Choosing the right miles and points program is one of the most important decisions any traveler can make. Whether you’re aiming for free flights, luxury hotel stays, or elite status perks, the program you align with can make or break your rewards strategy.
There are hundreds of loyalty programs around the world, each with different rules, partnerships, and value propositions. Picking the wrong one could mean wasted effort, lost points, or missing out on incredible travel opportunities.
In this article, we’ll break down how to choose the best miles and points program for you, step-by-step, based on your goals, lifestyle, and travel habits.
Why Choosing the Right Program Matters
Loyalty programs are designed to reward consistency.
The more you concentrate your earning and spending in a few programs, the faster you can:
- Redeem for premium travel
- Earn elite status
- Access better award availability
- Enjoy special promotions and bonuses
Choosing the wrong program leads to:
- Points scattered across incompatible systems
- Lower redemption values
- Higher fees and surcharges
- Lost opportunities for upgrades or perks
Choosing correctly = traveling smarter, faster, and cheaper.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Program
When evaluating which miles and points program to commit to, consider the following critical factors:
1. Your Travel Goals
Ask yourself:
- Are you mainly traveling domestically or internationally?
- Are you aiming for economy class tickets or premium cabin experiences?
- Do you want free hotel stays or airline tickets?
- Are you trying to achieve elite status for perks like lounge access and upgrades?
Example:
- If you want business class flights to Europe, programs like American Airlines AAdvantage or Air France Flying Blue are excellent.
- If you want short domestic flights in Brazil, Smiles or Latam Pass might be better.
Knowing your goals defines the type of program you should prioritize.
2. Your Home Airport or City
Loyalty is most beneficial when you can easily access your program’s airlines or partners.
Consider:
- Which airlines have hubs at your nearest airport?
- Which airlines offer non-stop or direct routes to your favorite destinations?
Example:
- If you live in Miami, LATAM and American Airlines offer extensive networks.
- If you live in São Paulo, Azul, GOL, and LATAM dominate.
Choosing a program aligned with your local airport increases award availability and convenience.
3. Transfer Partners and Flexibility
Programs that partner with multiple airlines or hotels offer more options for redemption.
Key flexible programs include:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (transfer to United, Southwest, Hyatt, etc.)
- American Express Membership Rewards (transfer to Delta, Air France, Marriott)
- Livelo (transfer to Smiles, Latam Pass, TudoAzul)
Flexibility protects you if award space is limited on your preferred airline.
4. Redemption Value
Not all miles are created equal.
Compare typical redemption values for different programs:
| Program | Average Value Per Mile |
|---|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | $0.02 (2 cents) |
| Amex Membership Rewards | $0.018 (1.8 cents) |
| United MileagePlus | $0.013 (1.3 cents) |
| LATAM Pass | $0.011 (1.1 cents) |
| Smiles (Brazil) | $0.010–$0.012 |
Aim for programs where you can consistently achieve at least 1.5–2.0 cents per mile in value.
5. Award Availability and Ease of Redemption
It doesn’t matter how many miles you have if you can’t find seats to book.
Evaluate:
- How easy is it to redeem awards online?
- Are there blackout dates?
- Are one-way awards allowed?
- Is dynamic pricing (fluctuating mile costs) used?
Programs like United MileagePlus and Air France Flying Blue tend to have better online booking systems and good availability.
6. Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges
Some loyalty programs charge massive fuel surcharges on award tickets, while others do not.
Example:
- Booking British Airways with Avios often comes with $400–$700 in surcharges.
- Booking United Airlines with MileagePlus generally has low to no surcharges.
Always calculate total out-of-pocket costs before choosing a loyalty program.
7. Elite Status Benefits
If you’re chasing elite status, compare:
- Required miles or segments to qualify
- Benefits offered (upgrades, lounges, bonus miles)
- Status match or challenge options
Some programs offer easier paths to status than others, especially via promotions or partnerships.
Top Miles and Points Programs to Consider
Here’s a quick guide to some of the best programs based on different traveler profiles:
1. Chase Ultimate Rewards
Best for: Travelers who want flexibility and high value.
- Strong airline and hotel transfer partners
- Valuable redemption options through travel portal
- Excellent earning rates with Chase credit cards
2. American Express Membership Rewards
Best for: Premium travelers and international trips.
- Broad airline transfer partners including Air France, Delta, Emirates
- High earning potential through multiple cards
- Occasional huge transfer bonuses
3. Smiles (Brazil)
Best for: Brazilian domestic and South American travel.
- Strong presence in Brazil
- Good transfer bonuses from Livelo
- Regular award sales and flash promotions
4. LATAM Pass
Best for: Latin American routes and some U.S. travel.
- Good award pricing on short-haul routes
- Partners with Delta Airlines
- Elite status benefits on Oneworld alliance airlines
5. United MileagePlus
Best for: International award travel with low surcharges.
- No fuel surcharges on award tickets
- Wide network through Star Alliance
- Easy online booking platform
Steps to Choose the Best Program for You
Here’s a step-by-step checklist to guide your decision:
- Define your primary travel goals.
- Identify your home airport’s dominant airlines.
- List the top programs that match your goals and airport.
- Compare redemption value and award availability.
- Research transfer partners and flexibility.
- Evaluate elite status benefits if important.
- Choose 1–2 airline programs and 1–2 flexible points programs to focus on.
Real-Life Example: How Maria Chose the Perfect Program
Maria, living in São Paulo, wanted:
- Business class flights to Europe
- Low out-of-pocket taxes
- Good award availability
She analyzed:
- Smiles offered frequent promotions but dynamic pricing.
- LATAM Pass had high surcharges on partner flights.
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue via Livelo transfers offered stable award charts and lower fees.
Maria chose:
- To focus on collecting Livelo points.
- Transfer to Flying Blue during 30% bonus promotions.
- Achieve Flying Blue Silver elite status for better availability.
Result:
Maria booked two business class tickets São Paulo → Amsterdam for 106,000 miles + $220 in taxes — instead of paying over $7,000 cash.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Smart for Maximum Rewards
Choosing the right miles and points program isn’t about chasing the flashiest offers — it’s about aligning rewards with your personal travel habits, goals, and lifestyle.
By focusing on the programs that offer the best value, flexibility, and ease of use for your needs, you set yourself up for incredible travel experiences at minimal cost.
Take your time, do your research, and commit to your strategy.
The rewards — luxury trips, free flights, and unforgettable adventures — are well worth the effort.
Elaine A. da Silva is a Brazilian travel and finance enthusiast, best known as the creator of the blog Dica das Milhas. With a strong background in personal finance and a passion for exploring smart travel strategies, she specializes in simplifying the world of airline miles and travel rewards for everyday people. Through her blog, Elaine shares practical tips, insider knowledge, and step-by-step guides to help readers save money and travel more efficiently using loyalty programs and credit card points.
