How to Use Points and Miles to Visit the 17 Hottest Destinations of 2026

Stop hoarding — start booking: a tactical award-playbook for TPG’s 17 2026 hot spots

If you’ve ever stared at a points balance wondering “when is the right moment to book?”, you’re not alone. In 2026 travel, award seats are both more dynamic and more bookable — but only if you use a methodical playbook. Below I map each of The Points Guy’s 17 picks for 2026 to the best airline alliances, the top transfer partners, and the ideal redemption windows so you can actually get on that flight without overpaying cash or miles.

How to read this playbook (quick primer)

This guide assumes your primary transferable currencies are Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou, plus hotel points from World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors. Core principles you’ll see applied across destinations:

• Alliance-first thinking: Pick the alliance that gives the clearest routing and the lowest partner-redemption tax/fees — read more on dynamic pricing & ML signals (causal ML at the edge).
• Transfer partner flexibility: When a route has multiple partners, transfer to the one with award space first — many partners transfer 1:1 but check live ratios.
• Book windows by season: Peak-season city travel (cherry blossoms, European summer) usually needs 9–12 months; shoulder season can be 3–6 months.
• Protect against dynamic pricing: search multiple partner inventories and use cash+points or mixed-cabin routes to reduce cost volatility. Tools & marketplaces matured — use a combination of search engines and alert services (tools & marketplaces).

2026 trends that change the rules

Late 2025 and early 2026 confirmed trends every award hunter must know:

• More programs leaned further into dynamic award pricing, raising variability — fixed-chart “sweet spots” are rarer but still exist with some partners.
• Alliances and partner networks remain essential — Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam still unlock the most efficient routings for long-haul awards.
• Fuel surcharges and carrier fees persist on some carriers but have been reduced or removed by many partners; avoid programs that layer heavy surcharges when possible.
• Tools and marketplaces (award search engines, broker inventories) matured — use them to confirm space, but always book through official partners when possible. Sign up for alerts and watch inventories via modern tooling (search & alert tools).

Tactical checklist before you start searching

1. Gather balances across all transferrable currencies and hotel programs.
2. Decide your target cabin and travel window (±3 days flexibility is a must).
3. Use Google Flights/ITA Matrix to map cash routings and dream itineraries.
4. Search alliance partner availability (Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore KrisFlyer, etc.).
5. Confirm transfer times — some programs transfer instantly, others take 24–48 hours.
6. Be ready to transfer (don’t hesitate) once you see bookable partner space.

The 17 destinations (TPG-aligned) and the award playbook for each — tactical, step-by-step

1. Kyoto, Japan — Cherry blossom and culture revival

Best alliance: Oneworld + Star Alliance (mix depending on routing)

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Capital One → ANA/KrisFlyer/Singapore KrisFlyer/United

Ideal redemption window: 9–12 months for cherry blossom peak (late March–early April); 6–9 months for autumn foliage.

• Strategy: Use KrisFlyer or ANA for nonstop transpacific partner seats in business; if availability is scarce, book via United (Star Alliance) on partner carriers using MileagePlus or transfer to Aeroplan.
• Tip: ANA can have great saver space but beware round-trip rules — search partner inventories, then transfer.
• Hotel: Use Hyatt for central Kyoto stays (World of Hyatt has some of the best redemption rates for top boutique hotels).

2. Lisbon, Portugal — Europe with sun and affordable luxury

Best alliance: Oneworld + Star Alliance for transatlantic routings

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex, Capital One → Iberia/Avios/BA/Avios via Amex or Chase

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for summer; 3–5 months for shoulder seasons (spring/fall).

• Strategy: Use Avios for short intra-Europe flights and Iberia/BA for transatlantic routes. Iberia often offers lower-surcharge redemptions from the U.S. on direct routes via Madrid/seasonal Lisbon.
• Tip: Consider mixed-cabin (one-way business + return economy) to stay within partner award availability.
• Hotel: Lisbon’s boutique hotels often post reasonable Marriott and Hyatt redemptions — check cash+points.

3. Reykjavik & Iceland road trips — geothermal escapes

Best alliance: Star Alliance or SkyTeam (seasonal carrier mixes)

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex → Air Canada Aeroplan / Flying Blue

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for summer; 3–5 months off-season (spring/fall).

• Strategy: Aeroplan often shows good partner availability and allows creative routings; Flying Blue has Promo Rewards for discounted saver awards — monitor monthly promos.
• Tip: Use Avios for short flights from Reykjavik to other Nordic hubs; rent car with a points-backed card for insurance protections.

4. Cape Town, South Africa — epic landscapes and new flight options

Best alliance: Star Alliance

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Capital One → Aeroplan, United, Avianca LifeMiles

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for summer in the southern hemisphere (Nov–Mar); allow longer for peak holiday travel.

• Strategy: Search Aeroplan and LifeMiles for partner business-class space. LifeMiles often prices partner awards competitively without heavy surcharges.
• Tip: Look for seasonal carrier partnerships and consider routing through the Middle East (Qatar) via Oneworld if that matches your points easier.

5. Patagonia (Chile & Argentina) — remote adventure

Best alliance: Oneworld + Star Alliance depending on gateways

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex, Citi → British Airways Avios, Aeroplan, LifeMiles

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for southern summer (Nov–Mar).

• Strategy: Use Avios for short South American legs and Aeroplan for longer transatlantic connections. Consider mixed-airline itineraries to maximize availability.
• Tip: Internal South American flights are often cheap in cash — combine a long-haul award with paid regional connections when points prices spike.

6. Auckland & New Zealand — nature and low-season value

Best alliance: Oneworld + Star Alliance

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Capital One → Qantas, Air New Zealand (via partners), Aeroplan

Ideal redemption window: 6–10 months; book early for December–February summer peak.

• Strategy: Look for Qantas awards via partner programs or Aeroplan partner space. Padding with a positioning flight within the U.S. can increase flexibility.
• Tip: For multi-city itineraries in NZ, domestic flights are often inexpensive in cash; prioritize points for the transpacific leg.

7. Cartagena, Colombia — colorful Caribbean coast

Best alliance: Oneworld

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex → British Airways Avios, Iberia

Ideal redemption window: 2–6 months — short-haul availability tends to open closer to travel.

• Strategy: Avios shines on short-haul U.S.–Caribbean/South America routes. Use BA Avios for direct routes and Iberia for some long-haul connections.
• Tip: Use stopovers in a hub like Bogotá if routing allows; avoid high-surcharge airlines when possible.

8. Mexico City — food scene and city culture

Best alliance: Oneworld + SkyTeam

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → British Airways Avios, Aeromexico (if available via partners)

Ideal redemption window: 2–6 months for shoulder/low seasons; 3–9 months for festival windows.

• Strategy: Use Avios for many U.S.–Mexico markets; for luxury, search partner award space on premium carriers to Mexico City.
• Hotel: Mexico City has strong Hyatt and Marriott options — check cash+points and category sweet spots.

9. Athens & Greek islands — post-pandemic ferry flows

Best alliance: Star Alliance for Athens; Avios for intra-Europe island hops

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex → Aeroplan, Avios, Flying Blue

Ideal redemption window: 6–12 months for summer islands; 3–6 months for shoulder seasons in Athens.

• Strategy: Use Aeroplan or Flying Blue for transatlantic business awards; Avios is ideal for short island hops and Aegean flights.
• Tip: For Santorini/Mykonos, book inter-island flights early; consider positioning to Athens and using Avios intra-Europe segments.

10. Barcelona — architecture and city nights

Best alliance: Oneworld + Star Alliance

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → Avios, Aeroplan, Flying Blue

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for summer; 3–6 months for shoulder seasons.

• Strategy: Avios for intra-Europe; Aeroplan/Flying Blue for transatlantic business class. Book early for festival dates and big events.

11. Seoul, South Korea — food, tech and K-culture

Best alliance: Star Alliance & Oneworld (routes vary)

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Capital One → Asiana/ANA/KrisFlyer/Aeroplan

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for peak travel; 3–6 months for low-season deals.

• Strategy: Search Singapore KrisFlyer and ANA for premium seats; Aeroplan can provide flexible partner routing options.
• Tip: Consider open-jaw itineraries (arrive Seoul, depart Tokyo) to include multiple hotspots in one award.

12. Vancouver — outdoor adventure and urban ease

Best alliance: Star Alliance & Oneworld (depending on U.S. gateway)

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → Aeroplan, Alaska Mileage Plan

Ideal redemption window: 3–6 months for ski and summer seasons; 2–4 months for shoulder travel.

• Strategy: Use Alaska Mileage Plan for premium transborder space; Aeroplan is excellent for Star Alliance routing to Canada without heavy fuel surcharges.
• Tip: Pair flights with a short rail or ferry hop to maximize regional outdoor time.

13. Amalfi Coast / Italian Riviera — luxury coastal driving

Best alliance: Star Alliance for Rome or Milan gateways

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex → Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios

Ideal redemption window: 8–12 months for summer; 3–6 months for spring/fall.

• Strategy: Book long-haul to Rome/Milan via Aeroplan or Flying Blue and use Avios for cheap intra-Europe hops to Naples or Nice (then drive).
• Tip: Car rentals during peak summer surge — use premium cards for insurance and pay with points-backed cards for protections.

14. Galápagos Islands — wildlife and conservation trips

Best alliance: Star Alliance & Oneworld (gateway-dependent)

Transfer partners: Chase, Amex → Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Avios

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for high season (June–Sep, Dec–Jan)

• Strategy: Mostly route via Quito or Guayaquil — focus points on long-haul award into Ecuador and pay cash for domestic island transfers or short local flights.
• Tip: Small-ship cruises have limited capacity; lock down flights early once cruise dates are set.

15. New Orleans — music, food and short-haul award value

Best alliance: Oneworld + SkyTeam

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → Avios, Aeroplan, Flying Blue

Ideal redemption window: 2–6 months; short domestic awards often open closer to travel.

• Strategy: Use Avios for short-haul US routes and consider Flying Blue promos for discounted transatlantic connections if extending to Europe.

16. Buenos Aires — culture, nightlife and steakhouse scenes

Best alliance: Star Alliance / Oneworld depending on carrier

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → Aeroplan, Avios, LifeMiles

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for southern summer and festival windows.

• Strategy: Aeroplan and LifeMiles often return good partner award space to Buenos Aires; Avios can help with intra-South America legs.

17. Stockholm & the Baltic — design, islands and quieter Europe

Best alliance: Star Alliance

Transfer partners: Amex, Chase → Aeroplan, SAS EuroBonus, Avios

Ideal redemption window: 6–9 months for summer; 3–5 months shoulder seasons.

• Strategy: Aeroplan is flexible for transatlantic awards; use Avios for cheap hop flights within Scandinavia.
• Tip: Nordic premium cabins are worth splurging on — watch for award sales and use transfer partners that post inventory quickly.

Advanced booking tactics (real-world examples)

Case study — Kyoto business class: I searched United and Aeroplan inventories for saver space, found a partner-operated business seat on ANA departing from the West Coast in winter, verified it on ANA’s partner calendar, then transferred Amex to KrisFlyer (instant) and booked via KrisFlyer to lock the award. The key was pre-searching with alliance tools and having transferable points ready.

Case study — Lisbon in peak summer: I used Avios for transatlantic space via Iberia (lower surcharges than BA on some routes). For intra-Europe island hopping, Avios short-distance redemptions saved hundreds compared with cash fares in July.

Tools & workflows to speed up bookings

• Search availability first on partner program sites: Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, United — and use modern tooling to monitor changes (award search & alerts).
• Use Google Flights and ITA Matrix to create route ideas and timetables.
• Sign up for alerts from Point.me, ExpertFlyer, and AwardWallet (or similar) to catch openings and monitor award space changes — tooling & alerts are critical (tools & marketplaces).
• Be familiar with transfer times — instant transfers let you pounce; delayed transfers require pre-planning (transfer time guidance).

Hotel points strategies aligned to these destinations

• Hyatt: Best value for independent luxury and regionals (Kyoto, Cartagena boutique hotels).
• Marriott: Depth of global inventory — useful for Portugal, Greece and South America urban stays; use Cash+Points to reduce volatility.
• Hilton: Flexible for short city stays and chain consistency; use promotions and status for free breakfast and upgrades.

2026 tip: hotel programs changed award pricing logic in late 2025, so book early for big events and compare cash vs. points — sometimes a paid stay with a points-earning card plus a targeted promotion nets more value.

How to avoid the most common award-booking mistakes

• Don’t search only one program — availability differs by partner inventory.
• Never transfer points without a confirmed award booking window when transfers are delayed.
• Avoid programs with heavy fuel surcharges for transatlantic or transpacific legs unless the routing difference justifies the cost.
• Be flexible on dates and airports — a +/-1 day or flying into a nearby airport often halves cost in miles.

Wrap-up: a 3-step action plan you can use today

1. Pick one destination and one travel window. Use this guide to identify the primary alliance and two transfer partners — use a printable checklist or template to keep steps consistent (templates & UX patterns).
2. Search award calendars across those partners. If you see space, confirm transfer times and transfer ASAP.
3. Lock the award and book hotels using a mix of Hyatt/Marriott/Hilton strategies — or convert points for a boutique redemption if it matches your travel style.

“In 2026, speed + flexibility = saved miles. Use alliance thinking, keep transferable balances accessible, and move fast when availability appears.”

Final quick tips (cheat sheet)

• Always search Aeroplan, LifeMiles, KrisFlyer, Avios, and United for long-haul partner space.
• Use Avios for intra-Europe and short-haul U.S./Caribbean value.
• Book 9–12 months ahead for high-season Europe and Japan; 6–9 months for southern-hemisphere and remote destinations.
• Consider cash domestic legs when international long-haul awards are expensive.

Ready to book your 2026 adventure?

Pick one of The Points Guy’s 17 hot spots, follow the alliance + transfer partner play in this guide, and you’ll convert points inertia into real travel. If you want a printable checklist, a pre-filled search template, or help mapping your exact balances to a target itinerary, join our readers’ award-booking workshop — sign up below and get the step-by-step template I use for every award I lock.

Call to action: Subscribe for the free award-booking checklist and 1-page transfer partner map tailored to your points wallets — book smarter, faster, and with confidence in 2026. Need a printable checklist? We provide templates and UX-first one-pagers to speed your booking process.

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