Why Southwest & Hyatt Are the Easiest Transfer Partners for Maximizing Your Points
Why I Always Save My Points for These Two Travel Programs
One of the biggest frustrations with points and miles? Figuring out how to actually use them for good redemptions. Some airline and hotel programs make it unnecessarily complicated—blackout dates, unpredictable pricing, and sneaky fees can turn what should be a nearly free trip into a headache.
That’s why I always prioritize transferring my points to programs that keep things simple. If you want reliable, high-value redemptions without the hassle, two of the best options are a major airline that offers easy redemptions with no blackout dates and a top-rated hotel program that consistently delivers more value per point than its competitors.
I use these programs all the time for family travel, and they’ve saved me thousands of dollars. If you’re just starting with points, I highly recommend checking out my beginner’s guide to earning and redeeming points to get a solid foundation before you start booking trips!
The Best Airline for Stress-Free Redemptions
Some airlines make booking flights with points feel like solving a puzzle. Not this one. With a simple system, if a seat is available for cash, you can book it with points. That means no waiting around for award space to open up—if there’s a flight you want, you can book it instantly.
Another huge perk? Free cancellations and no change fees. Plans change (especially with kids!), so having the flexibility to rebook without penalties is a lifesaver. If you cancel, your points go right back into your account.
And if you travel often with a partner or child, this airline’s companion perk is a game-changer—it lets you bring a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees. I’ve used this perk for years, and it has easily saved my family thousands on airfare.
How to Earn Points for This Airline
The easiest way to earn points for this airline is by using travel rewards cards that let you transfer points instantly. Here’s a list of my favorite travel credit cards, which allow you to rack up points quickly. If you’re working toward the companion perk, though, you’ll want to focus on co-branded credit cards instead. You can read more about how to earn it in this guide.
The Best Hotel Program for Stretching Your Points
Hotel points can be tricky—some brands charge a ridiculous number of points for basic rooms, while others nickel-and-dime you with resort fees even when booking on points. But this hotel program keeps things simple and gives you more for your points.
Lower redemption rates – You can book free nights starting at just 3,500 points, which means you’ll get more nights out of your stash.
Luxury stays for fewer points – Their high-end hotels require far fewer points than competitors, so you can score premium stays without draining your balance.
No resort fees on award stays – Unlike some other hotel chains, this program doesn’t charge resort fees when you use points, which can save you $30+ per night.
Predictable award pricing – Instead of a confusing dynamic pricing model that changes daily, this program still offers a structured award chart, so you know exactly how many points you’ll need for a stay.
That last one is a huge deal. While many hotel programs tie their award prices to the cash cost of the hotel (meaning you never really know what a night will cost in points), this one sticks to set redemption rates, making it much easier to plan trips.
If you’re trying to book family-friendly vacations with points, this is one of the best programs to focus on. And if you’re looking for an easy way to rack up hotel points, check out some of my favorite cards that transfer to this program.
The Perfect Power Couple for Family Travel
If you’re just getting into points and miles, these two programs are by far the easiest to work with. No complicated redemption processes, no frustrating blackout dates, and no sneaky fees. Just straightforward redemptions and great value.
I personally save most of my points for luxury hotel stays, but I also use them for family flights since the cancellation flexibility is unbeatable. And since both programs allow instant point transfers, it’s super easy to move your points when you find availability.
Want to start earning more points for your next family trip? Make sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletterwhere I share deals, award availability, and travel hacks just for busy moms.
And if you’re looking for the best credit cards to build up your points balance, check out this list of my favorite travel cards to get started!
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