What are factors and miles value? TPG’s December 2023 month-to-month valuations

One of many questions individuals usually ask us is, “How a lot is some extent or mile value?”

The true reply varies from level to level and individual to individual. It additionally will depend on your journey targets and the way nicely you may maximize a specific loyalty forex. Nonetheless, some rewards credit cards are clearly value greater than others, and our aim is to offer you a way of how they stack up.

Traditionally, TPG has valued factors and miles based on a mixture of the worth at which we might purchase the miles, award prices in this system (factoring in availability and charges) and our personal experience within the internal workings of the packages.

Nonetheless, we now use intensive knowledge for the highest six U.S. airline loyalty packages to higher estimate the worth you need to intention to get out of your rewards (you may learn our full breakdown of this technique in our explainer post).

For one more month, our mannequin once more reveals consistency with these numbers — although we’ll be sure you replace in future months after they do change.

Searching for a handy technique to see all your factors and miles in a single place? Download the free TPG app!

Notice: These valuations will not be offered by card issuers.

* Calculated utilizing TPG’s revamped data-backed valuations methodology, launched in September 2023.

Alaska Airways shocked the aviation trade earlier this month (on a Sunday of all days), asserting its intention to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion. This got here lower than a month after the provider launched extra data on its deliberate award chart changes for 2024.

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Whereas airline acquisitions can generally ship concern by means of vacationers with doubtlessly lowered competitors resulting in greater fares, the announcement was met positively by many factors and miles lovers, particularly past Alaska and Hawaiian’s personal members.

Assuming the merger is authorized by regulators, Alaska plans to convey Hawaiian Airways into the Oneworld alliance — which may unlock a wide range of new redemption choices to get to Hawaii (or past) utilizing rewards. Whereas American Airways already had a partnership with Hawaiian, it excludes flights to (and from) the continental U.S. This acquisition may change that.

After all, it stays to be seen how the 2 packages can be built-in and what this is able to imply for present balances, but it surely’s very potential that this could possibly be a big win for travelers.

Past the large Alaska-Hawaiian announcement, there are a handful of ongoing transfer bonuses to concentrate on:

• American Specific Membership Rewards:
• 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership and Hilton Honors by means of Dec. 31
• 20% bonus to Singapore Airways KrisFlyer by means of Dec. 31
• 15% bonus to Avianca LifeMiles till Dec. 10
• Chase Final Rewards:
• 20% bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan by means of Jan. 15, 2024
• 20% bonus to JetBlue TrueBlue by means of Jan. 10, 2024

As well as, loads of doubtlessly profitable promotions launched for buying points or miles — together with provides from American AAdvantage, United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors. A few of these will be extra profitable than others, so be sure you fastidiously take into account whether or not one is value it earlier than finishing the transaction.

Associated: The best credit cards for buying points and miles

Lastly, there have been some notable loyalty program adjustments heading into the final month of the 12 months. After including the flexibility to e book JetBlue flights with Avios, Qatar Airways rapidly pivoted and increased the award rates. And it will now value you more Virgin points to e book many Delta itineraries — additional lowering the worth of what was beforehand a notable candy spot in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Membership program.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t all unhealthy information, as World of Hyatt introduced some updates to its Milestone Rewards because it continues to drive worth for its members.

Journey bank card provides

Past these developments, there isn’t any scarcity of great welcome bonuses on many widespread playing cards — listed here are a number of of our favorites this month.

Chase Sapphire Most popular Card

Proper now, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is providing a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. Per TPG’s valuation, that is value $1,230 whenever you leverage switch companions or $750 in the event you redeem by means of the Chase travel portal at 1.25 cents per level.

The cardboard comes with a manageable $95 annual price, together with a wide range of journey protections and extra perks — like a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made by means of the Chase journey portal and a 10% anniversary points bonus based mostly in your earlier 12 months’s spending.

After all, chances are you’ll need to spring for the Chase Sapphire Reserve as a substitute. Whereas the cardboard has a hefty $550 annual price, it consists of perks like Priority Pass lounge access, an annual $300 travel credit and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit score, amongst different advantages. Plus, you may earn 3 factors per greenback on all journey and eating bills, so you may rapidly rack up rewards to your subsequent large journey.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Official utility hyperlink: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card

On the upper finish of the spectrum is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, one of the crucial thrilling journey bank cards available on the market, because of nice incomes charges and included perks.

The cardboard is presently providing a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles whenever you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening — value $1,388 in line with our valuations, because of Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

The usual Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is presently providing the identical welcome bonus because the Enterprise X. You’ll be able to earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening. Just like the Enterprise X, the Enterprise card earns 2 miles per greenback on the whole lot.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Platinum Card® from American Specific

With the present welcome provide on the Amex Platinum, you may earn 80,000 factors after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership — although chances are you’ll be focused for the next provide by means of the CardMatch tool (provide topic to alter at any time).

After all, the cardboard is jam-packed with advantages like airport lounge access, hotel elite status and extra. These advantages could make your journey expertise smoother and extra luxurious than ever earlier than — particularly with the most recent additions. The cardboard has a $695 annual price (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for choose advantages.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Platinum Card.

Official utility hyperlink: The Platinum Card from American Express

American Specific® Gold Card

One of the vital widespread playing cards with TPG staffers, the Amex Gold provides 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in your new card throughout the first six months of card membership. This welcome provide is value $1,200 based mostly on our valuations — however be sure you test the CardMatch tool to see in the event you’re targeted for an even higher offer (provide topic to alter at any time).

The cardboard is nice for a lot of on a regular basis purchases. You may earn 4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback) and 4 factors per greenback on eating at eating places. The cardboard has a $250 annual price (see rates and fees).

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Gold Card.

Official utility hyperlink: American Express Gold Card

The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific

The Enterprise Platinum Card offers 120,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases along with your card within the first three months of card membership. Per our valuations, this welcome provide is value at the least $2,400, however you may get much more worth when redeeming for high-end airfare.

The cardboard additionally offers a slew of additional perks much like (however barely completely different from) the private model — you may compare the two cards in this guide to see which one can be a greater match to your pockets.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.

Official utility hyperlink: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise

The Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise card launched in September, and new candidates can earn a massive welcome bonus of 150,000 miles after spending $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. Whereas that is clearly an enormous spending requirement, these rewards can go a great distance towards your subsequent journey.

The Enterprise X Enterprise options practically similar perks to the private model of the cardboard — together with a $300 annual credit for bookings by means of Capital One Journey, intensive airport lounge entry and 10,000 bonus miles in your cardholder anniversary.

For extra particulars, take a look at our full review of the Venture X Business card.

Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Venture X Business

• Aeroplan Credit Card: Earn 75,000 factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months your account is open. Plus, earn 25,000 factors after you spend $20,000 on purchases within the first 12 months your account is open.
• Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and charges from $23) whenever you make $3,000 or extra in purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Supply ends Dec. 11.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Supply ends Dec. 11.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Supply ends Dec. 11.

There have even been some nice new focused provides for present cardholders. For instance, when you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, test to see in the event you’re eligible to earn an 85,000-point free night certificate after spending $4,000 by March 31, 2024 (enrollment required).

For those who’re waiting for vacation journey (which you should be doing!) or planning journeys for subsequent 12 months, take a look at our record of the best travel credit cards for different choices that might suit your pockets.

Learn extra: How to choose the best credit card for you

For charges and charges of the Amex Enterprise Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on here.

That is The Factors Man’s everlasting web page for probably the most up-to-date valuations, so you may bookmark it and test again every month for updates.