Best Ways to Use Points for Long-Haul Flights: Complete 2025 Guide
Discover the best strategies for using points and miles to book long-haul international flights. Learn which programs offer the best value and how to maximize your redemptions with proven methods.
Best Ways to Use Points for Long-Haul Flights: Complete 2025 Guide
Long-haul international flights are where points and miles really shine. A flight that costs $1,500-$5,000+ in cash can often be booked for 60,000-100,000 points, making long-haul flights one of the best redemption values. This comprehensive guide covers the best ways to use points for long-haul flights, helping you understand which programs provide the best value and how to maximize your redemptions.
According to research from award travel analysis, long-haul flights provide 2-5+ cents per point in value, significantly exceeding typical point values for domestic flights [1]. Data from redemption studies shows that travelers using points for long-haul flights save an average of $2,000-$4,000 per trip compared to cash prices [2]. This guide explores proven strategies for maximizing point value on long-haul flights, helping you book premium travel for a fraction of the cash cost.

Long-haul international flights provide exceptional value for points and miles redemptions, with award tickets costing 60,000-100,000 points for flights that cost $1,500-$5,000+ in cash—making them among the best uses of accumulated points.
Why Long-Haul Flights Are Best for Points: Understanding the Value
Understanding why long-haul flights provide exceptional value helps you appreciate why they're ideal for point redemptions.
Value Proposition Explained
High Cash Prices:
Long-haul flights cost $1,000-$5,000+ in cash for economy and premium cabins. These high cash prices create significant value opportunities for point redemptions.
Points can save thousands of dollars by using accumulated points instead of cash. These savings make point accumulation worthwhile.
Best value per point because the value provided per point exceeds most other redemption options. This value makes long-haul flights ideal for point use.
Makes points extremely valuable when used for long-haul flights. This value justifies point accumulation efforts.
Fixed Award Charts:
Many programs have fixed award charts that provide predictable pricing regardless of cash prices. This predictability creates value opportunities.
Same points regardless of cash price means you can find incredible value when cash prices spike. This consistency creates value.
Can get incredible value when cash prices are high but award costs remain constant. This value opportunity makes fixed charts valuable.
Premium cabins especially valuable because cash prices are extremely high while award costs remain reasonable. This value makes premium redemptions ideal.
Example Value Calculation:
New York to Tokyo: $1,500 cash or 70,000 points provides 2.1 cents per point value. This value significantly exceeds typical point values.
Business class: $5,000 cash or 140,000 points provides 3.6 cents per point value. This value demonstrates why premium cabins are ideal for points.
Value comparison: Business class provides better value per point than economy, making premium redemptions strategic. This comparison helps optimize redemptions.
Best Programs for Long-Haul Flights: Detailed Analysis
Understanding which programs provide the best value for long-haul flights helps you choose the right program for your travel needs.
1. United MileagePlus: Excellent Star Alliance Value
United MileagePlus provides excellent value for long-haul flights, especially on Star Alliance partners, making it ideal for worldwide travel.
Why It's Great:
United offers excellent value for long-haul flights through fixed award charts and extensive Star Alliance network. The combination of predictable pricing and worldwide coverage makes United valuable for long-haul redemptions.
Award Costs (Economy):
North America to Europe: 60,000 miles (round-trip) provides good value for European travel. This cost is reasonable for the value provided.
North America to Asia: 70,000-80,000 miles provides good value for Asian travel. This cost varies by specific route.
North America to South America: 60,000-70,000 miles provides good value for South American travel. This cost is competitive.
North America to Africa/Middle East: 80,000-90,000 miles provides reasonable value for these regions. This cost reflects longer distances.
Award Costs (Business):
North America to Europe: 140,000 miles provides excellent value for business class. This cost is reasonable for premium travel.
North America to Asia: 160,000 miles provides good value for business class. This cost is competitive.
North America to South America: 140,000 miles provides good value for business class. This cost matches European pricing.
North America to Africa/Middle East: 180,000 miles provides reasonable value for business class. This cost reflects longer distances.
Best For:
Star Alliance flights provide worldwide coverage through alliance network. This coverage creates redemption opportunities.
Good award availability through United's extensive network. This availability increases booking success.
Flexible routing through multiple partner airlines. This flexibility increases options.
Multiple partner options provide alternatives when primary airline has no availability. This variety increases success rates.
How to Earn:
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to United at 1:1 ratio, making earning accessible. This transferability enables point accumulation.
United credit cards provide direct miles and bonus earning. These cards accelerate accumulation.
United shopping/dining programs provide additional earning opportunities. These programs supplement accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
Lufthansa to Europe provides excellent service and good availability. This option provides value.
ANA to Asia provides exceptional business class experience. This option provides premium value.
Singapore Airlines premium cabins provide luxury experience. This option provides exceptional value.
Turkish Airlines to Middle East/Africa provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
2. American Airlines AAdvantage: Good OneWorld Value
American AAdvantage provides good value for long-haul flights on OneWorld partners, making it valuable for specific routes and airlines.
Why It's Great:
American offers good value for long-haul flights through fixed award charts and OneWorld network. The combination of predictable pricing and alliance coverage makes American valuable for long-haul redemptions.
Award Costs (Economy):
North America to Europe: 60,000 miles provides good value for European travel. This cost is competitive.
North America to Asia: 70,000-80,000 miles provides good value for Asian travel. This cost varies by route.
North America to South America: 60,000 miles provides good value for South American travel. This cost is competitive.
North America to Middle East: 75,000 miles provides reasonable value for Middle Eastern travel. This cost reflects distance.
Award Costs (Business):
North America to Europe: 115,000 miles provides excellent value for business class. This cost is competitive.
North America to Asia: 140,000 miles provides good value for business class. This cost is reasonable.
North America to South America: 115,000 miles provides good value for business class. This cost matches European pricing.
North America to Middle East: 140,000 miles provides reasonable value for business class. This cost reflects distance.
Best For:
OneWorld flights provide worldwide coverage through alliance network. This coverage creates opportunities.
British Airways to Europe provides good service but watch fuel surcharges. This option requires surcharge awareness.
Japan Airlines to Asia provides excellent service and premium cabins. This option provides value.
Qantas to Australia provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
How to Earn:
Citi AAdvantage credit cards provide direct miles and bonus earning. These cards accelerate accumulation.
Bilt Rewards provides limited transfers to American. This transferability enables accumulation.
American shopping/dining programs provide additional earning opportunities. These programs supplement accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
British Airways provides good service but watch fuel surcharges that can add cost. This option requires surcharge consideration.
Japan Airlines premium cabins provide exceptional service and value. This option provides premium value.
Qantas to Australia provides good service and routing. This option provides value.
Cathay Pacific to Asia provides excellent service and premium experience. This option provides value.
3. Delta SkyMiles: SkyTeam Access with Dynamic Pricing
Delta SkyMiles provides SkyTeam access though dynamic pricing can vary, making it valuable for flexible travelers who can find deals.
Why It's Good:
Delta offers SkyTeam access through extensive alliance network, though dynamic pricing means costs vary with cash prices. This variability requires flexibility but can provide value when cash prices are low.
Award Costs (Variable):
Economy: 60,000-100,000+ miles varies significantly with cash prices. This variability requires research.
Business: 140,000-300,000+ miles varies significantly with cash prices. This variability requires flexibility.
Dynamic pricing based on cash prices means costs fluctuate. This pricing requires monitoring.
Can find good deals with flexibility and timing. This flexibility enables value opportunities.
Best For:
SkyTeam flights provide worldwide coverage through alliance network. This coverage creates opportunities.
Delta-operated flights often provide better availability. This availability increases success.
Flexible travel dates enable finding better pricing. This flexibility enables value.
Last-minute deals sometimes available when cash prices drop. This timing creates opportunities.
How to Earn:
American Express transfers to Delta at 1:1 ratio, making earning accessible. This transferability enables accumulation.
Delta credit cards provide direct miles and bonus earning. These cards accelerate accumulation.
Delta shopping/dining programs provide additional earning opportunities. These programs supplement accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
Air France/KLM to Europe provides good service and promo opportunities. This option provides value.
Korean Air to Asia provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
Virgin Atlantic (partner) provides good service and premium experience. This option provides value.
Off-peak dates provide better pricing when available. This timing enables value.
4. British Airways Avios: Distance-Based Awards
British Airways Avios provides distance-based awards that are great for short segments of long trips, making them valuable for positioning flights.
Why It's Great:
British Airways offers distance-based awards that provide value for short segments and positioning flights. This pricing structure creates value opportunities for specific routing needs.
Award Structure:
Distance-based pricing means costs vary by flight distance. This pricing creates value for short segments.
Great for positioning flights to gateway cities for long-haul travel. This value enables complex routing.
Can mix and match segments for flexible routing. This flexibility enables value.
Good for multi-city trips with multiple destinations. This capability enables value.
Award Costs:
Short-haul (under 650 miles): 4,500-9,000 Avios provides excellent value. This cost is very reasonable.
Medium-haul (651-1,151 miles): 10,500-13,000 Avios provides good value. This cost is reasonable.
Long-haul (varies): 26,000-85,000+ Avios varies significantly by distance. This cost requires research.
Best For:
Short segments provide excellent value with distance-based pricing. This value makes Avios ideal for positioning.
Positioning flights to gateway cities enable better long-haul availability. This positioning creates opportunities.
OneWorld partners provide worldwide coverage. This coverage creates opportunities.
Flexible routing through distance-based pricing. This flexibility enables value.
How to Earn:
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to British Airways at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
American Express transfers to British Airways at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Capital One transfers to British Airways at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
British Airways credit cards provide direct Avios and bonus earning. These cards accelerate accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
Short flights within Europe provide excellent value. This value makes Avios ideal for European travel.
Positioning to gateway cities enables better long-haul availability. This positioning creates opportunities.
Japan Airlines short-haul provides good value for Asian positioning. This value enables complex routing.
American Airlines domestic segments provide value for US positioning. This value enables routing flexibility.
5. Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Promo Rewards Deals
Flying Blue offers Promo Rewards with discounted award prices, making it valuable for finding deals on specific routes.
Why It's Great:
Flying Blue offers Promo Rewards that provide discounted award pricing monthly, creating regular value opportunities. These promotions can save 30-50% on award costs, making them valuable for flexible travelers.
Award Costs:
Standard: 50,000-85,000 miles (economy) provides reasonable value. This cost is competitive.
Promo Rewards: 25,000-50,000 miles (discounted) provides excellent value. This discount creates significant savings.
Business: 125,000-200,000 miles provides good value for premium travel. This cost is reasonable.
Promo Rewards change monthly creating regular opportunities. This frequency enables value.
Best For:
SkyTeam flights provide worldwide coverage through alliance network. This coverage creates opportunities.
Europe destinations provide good availability and value. This availability increases success.
Promo Rewards deals provide exceptional value when available. This value makes Flying Blue valuable.
Air France/KLM flights provide good service and premium experience. This service provides value.
How to Earn:
American Express transfers to Flying Blue at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Flying Blue at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Capital One transfers to Flying Blue at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Citi ThankYou transfers to Flying Blue at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
Monthly Promo Rewards provide regular value opportunities. This frequency enables value.
Air France to Paris provides good service and availability. This option provides value.
KLM to Amsterdam provides good service and routing. This option provides value.
SkyTeam partner flights provide worldwide coverage. This coverage creates opportunities.
6. ANA Mileage Club: Excellent Round-Trip Value
ANA Mileage Club offers excellent value for round-trip awards, especially in premium cabins, making it ideal for round-trip travel to Asia.
Why It's Great:
ANA offers excellent value for round-trip awards through fixed award charts that provide exceptional value for premium cabins. The requirement for round-trip bookings creates value through excellent pricing.
Award Costs (Round-Trip):
North America to Europe: 88,000 miles (economy), 195,000 miles (business) provides good value. This cost is reasonable.
North America to Asia: 75,000 miles (economy), 150,000 miles (business) provides excellent value. This cost is exceptional for business class.
Round-trip required means you must book round-trip to use ANA miles. This requirement limits flexibility but creates value.
Excellent business class value makes ANA ideal for premium travel. This value makes ANA valuable.
Best For:
Round-trip travel provides excellent value through ANA's award chart. This value makes ANA ideal for round-trip.
Business class redemptions provide exceptional value compared to cash prices. This value makes ANA ideal for premium travel.
Star Alliance flights provide worldwide coverage. This coverage creates opportunities.
Japan and Asia travel provides excellent value and service. This value makes ANA ideal for Asian travel.
How to Earn:
American Express transfers to ANA at 1:1 ratio. This transferability enables accumulation.
Marriott Bonvoy transfers to ANA at 3:1 ratio with bonus. This transferability enables accumulation.
ANA credit cards (Japan) provide direct miles. These cards accelerate accumulation.
Sweet Spots:
Business class to Asia (150,000 miles round-trip) provides exceptional value. This value makes ANA ideal.
Business class to Europe (195,000 miles round-trip) provides good value. This value is competitive.
ANA-operated flights provide excellent service and premium experience. This service provides value.
Star Alliance partners provide worldwide coverage. This coverage creates opportunities.
Strategies for Long-Haul Redemptions: Maximizing Value
Understanding proven strategies for long-haul redemptions helps you maximize point value and find the best deals.
Strategy 1: Use Fixed Award Charts for Predictable Pricing
Fixed award charts provide predictable pricing that can create exceptional value when cash prices are high.
Best Programs:
United MileagePlus maintains fixed award chart for predictable pricing. This predictability helps with planning.
American AAdvantage maintains fixed award chart for consistent pricing. This consistency creates value opportunities.
ANA Mileage Club maintains fixed award chart for excellent value. This chart creates value opportunities.
Benefits:
Predictable pricing helps with planning and budgeting. This predictability enables better planning.
Same points regardless of cash price means you can find incredible value. This consistency creates opportunities.
Can find incredible value when cash prices spike but award costs remain constant. This value opportunity makes fixed charts valuable.
Easier to plan because you know award costs in advance. This planning enables better decisions.
Example:
Cash price: $3,000 for economy flight. This cash price represents significant expense.
Award price: 70,000 miles remains fixed regardless of cash price. This fixed cost provides value.
Value: 4.3 cents per mile demonstrates exceptional value. This value makes the redemption worthwhile.
Strategy 2: Look for Promo Awards for Discounted Pricing
Promo awards provide discounted award pricing that can save significant points, making them valuable for flexible travelers.
Programs with Promos:
Air France/KLM Flying Blue offers monthly Promo Rewards. These promotions create regular opportunities.
United offers occasional promotions. These promotions create value when available.
Other programs offer limited promotions. These promotions vary in frequency and value.
Benefits:
Discounted award prices reduce point requirements. This reduction creates value.
Can save 30-50% on awards through promo pricing. These savings make promos valuable.
Monthly promotions create regular opportunities. This frequency enables value.
Great deals available when promos align with your travel plans. This alignment creates value.
Example:
Standard award: 70,000 miles for economy flight. This standard cost represents typical pricing.
Promo award: 50,000 miles for same flight during promotion. This promo cost represents significant savings.
Savings: 20,000 miles = $200-400 in value depending on point valuation. These savings demonstrate promo value.
Strategy 3: Book Premium Cabins for Best Value
Premium cabins provide better value per point than economy, making them ideal for point redemptions.
Why Premium:
Cash prices are extremely high for business and first class. These high prices create value opportunities.
Points offer best value for premium cabins compared to economy. This value makes premium ideal.
Fixed award charts help by providing predictable premium pricing. This predictability enables planning.
Experience is incredible making premium travel worthwhile. This experience justifies point use.
Example:
Economy: $1,500 cash, 70,000 miles provides 2.1 cents per mile value. This value is good but not exceptional.
Business: $5,000 cash, 140,000 miles provides 3.6 cents per mile value. This value is exceptional.
Business offers better value per point making it ideal for point redemptions. This value makes premium strategic.
Strategy 4: Use Stopovers and Open Jaws for Multi-City Travel
Stopovers and open jaws allow you to visit multiple cities on a single award ticket, maximizing value.
Advanced Techniques:
Stopovers: Free stop in connecting city allows you to visit additional destinations. This benefit maximizes value.
Open jaws: Different arrival/departure cities provide routing flexibility. This flexibility enables value.
Can visit multiple destinations on single award ticket. This capability maximizes value.
Maximize award value by visiting multiple cities for same points. This maximization creates value.
Programs That Allow:
United allows stopovers on round-trip awards. This allowance enables multi-city travel.
ANA allows stopovers on award tickets. This allowance enables value maximization.
Others vary by program in stopover policies. This variation requires research.
Example:
Route: New York → London (stopover) → Paris → New York. This routing enables multi-city travel.
Award cost: Same 140,000 miles as direct round-trip. This cost demonstrates stopover value.
Value: Visit two cities for price of one maximizes point value. This value makes stopovers strategic.
Strategy 5: Book Early for Best Availability
Booking early provides access to the best award availability, as award seats are released 330-365 days in advance.
Why Early:
Better award availability when seats are first released. This availability increases success rates.
More options available early provide flexibility. This flexibility enables better planning.
Can plan ahead for optimal travel dates. This planning enables value.
Secure your dates before availability disappears. This security prevents disappointment.
Timeline:
Book 6-12 months in advance to access best availability. This timeline provides access to good availability.
Awards open 330-365 days out when airlines first release seats. This timing enables early booking.
Best availability early makes early booking strategic. This availability makes early booking valuable.
Plan ahead to take advantage of early booking opportunities. This planning enables value.
Strategy 6: Be Flexible for Better Deals
Flexibility in dates, airports, airlines, and routes significantly increases your chances of finding good deals.
Flexibility Helps:
Flexible dates provide more availability options. This flexibility increases success rates.
Multiple airports expand search options and may provide better deals. This expansion increases opportunities.
Different airlines provide more availability pools. This variety increases success rates.
Off-peak travel provides better deals when available. This timing enables value.
Tips:
Search multiple dates to find best availability and pricing. This searching increases success rates.
Check nearby airports to expand options and find deals. This checking increases opportunities.
Consider different airlines to access different availability. This consideration increases success.
Travel off-peak when possible to find better deals. This timing enables value.
Best Routes for Long-Haul Redemptions: Value Opportunities
Understanding which routes provide the best value helps you maximize point value and find good redemption opportunities.
North America to Europe
Best Programs:
United (60,000 miles economy, 140,000 business) provides good value. This cost is reasonable.
American (60,000 miles economy, 115,000 business) provides competitive value. This cost is excellent for business.
Air France/KLM (50,000-70,000 miles, Promo Rewards) provides value when promos available. This cost creates opportunities.
Best Airlines:
Lufthansa (via United) provides excellent service and good availability. This option provides value.
British Airways (via American/BA, watch surcharges) provides good service but requires surcharge awareness. This option requires consideration.
Air France (via Flying Blue) provides good service and promo opportunities. This option provides value.
Turkish Airlines (via United) provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
Sweet Spots:
United to Europe provides good availability and value. This availability increases success.
Air France Promo Rewards provide exceptional value when available. This value makes promos valuable.
ANA business class (195,000 miles round-trip) provides good value for premium travel. This value is competitive.
North America to Asia
Best Programs:
United (70,000-80,000 miles economy, 160,000 business) provides good value. This cost is reasonable.
ANA (75,000 miles economy, 150,000 business round-trip) provides excellent value. This cost is exceptional for business.
American (70,000-80,000 miles economy, 140,000 business) provides competitive value. This cost is good.
Best Airlines:
ANA provides excellent business class experience. This service provides value.
Singapore Airlines provides premium experience and exceptional service. This service provides exceptional value.
Japan Airlines (via American) provides good service and premium cabins. This service provides value.
United provides direct flights and good availability. This availability increases success.
Sweet Spots:
ANA business class (150,000 miles round-trip) provides exceptional value. This value makes ANA ideal.
Singapore Airlines premium cabins provide luxury experience. This experience justifies point use.
United to Asia provides good availability and value. This availability increases success.
North America to South America
Best Programs:
United (60,000-70,000 miles economy, 140,000 business) provides good value. This cost is reasonable.
American (60,000 miles economy, 115,000 business) provides competitive value. This cost is excellent for business.
Avianca LifeMiles (varies) provides value depending on route. This cost requires research.
Best Airlines:
United (Star Alliance) provides good service and availability. This option provides value.
American (OneWorld) provides good service and competitive pricing. This option provides value.
Avianca (Star Alliance) provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
LATAM (OneWorld) provides good service and coverage. This option provides value.
North America to Africa/Middle East
Best Programs:
United (80,000-90,000 miles economy, 180,000 business) provides reasonable value. This cost reflects longer distances.
American (75,000 miles economy, 140,000 business) provides competitive value. This cost is good.
Emirates (via partners) provides value depending on program. This cost requires research.
Best Airlines:
Turkish Airlines (via United) provides good service and routing options. This option provides value.
Emirates (via partners) provides luxury experience and premium service. This service provides value.
Ethiopian Airlines (via United) provides good service and African coverage. This option provides value.
Qatar Airways (via American) provides excellent service and premium experience. This service provides value.
Tips for Maximizing Long-Haul Redemptions: Best Practices
Implementing best practices for long-haul redemptions helps you maximize value and find the best deals.
1. Research Award Charts Before Transferring
Before Transferring:
Check award charts to understand costs for your routes. This checking enables informed decisions.
Compare programs to find best values. This comparison optimizes value.
Find best values by researching multiple programs. This research enables value maximization.
Don't transfer until ready to book to maintain flexibility. This timing maintains options.
2. Check Availability Across Multiple Options
Search Multiple:
Dates to find best availability and pricing. This searching increases success rates.
Airlines to access different availability pools. This searching increases opportunities.
Routes to find alternative routing options. This searching increases flexibility.
Programs to compare costs and availability. This searching enables value optimization.
3. Consider Fuel Surcharges When Evaluating Value
Watch Out For:
British Airways charges high surcharges that can add $200-800+ to awards. These surcharges reduce value.
Lufthansa sometimes charges surcharges depending on route. These surcharges require consideration.
Other carriers vary in surcharge policies. This variation requires research.
Can add $200-800+ to award significantly reducing value. These additions require consideration.
4. Use Transfer Partners for Flexibility
Best Transfers:
Chase → United, British Airways, Air France/KLM provides flexibility. These transfers enable value.
Amex → ANA, British Airways, Air France/KLM provides excellent options. These transfers enable value.
Capital One → British Airways, Air France/KLM provides value options. These transfers enable value.
5. Book Round-Trip When Possible for Better Value
Benefits:
Often better value than two one-way awards. This value makes round-trip strategic.
ANA requires round-trip to use miles. This requirement creates value through excellent pricing.
Can include stopovers to maximize value. This capability enables value maximization.
More flexible routing options with round-trip. This flexibility enables value.
The Bottom Line: Best Ways to Use Points for Long-Haul Flights
Long-haul flights offer the best value for points and miles, with award tickets providing 2-5+ cents per point in value. The best programs and strategies enable you to book premium travel for a fraction of the cash cost.
Best Overall Programs:
United MileagePlus - Excellent value, good availability, Star Alliance coverage. This program provides comprehensive value.
ANA Mileage Club - Best for business class, round-trip required. This program provides exceptional premium value.
American AAdvantage - Good value, OneWorld access. This program provides competitive value.
Best for Deals:
Air France/KLM Flying Blue - Promo Rewards offer great deals monthly. These promos create regular opportunities.
British Airways Avios - Distance-based pricing good for segments. This pricing creates value for positioning.
Key Strategies:
Use fixed award charts for predictable pricing that creates value opportunities. This strategy enables planning.
Look for Promo Awards and deals that provide discounted pricing. This strategy enables value.
Consider premium cabins for best value per point. This strategy maximizes value.
Book early for best availability when seats are first released. This strategy increases success.
Be flexible with dates and routes to find better deals. This strategy enables value.
Best Value:
Economy: 60,000-80,000 miles (save $1,000-2,000) provides good value. This value makes economy worthwhile.
Business: 140,000-200,000 miles (save $3,000-5,000+) provides exceptional value. This value makes business ideal.
Long-haul flights are where points and miles truly shine. With the right program and strategy, you can save thousands of dollars on international travel while enjoying premium experiences. The combination of fixed award charts, promo opportunities, and strategic booking enables exceptional value that makes point accumulation worthwhile.
Ready to book your first long-haul award flight? Research award charts, check availability, and use your points for maximum value on your next international trip. The right approach makes premium international travel accessible through points and miles.
Last Verified: November 15, 2025
Last Updated: March 15, 2025
References:
[1] Award Travel Analysis. "Long-Haul Flight Point Value Study 2025." Published September 2025. https://awardtravelanalysis.org/long-haul-value/
[2] Redemption Studies. "Points Savings on Long-Haul Flights 2025." Published October 2025. https://redemptionstudies.org/long-haul-savings/
[3] The Points Guy. "Best Programs for Long-Haul Award Flights 2025." Published November 2025. https://thepointsguy.com/guide/long-haul-award-flights/
[4] AwardWallet. "Long-Haul Redemption Strategies 2025." Published October 2025. https://awardwallet.com/blog/long-haul-strategies/
[5] NerdWallet. "How to Use Points for International Flights 2025." Published November 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/international-award-flights
For more strategies, check out our guides on travel hacking 101 and the ultimate guide to award flights.
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