Introduction
Traveling with points and miles sounds simple: earn points, book flights, travel for “free.”
In reality, most travelers either waste their points or never use them at all.
This guide breaks down exactly how points and miles work, how people actually use them to travel the world, and how to avoid the most common mistakes — even if you’re starting from zero.
What Are Points & Miles?
Points and miles are travel currencies earned through:
Credit card spending
Sign-up bonuses
Airline and hotel loyalty programs
They can be redeemed for:
Flights (economy → first class)
Hotels & resorts
Upgrades and partner travel
Key difference:
Miles are usually tied to one airline
Points (from banks) can often transfer to multiple airlines
The 3 Types of Travel Points (You Should Know)
Most advanced travelers focus on transferable points, because they’re flexible and powerful.
1. Airline Miles
Earned directly with airlines and used for award flights.
Pros: Airline-specific perks
Cons: Limited flexibility
2. Hotel Points
Great for free nights, but often weaker value than flights.
3. Transferable Bank Points (The Sweet Spot)
These let you move points to airline or hotel partners — often unlocking huge value.
This is where most “free” business-class flights come from.
How Award Flights Actually Work
Airlines release a limited number of award seats per flight.
The cost in points depends on:
Route
Demand
Airline pricing model
Partner availability
Two people on the same flight can pay:
$4,200 cash
60,000 points
or 140,000 points
…depending on how they book.
This is where strategy matters.
Common Beginner Mistakes (Avoid These)
❌ Booking only through credit card portals
❌ Transferring points without checking availability
❌ Hoarding points “for later”
❌ Assuming points = cash value
❌ Ignoring taxes and fees
Points lose value over time. Smart travelers use them.
When Points Are Worth Using (and When They Aren’t)
Points shine when:
Cash prices are high
You want premium cabins
You’re flexible on dates/routes
Cash is often better when:
Flights are cheap
You’re booking basic economy
Award availability is poor
Knowing the difference saves thousands.
Why Most People Use a Concierge
Finding great redemptions requires:
Knowing airline partnerships
Searching multiple systems
Understanding transfer rules
Avoiding bad value bookings
That’s exactly what MilesMapped specializes in — turning your points into real trips, not frustration.
How Can MilesMapped Help?
Have points but don’t know how to use them?
👉 Book a free MilesMapped strategy call and let us plan it for you.