Where to Go in 2026 With Miles: A Point-By-Point Value Map for The Points Guy’s Top 17

Stop hoarding. Start booking. Your 2026 tactical map to squeeze the most value from points and miles for The Points Guy’s top 17 picks

If you’ve ever opened your wallet, counted a pile of points and thought, “Where do I even start?” — this guide is for you. In 2026 loyalty programs are more dynamic and complex than ever: award charts have been trimmed, cash fares spike with fuel and demand, and transfer bonuses or temporary partnerships can create sudden sweet spots. That makes finding the lowest-cost award confusing—and creates huge opportunities for travelers who plan with a map.

Below is a tactical, point-by-point value map for each of The Points Guy’s 17 standout destinations for 2026. For every pick you’ll get the award sweet spots, the most useful transfer partners (and the big transferable currencies to use), the best times to redeem, plus sharp tactics—flash-sale hunting, multi-carrier routing, and stopover plays—to maximize value.

Quick primer: In 2026, transferable currencies (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou and Marriott Bonvoy) still give you the most flexibility. Never transfer points until you see award space. Use award calendars and set fare and award alerts for both cash and awards.

How to use this guide (fast)

• Scan the destination to see which alliances and programs offer the best value.
• Check award availability on the airline site or award search tools before transferring points.
• Set alerts for both cash fare drops and award space — flash award sales still appear seasonally in 2026.
• Use stopovers & one-ways to combine sweet spots and buy yourself flexibility.

TPG’s Top 17 — tactical maps

Below are the 17 TPG picks (as featured in Jan 2026), each followed by the award strategy you should prioritize. Treat each block as a checklist.

1) Kyoto, Japan

• Award sweet spots: Star Alliance long-haul awards (ANA/United/Aeroplan) and Oneworld via Japan Airlines.
• Best transfer partners: Use transferable points (Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi) to move to the airline program that has availability—look at Aeroplan and ANA for saver space.
• Best times to redeem: Book shoulder seasons (late March for cherry blossoms and mid-October) early — 8–10 months out for round trips. Low-season mid-winter often has the best saver award availability.
• Tactical tips: Use one-ways to mix cabins (one-way in business when available, return in economy). Watch for airline-specific inventory releases 330 days out and again 7–14 days before departure when carriers open more inventory.

2) Lisbon, Portugal

• Award sweet spots: Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Avios (Iberia/BA) short-haul sweet spots; Aeroplan for transatlantic premium cabins.
• Best transfer partners: Amex MR and Chase UR often transfer to Flying Blue and Avios-linked programs; Capital One can be a fallback for Aeroplan or Flying Blue in some markets.
• Best times to redeem: Shoulder seasons (April–May and Sept–Oct) — both cash and award availability usually improve and taxes/fees are lower than peak summer.
• Tactical tips: For intra-Europe hops, use Avios for short routes (low surcharges). For long-haul premium, target Flying Blue promo awards and Aeroplan’s multi-city search to find mixed-carrier routes with lower surcharges.

3) Reykjavik, Iceland

• Award sweet spots: Icelandair routes often price well in cash; for awards, use Avios for short-haul and Aeroplan/United for transatlantic travel.
• Best transfer partners: Major transferable points to Avios or Aeroplan; Alaska Mileage Plan can be a wildcard when partners line up.
• Best times to redeem: Winter is off-peak (cheaper awards) and Northern Lights season; summer is scenic but pricier. Book winter awards 3–6 months ahead.
• Tactical tips: Use positioning flights to cheaper hubs (e.g., Boston/NYC) when direct premium space is scarce; watch for short-notice Flying Blue flash promos on Reykjavik.

4) Cape Town, South Africa

• Award sweet spots: Star Alliance via South African Airways codeshares and Ethiopian/Swiss on Aeroplan/United; Oneworld via British Airways/Comair can also be competitive if you avoid heavy BA surcharges.
• Best transfer partners: Aeroplan, United MileagePlus, and sometimes Virgin Atlantic for creative routings; transfer from major currencies after confirming space.
• Best times to redeem: South Africa’s shoulder seasons (Mar–May and Sep–Nov) have better award pricing and milder weather.
• Tactical tips: Split your trip: long-haul into Johannesburg then cheap domestic award or cash flight to Cape Town. Monitor Aeroplan for periodic award price changes and sale windows.

5) Patagonia (Torres del Paine / El Calafate)

• Award sweet spots: LATAM (when it shows availability), Oneworld partner awards, and Aeroplan routing to South America with domestic add-ons.
• Best transfer partners: Use transferable points to programs that have LATAM or partner availability—Aeroplan and Avios may help with intra-South America segments.
• Best times to redeem: Peak season (Nov–Mar) requires earlier bookings; off-season offers better award availability and lower cost.
• Tactical tips: Book international award to Buenos Aires or Santiago then buy a short cash domestic flight to your Patagonian gateway — often cheaper and more flexible than routing entirely on award inventory.

6) Marrakech, Morocco

• Award sweet spots: Avios for short-haul Europe–Morocco links; Aeroplan and Flying Blue for transatlantic connections with reasonable surcharges.
• Best transfer partners: Transferable currencies to Avios and Flying Blue remain the quickest path; Aeroplan offers robust partner search for mixed itineraries.
• Best times to redeem: Fall and spring shoulder seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–May) to avoid extreme heat and heavy tourist pricing.
• Tactical tips: Use multi-city award search to include a European stopover; Avios short-haul pricing is particularly efficient for hopping from Madrid or Barcelona.

7) Oaxaca, Mexico

• Award sweet spots: Domestic US carrier awards (American, United) and short-haul Avios or Aeromexico partner awards when available.
• Best transfer partners: Transfer to airline partners only when you need international connection awards. For domestic positioning, use airline miles (AAdvantage, MileagePlus) or cash fares when they are cheap.
• Best times to redeem: Dry season (Nov–Apr) is peak—book early. Shoulder months can produce great award options.
• Tactical tips: Use open-jaw flights (e.g., fly into Oaxaca, out of Mexico City) and add a low-cost bus or cheap domestic flight to stretch your points and itinerary flexibility.

8) Cartagena, Colombia

• Award sweet spots: Avianca LifeMiles and Star Alliance awards into Bogota or Medellín + cheap regional flights; Avios for short-haul within the region.
• Best transfer partners: Use transferable points to the program that has pricing and availability—consider LifeMiles for frequent promos.
• Best times to redeem: Dry season (Dec–Mar) is high demand; try shoulder seasons for better award inventory.
• Tactical tips: Look for one-way award sales to South America then add inexpensive paid connections. Use award calendars to find last-minute saver space released by airlines.

9) Jordan (Petra & Wadi Rum)

• Award sweet spots: Middle East carriers and Oneworld partners (Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian) often have the best routing to Amman; use Avios for short intra-region hops.
• Best transfer partners: Transferable points to partner programs and airlines with Middle East coverage (check Qatar Privilege Club, Avios, or Royal Jordanian) are valuable.
• Best times to redeem: Spring and fall (Mar–May, Sep–Nov) — book 6–9 months ahead for saver awards.
• Tactical tips: Combine a Middle East stopover (e.g., Doha) with your award to make the long haul feel like two trips. Keep an eye on transfer bonuses to airline partners during 2026—these can cut the cost significantly.

10) New Zealand (South Island)

• Award sweet spots: Oneworld partners (Qantas) and airline programs that open premium space on long-haul routes; Aeroplan offers flexible routing to NZ when partners align.
• Best transfer partners: Use transferable points to programs that access Qantas or partner inventory—Alaska Mileage Plan (when partnered) can be a creative route to Oceania.
• Best times to redeem: Southern summer (Dec–Feb) is peak; book 9–12 months in advance for premium cabins. Shoulder seasons often give the best award availability for economy.
• Tactical tips: If premium award seats are sparse, split the trip: use miles for long-haul into Sydney/Auckland then a cheap paid hop to Queenstown or Christchurch.

11) Greenland (Ilulissat / Kulusuk)

• Award sweet spots: Regional carriers with limited award space make mixed cash+award itineraries practical; use major programs for the transatlantic portion (Aeroplan/United).
• Best transfer partners: Transferable currencies to Aeroplan or United are the safest bet to get you to Reykjavik or Copenhagen, then book local carriers separately.
• Best times to redeem: Late winter/spring (for icefjord views) — watch for last-minute updates to regional schedules that open award options.
• Tactical tips: Expect to combine a long-haul award into Reykjavik or Copenhagen with paid regional flights or ferries. Use flexible cancellation policies and refundable cash legs when possible because small carriers change schedules frequently.

12) Amalfi Coast / Naples, Italy

• Award sweet spots: Avios for intra-Europe connections; Aeroplan and Flying Blue for transatlantic premium cabins with reasonable fees.
• Best transfer partners: Avios (from Amex/Chase/Citi) and Flying Blue are your friends for low-fee connections between European gateways.
• Best times to redeem: May–June and Sept–Oct (shoulder season) — both cash/award options are kinder to your wallet.
• Tactical tips: Use regional trains/ferries — adding a low-cost domestic segment by cash can be cheaper than a scarce award into Naples direct. Check multi-city awards into Rome or Naples and out of a different Italian gateway to create an open-jaw road map.

13) Lofoten / Northern Norway (Aurora viewing)

• Award sweet spots: Avios for short-haul hops inside Europe; SAS/Star Alliance awards via Aeroplan or United to Oslo then cash or domestic award north.
• Best transfer partners: Transfer to Avios or Aeroplan depending on which shows the best transatlantic availability.
• Best times to redeem: Winter months (Dec–Mar) for Northern Lights — book early as logistics and domestic flights fill quickly.
• Tactical tips: Combine a long-haul award to Oslo with a domestic award to Bodø or Tromsø and then local ferries. Flexible dates can save thousands of points when governments or carriers run seasonal surcharges.

14) Vancouver Island, Canada

• Award sweet spots: Aeroplan and Alaska Mileage Plan for transborder flights; short-haul Avios for positioning within Canada.
• Best transfer partners: Transferable currencies to Aeroplan or Alaska (check current partnerships) offer flexible routing options.
• Best times to redeem: Summer is high demand—book early; shoulder months are scenic and award-friendly.
• Tactical tips: Use a cash award for the short island ferry leg if it frees up expensive premium award inventory on the mainline carrier; sometimes combining cash and miles is the best value in 2026’s dynamic market.

15) Quebec City, Canada

• Award sweet spots: Domestic carrier awards (Air Canada via Aeroplan) and short-haul Avios for regional hops from Europe.
• Best transfer partners: Transferable points to Aeroplan are often best for combined transatlantic + intra-Canada routing.
• Best times to redeem: Winter for a classic snow-bound experience; fall for foliage — both have award opportunities if you book earlier.
• Tactical tips: Use Aeroplan’s 2-stop routing rules to add a low-cost European stopover en route for nearly no extra points in some cases.

16) San Sebastián / Basque Country, Spain

• Award sweet spots: Avios for intra-Europe flights from Madrid/Barcelona, Flying Blue and Aeroplan for transatlantic positioning to Spain.
• Best transfer partners: Avios and Flying Blue via the major transferable currencies are the quick path to Spanish gateways.
• Best times to redeem: Spring and fall — avoid peak festival weeks unless you want to pay premium pricing.
• Tactical tips: Fly into Bilbao or Biarritz (France) and use a short regional transfer — that routing often saves award surcharges and points.

17) Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Award sweet spots: Aerolineas Argentinas (when available), Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles for Star Alliance routing and LATAM partner awards.
• Best transfer partners: Transferable currencies to LifeMiles or Aeroplan are useful; keep an eye out for transfer bonuses in 2026 that tilt the value dramatically.
• Best times to redeem: Argentina’s spring/summer (Oct–Mar) is popular; book long-haul awards 4–9 months in advance.
• Tactical tips: Consider routing via Santiago or São Paulo where award inventory may be more generous. Use separate domestic awards within Argentina when saver long-haul space is limited.

Advanced 2026 strategies that actually save miles

• Hunt transfer bonuses: 2025–2026 saw more frequent transfer bonuses between Membership Rewards/Ultimate Rewards and airline partners. Use an alert tool and transfer only after confirming award space.
• Use mixed-cabin one-ways: If business is scarce on the way home, book one-way in business outbound and an economy return. It often costs far less than a round-trip premium award.
• Exploit airline routing rules: Programs like Aeroplan offer generous stopovers or multi-city routing rules. A strategic stopover can add value equal to a cheap second trip.
• Combine cash + points tactically: In 2026, dynamic award pricing makes hybrid strategies valuable — buy the short domestic leg if it saves you tens of thousands of points on the transoceanic award.
• Use fare-alert arbitrage: Set cash-flight alerts for your target route. When cash fares drop, award space sometimes becomes more available in response; grab it fast. See our notes on paid award-search tools for automating this workflow.

Tools & alert workflows

1. Set award calendars on airline sites (United, Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios). Check 330 days out, then weekly.
2. Use fare-alerts for cash (Google Flights + Hopper or your favorite alert tool) to detect flash sales that often coincide with award releases.
3. Subscribe to transfer-bonus newsletters and point forums — they still break some of the quickest opportunities.
4. Use paid award-search tools (example: point search engines) for complex multi-carrier itineraries when you don’t have time to search manually.

2026 trends to watch (and how they change your award decisions)

• More dynamic awards: Expect pricing to continue fluctuating. This makes waiting for transfers dangerous — only move points after you see availability.
• Transfer bonuses more common: Banks and airlines leaned into promotional transfer bonuses in late 2025; plan to act during these windows to multiply value.
• Partnership reshuffles: Alliance codeshares and joint ventures continue evolving. Monitor program alliances for new routes that open sweet spots (e.g., Oneworld/JAL/Alaska alignments for Asia-Pacific).
• Flash award sales: Airlines keep using short-term award discounts to fill premium cabins during slow demand weeks. Your best defense is daily checks + alerts — learn calendar-driven alert habits from our alerts playbook.

Final checklist before you transfer points

• Confirm award seats are available for all legs you want.
• Verify the program you’re transferring to has the routing and partners you need.
• Check total cost (taxes, carrier-imposed surcharges, and cash fares for any paid legs).
• Have a backup plan — alternatives by date or routing — if your first choice disappears after transfer.

Case study (real-world workflow): You want Kyoto in April 2026. You search ANA and Aeroplan for award availability — find one business saver outbound on ANA and an economy return. You confirm Aeroplan shows the same seats and that a 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan is active from your transferable currency. You transfer points, book the Aeroplan award, and add a cheap paid domestic connection. Total: premium outbound, huge savings vs cash, and you didn’t transfer until you saw the exact seats.

Conclusion — act now, book smart

TPG’s 17 picks for 2026 are packed with opportunity. The key to maximizing value is speed, flexibility and discipline: search for availability first, watch for transfer bonuses, and use mixed-cabin or hybrid cash+award solutions when pure awards don’t align. In a dynamic 2026 marketplace, the traveler who models options (award charts, transfer partners, and flash-sales) will beat the one who waits for “someday.”

Ready to convert points into a trip? Sign up for fare and award alerts for the destinations above, set a watch for transfer bonuses, and pick one trip to book this quarter. Your points earned you the world — let them take you there.

Call to action

Sign up for our targeted fare deal and award alerts, and we’ll send route-specific flash sales, transfer-bonus alerts, and step-by-step award-booking checklists so you can book your 2026 trip with confidence.

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