Redeeming your hard-earned airline miles and credit card points can be confusing. If you’re traveling on popular international routes like New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), there are a multitude of airlines, cabins and taxes to be aware of. As a result, knowing which airlines offer the most lucrative awards is worth your while.
We’ve searched for one-way tickets on some of the most popular nonstop international flights from the U.S. to find which programs offer the most appealing award rates. That said, more loyalty programs are moving away from fixed-price award charts in favor of dynamically priced awards. Because of this, some of these award rates are starting prices, while others are fixed prices for a given flight.
Here’s a look at what we found. Note that prices and award availability were accurate at the time of writing and may have changed by the time you read this.
Related: 7 of the best airline award chart sweet spots
Book a flight from New York to London
The New York-to-London corridor is one of the most competitive and profitable international routes, with dozens of nonstop flights daily across numerous American and British airlines. Here are some options for redeeming your points and miles to travel from New York to London.
American Airlines
British Airways
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 28,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $6
- Premium economy: 72,000 SkyMiles plus $6
- Business: 250,000 SkyMiles plus $6
JetBlue
- Economy: 23,400 JetBlue TrueBlue points plus $6
- Business: 152,200 TrueBlue points plus $6
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United Airlines
- Economy: 34,600 United MileagePlus miles plus $5.60
- Premium economy: 50,000 United miles plus $5.60
- Business: 127,500 United miles plus $5.60
Virgin Atlantic
- Economy: 6,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points plus $72
- Premium economy: 10,500 Virgin points plus $102
- Business: 57,500 Virgin points plus $455
Related: The complete guide to flying to London on points and miles
Book a flight from Honolulu to Tokyo
Flights between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND) have largely returned to their pre-coronavirus pandemic frequencies.
There are also flights from HNL to other airports in Japan, like Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). Consider checking these routes if you have trouble finding availability.
Here are some of the best ways to redeem your points and miles from Hawaii to Japan.
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 34,000 SkyMiles plus $6
- Premium economy: 58,000 SkyMiles plus $6
- Business: 190,000 SkyMiles plus $6
Hawaiian Airlines
- Economy: 35,000 Mileage Plan miles plus $6, 37,500 AAdvantage miles plus $6, or 40,000 HawaiianMiles plus $6
- Business: 65,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
Japan Airlines
- Economy: 30,000 Mileage Plan miles plus $19
- Premium economy: 40,000 Mileage Plan miles plus $19
Related: Save money: How you can book flights to Hawaii using points and miles
Book a flight from New York to Toronto
Many travel regularly from JFK to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) for work or pleasure. Heads-up here — as we mentioned earlier, some of these awards are dynamically priced, meaning you could find lower or higher award rates depending on your travel dates. This route is particularly susceptible to dynamic pricing during conferences and other major events in New York and Toronto.
Air Canada
- Economy: 10,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points plus around $30
- Business: 16,400 Aeroplan points plus around $30
American Airlines
- Economy: 7,500 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- Business: 15,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 8,500 SkyMiles plus $6
- Business: 24,500 SkyMiles plus $6
United Airlines
- Economy: 15,000 United miles plus $6
- Business: 36,700 United miles plus $6
Related: How to redeem Aeroplan points for maximum value
Book a flight from New York to Paris
Air France is an excellent option for flying from New York (and other major U.S. cities) to Paris, as it operates numerous daily flights between the two cities. Its loyalty program — Air France-KLM Flying Blue — often offers rock-bottom award prices to Paris from various U.S. cities through its monthly Promo Rewards. However, standard award rates were recently devalued.
Here’s what you can expect when using points and miles to fly from New York to Paris.
Air France
- Economy: 25,000 Flying Blue miles plus $94
- Premium economy: 40,000 Flying Blue miles plus $145
- Business: 66,000 Flying Blue miles plus $217
American Airlines
- Economy: 19,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- Premium economy: 39,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- Business: 56,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 26,500 Flying Blue miles plus $33, or 33,000 SkyMiles plus $6
- Premium economy: 98,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $6
- Business: 225,000 Delta SkyMiles plus $6
United Airlines
- Economy: 34,600 United miles plus $6
- Premium economy: 62,100 United miles plus $6
- Business: 142,000 United miles plus $6
Related: How points and miles made my son’s Paris travel dreams come true
Book a flight from New York to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is another popular international destination from New York. As with Toronto, flights on this route are often subject to dynamic pricing, so award prices for your travel dates could vary greatly.
Here are some options for using points and miles to fly between JFK and Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International Airport (SDQ).
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 11,000 SkyMiles plus $54
- Business: 35,000 SkyMiles plus $54
JetBlue
- Economy: 11,200 TrueBlue points plus $54
- Business: Not offered on this route
United Airlines
- Economy: 12,200 United miles plus $54
- Business: 35,000 United miles plus $54
Related: Best all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic
Book a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney
With its world-famous Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and laid-back lifestyle, Sydney has long been a popular choice for travelers heading Down Under. Here are some of the most affordable award flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD).
American Airlines
- Economy: 35,000 AAdvantage miles plus $25, or 42,500 Mileage Plan miles plus $38
Delta Air Lines
- Economy: 33,000 SkyMiles plus $37
- Premium economy: 145,000 SkyMiles plus $37
- Business: 410,000 SkyMiles plus $37
Qantas
- Economy: 40,000 AAdvantage miles plus $31, 41,900 Qantas Frequent Flyer points plus $95, or 42,500 Mileage Plan miles plus $44
United Airlines
- Economy: 50,300 United miles plus $32
- Premium economy: 70,000 United miles plus $32
- Business: 200,000 United miles plus $32
Related: The best Australia and New Zealand cruises
Book a flight from Miami to Buenos Aires, Argentina
While it’s historically been difficult to redeem points and miles to fly on Argentina’s flag carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas is a SkyTeam member. Therefore, Air France-KLM Flying Blue members can redeem Flying Blue miles for tickets from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). However, award rates on its flights are often underwhelming, so consider sticking to American Airlines.
Aerolineas Argentinas
- Economy: 35,500 Flying Blue miles plus $33
- Business: Limited, if any, award space
American Airlines
- Economy: 23,500 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- Premium economy: 38,000 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- Business: 110,500 AAdvantage miles plus $6
- First: 120,500 AAdvantage miles plus $6
Related: TPG’s favorite hotels in Latin America
Book a flight from San Francisco to Singapore
Despite a 16-hour marathon flight, there are usually four daily flights to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Singapore Airlines
- Economy: 42,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles plus $6, or 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $57
- Business: 87,500 Aeroplan points plus $57
United Airlines
- Economy: 50,700 United miles plus $6, or 60,000 Aeroplan points plus $56.49
- Premium economy: 95,000 United miles plus $6
- Business: 87,500 Aeroplan points plus $57
Related: Is United Polaris business class worth it to Singapore?
Bottom line
As you can see, loyalty programs may charge different amounts on the same route. Some programs tack on steep fuel surcharges that can ruin what would have been an excellent use of points and miles. In some instances, one loyalty program may charge more for a premium economy seat than what another program charges for a lie-flat business-class seat on the same route. It pays to know your options.
Flexibility in travel dates, airports and airlines is key to a successful award redemption. Earning transferable points can give you more flexibility, allowing you to transfer to the best program for your particular flight. Just remember that transfers are irreversible, so confirm that your desired dates have award space before moving your points.
If you can’t find award space, consider setting up an alert with ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) so you’ll be notified if an award seat becomes available.
