifemiles made even better with the transfer bonus of points into the program." — Jan S.
"65,000 United miles [to fly in] business class from Singapore to Bangkok and Royal first from Bangkok to Sydney on Thai Airways." — Kevin L.
Related: How to travel to Japan using points and miles
"EVA business class is definitely one of the best-kept secrets for Star Alliance redemptions with good availability. Redeemed 70,000 Aeroplan miles [to fly from] Singapore to New York and would do so again in a heartbeat." — Eric L.
"Transferred 63,000 Citi ThankYou points to Avianca LifeMiles when the 20 percent transfer bonus was offered, then redeemed 78,000 LifeMiles to fly in business class from Chicago (ORD) to Taipei (TPE) to Bali (DPS) on EVA Air. I'm going to ride a Hello Kitty plane on both legs two weeks from now!" — William T.
"I snagged what was supposed to be a mixed-cabin award trip for 55,000 miles and $120 in fees via Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. The trip was from Cairns (CNS) to Brisbane (BNE) to Melbourne (MEL) to San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX) with a two-day stopover in Melbourne. Somehow the leg that would have normally been in coach, MEL-SFO, was in business class, so I ended up in business class from CNS-BNE, BNE-MEL, MEL-SFO, and in first class from SFO-LAX. That 14-hour trip from MEL to SFO in a lie-flat seat was heaven! I slept for eight or nine hours." — Glen M.
"140,000 AAdvantage miles to fly back with my wife from the Maldives in Qatar Airways Qsuites the whole way from Male (MLE) to Doha (DOH) to Chicago (ORD). Great end to our honeymoon." — Bryan D.
"Flown this year would be two QSuites from Shanghai to Doha to the Maldives at only 40,000 AAdvantage miles per person. I also booked two Etihad A380 Apartments from Seoul to Abu Dhabi to the Seychelles for next February for only 50,000 AAdvantage miles per person!" — Ethan S.
"40,000 AAdvantage miles for three legs in Qatar business class from Phnom Penh (PNH) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Doha (DOH) to Amman (AMM)." — Hamzah A.
"Booked a round-the-world ticket through for the wife and I. Flying from San Francisco to Madrid in Air Canada business class, Madrid to Paris in SWISS business class, Paris to Colombo in Turkish Air business class and Colombo to San Francisco in Thai Airways and United business class for 125,000 American Express Membership Rewards points each. It was my first rewards booking and I’d say I’m pretty happy with it." — Ryan B.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.