Points & Miles Glossary

A group of airlines that partner with one another. Alliances can make it possible to use miles from one airline’s loyalty program to book flights operated by another airline.

The three major airline alliances are Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam.

Why it matters: Understanding alliances can dramatically increase the number of flights you can book with your points and miles.

Rewards earned through an airline’s loyalty program. Despite the name, you don’t necessarily earn them based on how many miles you fly. Airline miles can often be earned through flights, credit cards, shopping portals, dining programs and transfers from credit card rewards programs.

An online shopping portal offered through an airline loyalty program that allows you to earn additional airline miles when shopping online.

A fee charged each year for keeping certain credit cards open. Some travel credit cards have no annual fee, while premium cards can charge several hundred dollars or more.

Someone who is allowed to use another person’s credit card account. The primary cardholder remains responsible for charges made on the account.

Flights or hotel rooms that can actually be booked using points or miles.

Finding a flight for sale with cash does NOT necessarily mean that the same flight can be booked with miles.

Simply Points Tip: Always confirm award availability BEFORE transferring credit card points to an airline or hotel program.

A chart used by a loyalty program to determine how many points or miles are required for an award.

Some programs still use published award charts, while many others now use dynamic pricing.

A flight booked using airline miles or points instead of paying the full airfare in cash. Taxes and fees may still apply.

Also called an award ticket or reward flight.

A hotel stay booked using hotel points or another rewards currency instead of paying the full room rate in cash.

The process of searching airline or hotel loyalty programs for travel that can be booked with points or miles.

Seats or hotel rooms that a loyalty program has made available to book using points or miles. Often used interchangeably with “award availability.”

A plane ticket booked using airline miles or points.

Rewards earned through a bank’s credit card rewards program rather than directly with an airline or hotel.

Examples include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou® Points.

These can be especially valuable when they are transferable to multiple airline or hotel partners.

How far in advance an airline or hotel allows reservations to be made.

Award booking windows vary by loyalty program, which means one program may allow you to book a flight earlier than another.

A spending category that earns more than the card’s standard rewards rate.

Common bonus categories include dining, groceries, travel, gas and online purchases.

A premium airline cabin that typically offers more space, upgraded meals and service and, on many long-haul international flights, lie-flat seats.

Points and miles can sometimes make business-class travel significantly more affordable than paying the cash price.

A credit card designed for business expenses. Depending on the issuer, freelancers, independent contractors and other small-business owners may be eligible.

The type of airline seating or service purchased.

Common cabin classes include: • Economy • Premium Economy • Business Class • First Class

The person whose name is associated with a credit card account.

An additional fee an airline may add to a ticket, including some award tickets.

These are sometimes called fuel surcharges or YQ/YR charges.

Why it matters: Two loyalty programs may charge very different cash fees for booking the exact same flight.

Credit card rewards that can generally be redeemed as cash or statement credits rather than airline miles or hotel points.

A simple way to estimate the value you’re getting from your points.

Formula: (Cash price of travel − taxes and fees paid) ÷ number of points used × 100

Example: A $1,000 flight that costs 50,000 points would give you approximately 2 cents per point in value.

An application guideline commonly associated with Chase credit cards. In general, applicants who have opened five or more personal credit card accounts across issuers within the previous 24 months may have difficulty being approved for certain Chase cards.

Rules and application policies can change, so readers should verify current issuer terms before applying.

A credit card issued in partnership with a specific airline, hotel or other brand.

Examples include airline credit cards and hotel credit cards.

Unlike transferable bank points, rewards earned from these cards generally stay within that specific loyalty program.

A credit card or loyalty benefit that can allow an eligible companion to travel for a reduced fare, taxes and fees, or under other program-specific terms.

Terms vary significantly by program.

A stop between your departure city and final destination where you change flights.

Rewards earned by using a rewards credit card. Depending on the program, these points may be redeemable for travel, cash back, gift cards or transfers to airline and hotel partners.

An online booking platform provided by a credit card rewards program where cardholders can book flights, hotels, rental cars and other travel using points, cash or a combination.

Examples include travel portals offered by major bank rewards programs.

Transferable rewards earned through eligible Capital One credit cards. They may be redeemed through Capital One or transferred to participating airline and hotel partners.

A Chase travel rewards credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards® points. Card benefits and terms can change, so always verify the current offer before applying.

A premium Chase travel rewards credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards® points. Card benefits and terms can change, so always verify the current offer before applying.

When a loyalty program makes its points or miles less valuable, usually by increasing the number required for an award or changing program rules.

This is one reason we generally recommend earning flexible points and avoiding unnecessarily large speculative transfers.

A program that lets members earn airline miles, hotel points or other rewards when dining at participating restaurants and paying with a linked card.

A pricing system where the number of points or miles required for an award can change based on factors such as demand, date, route or cash price.

Unlike a traditional award chart, there may not be one fixed points price.

Credit toward earning hotel elite status, generally earned through qualifying hotel stays, credit cards or promotions.

Special status earned within an airline or hotel loyalty program.

Depending on the program and status level, benefits may include upgrades, free breakfast, lounge access, bonus points, priority boarding, late checkout or waived fees.

Normal household spending — such as groceries, dining, gas, bills and other purchases — that can be used strategically to earn points and miles.

A letter or code used by airlines to categorize ticket inventory.

Different fare classes can determine price, upgrade eligibility, mileage earning and whether a seat can be booked as a partner award.

A premium airline cabin above business class on airlines that offer it.

International first class may include suites, premium dining, lounges and other luxury services.

See Transferable Points.

An airline loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem miles or points.

Examples include American Airlines AAdvantage®, United MileagePlus®, Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

See Carrier-Imposed Surcharge.

A fee some credit cards charge on purchases processed outside the United States or in a foreign currency. Many travel credit cards do not charge this fee.

A certificate that can be redeemed for an eligible hotel night, subject to the program’s property, points, category and expiration rules.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection trusted traveler program that provides expedited processing for eligible travelers entering the United States.

Global Entry membership also includes TSA PreCheck® benefits for eligible members.

Some travel credit cards offer a statement credit toward the application fee.

A prepaid card or digital credit for a particular merchant or network. Some rewards programs allow points to be redeemed for gift cards, though the value may differ from travel redemptions.

A classification some hotel loyalty programs use to help determine the number of points required for an award night.

Not all hotel programs use categories.

A rewards program offered by a hotel brand that allows members to earn and redeem hotel points and potentially receive elite-status benefits.

Examples include World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy®, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards.

Rewards earned through a hotel loyalty program.

They may be earned through hotel stays, co-branded credit cards, promotions and, in some cases, transfers from bank rewards programs.

A points transfer from a credit card rewards program to an airline or hotel program that typically completes immediately or within a very short period.

Transfer times can change, so always verify before transferring.

The financial institution that issues a credit card.

Examples include Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi.

A relatively short connection between flights before continuing to your destination.

A longer connection may be considered a stopover depending on the airline or loyalty program’s rules.

A rewards program offered by an airline, hotel, credit card issuer or other company that rewards customers for their business.

A type of rewards currency most commonly associated with airline loyalty programs.

Despite the name, airline miles do not necessarily correspond to actual miles traveled.

The amount of eligible spending a credit card requires within a specified period to earn a welcome offer.

Example: “Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.”

Never spend more than you normally would simply to earn a welcome offer.

An award itinerary where different flight segments are booked in different cabin classes.

For example, a short connecting flight might be in economy while the long international flight is in business class.

Always check each segment before booking.

A general term for the rewards currencies earned through airline, hotel and credit card loyalty programs.

American Express’s transferable rewards currency. Eligible points may be redeemed in several ways or transferred to participating airline and hotel partners.

Informal language used for certain American Express offers that do not display the usual restriction based on previously having that card. Eligibility is never guaranteed and current offer terms control.

An award ticket booked in only one direction rather than as a round trip.

Booking one-way awards can provide more flexibility because you may be able to use different airline programs for your outbound and return flights.

One of the world’s three major airline alliances.

Members can offer reciprocal benefits and partner award opportunities depending on the loyalty program and ticket.

An itinerary where you fly into one city but return from another.

Example: Washington → Paris Rome → Washington

You travel between Paris and Rome separately.

Open jaws can be especially useful for multi-city trips.

The amount of money you personally pay after points, miles, credits or other rewards are applied.

An airline that has an agreement with another airline or loyalty program.

Partnerships can sometimes allow travelers to use one airline’s miles to book a flight operated by another airline.

An award ticket booked using one loyalty program’s miles for a flight operated by a partner airline.

Example: You might fly on Airline A but book the flight using miles from Airline B.

This is one of the most important concepts in award travel because the same flight can sometimes cost very different amounts depending on which program you use to book it.

A rewards currency earned through credit cards, hotels, airlines and other loyalty programs.

A redemption option that allows travelers to pay for a booking using a combination of points and money.

Some loyalty programs require account activity or impose other rules to prevent points or miles from expiring.

Expiration policies vary by program.

A loyalty program feature that allows eligible members — often family members — to combine points into one account or shared pool.

Rules vary by program.

Moving transferable credit card points from a bank rewards program into an airline or hotel loyalty program.

Important: Transfers are often irreversible. Always confirm award availability before transferring points.

A separate flight used to reach the airport where your main award itinerary begins.

Example: You live in Washington, D.C., but find an incredible business-class award from New York to Europe. You might book a separate Washington-to-New York flight to “position” yourself for that award.

Why it matters: Searching from multiple departure airports can sometimes uncover much better award availability.

An airline cabin between economy and business class that generally provides additional legroom, wider seats, upgraded meals or other benefits depending on the airline.

An airport lounge membership program providing access to participating airport lounges and other eligible locations, subject to the member’s specific Priority Pass plan and terms.

Some premium travel credit cards include a Priority Pass membership.

The primary person in a two-person points-and-miles strategy.

The second person in a two-person points-and-miles strategy, often a spouse or travel partner.

Changing one credit card product to another with the same issuer, often without closing the account. Eligibility, benefits and account details depend on the issuer.

Using points or miles to pay for a flight, hotel stay or other reward.

The approximate value received when redeeming points or miles.

This is commonly measured using cents per point (CPP).

A ticket purchased primarily with money rather than airline miles.

An award itinerary that includes both outbound and return travel.

The path your flights take between your origin and destination.

For example: Washington → Paris and Washington → New York → Paris

are two different routings.

Rules a loyalty program uses to determine which connections, stopovers, regions and routes are permitted on an award ticket.

A lower-priced award level offered by some airline loyalty programs.

Saver awards typically have limited availability and may also be the award inventory made available to partner airlines.

A website that allows you to earn additional points, miles or cash back when you click through the portal before shopping online.

Simply Points Tip: Shopping portals can be an easy way to “stack” rewards on purchases you were already planning to make.

See Welcome Offer.

One of the world’s three major airline alliances.

Members include airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM.

A credit inquiry that generally does not affect your credit score.

This differs from a hard inquiry, which can appear on your credit report after applying for credit.

Earning multiple types of rewards from the same purchase.

Example: Use a rewards credit card + click through a shopping portal + activate a card-linked offer.

One purchase could potentially earn rewards from all three.

One of the world’s three major airline alliances.

Members include airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

A credit applied to your credit card account that reduces your balance.

Some travel credit cards offer statement credits for eligible travel or other purchases.

An extended stop in another city before continuing to your final destination.

For international travel, a connection of 24 hours or more is commonly considered a stopover, although exact definitions depend on the program.

Some award programs allow stopovers, which can make it possible to visit another destination as part of the same award itinerary.

A points or miles redemption that offers unusually good value.

Sweet spots often occur when a loyalty program charges significantly fewer miles for a particular route or partner award than competing programs.

Cash charges that may still be required when booking a flight using points or miles.

Even a “free” award ticket usually isn’t completely free because government taxes and other fees may apply.

A limited-time promotion that gives you extra airline miles or hotel points when transferring credit card points to a specific partner.

Example: A 20% transfer bonus could turn 50,000 credit card points into 60,000 airline miles.

An airline or hotel loyalty program that accepts transfers from a credit card rewards program.

Transfer partners are one of the most important concepts in points and miles because transferring points can sometimes provide significantly more value than redeeming them through a credit card travel portal.

The rate at which credit card points convert into airline miles or hotel points.

Example: A 1:1 transfer ratio means 1,000 credit card points = 1,000 airline miles or hotel points.

Not every transfer partner uses a 1:1 ratio.

The amount of time it takes for points transferred from a credit card rewards program to appear in an airline or hotel loyalty account.

Some transfers may be nearly instant while others can take longer.

Credit card points that can be moved to multiple airline or hotel loyalty programs.

Common transferable rewards currencies include: • Chase Ultimate Rewards® • American Express Membership Rewards® • Capital One miles • Citi ThankYou® Points • Bilt Points

Transferable points can be especially valuable because they give you flexibility to choose among multiple loyalty programs when you’re ready to book.

A credit or reimbursement offered by certain travel credit cards for eligible travel purchases.

Terms and eligible purchases vary by card.

See Credit Card Travel Portal.

A U.S. Transportation Security Administration trusted traveler program that provides eligible travelers access to expedited airport security screening.

Some travel credit cards reimburse the application fee.

The rules, restrictions, rates, fees and eligibility requirements that govern an offer, card benefit or loyalty program.

Citi’s transferable rewards currency. Eligible points may be redeemed in several ways or transferred to participating airline and hotel partners.

Moving from one cabin class or hotel room category to a higher one.

Upgrades may be obtained using points, miles, cash, elite-status benefits, certificates or complimentary benefits depending on the program.

A benefit provided by some airline or hotel loyalty programs that may be used to request or confirm an upgrade, subject to availability and program rules.

Chase’s rewards currency. Depending on the card, points may be redeemed in several ways or transferred to participating airline and hotel partners.

A bonus offered to eligible new credit cardholders after meeting specific requirements.

Example: “Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months.”

Welcome offers can be one of the fastest ways to earn a large number of travel rewards.

Also commonly called a welcome bonus or sign-up bonus.

Codes commonly associated with carrier-imposed surcharges that airlines may add to tickets, including award tickets.

See Carrier-Imposed Surcharge.

A reminder that another person’s approval, offer, redemption, benefit or experience may not be the same as yours.