Points Aren’t Getting Any More Valuable — Here’s How to Find the Best Way to Spend Them

Whether you have points racked up from an airline or your creditor, there’s a sobering reality afoot — they’re not worth what they used to be. So-called ‘points inflation’ is real, and it’s taking its toll on your mileage runs. So, what do you do with all your points? Consider these resources:

• seats.aero: If you have miles across a wide variety of creditors, seats.aero offers one of the most robust ways to browse airline fares in points — so good, even its free option works. But for more avid travelers, the $99/yr Pro subscription offers even more flexibility and insight into bookings.
• point.me: Similar to seats.aero, point.me offers a quick way to find affordable points redemptions. They even boast a free option for Amex cardholders. Further, the company offers a Concierge service that you can pay for to find ways to maximize your points.
• Points Path: For those who browse Google Flights, Points Path offers a way to see mileage fares next to cash fares on the portal — and see which is a better deal without having to navigate to each airline’s website.
• StaywithPoints: Although it’s not recommended to take your prized credit card points and transfer them to airlines, those who have accrued a wealth of points at Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott can use this free resource to sus out point deals at their favorite hotel chains.

And if all else fails… If you aren’t sitting on a large mound of points, there’s no harm in stacking them until you can afford your dream vacation. With the help of sign-up bonuses (SUBs), you might even be able to get closer.