I’ve Been Underrating Points for Domestic Flights

One of the perks of choosing “laziness” as a brand is that I have a handy excuse for not having an encyclopedic knowledge of all things “points.” One of my blind spots has been redeeming points for domestic flights, which I’ve long avoided. But I finally had to do it, and it changed the way I think about points (ever so slightly).

When earning or redeeming points, I focus on low-effort, low-cost, high-value international award flights. For that niche, the best programs for me are Alaska Atmos and Delta SkyMiles (and credit card transfer partners Bilt and Amex, respectively) because of the incredible bargains they can offer. But while both can offer good domestic redemptions, it can be hard to get excited about even a solid domestic deal when equal or fewer points could get you to Taipei or Helsinki. 

But this past week I used my points to book a couple cross-country trips for my family, and I found that American AAdvantage and United MileagePlus were the best options for domestic flights. I started with a broad Roame search—searching dozens of loyalty programs at once really helps me get a lay of the land. I quickly noticed that American AAdvantage offered the best pricing and availability by far, at least between my home and the East Coast. I booked a round-trip for just 18k miles. United MileagePlus availability and pricing weren’t quite as good, but there were plenty of one-way flights for 15k miles—or even fewer miles with a co-branded credit card. With cash prices on those flights starting at $350 in basic economy, those redemptions actually offered excellent value.

Lazy Take 🦥

These domestic redemptions won’t change my overall strategy—I’m still going to lean heavily on Atmos and Delta for international travel. But they make me feel a lot better about the United miles and Chase points I’ve struggled to use, and they make AA miles look even more useful. If you fly domestically with any regularity, AA and United may be more valuable than I’ve been giving them credit for.

This week on the blog 📝

No good deals between where you live and where you want to travel? Consider a positioning flight. I rarely use them within the U.S., but they have come in handy for me abroad. 

Quick Points of the Week ⚡

More value 📈

Redeem Bilt Cash for Blacklane chauffeur rides. This might not be the highest-value redemption, but it’s a solid option if you have Bilt Cash to burn. (View From the Wing)

Devaluations 📉

Flying Blue introduces tiered award tickets. The cheapest “saver” awards will now only get you a basic economy experience. Thankfully, the change doesn’t affect partner airline redemptions. (One Mile at a Time)

New features 🆕

American Airlines will bring back seatback screens. I’m in the minority, apparently, but I prefer the device holders. This change will mean even more work for my Flight Flap. (The Points Guy)

U.S. Bank points transfers coming to more cards. They haven’t totally sorted out their transfer partnerships, but more cards are getting the option, and more partners are reportedly on the way… but so far these cards are still not competitive with the best on the market, in my opinion. (Upgraded Points)

Charity 🕊️

Use Instacart credits to donate to food banks. If you have a card with an Instacart credit, you can use it to donate to food banks without delivery or service fees. There will still be some cost, but it’s a good way to put that credit to use if you’re not using it. (Award Wallet) You might be able to earn some United miles with Instacart, too. 

Interesting 🤔

Great award availability for United cardholders? Frequent Miler thinks so. Personally, after I stumbled into United status, I caved and got a card, and have not seen the award availability or pricing I was expecting or hoping for on international routes. (It already paid off on domestic flights though!)

Nerdy Points 🤓

The fancy backdoor into Chase lounges. The $450-fee Ritz-Carlton Credit Card offers a (restrictive) $300 travel credit, a free Marriott night annually, and access to Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire lounges. For some, it could make more sense than the pricier Sapphire Reserve for lounge access—but you have to jump through some hoops to get it. (Points Path)

Did you know❓

Traveling with kids? Save with Hyatt. The hotel chain has a special rate for a second room when traveling with children. (Thrifty Traveler)

Sign up bonus of the week 🎯

It’s been quiet on the bonus front, so I’m taking this section off this week. 😴

Other great sign-up bonuses this week

50,000 points+ $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status on the Bilt Palladium (our take: 🔥🔥🔥)

80k miles on the Citi AA Platinum Select (our take: 🔥🔥)

150k points + $250 on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (our take: 🔥🔥)

60k points on the Choice Privileges Mastercard (our take: 🔥) 

80k points on the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard (our take: 🔥) 

Up to 100/175k on the Amex Gold/Platinum (our take)

How we rate bonus offers. 

Lazy Pick ✅ (Sponsored)

30% off Thrifty Traveler—today only. Thrifty Traveler has extended its Cheap Flight Day sale until midnight tonight, August 23rd. The discount brings the first-year price on Premium plans to just $90.99 for the first year with this link or code LAZYPOINTS. My entire SkyMiles strategy revolves around Thrifty Traveler alerts like the one I received on Friday: a round-trip to South Africa from just 71k SkyMiles with Delta cardholder pricing. Flights to Africa can be expensive, and alerts like that can put it within reach. Thrifty Traveler also sends alerts for other frequent flyer programs, cash fares, and premium cabins, all with step-by-step booking guidance. So if you’re too lazy to hunt for your own deals, check out Thrifty Traveler (and its 100-day money-back guarantee). 

Enjoy the weekend! 🦥

Expect a return to obsessing over award flights to Japan next week. ✈️🇯🇵

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