✈ Protect Your Points From Devaluations, Europe’s Airport Chaos & More From TPG ✈

July 3, 2026

Your points still pack plenty of value

by Katie Genter, Lead writer

The one constant with loyalty programs is change. Or perhaps more pessimistically, devaluations.

We’ve certainly seen plenty of that recently, including Hyatt’s award chart changes, Aeroplan’s partner award pricing increases, the upcoming end of universal 1:1 Chase transfer ratios and Wyndham’s upcoming move to four award tiers.

Especially when a major devaluation hits a program you use frequently, it can feel incredibly disheartening. But there are ways to ease the pain of devaluations and still get good value.

The easiest way is to earn transferable points and avoid transferring them to a partner program until you’ve confirmed award availability and you’re ready to book. This way, even if one transfer partner devalues, you can still utilize the program’s other partners.

You can also focus on the high-value redemptions in a devalued program where you still have rewards. This may involve setting up award alerts and having flexibility about your route or destination.

Also, be sure to use award discounts when they’re available. For example, hotel fourth- and fifth-night-free award perks, United and Delta cardholder discounts and Flying Blue Promo Rewards are all great ways to pay less for your awards.

Finally, if you feel a program has been devalued too much (or too frequently), consider using up your remaining rewards and moving your business elsewhere. You don’t have to stay loyal to a program that no longer offers the value you’re looking for.

For more ideas on how to avoid (or at least soften) devaluations, check out the following stories:

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Photo Credit: The Points Guy.

Today’s top stories

European airport chaos grows, ‘urgent meeting’ set as entry/exit waits climb

The EU has called an "urgent meeting" as wait times grow because of the new entry system. Here's what travelers should know.

Predict your TSA wait: This handy app is back up and running after 2 government shutdowns

The MyTSA app can help you anticipate wait times at the airport checkpoints.

Was the ‘fast, free’ Wi-Fi really slow on your flight, too? Here’s what’s going on

Airlines aren't always delivering on their big promises of "fast, free" inflight Wi-Fi.

Kroger Rewards now lets you redeem points for groceries — but should you?

Here's how much Kroger points are worth and when each option makes sense.

How to use 100,000 Chase points to fly business class to Europe

Here's how to use 100,000 Chase points to fly business class to Europe, including which transfer partner to use, and what it's worth.

The latest

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3.	How (and why) to combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points into a single account

4.	It’s back: Sapphire Reserve cardholders can enroll for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status

5.	Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card review: Delta miles without an annual fee

6.	Does it make sense to hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve?

7.	Coca-Cola ousts Pepsi as the official soda at Marriott hotels worldwide

8.	My biggest assumption about the Chase Sapphire Preferred was wrong

9.	New bonuses on Atmos Rewards credit cards: Up to 70,000 points, companion fares and more

10.	Amazon Prime members can save 50 cents per gallon on gas this holiday weekend

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