How Airline and Hotel Points Values Changed in 2026
American Airlines and Hyatt points gained value while Marriott points lost value.
1Significant Increase in American Airlines Points
The value of American Airlines AAdvantage miles increased from 1.3 cents in 2025 to 1.7 cents in 2026. This means 10,000 miles are worth around $170. For domestic flights booked 15 days before departure, the value per mile can reach up to 3.5 cents. This increase also made the welcome offers on American Airlines credit cards more valuable.
2Moderate Increase for Alaska and Southwest
Alaska Atmos and Southwest Rapid Rewards points increased in value to 1.4 cents in 2026. Alaska points are ideal for international flights to Asia and the Caribbean, while Southwest offers advantages with its extensive domestic network. Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and JetBlue TrueBlue point values remained unchanged.
3Hyatt Points Maintained Their Leadership
Hyatt expanded its award chart to five tiers in 2026 and raised the nightly price for some hotels from 45,000 to 75,000 points. However, this change affected a limited number of properties, so the average value of Hyatt points remained stable at 1.8 cents. This is more than double the value of other hotel programs.
4Marriott Points Lost Value
The value of Marriott Bonvoy points decreased from 0.8 cents in 2025 to 0.7 cents in 2026. Approximately 95% of Marriott properties increased their award night prices, leading to this devaluation. Unlike Hyatt, Marriott adopted dynamic pricing, making award night costs unpredictable.
5Airline Cards Became More Attractive
The increase in value for American, Alaska, and Southwest points made the welcome offers on their credit cards more advantageous. You can transfer Citi ThankYou Points to American, Bilt Rewards to Alaska Atmos, and Chase Ultimate Rewards® to Southwest for additional value. However, consider the card's annual fee and benefits before applying.
6Hyatt Hotels Are the Best Option
Hyatt points remained stable at 1.8 cents, making them twice as valuable as other hotel programs. The price increase for Category 8 hotels affected only a limited number of properties, so overall usage saw little change. This makes Hyatt the best choice for travelers planning their stays.
7The Risk of Marriott's Dynamic Pricing
Marriott's shift to dynamic pricing makes award night planning more challenging. Prices fluctuating with cash rates and demand create unpredictability in award night costs. This complicates planning for loyalty program members.
8Review Your Points Strategy for 2026
Changes in airline and hotel point values in 2026 require travelers to review their points strategies. American Airlines and Hyatt points are now the most valuable options, while Marriott points have lost value. Carefully evaluate the advantages offered by each program to maximize the value of your points.
Original article: NerdWallet — 2026'da Hava Yolu ve Otel Puanlarının Değeri Nasıl Değişti?