Redeeming Points for the 17 Best Places to Travel in 2026: A Destination-by-Destination Card Strategy

Stop Hoarding — Start Booking: Turn Your Points Into 2026 Trips Without the Headache

If you’re a busy investor, tax filer or crypto trader, you don’t have time to scramble through dozens of search engines, chase flash transfer bonuses, or figure out which card to use for which leg of a trip. Yet you still want to maximize savings, avoid surprise fees and extract real value from your rewards. This guide maps The Points Guy’s top 17 picks for 2026 to concrete points-and-card playbooks: which airline or hotel partners to target, sample itineraries, and exact tactics to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

How to read this guide (quick)

• Destination-by-destination: Each section gives the alliance or hotel chain to prioritize, a sample 5–7 day itinerary, and practical steps to keep cash costs low.
• Card currencies to hold: Focus on transferable currencies (Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou) and flexible hotel chains (World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy) — I explain specific plays below.
• 2026 trends to keep in mind: dynamic award pricing is now mainstream, airlines are offering off-peak award windows to fill routes, and banks continue rotating targeted transfer bonuses. Book smartly and check transfer partner lists at time of booking.

Core rule: search award space first, then transfer points. Most mistakes come from transferring irreversible points to a program with no available seats.

2026 trends that change how you redeem

• Dynamic awards are mainstream. Late‑2025 and early‑2026 saw more airlines price awards dynamically — that means points costs can swing widely. The upside: off‑peak and shoulder-season flights often show deep discounts.
• Transfer-bonus windows still show up. Banks ran more targeted bonuses in late 2025. If you spot a 20–40% transfer bonus from a card currency to an airline, you can unlock outsized value for premium cabins — sign up for deal alerts or follow weekly deal roundups like the weekly deals roundups to catch transfer-bonus windows.
• Hotel points regained value for resort stays. Higher cash rates at boutique/resort properties have pushed hotels to offer competitive awards — World of Hyatt and Marriott can deliver outsized value in limited-date stays. Keep an eye on hotel trends such as 5G and Matter-ready smart rooms that are changing how hotels package high-value nights.
• Fuel surcharges persist selectively. Some European and Middle East carriers still tack heavy surcharges; choose alliances without fuel‑surcharge exposure for long-haul award flights where possible.

Transferable currencies checklist (2026)

If you carry one of these in 2026, you’re flexible. Use the program that has real award space, not the card you like best.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards — versatile for Star Alliance flights and Hyatt hotels.
• American Express Membership Rewards — broad airline access, often useful for European and Asia premium cabins.
• Capital One Miles — good fallback when unique partners surface award space.
• Citi ThankYou — niche partners sometimes show great value for short notice.

Destination-by-destination strategies (TPG’s top 17 for 2026)

1. Kyoto, Japan — Use Star Alliance for transpacific legs; Hyatt for signature stays

Why 2026: Japan’s tourism stabilization and renewed interest in regional festivals make Kyoto a cultural home run this year.

Redemption strategy: target Star Alliance award space (United/Air Canada/Ana partner routes) for the long haul; use World of Hyatt free night certificates or points for Kyoto’s boutique properties.

Sample 6‑day itinerary: Day 1 arrive Kansai/Osaka, Day 2 Kyoto temples and Gion, Day 3 Arashiyama and bamboo groves, Day 4 day trip to Nara, Day 5 hands-on tea ceremony and markets, Day 6 depart.

Minimize OOP: book award flights one-way if availability differs outbound/inbound; use a transit card for local trains; use Hyatt category awards and a free night certificate to cover high-value nights. Pack smart and pack light so you can avoid checked bag fees on saver awards.

2. Lisbon, Portugal — Oneworld or Avios plays, plus boutique hotels

Why 2026: Lisbon’s shoulder-season pricing and direct U.S. routes make awards more achievable this year.

Redemption strategy: prioritize Oneworld Avios or transferable currencies that convert to Avios for short-haul hops around Portugal and Spain. For hotels, use points at Marriott and boutique collections.

Sample 5‑day itinerary: Day 1 Alfama and tram 28, Day 2 Belém and riverfront, Day 3 day trip to Sintra, Day 4 LX Factory and food markets, Day 5 fly home via hub.

Minimize OOP: avoid British Airways long‑haul surcharges by flying a U.S. carrier into Madrid or connecting via an alliance partner; use Avios to book short intra‑Europe flights where award taxes are low. Also read about how sustainable tourism is reshaping coastal towns in Portugal if you’re planning island or coastal side trips.

3. Reykjavik / Iceland — Flying Blue or Avios short-haul values; use points for winter/off‑peak adventure

Why 2026: geothermal travel and Northern Lights demand continue to drive interest — mid‑week award windows often show good saver fares.

Redemption strategy: transfer to partners that price short-haul Europe attractively (look at Flying Blue and Avios redemptions). For hotels, mix points for urban Reykjavik nights and cash for countryside cottages.

Sample 7‑day itinerary: Ring Road highlights in rental car (book cash+points for car rental), Blue Lagoon, glacier hike, Northern Lights countryside stay.

Minimize OOP: bundle paid activities ahead of time using card credits and protections (travel credits or built-in insurance), and use flexible award dates to hit lower fuel-surcharge windows.

4. Cartagena, Colombia — Use intra‑Americas partners; hotel points for boutique colonial stays

Why 2026: Caribbean vibe without island prices; festival calendar in late spring offers strong value.

Redemption strategy: target American/LatAm award availability for U.S. gateway flights; use hotel points (Marriott/Hyatt where available) for historic center properties or splurge on boutique rooms with points + cash.

Sample 5‑day itinerary: Walled city walking tour, Rosario Islands day trip, street food crawl, salsa night.

Minimize OOP: use no‑foreign-transaction‑fee cards and local-pay options; buy island ferry seats with a reward card that offers travel protections.

5. Cape Town, South Africa — Star Alliance for long haul; use hotel points for wine‑region splurges

Why 2026: increased direct service and renewed tourism investment make Cape Town a top 2026 pick.

Redemption strategy: chase Star Alliance saver award space to Johannesburg/Cape Town; use hotel points or villas for Stellenbosch and Franschhoek stays.

Sample 8‑day itinerary: Table Mountain, Cape Point, Cape Winelands, Robben Island, coastal drive to Hermanus for whales (seasonal).

Minimize OOP: book intra‑Africa legs on cash when awards are expensive; use transferable points for premium long‑haul and nights in high‑rate wine-region hotels.

6. Patagonia (Chile/Argentina) — Mix award flights + cash regional legs; use points for lodge stays

Why 2026: adventure travel demand is high and boutique lodges offer real points value.

Redemption strategy: fly into Santiago or Buenos Aires on an award, then buy regional flights or land transfers; redeem hotel points at luxury lodges when available or use points + cash.

Sample 7‑10 day itinerary: fly into Punta Arenas or El Calafate, Torres del Paine treks, backcountry lodge nights, scenic transfers.

Minimize OOP: avoid trying to force award pricing on tightly scheduled regional legs — pay cash for one tight connector and save points for the expensive long-haul. Also remember route and permit timing for remote treks — see updates like the New Havasupai permit system for planning parallels at busy parks.

7. Amalfi Coast, Italy — Use Avios/Oneworld or Atlantic alliance routing; book hotels with points early

Why 2026: boutique coastal openings and ferry upgrades have boosted value for short coast stays.

Redemption strategy: use Avios for European short hops and pay attention to award taxes on long‑haul routes; leverage hotel points or category certificates at coastal properties.

Sample 6‑day itinerary: base in Positano, day trip to Amalfi/ Ravello, Capri boat long‑day, Sorrento market evening.

Minimize OOP: book ferries and local transfers in advance with cards that offer travel protection; prioritize award flights into Naples (or Rome + train) to avoid high‑surcharge carriers.

8. Oaxaca, Mexico — Short‑haul Americas awards work well; use hotel points for boutique inns

Why 2026: culinary interest and off‑peak cultural festivals make Oaxaca a high-value redeemption target.

Redemption strategy: book award flights from U.S. hubs to Oaxaca or nearby; use hotel points or small-boutique bookings paid with a rewards card for cash back or protection.

Sample 4‑day itinerary: food tours, Monte Albán, mezcal tastings, artisan markets.

Minimize OOP: take advantage of cheap short‑haul awards and use on‑site public transport to avoid taxi surcharges.

9. New Zealand (South Island) — Use one-ways with alliances; mix hotel points and cash for lodges

Why 2026: improved route frequency and off‑peak rates make New Zealand accessible via awards.

Redemption strategy: book long‑haul award to Auckland or Christchurch, then rent car/one‑way domestic tickets; redeem hotel points for major city nights where hotels are expensive.

Sample 10‑day itinerary: Queenstown base, Milford Sound cruise, Fiordland hikes, Aoraki/Mt Cook day trip.

Minimize OOP: split trip into one‑way awards when saver seats exist; use car power and USB‑C kits to keep phones, cameras and GPS running on long drives and protect paid activity bookings.

10. Quebec City, Canada — North American short‑haul awards & hotel points

Why 2026: winter festivals and fall foliage remain strong draws with predictable award availability.

Redemption strategy: use regional partner awards (short US‑Canada routes) or cash flights and redeem points for boutique hotels in Old Quebec.

Sample 4‑day itinerary: Old Town, Citadel, Île d’Orléans day trip, fine dining and skating.

Minimize OOP: book airfare on low‑tax itineraries and use hotel points to escape high cash rates during festival weekends.

11. Seoul, South Korea — Use Star Alliance or SkyTeam award sweet spots; funnel nights to Hyatt/Marriott

Why 2026: K‑culture travel and renewed bilateral air capacity create award windows for North America–Asia routes.

Redemption strategy: hunt for Star Alliance saver award space or SkyTeam options depending on your transferable currency; use points for flagship city hotels.

Sample 6‑day itinerary: Gangnam, palace tours, DMZ half‑day, day trip to Suwon or coastal Incheon markets.

Minimize OOP: book award space early for peak K‑culture events; use card travel credits to cover expensive SIM/eSIM or local tours.

12. Athens, Greece — Use Avios/Flying Blue for intra‑Europe hops; use points for stays on islands

Why 2026: renewed interest in classical travel plus airline capacity increases to Athens.

Redemption strategy: book award long‑haul to Athens on favorable partners, then use Avios or Flying Blue for short island hops; redeem hotel points on islands where cash rates spike.

Sample 7‑day itinerary: Athens historical morning, day trip to Delphi, 3 days on a Cyclades island, return to Athens.

Minimize OOP: ferry bookings can be paid with a travel card to get protections; move nights to points where island resorts charge premium cash rates.

13. Bali, Indonesia — Use long‑haul award to Indonesia hubs; use points for high‑value resort nights

Why 2026: Bali continues to provide excellent value for resort stays redeemed with hotel points.

Redemption strategy: use transferable points for long haul into Denpasar via hubs; redeem hotel points for luxury resorts in Ubud and Seminyak where nightly cash rates are high.

Sample 8‑day itinerary: Ubud wellness and rice terraces, Seminyak beaches and sunsets, day trip to Nusa Penida.

Minimize OOP: use free night certificates for resort stays, and buy local experiences on-site to leverage low local prices. If you’re heading remote for boat or island trips, consider power solutions for day trips and guides discussed in solar-powered cold boxes & battery strategies.

14. Galápagos Islands — Use award long haul to Quito/Guayaquil then cash charters; use hotel points in gateway cities

Why 2026: conservation-focused itineraries and smaller-ship options have high cash costs that points can’t always fully cover.

Redemption strategy: use points for premium long‑haul flights to Ecuador; expect to pay cash for island charters — offset that by using hotel points in Quito or Guayaquil for pre/post nights.

Sample 7‑day itinerary: fly to Quito, overnight, Galápagos expedition cruise 4–5 days, return to Quito.

Minimize OOP: use transferable points for the expensive international legs and anticipate paying cash for mandatory park fees and excursions. For expedition logistics and low-tech field gear, consult field kits and battery strategies in remote settings.

15. Istanbul, Turkey — Use Star Alliance or Oneworld connections; use hotel points for historic district stays

Why 2026: historic sites and creative culinary scenes keep Istanbul a perennial points winner.

Redemption strategy: hunt award space on Star Alliance carriers or partner airlines into Istanbul; redeem hotel points in Sultanahmet for high value during shoulder season.

Sample 5‑day itinerary: Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus cruise, Asian side markets.

Minimize OOP: avoid tickets with excessive fuel surcharges; choose carriers that price awards cleanly.

16. Santorini, Greece — Short European Avios/Flying Blue hops + hotel points for sunset suites

Why 2026: boutique cave hotels still command huge cash rates; points deliver outsized value.

Redemption strategy: fly into Athens and hop to Santorini on a low-cost carrier or award partner; use hotel points or category certificates on cliff-side properties where cash rates skyrocket at sunset.

Sample 4‑day itinerary: Fira and Oia sunset, island boat tour, winery visit.

Minimize OOP: book early and pick hotels that waive resort fees when paid with points or certificates.

17. Maui, Hawaii — Domestic award sweet spots and resort certificates

Why 2026: direct routes make Maui an accessible tropical escape and resort award value remains attractive.

Redemption strategy: use domestic award inventory through airline partners (one‑ways if needed) and redeem hotel free night certificates at major resorts for two or three nights.

Sample 6‑day itinerary: Road to Hana, Lahaina sunset cruise, snorkeling Molokini, Haleakala sunrise hike.

Minimize OOP: use airline status or premium card benefits for checked bags on domestic legs; apply travel credits and on-card credits to tours and car rentals. For short domestic escapes and weekend trips, see the Weekend Microcation Playbook for inspiration on timing and brief itineraries.

Advanced booking tactics to minimize cash (actionable steps)

1. Search award space before transferring points. Use airline award calendars and flexible-date tools — speed up research with browser tools from the Top 8 Browser Extensions for Fast Research. If a seat exists in a target program, transfer within the bank’s transfer window (some do instant transfers; others take time).
2. Split long trips into one‑ways. One‑way awards let you mix alliances and avoid losing availability because of one bad leg.
3. Use free night certificates strategically. Apply certificates to nights where cash rates spike (resorts, special events) and use points or cash for cheaper nights.
4. Watch for transfer bonuses. If a 25–40% bonus appears in late 2025 or early 2026 to a partner you need, it can change a transpacific premium cabin from too expensive to a great deal — follow deal roundups like the weekly deals.
5. Avoid fuel surcharges on long-haul awards. Prefer alliances that price awards sans heavy surcharges (often US‑based carriers or certain Star Alliance partners) or pick carriers that show low fees for the route.
6. Use card credits and protections to offset OOP expenses. Many premium cards offer statement credits for incidental travel charges, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, and primary rental-car coverage — layer these to cut cash costs. See the 2026 bargain‑hunter’s toolkit for examples of stacking credits and protections.

Sample full booking playbook — Kyoto (real example you can copy)

• Step 1: Search Star Alliance award space from your home airport to Kansai (KIX) for two one‑way saver seats within your travel window.
• Step 2: Hold transferable points in Chase/Amex/Capital One. Only transfer when seats are confirmed.
• Step 3: Redeem a World of Hyatt free night certificate for two midweek nights in Kyoto (where rates spike) and use Hyatt points for remaining nights or a boutique ryokan cash stay.
• Step 4: Use a travel credit on your premium card to reimburse airport lounge access or incidental fees. Pack light to avoid checked bag fees if your award doesn’t include them.

Quick checklist before you hit book

• Confirm award seat availability in the airline’s program before transferring bank points.
• Check fuel surcharges and taxes — these are often the real cash hit.
• Compare one‑way award pricing vs roundtrip to find the best split.
• Use hotel free night certificates where cash rates are high; use points for value nights.
• Time transfers around bank transfer speed and potential transfer bonuses.

Final thoughts — the best single mindset change for 2026

The winners in 2026 will be flexible: flexible dates, flexible alliances and ready to move transferable points when the right award shows up. Dynamic pricing and shifting airline capacity mean that deep value still exists — but only if you act fast and use the right card-currency combination for each destination.

Actionable takeaways

• Today: audit your transferable currencies and free night certificates; make a short wishlist of 1–3 destinations from the 17 above.
• 72 hours: search award availability for those trips and note which frequent‑flyer programs show saver seats.
• If seats exist: transfer points only when seats are bookable and instant transfer exists, or when you accept the transfer timing risk.
• Use certificates and travel credits: plug hotel certificates into the most expensive nights; use card travel credits to absorb ferry, SIM or activity costs.

Ready to book your 2026 trip?

Sign up for targeted deals and transfer‑bonus alerts to catch the next window that turns a pricey trip into a points win. If you want personalized help, compare your cards and current point balances against a destination — I’ll map the exact step‑by‑step in a custom plan.

Call to action: Subscribe to our weekly points alert and get a free one‑page booking checklist that shows which card to use for each of the 17 destinations. Don’t let 2026 pass as another “someday” trip — book it with confidence.

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