It probably goes without saying that we at TPG love points and miles. We’re constantly talking about our favorite redemptions, flagging deals and giving advice to each other on what to book and when.
2026 is nearly halfway over, so I decided to poll my co-workers and see what their favorite redemptions so far in 2026 have been.
Hopefully, you’ll gain some inspiration from their successes as you plan your future travels.
Checking off another state on my bucket list
Olivia Mittak, credit cards editor
One of my travel goals is to visit all 50 states, so this Thanksgiving I’m knocking Arizona off my list with a visit to Phoenix. While exploring Seats.aero for award tickets between my home airport, Portland International Airport (PDX), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), I found an amazing deal on a one-way ticket home.
I redeemed 7,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles plus $11 in taxes and fees for a one-way flight from PHX to PDX. I would’ve had to pay $364 had I not used AAdvantage miles, meaning I received roughly 4.7 cents per mile in value. That’s almost triple TPG’s June 2026 valuation of AAdvantage miles at 1.6 cents per mile.
I encounter an assumption a lot when talking to people about points and miles: that high-value flight redemptions only occur when booking international flights or long-haul business-class seats. That’s definitely not true; there are plenty of great award tickets available for domestic flights, too.
Related: Why American Airlines AAdvantage has become my most valuable rewards currency
A premium economy sweet spot to Europe
Matt Moffitt, contributing credit cards editor
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Matt’s favorite redemption so far this year has been a KLM Premium Comfort flight from Austin to Madrid via Amsterdam for travel just after Halloween. He booked the itinerary for 40,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles plus $265 in taxes and fees.
The redemption came with a few extra perks. Matt has a three-hour layover in Amsterdam and is hoping to visit the new American Express Centurion Lounge if it opens before his trip. He was also able to select a bulkhead seat at no additional cost thanks to the one year of Flying Blue Silver status he received as part of the (no longer available) welcome offer on the Air France-KLM Visa Signature® Credit Card.
The information for the Air France-KLM Visa Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Having flown KLM Premium Comfort before, Matt considers it one of the best ways to cross the Atlantic. He cited the comfortable seats, solid service and positive experiences with KLM’s customer service as reasons he enjoys the product.
He also views premium economy as a sweet spot for travel to Europe, offering a meaningful upgrade over economy without requiring the additional points typically needed for business class.
Related: How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue
A spa retreat in Oregon
Zoe Jablow, engineering manager
Zoe recently booked Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa in Pacific City, Oregon, for two nights in mid-July via Chase’s Points Boost feature for 98,000 Ultimate Rewards points plus $250.
The Coastal Lodge & Spa is part of Chase’s The Edit hotel collection, so Zoe will receive that $250 back as a statement credit via the Chase Sapphire Reserve®‘s (see rates and fees) up to $500 annual The Edit credit (receive two credits of up to $250 each; minimum prepaid two-night stay required).
The cash price for this stay would’ve been $2,213, so Zoe got roughly 2 cents per point in value for this redemption.
A last-minute trip to Key West
Lyndsey Matthews, managing editor for loyalty programs
Lyndsey made what she called an impulse booking to Key West recently. For 12,500 Atmos Rewards points plus $18 in taxes and fees, she booked a one-way American Airlines flight from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Key West International Airport (EYW).
The flight would’ve cost $331 in cash, netting her a valuation of 2.5 cents per point. That’s a fair bit over our June 2026 valuation of Atmos Rewards points at 1.4 cents per point. This is another great example of how domestic flights can still provide fantastic value.
Lyndsey transferred Bilt Points from her Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees) to Atmos Rewards for this redemption.
Related: The best resorts in Florida for a relaxing vacation in the Sunshine State
Four nights in the Dominican Republic
Priyan Desilva, senior analyst
Priyan used 92,000 World of Hyatt points for a four-night stay at the Dreams Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic in March. The cash value was roughly $1,800 during those dates, so he snagged a value of approximately 2 cents per point with this redemption. That’s above TPG’s June 2026 valuation of Hyatt points at 1.55 cents per point.
Priyan used the welcome bonus he earned on his World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) plus 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points he transferred from his Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) for this redemption.
(Note that Chase recently announced a devaluation for Sapphire Preferred cardholders transferring to World of Hyatt. Priyan made this redemption before these changes were announced.)
Related: What 8 TPG staffers really think about the Hyatt changes
Qantas business class for two
Katie Genter, lead writer for loyalty programs
Katie redeemed 145,000 Atmos Rewards points plus $214 for two one-way tickets from Melbourne to Vancouver via Sydney in Qantas business class, after applying the 25,000-point Global Companion certificate from her Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card.
When these tickets were booked, the comparable cost was $17,406 for two tickets, giving a redemption rate of over 10 cents per point. That’s incredible value, considering TPG values Atmos Rewards points at 1.4 cents per point.
Related: Qantas: London will get first ‘Project Sunrise’ flights, followed by New York
A dream trip to Vietnam
Christine Gallipeau, senior editor for loyalty programs
Christine redeemed 564,000 IHG points for a four-night stay at Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam. As an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) cardholder, she was able to use the card’s fourth-night-free perk for this redemption.
Cash prices when she booked were $1,113 a night, meaning she would’ve paid $4,810 (including taxes) for her stay without points.
Related: The 19 best IHG hotels in the world
Coming home from a family trip to Paris
Giselle Gomez, managing editor for credit cards
Giselle redeemed 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (transferred to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club) plus $618 in taxes and fees for two adults and one lap infant to fly Air France Economy Comfort from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Miami International Airport (MIA) during Roland Garros, one of Paris’ busiest travel periods.
At the time of booking, the same itinerary cost $3,823 in cash, giving her a redemption value of 12.8 cents per Chase point. That’s extraordinary value considering TPG values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece as of June 2026.
Related: How I saved over $8,000 on a family trip to Paris with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Inspired to book your own redemption? Here’s how to earn more rewards
If you’ve got ideas brimming in your mind for future travels, here are a few great welcome offers to help you earn points and miles for those trips:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
- American Express Platinum Card®: Find out your offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
- Atmos Rewards Summit credit card: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Additionally, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your account.
For additional high-value welcome offers, see our picks for the best welcome offers this month.
Bottom line
There are many great deals to be had when redeeming points and miles, and these are some of the TPG team’s favorite finds so far in 2026. From simple domestic routes to multi-night stays at high-end properties, we’ve made redemptions that help us take our trips from planning to reality.
If you’ve got a stash of points or miles waiting to be used, hopefully these redemptions will inspire you. If you’re short on rewards, check out our picks for the best welcome bonuses this month to help you rack up some more points and miles.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
