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BEST REDEMPTIONS
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The sweet spots you can count on
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While business owners can harvest far more points and miles than most other people, the potential limitations of finding award fares can leave many hesitant.
But there are a handful of programs that not only offer solid award rates worldwide, but also have transfer options with every major credit card program.
In a nutshell, these are programs that:
- Reliably have reasonable award fares
- Transfer from every major credit card currency
- Frequently feature lucrative transfer bonuses
Crossing the pond to the British Isles? You have great options with this program. Saver rates start at just 6,000 points one-way (plus taxes and fees) for economy – with widespread availability – or 10,500 points and 29,000 points for premium economy and lie-flat business class.
The drawback is that the surcharges are quite pricey with this program (especially flying back to the U.S. from the UK). Still, when the cost is 6,000 points plus $111 on a surprisingly comfortable economy flight that would normally cost about $350, that 6,000 points feels more like a very small price to pay to unlock a big discount.
Continental Europe? I’d go with this program, which reliably has award fares from a range of U.S. hubs to various European cities from 40,000 miles one-way for premium economy or 60,000 miles for lie-flat business class (plus taxes and fees).
Also, the award pricing and availability is pretty similar in this program, which also connects with every major card currency. Be warned, though: partner award rates will increase very soon, so book now if you can.
But I’m actually getting very into this program, which also has comparable award pricing (maybe slightly higher), but more availability and terrific premium experiences. This one actually only has one credit card transfer partner. But since it uses the Avios currency, you can still come up with these rewards through every major credit card program (and it’s a lot easier than you think).
Middle East? This program also uses Avios and consistently has business-class award fares to major Middle Eastern hubs for around 70,000 Avios each way plus taxes and fees. And we rank their incredible suites as the best international business-class product for 2026.
Asia? Thanks to a booking partnership, you can use these points to book business-class seats to Japan on ANA for as little as 52,500 points each way from the West Coast (60,000 from East Coast) plus taxes and fees. Or, you can reliably find business-class award fares to various Asian destinations in this program for about 75,000-87,500 points each way plus taxes and fees.
Remember, no matter which credit card rewards you’re earning (Chase, American Express, Citi, Bilt, Capital One), you can transfer your rewards to one of the above currencies to take advantage of these reliable sweet spots.
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