How Points and Miles Values Modified in 2026

Each 12 months, NerdWallet compares the price of reserving journey with factors and miles with the money value of equal flights and lodge stays. This evaluation produces a median worth that may assist vacationers resolve whether or not to redeem their rewards or pay money.

The good points in worth for American, Alaska and Southwest miles weren’t evenly distributed, with American posting the most important year-over-year improve.

The acquire was particularly pronounced for home flights booked 15 days earlier than departure. For instance, a New York-to-St. Louis redemption delivered 3.5 cents per mile — greater than double the median worth of 1.7 cents.

Alaska Atmos and Southwest Rapid Rewards factors additionally elevated in worth to 1.4 cents every, up from Alaska’s 1.2 cents in 2025 and Southwest’s 1.3 cents.

Alaska Atmos factors are a superb possibility for reserving worldwide award flights to Asia and the Caribbean, whereas Southwest loyalists will discover added worth throughout the airline’s in depth home community.

Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus and JetBlue TrueBlue level values stay unchanged from 2025. While these airways didn’t see a rise within the common worth for his or her miles, avoiding devaluations continues to be a optimistic.

Hyatt and Marriott made essentially the most consequential modifications to their respective loyalty applications this 12 months, with very totally different outcomes for members.

Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy factors misplaced worth. Award nights at roughly 95% of Marriott properties turned dearer in mid-2026, leading to a devaluation from 0.8 cents per level in 2025 to 0.7 cent per level in 2026.

Unlike Hyatt, which nonetheless anchors redemptions to a broadcast award chart, Marriott has moved additional into dynamic pricing. Nightly award charges can fluctuate with money costs and demand, making redemptions tougher to plan.