Points and miles still open doors to travel and unique experiences — but using them may take a little more strategy than it used to.

Loyalty programs are shifting. Airlines are offering fewer award seats, and the number of points needed for a ticket has become less predictable.¹ Some have adopted dynamic pricing, where the value of rewards fluctuates based on timing, demand, or the destination. It’s a departure from the simple, chart-based systems that many travelers enjoyed in the past.

Travel rewards remain a valuable tool: According to the Empower Personal Dashboard^TM, Americans spent an average of $1,099 per trip in Q1 2025, and points can impact how much a vacation impacts a traveler’s wallet. With a few strategic adjustments, points can still stretch further, cover more miles, and make travel feel more accessible.

Patience, rewarded

Award travel was never static, but the pace of change has picked up for most major carriers. Flights that once cost a consistent number of points now come with fluctuating prices through dynamic pricing.² Saver seats take more sleuthing to find. Blackout dates have increased.

Travelers used to booking dream trips months in advance may balk at the new way of doing things. But those who can stay flexible and informed may still find plenty of ways to make their rewards count.³

Some loyalty programs have shortened the window for holding award seats.⁴ Others now offer better rates for less popular routes or travel times. Understanding these patterns makes it easier to plan ahead — and spot good deals when they pop up.

Value isn’t gone — it’s off the beaten path

Points can still cover flights, hotel nights, or full vacations, especially for travelers who think in terms of strategy instead of spontaneity. One way to keep options open is by using flexible points programs.⁵ Rather than locking points into a single airline or hotel brand, these systems let travelers transfer points where they’re needed most. That flexibility acts as a buffer when award availability dries up in one place but opens elsewhere.⁶

Timing matters too. Some flights open for booking nearly a year in advance.⁷ Others release unsold award seats just days before departure. Travelers who watch these cycles, particularly for peak travel trips, could uncover advantages in both availability and the number of points needed.

Exploring beyond the major points programs may also find value in unexpected places. Several international carriers (or niche airline alliances) still offer favorable rates, particularly for long-haul or off-peak travel.⁸ A little research into less familiar loyalty programs can go a long way.

How travelers earn matters just as much. Credit cards with complementary rewards structures, often with one tier for everyday purchases and another for travel or dining, can accelerate the accumulation of points. Timing big expenses with sign-up bonuses or transfer promotions adds even more momentum.

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Other ways to bring travel costs down

Not every cost needs to be covered by points. Some travel credit cards come with built-in perks that reduce out-of-pocket expenses, from statement credits for baggage fees to access to discounted fares or upgrades. Travelers who book one-way flights instead of round trips often unlock more flexibility and may uncover better redemption value in the process.

Flying into a nearby airport, especially one less saturated with award bookings, can widen the playing field. People who are enrolled in multiple programs — hotels, airlines, or even rental car partners — can stack benefits across categories, which creates savings that go beyond a boarding pass.

There’s also growing interest in fewer, longer trips. Slower travel isn’t just a lifestyle trend. It’s a practical way to stretch rewards, focusing redemptions on quality instead of quantity. A single, well-planned vacation may deliver more value than several short getaways stitched together with expensive layovers or peak-season rates.

Finding the right fit

No one program works for everyone. The best system is the one that fits a traveler’s habits — how they spend, where they go, and how often they book. Programs with clear rules and predictable pricing structures tend to feel more rewarding over time. Those that offer easy transfers and long point expiration windows are worth a look.

Small differences in how rewards are earned or redeemed can add up. That’s especially true for travelers who use points as part of an ongoing strategy, rather than just a one-off redemption. Over time, a few good choices at the earning stage can create more freedom at the booking stage.

Read more: Forget the timeshare, people opt for a lifeshare: The economics of endless travel

Travel smarter, not harder

Booking travel on points might require more effort than they did a few years ago, but it’s not necessarily all bad. In many cases, these changes have opened the door for travelers who are willing to learn the system and stay nimble.

Today’s most rewarding redemptions go to those who blend flexibility with insight. That doesn’t mean chasing every flash sale or memorizing every chart; it means staying engaged, planning with purpose, and seeing rewards as more than just a perk.

The value is still there. And for travelers who know how to unlock it, the next trip is already within reach.