Airline Award Travel Resource Center
Everything you need to know about transfer partners, cancellation fees, and booking tips for the world's major airlines—all in one place.
A
Air Canada (Aeroplan)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Includes a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred (i.e., 60,000 points = 25,000 miles).
Change Fees
Varies by fare class. $100 CAD for 'Standard' awards. No fees for 'Flex' & 'Latitude' awards (which cost more miles).
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
Varies by fare. $150 CAD for 'Standard', $75 CAD for 'Flex', and no fees for 'Latitude' awards.
Booking Fees
A $39 CAD fee applies to bookings with partner airlines. A $30 CAD fee applies for phone bookings that could be made online.
Fuel Surcharges
None. Aeroplan does not pass on fuel surcharges for award tickets, even on its 45+ partner airlines.
Note
- Partner Network: Extensive global network including all Star Alliance members plus unique partners like Emirates and Etihad.
- Family Sharing: Allows up to 8 family members to create a "Family Pool" to combine and share points.
Booking Tips
- Add a Stopover for 5,000 Points: Add a stopover (up to 45 days) on one-way international awards for only 5,000 extra points. Not permitted in the U.S. or Canada.
- Booking Stopovers: Use the "Multi-city/Stopover" feature online. Search each leg separately on a site like United.com first to find availability before booking on Air Canada.
- Points + Cash: Cover the cash portion of taxes and fees on your award ticket by redeeming points at a fixed value.
Air France/KLM (Flying Blue)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Change Fees
€70 (approx. $75 USD). This fee applies to make changes to an award ticket, including Promo Rewards which are typically non-changeable.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
€70 (approx. $75 USD). This fee applies to cancel an award ticket and redeposit miles, including Promo Rewards.
Booking Fees
No online booking fee. Phone fees are generally waived for bookings that cannot be completed online (like adding a stopover).
Fuel Surcharges
Yes. significant fuel surcharges are passed on for awards on own flights and most long-haul partners, ranging from ~$200 to over $400+ per one-way.
Note
- Dynamic Pricing: Miles required are dynamic and change based on demand, similar to cash ticket prices.
- Family Sharing: Pool points with up to 7 other family members for free.
Booking Tips
- Promo Rewards: Monthly rotating list of awards for 25% to 50% off standard mileage prices.
- Free Stopover: Add a free stopover (24 hours to 1 year) on one-way awards, even on partners. This must be booked via phone.
- Best Transfer Partner: 1:1 transfer partner of all major U.S. bank currencies, making miles very easy to accumulate.
Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Co-Branded Credit Cards
The program is supported by co-branded credit cards from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which all now earn Atmos Rewards points.
Change Fees
None for Main and First Class awards. Does not apply to Saver fares (which are generally not bookable with points).
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None. Award tickets can be canceled and points redeposited for free at any time before departure.
Booking Fees
A non-refundable $12.50 fee (per person, per direction) applies to partner airline bookings. A $15 phone booking fee also applies.
Fuel Surcharges
Generally None. Atmos does not pass on surcharges for Alaska, Hawaiian, AA, JAL, or Aer Lingus. High surcharges apply to British Airways & Icelandair.
Note
Atmos Rewards is a member of the Oneworld Alliance (AA, BA, JAL, etc.) and also maintains unique non-alliance partners (Singapore Airlines, Condor, Aer Lingus).
Booking Tips
- Free Stopover on One-Way Awards: Program's best feature. Add a free stopover on a one-way award ticket (e.g., Seattle > Honolulu > Tokyo).
- Key Sweet Spots: US Domestic (on AA/Alaska) from 4,500 points; Japan Airlines (JAL) to Japan in Business/First; Aer Lingus to Dublin; AA flights for low points + $5.60 tax.
- Partner Booking Fee Waiver: Holders of the Atmos Rewards Summit Card get the $12.50 partner booking fee waived.
Avianca (LifeMiles)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Amex (1:1)
Chase (1:1)
Cap1 (1:1)
Citi (1:1)
Bilt (1:1)
Marriott (3:1)
Change Fees
A $150 USD fee generally applies for making changes (like dates or times) to an award ticket booking.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
Fees are variable ($50-$200). Long-haul and business awards are typically $200; short-haul economy awards are lower.
Booking Fees
A $25 USD fee applies per passenger for all award tickets booked on Star Alliance partner airlines (United, ANA, etc.).
Fuel Surcharges
None. LifeMiles does not pass on any fuel surcharges for its own flights or any Star Alliance partner airlines.
Note
- Variable Fees: Steep and variable fees for canceling awards (up to $200 per ticket).
- Booking Online: The call center is difficult; it's highly recommended to make all bookings online.
Booking Tips
- Partner Sweet Spots: Best value is booking Star Alliance partners with no fuel surcharges (e.g., United to South Africa).
- Transfer Bonuses: LifeMiles frequently offers 15%+ bonuses when transferring points from bank partners.
- Mixed-Cabin Quirk: Pricing can sometimes be lower for mixed-cabin itineraries (Economy + Business).
- "Buy Miles" Sales: Often runs promotions with 140%+ bonuses, a cheap way to "buy" premium cabin tickets.
B
British Airways (Avios)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Avios Partner Transfers (1:1)
You can also instantly transfer Avios 1:1 from Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways.
Change Fees
$55 USD (or £35 GBP) per ticket. Applies to date or time changes, which must be made at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
Unique Trick: Pay $55 to refund points + taxes, OR forfeit taxes (if < $55) to get points back for free. (Best for US Domestic awards).
Booking Fees
No online booking fee. A $25 USD fee applies for phone bookings that could have been completed online.
Fuel Surcharges
Used to charge massive fuel surcharges but no longer does in economy. Fees from London to the US are now low in economy.
Note
- Distance-Based Chart: Pricing is per segment, making non-stop flights the best value. Connections cost more as they are priced as separate awards.
- "Combine My Avios": Link accounts with Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar to transfer Avios instantly between them.
Booking Tips
- Sweet Spot: Short-to-medium-haul economy flights on low-surcharge partners (e.g., AA/Alaska within North America).
- Reward Flight Saver: Pay a fixed low cash fee (e.g., $1) and more Avios for European short-haul to eliminate high surcharges.
- Qatar Avios Trick: Transfer bank points or BA Avios to Qatar Airways to book the *same* AA/Alaska flight for fewer miles.
- Avoid BA Long-Haul: Premiums cabins on BA's own metal usually offer the worst value due to astronomical cash surcharges.
C
Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Amex (1:1)
Chase (1:1)
Capital One (1:1)
Citi (1:1)
Bilt (1:1)
Marriott (3:1)
Change Fees
$50 USD for online changes. An additional $40 fee applies for changes made over the phone that could be done online.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
$120 USD (or 17,000 miles) per ticket to cancel an unused award booking and redeposit the miles.
Booking Fees
No online booking fee. A $40 USD service fee applies for new award bookings made over the phone.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Extremely High). Cathay passes on significant surcharges on its own long-haul flights (often $700+ R/T) and on most partners.
Note
- Oneworld Alliance: Use Asia Miles to book on partners like American Airlines, British Airways, JAL, and Qantas.
- Distance-Based Chart: The program uses a distance-based award chart, which is generally best for non-stop flights.
Booking Tips
- The Main "Trick": The best value is booking on Oneworld partners that have low surcharges, rather than on Cathay Pacific's own long-haul flights.
- Key Sweet Spot: Booking American Airlines flights (e.g., US to Australia) can save over $500 in fees vs. flying on Cathay metal.
- Easy to Earn: Asia Miles are a 1:1 transfer partner of every major U.S. bank program (Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, and Citi).
- Use for Alliances: An excellent option for booking Oneworld partner flights to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan if choosing low-fee partners.
D
Delta Air Lines
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Other Hotel & Card Partners
Delta also has transfer partnerships with several other hotel programs and international credit cards.
Change Fees
No change fees for Award Tickets originating from US/Canada. Does not apply to Basic Economy tickets, which carry a fee assessed in miles.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None for travel originating in US/Canada. Does not apply to Basic Economy Award Tickets, which carry a fee assessed in miles.
Ticketing Fee
No fee for online bookings. A "Direct Ticketing Charge" may apply for phone bookings, but is waived for bookings outside select European countries.
Fuel Surcharges
None on own flights. Delta may pass on significant "carrier-imposed fees" (up to $600+) from partner airlines on international itineraries.
Note
Delta has numerous SkyTeam and non-alliance partners (e.g., Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air). Most can be booked on delta.com, but some require calling reservations.
Booking Tips
- SkyMiles Deals: Regularly offers discounted award promotions. These are similar to "Web Special" awards.
- TakeOff 15: Eligible Delta Amex Card Members receive a 15% discount on miles needed for Delta-operated award flights.
- Miles + Cash: Book award flights using a combination of miles and cash.
- Pay with Miles: A separate benefit for Delta Amex Card Members to pay for cash tickets at a fixed value.
E
Emirates (Skywards)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Change Fees
Depends on fare type. $25 USD per ticket for 'Saver' awards. No change fees for 'Flex Plus' awards (which cost significantly more miles).
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
Depends on fare type. $75 USD per ticket for 'Saver' awards. No fees to cancel and redeposit 'Flex Plus' awards.
Ticketing Fee
No online booking fee. A phone booking fee may apply if the ticket could have been booked online.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (High). Emirates passes on significant fuel surcharges on its own flights, which can add hundreds of dollars per ticket regardless of cabin. (See the Aeroplan tip below.)
Note
- Saver vs. Flex Plus: Choose between "Saver" (fewer miles, high fees) and "Flex Plus" (more miles, no fees).
- Partners: Unique partners outside major alliances, including Air Canada, Qantas, and Japan Airlines.
- First Class is elite-only: As of May 12, 2025, only Skywards Silver, Gold, or Platinum members can book Emirates First Class with miles directly. Non-elites can still book Business and upgrade to First with additional miles.
- Chase no longer transfers: As of October 16, 2025, Chase Ultimate Rewards can no longer be transferred to Emirates Skywards.
Booking Tips
- The Aeroplan Trick: (Key Trick) Avoid massive surcharges by transferring points to Air Canada Aeroplan instead to book Emirates flights.
- Fifth Freedom Routes (Devalued): JFK-Milan, EWR-Athens, and MIA-Bogotá used to be sweet spots, but Emirates hiked both surcharges and award mileage costs on all three in 2025. Run the numbers before transferring.
- Upgrade Awards: Good value for upgrading paid cash tickets (Flex Plus Economy or Saver Business) to the next cabin.
- Stopovers: Flex Plus award tickets allow for a free stopover in Dubai.
H
Hawaiian Airlines (Atmos Rewards)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Co-Branded Credit Cards
The program is supported by co-branded credit cards from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which all now earn Atmos Rewards points.
Change Fees
None. There are no change fees for award tickets. You are only responsible for paying any difference in points or taxes.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None. Award tickets can be canceled and points redeposited for free at any time before departure.
Booking Fees
A $12.50 fee (per person, per direction) applies to partner bookings (waived for Summit Card holders). Phone fees also apply.
Fuel Surcharges
Generally None. Atmos does not pass on surcharges for Hawaiian, Alaska, AA, JAL, or Aer Lingus. High surcharges on BA & Icelandair.
Note
The Atmos Rewards program combines all partners of both Alaska and Hawaiian, including the Oneworld Alliance (AA, BA, JAL, Qantas) and unique non-alliance partners (Aer Lingus, Singapore Airlines, Condor).
Booking Tips
- Free Stopover on One-Way Awards: Program's best feature. Add a free stopover on one-way awards (e.g., Seattle to Honolulu, stop, then Honolulu to Tokyo).
- Key Sweet Spots: JAL Business Class to Japan (from 60k R/T); US Domestic on AA/Alaska (from 4,500 points); Aer Lingus to Dublin (from 45k R/T).
- Partner Booking Fee Waiver: The Atmos Rewards Summit Card waives the $12.50 (per person, per direction) partner booking fee.
J
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Change Fees
Not Permitted. JAL has a strict policy: changes are not allowed. You must cancel the entire booking and issue a new ticket.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
JPY 3,100 (approx. $21 USD). This fee is charged per ticket to cancel an unused international award and redeposit the miles.
Booking Fees
No fee for online bookings. A "Ticket Service Fee" applies for award tickets booked via the JAL call center.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes. JAL passes on carrier-imposed surcharges on its own metal (typically around $200 each way). Many partner airlines have low or no surcharges.
Note
- Miles Expire: Hard expiration 36 months after being earned. Account activity does not extend the life of your miles.
- Oneworld Alliance: JAL is a key Oneworld member. You can also book unique partners like Emirates and Air France through Mileage Bank.
- Family-only Redemptions: JAL only allows you to redeem miles for yourself and family members related by blood or marriage. You can't book friends.
- 60-Day Rule: New JAL accounts must be open 60 days before redeeming miles — but this drops to just 7 days if your first transfer is from Bilt or Capital One.
Booking Tips
- Sweet Spot for Japan: Use Alaska Atmos points to book JAL economy to Japan for as little as 30,000 points one-way (~$50 in fees) or business class from 60,000 points.
- Mileage Bank Value: If you have JAL miles, use them on the distance-based partner chart with airlines that have low surcharges, like American Airlines and Air France.
- Round-Trip Discount: JAL's distance-based partner chart often makes round-trips dramatically cheaper than two one-ways — great for planning return trips.
- Lap Infants Are Cheap: A lap infant ticket booked with JAL miles costs just 10% of the adult mileage — one of the best family redemptions in the points world.
JetBlue (TrueBlue Program)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Change Fees
None for standard fares (Blue, Mint, etc.). Fees of $100-$200 apply to change Blue Basic award tickets.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None for standard fares. Fees of $100-$200 apply for Blue Basic. Taxes/fees are refunded as a JetBlue Travel Bank credit (with expiration).
Booking Fees
A $25 fee applies per person for phone/chat bookings that could have been completed online.
Fuel Surcharges
None on JetBlue-operated flights. Note: JetBlue added carrier-imposed surcharges on United-operated award flights in 2026 for most international routes.
Note
- United Award Bookings (Blue Sky): You can redeem TrueBlue points for United-operated flights on jetblue.com. However, these bookings can only be cancelled — not changed. To modify, you must cancel and rebook entirely.
- Dynamic Pricing: The number of points required for a flight is tied directly to the cash price.
- No Blue Basic Awards: Point bookings typically book into "Blue" fares or higher, ensuring free changes/cancellations on JetBlue-operated flights.
Booking Tips
- Best Transfer Ratios: Chase, Citi (premium cards), and Wells Fargo transfer at 1:1. Skip transferring from Amex or Capital One unless you're topping off an account for a specific redemption.
- Points Pooling: Create a "Points Pool" with up to 7 friends or family members to combine points balances.
- "Repricing" Your Flight: If the points price drops on a JetBlue-operated flight, "change" to the same flight to have the point difference redeposited instantly.
K
Korean Air (SKYPASS)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
No 1:1 Bank Partners
Korean Air is not a 1:1 partner of Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt, or Capital One. Miles are primarily earned via co-branded cards or flying.
Change Fees
₩30,000 (approx. $25-$30 USD) per ticket for international award flights. No fee for domestic Korean flights.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
3,000 miles (int) or 500 miles (dom) if canceled before departure. A 12,000-mile "no-show" penalty applies in addition.
Booking Fees
No fee for online bookings. A "Ticket Service Charge" applies for phone or airport award ticket bookings.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Very High). Korean Air passes on significant surcharges on its own flights and most SkyTeam partner airlines.
Note
- Family Pooling: Features a strict "Family Plan." Proof of relationship is required to pool miles or book awards for relatives.
- Losing Partners: The program's value dropped significantly for U.S. travelers after losing its 1:1 bank transfer partners.
Booking Tips
- Earning Difficulty: Without bank partners, miles are earned slowly via Marriott (3:1) or co-branded credit cards.
- Partner Awards: Member of SkyTeam (Delta, AF/KLM). Partner booking is considered difficult and typically must be done via phone.
L
Lufthansa (Miles & More)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
No 1:1 Bank Partners
Miles & More is not a direct 1:1 partner of Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt, or Capital One. Miles are primarily earned via co-branded cards or flying.
Change Fees
€50 (approx. $55 USD) for date/time changes only. Route changes not allowed. "Mileage Bargain" awards cannot be changed.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
€50 (approx. $55 USD) per ticket to cancel and redeposit miles. "Mileage Bargain" (promo) awards cannot be canceled.
Booking Fees
No fee for online bookings. A phone booking fee applies for reservations that could have been made via the website.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Extremely High). Passes on some of the world's highest surcharges, often over $1,500 for a R/T business award to Europe.
Note
- Star Alliance Member: You can use miles to book on partners like United and Air Canada, though fees remain high.
- Dynamic Pricing: Awards on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines are priced dynamically.
Booking Tips
- The Main "Trick": Generally avoid this program. The lack of bank partners and extreme cash surcharges make it a poor value.
- Book via Partners: Book Lufthansa flights via Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, or United to avoid these massive fuel surcharges.
- First Class Access: Advance access to Lufthansa First Class is the only key value, as seats are released to partners only ~14 days before flight.
S
SAS (EuroBonus)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
No 1:1 Bank Partners
SAS EuroBonus is not a 1:1 transfer partner of Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt, or Capital One, making points difficult for U.S. travelers to earn.
Change Fees
$75 USD per sector (intercontinental) or $25 USD (within Europe). Must change at least 24 hours before departure.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
$75 USD (intercontinental) or $25 USD (Europe). Must cancel 24+ hours before departure. Redeposit fees may be higher for partner awards.
Booking Fees
No fee for online bookings. A phone booking fee applies for any award tickets that could have been made via the website.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (High). SAS passes on significant fuel surcharges for award tickets on its own flights and on most of its SkyTeam partners.
Note
New Alliance: As of September 1, 2024, SAS has left the Star Alliance and joined SkyTeam. Its new partners include Delta, Air France/KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.
Booking Tips
- The Main "Trick": Generally avoid using this program directly. The difficulty in earning points and high fees make it a poor value for most.
- Why to Avoid: Points are very hard to earn (no bank partners) and redemptions carry high fuel surcharges.
- Book SAS via Partners: Best strategy is to book SAS-operated flights using miles from SkyTeam partners like Air France/KLM or Virgin Atlantic to save on fees.
Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Change Fees
On Singapore Air: $25 (Saver) or $0 (Advantage) for dates; $25 for routes. On Partners: $50 for any changes. No-show fees ($100-$300) also apply.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
Varies by award type: $75 USD per ticket for 'Saver' awards; $50 USD per ticket for 'Advantage' awards to cancel and redeposit miles.
Ticketing Fee
No online booking fee. $25 offline fee for phone bookings. A $250 fee applies for complex Star Alliance Round-the-World awards.
Fuel Surcharges
None on Singapore Airlines flights (included in base miles). Yes on partner airlines (e.g., Lufthansa, SWISS, ANA), which can be significant.
Note
- Saver vs. Advantage: "Saver" awards are best value but have less availability. "Advantage" awards cost more miles but offer more seats and lower fees.
- Partner Booking: Star Alliance partner awards can be booked directly on the Singapore Airlines website.
Booking Tips
- Award Waitlist: (Key Trick) If a "Saver" award is unavailable, you can join a waitlist. You must have enough miles in your account to join.
- Exclusive Premium Cabins: KrisFlyer is the only way to book long-haul Business and First Class (including Suites) on Singapore metal.
- Stopovers: One free stopover on one-way "Advantage" awards (two on round-trip). "Saver" awards do not include free stopovers.
Southwest Airlines
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Other Hotel Partners
Southwest also partners with Choice Privileges, Best Western Rewards, and World of Hyatt.
Change Fees
None. If the new flight is cheaper, points are redeposited. If more expensive, you pay the difference.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None. Cancel up to 10 minutes before departure for a full redeposit. Taxes are fully refunded.
Booking Fees
None. There are no ticketing fees for booking on southwest.com or over the phone.
Checked Bag & Fuel Fees
None (for fuel). Get two free checked bags per person on every flight. No "carrier-imposed" surcharges.
Note
- Dynamic Pricing: The number of points required is tied directly to the cash price. As cash price changes, so does the points price.
Booking Tips
- The Companion Pass: Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, and one person can fly with you for free (plus taxes) on all flights for the remainder of that year and the full following year.
- "Repricing" Your Flight: If the price drops, "change" your flight to the same one to get the point difference refunded instantly.
- Points vs. Cash Cancellations: Booking with points is always more flexible. Points return to your account and never expire, whereas cash fares result in credits with expiration dates.
SWISS (Miles & More)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
No 1:1 Bank Partners
Miles & More is not a direct 1:1 partner of Amex, Chase, Citi, Bilt, or Capital One. Miles are primarily earned via co-branded cards or flying.
Change Fees
€50 (approx. $55-60 USD) for date/time only. Route changes are not allowed. "Mileage Bargain" awards cannot be changed.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
€50 (approx. $55-60 USD) per ticket to cancel and redeposit. "Mileage Bargain" (promo) awards cannot be canceled.
Booking Fees
No fee for online bookings. A phone booking fee will apply for reservations that could have been made via the website.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Extremely High). Notorious for passing on some of the world's highest surcharges, often over $1,500 for a R/T business award to Europe.
Note
- Star Alliance Member: Use miles to book on partners like United and Air Canada, though surcharges remain very high.
- Dynamic Pricing: As of June 2025, awards on SWISS, Lufthansa, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines are priced dynamically.
Booking Tips
- The Main "Trick": Generally avoid this program. The lack of bank partners and extreme cash surcharges make it a poor value.
- Book via Partners: Book SWISS flights via partners like Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan, or United to avoid these massive fuel surcharges.
T
Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Amex (1:1)
Chase (1:1)
Cap1 (1:1)
Citi (1:1)
Bilt (1:1)
Marriott (3:1)
Change Fees
$70 USD per ticket. This fee applies to changes on both Turkish Airlines and partner award bookings.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
$70 USD per ticket. This fee applies to cancel an award ticket and redeposit your miles back into your account.
Booking Fees
No online booking fee. A phone booking fee may apply for reservations that could have been made online.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Very High). Turkish Airlines passes on significant surcharges on its own flights and most partners, often several hundred dollars.
Note
- Star Alliance Member: You can use Miles&Smiles to book award flights on partners like United, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.
- Program Difficulty: The program is known to be difficult to use. The website can be buggy, and customer service is often inconsistent.
Booking Tips
- The Domestic "Sweet Spot": Book one-way United flights *anywhere* in the U.S. (including to Hawaii) for only 10,000 miles (Economy) or 15,000 miles (Business).
- Booking Partner Awards: Because the website is difficult, find availability on a partner site (like United.com) first, then call Turkish to book.
- Watch for Surcharges: High fees can wipe out value. Other programs (Avianca, Aeroplan) are often better for partners unless using the domestic U.S. sweet spot.
U
United Airlines
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
IHG One Rewards (5:1)
Indirect (via Partners)
While Citi ThankYou Points do not transfer directly to United, they can be transferred to Star Alliance partners (like Avianca LifeMiles) to book award flights on United.
Change Fees
None. There are no change fees for award tickets. You are responsible for any difference in miles or taxes if the new ticket is more expensive.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
None. Award tickets can be canceled and miles redeposited for free before departure. A $125 "no show" fee applies if you do not cancel before the flight.
Ticketing Fee
No fee for online bookings. A $25 fee applies for phone bookings (waived for Premier Platinum/1K). Higher fees apply at the airport counter.
Fuel Surcharges
None. United is a rare exception and does not pass on fuel surcharges for award tickets, even on its Star Alliance and other airline partners.
Note
- Basic Economy: United's standard award tickets are considered "Economy" and are not subject to Basic Economy's restrictive change/cancellation rules.
- Money + Miles: Be cautious with "Money + Miles" bookings, as they are often non-refundable after 24 hours and treated differently than standard awards.
Booking Tips
- Excursionist Perk Discontinued: This feature is being discontinued for all new bookings made on or after August 21, 2025.
- Marriott Transfer Bonus: Transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points yields 30,000 United miles (includes a 10,000-mile bonus, double the standard bonus).
- Partner Booking: Most Star Alliance partner awards can be booked directly on united.com. The site has a reliable award calendar for finding availability.
V
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)
Key award travel policies and fees.
Transfer points from:
American Express (1:1)
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Capital One Miles (1:1)
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1)
Bilt Rewards (1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)
Change Fees
On Virgin: £70 (UK origin) / $100 USD (non-UK). On Partners: £30. Changes must be made at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Cancellation / Redeposit Fees
£70 (UK) / $100 USD (non-UK). Must cancel 24+ hours before departure for a refund of points and taxes. Otherwise, all are forfeited.
Ticketing Fee
No online booking fee. A phone booking fee likely applies for tickets that could have been booked via the website.
Fuel Surcharges
Yes (Extremely High). Surcharges can exceed $1,000 for round-trip premium awards on Virgin metal and some partners like AF/KLM.
Note
- Dynamic Pricing: Point costs on Virgin Atlantic are dynamic and fluctuate based on demand.
- Partner Booking: Delta, AF, and KLM awards are bookable online. Other partners (like ANA) require calling Flying Club.
Booking Tips
- Avoid Virgin Metal: (Key Trick) The best value is booking partners with low or no surcharges rather than flying on Virgin Atlantic itself.
- Sweet Spot 1 (ANA): Round-trip non-stop Business/First Class to Japan on ANA for fewer points and very low surcharges.
- Sweet Spot 2 (Delta): Book Delta flights (especially to Europe) via Virgin to bypass high mileage costs and fuel surcharges.
- Dynamic Pricing Potential: Flexibile dates can lead to very low point prices for certain destinations like Africa.
