Redeeming your hard-earned airline miles and credit card points can be a confusing process. With the multitude of airlines, cabins, and tax bases, it can be difficult to determine which programs offer the most lucrative awards. However, knowing which airlines offer the best rates is worth your while. In this article, we will take you through some of the most popular U.S. nonstop international flights and show you which programs offer the most appealing award rates.
It’s important to note that many loyalty programs have moved away from fixed-price award charts in favor of dynamically priced awards. This means that the award prices can vary depending on factors such as travel dates and availability. Additionally, some of the award prices mentioned in this article are starting prices, while others are fixed award rates for specific flights. It is always recommended to check for award space before transferring points if you are using credit card points.
To find the best availability and lowest redemption prices, we checked each route over a three-month period towards the end of the schedule. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these redemptions may vary during your own search.
Let’s start with the popular route from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). This route is one of the most competitive and profitable international aviation routes, with numerous nonstop flights daily. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles:
– American Airlines: Economy – 22,500 Alaska Airlines MileagePlan miles plus $19; Premium economy – 41,250 British Airways/Iberia Plus Avios plus $457; Business – 57,500 Alaska Airlines miles and $5.60; First – 95,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles plus $5.60.
– British Airways: Economy – 25,000 Avios and around $81; Premium economy – 40,000 AAdvantage miles plus $237; Business – 80,000 Avios and around $223; First – 80,000 Avios and around $986.
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 23,500 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles and around $10; Premium economy – 62,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $6; Business – 170,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $6.
– United Airlines: Economy – 30,000 United MileagePlus miles and $5.60; Premium economy – 50,000 United miles and $5.60; Business – 88,000 United miles and $5.60.
– Virgin Atlantic: Economy – 10,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points and $153; Premium economy – 17,500 Virgin points and around $453; Business – 74,500 Flying Blue miles and $365, or 47,500 Virgin points and $982.
Next, let’s look at the route from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). Flights between Honolulu and Tokyo have largely returned to their pre-pandemic frequencies. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles:
– All Nippon Airways: Economy – 27,500 Avianca LifeMiles and $25; Premium economy – Limited availability; Business – Limited availability.
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 26,500 Flying Blue miles and $25; Premium economy – 88,000 Delta SkyMiles and $6; Business – 170,000 Delta SkyMiles and $6.
– Hawaiian Airlines: Economy – 32,500 American miles and $5.60; Business – 52,500 American miles and $5.60.
– Japan Airlines: Economy – 25,000 Alaska miles and $19; Premium economy – 40,000 Alaska miles and $19; Business – 52,500 AAdvantage miles and $5.60.
Moving on to the route from New York to Toronto, many people travel regularly between these cities. However, this route is particularly susceptible to dynamic pricing, so the award rates may vary. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles:
– Air Canada: Economy – 7,500 Air Canada Aeroplan points and $28; Business – 14,000 Aeroplan points and $28.
– American Airlines: Economy – 7,500 American miles and $6; Business – 15,000 American miles and $5.60.
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 6,500 Delta SkyMiles and $6; Business – 18,000 Delta SkyMiles and $6.
– United Airlines: Economy – 7,500 Aeroplan points and $28; Business – 15,000 Aeroplan points and $57.
Moving on to the route from New York to Paris, Air France-KLM is a popular choice for travel between these cities. Here are the best options for using points and miles:
– Air France: Economy – 12,000 Virgin points and $155; Premium economy – 35,000 Flying Blue miles and $235; Business – 50,000 Flying Blue miles and $274; First class – 225,000 Flying Blue miles plus $274.
– American Airlines: Economy – 30,500 American miles and $5.60; Premium economy – 59,000 American miles and $5.60; Business – 80,500 American miles and $5.60; First class – 273,500 American miles and $5.60.
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 25,000 Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles and $10; Premium economy – 70,000 Delta SkyMiles and $6; Business – 155,000 Delta SkyMiles and $6.
– United Airlines: Economy – 30,000 United miles and $5.60; Premium economy – 50,000 United miles and $5.60; Business – 80,000 United miles and $5.60.
Next, let’s look at the route from New York to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles:
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 9,500 Delta SkyMiles and $53; Business – 27,000 Delta SkyMiles and $53.
– JetBlue: Economy – 6,800 JetBlue TrueBlue points and $53; Business – Not offered on this route.
– United Airlines: Economy – 11,800 United miles and $53; Business – 35,000 United miles and $53.
Moving on to the route from Los Angeles to Sydney, Sydney has long been a popular destination for travelers. Here are the best prices and availability for redeeming your points and miles:
– Qantas: Economy – 30,000 Alaska miles plus $40; Premium economy – 81,300 Qantas Frequent Flyer points plus $145; Business – 45,000 Alaska miles plus $40; First class – 70,000 Alaska miles plus $40.
– American Airlines: Economy – 30,000 Alaska miles plus $40; Premium economy – 65,000 American miles and $26; Business – 45,000 Alaska miles plus $40; First class – 70,000 Alaska miles plus $40.
– Delta Air Lines: Economy – 65,500 Virgin points plus $33; Premium economy – 155,000 Delta SkyMiles and $33; Business – 410,000 Delta SkyMiles and $33.
– United Airlines: Economy – 36,900 United miles and $26.60; Premium economy – 70,000 United miles and $26.60; Business – 100,000 United miles and $5.60.
Lastly, let’s look at the route from Miami to Buenos Aires in Argentina. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles:
– Aerolineas Argentinas: Economy – 44,000 Flying Blue miles and around $10; Business – Limited availability.
– American Airlines: Economy – 30,000 American miles and $5.60