Some currencies pay off only at 75,000 miles for JAL First. Others save 50% on Amsterdam-NYC via Promo Rewards. We break down which airline miles to earn, which to transfer in, and which to burn fast before the next devaluation.
Partner award chart sweet spots, transferable-point playbooks, and a frank look at which mileage currencies have lost their edge.
Best Star Alliance currency · published chart · stopovers for 5k
Since its 2020 relaunch, Aeroplan has arguably been the best Star Alliance mileage program on earth. Transparent chart, stopovers allowed, and every major US transferable points currency feeds it.
Short-haul sweet spot · transfer from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Bilt
The best short-haul miles currency in the OneWorld ecosystem. 8,000 Avios flies most sub-650-mile hops — unbeatable on short US domestic routes.
Star Alliance flagship · most flexible US-based Star currency
The default mileage program for US-based Star Alliance flyers. Not the cheapest on partners — but the most flexible.
Star Alliance · round-the-world charts · legendary premium cabins
Best-in-class round-the-world awards (115k business for 22-25k miles flown) and exceptional Japan-domestic access.
OneWorld · partner award charts · stopover on one-ways
A small program with outsized value. Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines redemptions through Alaska are among the best in OneWorld.
Delta One sweet spot · ANA First access · 4 US transferable currencies
The escape hatch for Delta SkyMiles holders. Transfer from any major US currency and redeem Delta One or ANA First at a fraction of the cost.
SkyTeam flagship · monthly Promo Awards · Paris & Amsterdam hubs
The best SkyTeam currency for trans-Atlantic redemptions, with Promo Awards and Promo Rewards running monthly at 25-50% off standard pricing.
OneWorld anchor · loyalty points for status · partner award sweet spots
The OneWorld flagship for US flyers. Partner awards on Cathay, Qatar, JAL, and BA are where AAdvantage miles still deliver real value.
SkyTeam · revenue-based · ubiquitous US domestic
Devalued often, but still valuable if your home airport is a Delta hub. Revenue-based earning aligns rewards with what you actually spend.
Which programs still allow stopovers, and how to use them to turn one trip into two.
Award availability is the bottleneck in miles redemption — here are the tools and techniques that actually work.
Capital One rounded out its transfer partner list in 2021 — here's what's actually useful now.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club transfers from five US banks, has genuine transatlantic sweet spots on Delta metal, and — when ANA releases space — unlocks ANA First to Japan for 120k. Here's the playbook.
Amex MR has 21 transfer partners — here's which ones are worth thinking about, ranked.
Alaska Mileage Plan joined oneworld in 2021 and became a full member in 2024 — and kept its distance-based partner chart. Here's how to use JAL First for 75k and Cathay Business for 50k.