Where points buy the most travel

Route by route, we compare what credit card points are worth when they go toward award tickets on popular domestic and transatlantic corridors. Each route shows where peak fares make points stretch furthest and which rules to check first.

Short domestic routes often carry the highest cash fares during peak weeks. A modest number of points can cover a one-way seat that would otherwise cost more than a short hotel stay. Check whether your card's transfer partners fly the route and whether taxes and fees are still charged in cash.

Transatlantic business and premium economy seats are where award pricing can beat cash prices by a wide margin. Compare the points required on partner-operated flights against the same date in cash, and confirm that taxes and carrier surcharges are listed before you book.

Many airlines open award seats up to roughly 330 days before departure, and availability tends to change as the date approaches. Use this rough sequence to decide when to search, and remember that seats released late can disappear quickly.

Earliest common release window for many award seats.

Space often reappears as schedules and cabins are adjusted.

Last-minute seats appear occasionally but are rarely guaranteed.