Consumers need to be on their game to get the most out of loyalty programs, which tend to lose value over time and can be hard to understand. But recent program updates and third-party navigation tools are making it easier to accrue and apply points to both travel and activities.
In 2026, the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier program moved its credit card affiliation exclusively to Citibank (annual fees from $99). Other cards issued by the bank, like the Citi Strata Premier ($95) or the Citi Strata Elite ($595), now offer one-to-one point transfers to American for more seamless redemptions.
Alaska Airlines rebuilt its loyalty program as Atmos and merged it with the HawaiianMiles program from Hawaiian Airlines, making it easier to redeem points for popular leisure destinations.
Increasingly, points can be applied to things other than travel, including V.I.P. experiences such as celebrity meet-and-greets and World Cup tickets.
A growing number of services are helping consumers maximize their points, albeit for a fee. Thrifty Traveler sends its members frequent emails on the best airfare deals it finds, including those priced in points (premium annual subscriptions from $99.99).
Premium membership at Straight to the Points ($99 a year) offers access to deals on business- and first-class tickets using points.
Hotel loyalty programs may have started out as a boon to frequent business travelers, but their appeal to leisure travelers has increased as hotel companies have expanded their portfolios to include boutique brands and even glamping companies.
Unlike credit cards affiliated with airlines, hotel cards generally grant holders a higher-tier membership status with tangible benefits. For example, the World of Hyatt credit card ($95 annual fee) grants holders upgraded status to the second of five tiers, which gives them late checkout, preferred rooms and a free night each year.
“A hotel credit card can be valuable,” said Sally French, a travel expert with the personal finance website NerdWallet, which found that hotel loyalty programs have become slightly more valuable in recent years.
Small incentives — such as 10 percent off hotel rates or free Wi-Fi on airplanes — still make membership in loyalty programs, which is free, worthwhile.
“If you care about your time and how you’re treated,” noted Brian Kelly, the founder of the travel website The Points Guy, “you have to create that direct connection with the airline or hotel.”
Elaine Glusac is The Times’s Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.
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