We know that award travel is much more complicated than just earning points. We get it, and it is for us, too! However, knowing some airline redemption sweet spots can help make things a little less complicated. We have covered many of them in individual posts, but it’s time to put them all in one big post with links to make it easier for you to find them. And if you’d like to hear us discuss them, be sure to listen to our podcast episode about Airline Redemption Sweet Spots!

 

Hawaii

Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles

One of the best deals to Hawaii (but not the easiest to do) is the round-trip flight for 15K miles via Turkish Airlines. We have done it ourselves, as have many of our readers, so it is something you may want to check out!

 

 

British Airways Avios

Another sweet spot to Hawaii is booking from the West Coast with British Airways Avios on an American Airlines or Alaska Airlines flight. You can read more about it here. It is also a great way to book a flight to the Caribbean from Miami!

 

 

To Europe

Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles

One of the best ways to get to Europe in business class is via Turkish Airlines. Jess traveled to Greece for 90K miles round-trip doing this. You have to book early as these deals go fast. I have looked a few times and found availability, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

 

Iberia Avios

In addition to Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Qatar also use Avios as their currency. Transferring Avios from these airlines to Iberia and then booking on Iberia can score you a cheap economy or business class seat.  Prior to the pandemic, we had tickets booked to Madrid from Boston for 34K Avios in business class. It is a great way to get to Europe even if Spain isn’t your destination. You could then take a cheap flight from Spain to your ideal European destination.

 

Air France/KLM

Air France and KLM often offer good deals, particularly in economy class. It is even better to pair it with one of the Flying Blue Promo Rewards for under 20K miles/ticket. Air France also offers 25% off award flights for children ages 2-11. This is one of many reasons why I love Air France. Getting to Paris or Amsterdam and then positioning to another European city would also work well.

 

 

Avianca LifeMiles

An underrated option for getting to Europe is Avianca LifeMiles. I booked a flight to Croatia on the same plane in business class for 63K LifeMiles that my daughters booked for 77K United miles. It is easier to find economy-class tickets but like I found, there are deals in business class. There are many other flights to destinations in Europe priced similarly.

 

 

Singapore Airlines

One of Jess’s favorite sweet spots is to fly from Houston to Manchester, England on Singapore Airlines. It is a fifth freedom flight and a good deal at 81K miles one-way for a direct flight. She says Manchester is charming, too, and is a good jumping-off point if you plan to visit London, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I want to try this on my next London flight to avoid those London surcharges.

 

ANA

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is also an excellent option for getting to Europe. I managed to book my sister and me in business class for 88K ANA miles round-trip (per person). We flew from EWR-LHR. Yes, the surcharges were a little high, but the points were so low that I didn’t care. We were in United Polaris business class, and I enjoy that product.

 

 

Delta Flights via Air France or Virgin Atlantic

Whether you are traveling in the U.S. or Europe, you can often save on Delta flights by booking through Air France or Virgin Atlantic. Alex lives in a Delta hub and always checks both of those airlines before booking a flight on Delta! There are often transfer bonuses to both of these airlines so that can make it even cheaper!

 

Asia

American Airlines to the Maldives

The Maldives is a popular destination, and the best airline redemption sweet spot is to book a flight there in Qatar Airways business class using 70K American Airlines miles (especially if you can get Qsuite). I would definitely sign up for a card that earns AA miles if planning a trip to the Maldives.

 

ANA to Japan and Australia

How does 120K miles round-trip in business class sound with a free stopover in Japan on a trip to Australia? If you are fortunate enough to find this deal (it is hard), then it is one of the best sweet spots. You don’t have to go to Australia to get the deal, you could just go to Japan.

 

 

Bottom Line

Airline redemption sweet spots let you travel for fewer points/miles. Be sure to check out some of the ideas in this post the next time you are ready to book a flight. What are some of the sweet spots that you have found?