Airline Programs
Miles are where transferable points multiply. These are the airline currencies we track, ranked by what a mile is actually worth, plus the cards that earn them, the bank points that transfer in, and the status match paths.
Every Program, Ranked by Point Value
Our valuation in cents per point. Click any program for the full guide: earning, sweet spots and the cards that feed it.
Alaska Mileage Plan
1.45¢Oneworld partner sweet spots (JAL, Cathay) are elite.
American AAdvantage
1.40¢Web specials and partner awards (Etihad, Qatar) remain strong.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
1.40¢ANA First via Virgin is the most famous sweet spot in the hobby.
Air Canada Aeroplan
1.40¢Best-designed award chart in the business; stopovers for 5k; transfers in from Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt.
Southwest Rapid Rewards
1.35¢Fixed value vs fares; Companion Pass is the real prize.
Avianca LifeMiles
1.35¢No fuel surcharges on Star Alliance awards; frequent mile sales.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
1.30¢Monthly Promo Rewards at 25-50% off. Transfers from every major bank.
JetBlue TrueBlue
1.30¢Fixed-value against fares; Mint redemptions occasionally outsize. Transfers from Amex, Chase and Citi.
United MileagePlus
1.20¢No award chart; excursionist perk adds free segments.
Delta SkyMiles
1.15¢Frequent flash sales; otherwise spend them, don't hoard them.
Top Airline Cards
The highest-rated cobrand cards that earn these currencies directly.
The top personal Southwest card. The travel credit and anniversary points nearly erase the fee.
The middle child of the United lineup, with enough credits to cover the fee for regular flyers.
The Companion Fare makes this one of the best airline card deals anywhere.
The standard-issue American Airlines card, fee waived year one.
A United Club membership with a card attached. The 2025 refresh raised the fee and stacked on credits.
The biggest Southwest bonuses live on the business side.
Status Match Paths
Full directory- United MileagePlusModerate
United offers a status challenge (fee + flying requirement) via united.com/statusmatch when open.
- Delta MedallionModerate
Status Match Challenge: instant 90-day match, fly MQDs to keep it. Reopens periodically.
- American AAdvantageModerate
Instant Status Pass: temporary elite status with Loyalty Point thresholds to extend.
- Alaska Mileage PlanEasy
Standing match form at alaskaair.com; usually instant MVP/MVP Gold with flight requirements to retain.
From the Flight Desk
All storiesFlying Blue Promo Rewards: The Monthly Discount Most People Ignore
Every month, Air France and KLM discount a rotating set of award routes by 25 to 50 percent. June's batch is live, and the playbook is the same every time.
Every Delta Amex Card Hits an All-Time-High Offer
Delta's full consumer card lineup is at record welcome offers this June: 90,000 miles on the Gold, 100,000 on the Platinum, 125,000 on the Reserve. Here is which tier actually fits you.
Chase Adds 30% to Virgin Atlantic Transfers Through June
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Virgin Atlantic at 1:1.3 for the month of June. The math only works if you already know what you are booking.