Loyalty programs generate significant revenue for airlines and hotel chains by creating multiple income avenues, one of which includes directly selling airline miles and hotel points to travelers.
By selling these points and miles, programs can quickly boost their cash flow, as travelers typically prepay for future trips. However, as a traveler, it’s important to note that purchasing points and miles usually makes sense only if a discount or bonus promotion is available.
This article highlights some of the best current offers for purchasing airline miles and hotel points, including potentially targeted deals. But first, let’s explore when it’s worthwhile to buy points and miles.
Is it Worth Buying Points and Miles?
Before jumping into purchasing points and miles, here are some factors to consider.
Firstly, buying points and miles is generally beneficial only for select travelers and during specific circumstances. It’s often more advantageous to earn points and miles for “free” through welcome bonuses associated with travel rewards credit cards.
That said, taking advantage of point and mile purchases during strong promotions can be worthwhile, especially for those who have exhausted their credit card options or need extra points for a specific redemption.
We typically advise only purchasing points or miles if you have a clear and immediate use in mind. In such cases, buying points and miles can lead to significant savings. However, we caution against accumulating excessive loyalty rewards, as programs often face unexpected devaluations.
Now, let’s take a look at the current promotions for purchasing points and miles.
Related: What are the current values of points and miles? Check Flying Frugal’s monthly assessments
Current Promotions for Airline Miles
American Airlines AAdvantage
- Current Promotion: 10% to 35% discount
- Purchase Rate: As low as 2.45 cents per mile
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.65 cents per mile
- End Date: Unknown
- Buy AAdvantage Miles
American Airlines is currently offering discounts ranging from 10% to 35%, which depends on the number of miles purchased. You need to buy at least 6,000 miles to qualify for the 10% discount. The maximum 35% discount is available when you purchase 150,000 miles, bringing the price down to 2.45 cents per mile, considerably higher than Flying Frugal’s valuation, but could still be useful for high-value redemptions.
Air Canada Aeroplan
- Current Promotion: 15% to 30% discount
- Purchase Rate: As low as about 1.7 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.5 cents per point
- End Date: February 18, 2025
- Buy Aeroplan Points
Air Canada is offering discounts ranging from 15% to 30% for purchasing points, with the highest discount applicable when buying at least 100,000 points. The lowest purchase rate is about 1.7 cents per point, which exceeds Flying Frugal’s valuation, but may be useful for specific redemptions, such as business-class tickets or stopovers.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Up to 60% bonus miles
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.72 cents per mile
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.45 cents per mile
- End Date: February 21, 2025
- Buy Alaska Miles
Alaska Airlines is conducting a “mystery bonus” promotion, allowing up to 60% bonus miles for purchases of 40,000 or more. The pricing remains high even with the bonus, making it not the best option for most customers.
JetBlue TrueBlue (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Up to 120% bonus points
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.36 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.35 cents per point
- End Date: February 24, 2025
- Buy TrueBlue Points
JetBlue is offering targeted members a 120% bonus if they purchase at least 3,000 points, resulting in a purchase rate of 1.36 cents per point, just above Flying Frugal’s valuation. This promotion is worthwhile for members with a specific JetBlue redemption in mind.
Finnair Plus Avios (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Varies
- Purchase Rate: Approximately 1.8 to 2.3 cents per Avios
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.4 cents per Avios
- End Date: Unknown
- Buy Finnair Plus Avios
Finnair is targeting members with varying promotions for purchasing Avios, which can drop the price to between 1.8 and 2.3 cents. This could be useful for specific redemptions but is generally not recommended due to high costs.
Frontier Miles
- Current Promotion: 150% bonus miles
- Purchase Rate: 1.08 cents per mile
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.1 cents per mile
- End Date: February 12, 2025
- Buy Frontier Miles
Frontier’s promotion offers a 150% bonus when purchasing 3,000 miles or more, making this an attractive option with a competitive price just below Flying Frugal’s valuation.
HawaiianMiles
- Current Promotion: Up to 50% bonus miles
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.83 cents per mile
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.2 cents per mile
- End Date: February 21, 2025
- Buy HawaiianMiles
Hawaiian Airlines is offering a range of bonuses for various purchase levels, with a maximum 50% bonus that lowers the price to about 1.83 cents per mile. This is higher than Flying Frugal’s valuation and should be considered carefully against upcoming redemptions.
Southwest Rapid Rewards (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Up to a 50% discount
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.5 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.35 cents per point
- End Date: February 23, 2025
- Buy Rapid Rewards Points
Southwest’s mystery promotion offers discounts of 40%, 45%, or 50% on points purchases, although even the best deal remains above Flying Frugal’s valuation.
United MileagePlus
- Current Promotion: Up to 95% bonus miles
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.79 cents per mile
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.3 cents per mile
- End Date: February 28, 2025
- Buy MileagePlus Miles
United is offering substantial bonus miles for purchases, but the price remains high compared to Flying Frugal’s valuation. Only proceed if you have a specific need for miles.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Current Promotion: Up to 70% bonus points
- Purchase Rate: As low as 1.48 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.4 cents per point
- End Date: March 7, 2025
- Buy Virgin Points
Virgin Atlantic is running a bonus points promotion which lowers the purchase price, but it still might not represent the best value compared to other options.
Current Promotions for Hotel Points
Hilton Honors
- Current Promotion: 100% bonus points
- Purchase Rate: As low as 0.5 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 0.6 cents per point
- End Date: March 14, 2025
- Buy Hilton Honors Points
Hilton Honors is offering a generous promotion of a 100% bonus on point purchases. This effectively reduces the cost to just 0.5 cents per point, which is a great deal compared to Flying Frugal’s valuation of 0.6 cents. It’s an excellent opportunity for those looking to acquire more Hilton points for their travel plans.
IHG One Rewards (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Up to a 30% discount
- Purchase Rate: As low as 0.7 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 0.5 cents per point
- End Date: Unknown
- Buy IHG One Rewards Points
The latest IHG One Rewards promotion features a tiered discount of up to 30% depending on the volume purchased, yet the purchase price remains higher than Flying Frugal’s valuation, making it generally not worth buying unless for specific redemptions.
Wyndham Rewards (targeted)
- Current Promotion: Up to a 60% bonus
- Purchase Rate: 0.8 cents per point
- Flying Frugal February 2025 Valuation: 1.1 cents per point
- End Date: February 16, 2025
- Buy Wyndham Points
Wyndham Rewards is running a promotion where members can earn a bonus for point purchases. The lowest price is approximately 0.8 cents per point, which is considerably better than Flying Frugal’s valuation, making it an enticing option if planning a trip in 2025.
Which Credit Card Should You Use for Points and Miles Purchases?
Many of these offers are processed via points.com rather than directly through the airline or hotel chain, meaning you may not earn bonus rewards from your travel rewards cards. Instead, consider using a general spending card that offers strong returns on everyday purchases.
The exception is American Airlines, as their purchases may code as airfare, allowing for bonus miles on specific cards. Additionally, if you’re working toward a minimum spending requirement for a new card’s welcome bonus, using it for purchases can be beneficial.
Also, keep in mind that foreign transaction fees might apply, particularly for international purchases. Consider using a card that minimizes these fees.
In Conclusion
Buying points and miles can be beneficial, especially when a good promotion is in play. However, it’s advisable to have a specific redemption planned and ensure availability before deciding to make a purchase.
