Buying points rarely makes sense, but occasionally programs offer bonuses large enough to justify a purchase. Here are the best current point and mile purchase promotions worth considering.
- Several hotel programs offer 100% purchase bonuses that match our point valuations.
- Airline bonuses up to 100% can work for specific redemptions if you're topping off accounts.
- Smart buyers only purchase when they'll redeem at higher value than the purchase price.
Current Point Purchase Promotions Worth Considering
Hilton Honors: 100% Bonus Through March 14
Hilton offers a straightforward 100% bonus when you purchase 3,000+ points through March 14, 2026. With this promotion, you're buying points at 0.5 cents each, which matches our standard Hilton valuation.
The math: Purchase 80,000 points (max), get 80,000 bonus = 160,000 points for $800
This works when you have a specific redemption in mind that provides 0.5+ cents per point. Hilton's fifth-night-free policy on points bookings adds value, especially for longer stays.
Best use cases for this promotion:
- Topping off accounts for award bookings
- Extended stays where the fifth night free matters
- Properties during peak pricing where points rates stay fixed
Purchase Link: Buy Hilton Points with 100% Bonus
IHG One Rewards: 100% Bonus Through February 23
IHG matches Hilton with a 100% bonus on purchases of 5,000+ points. You'll pay 0.5 cents per point after the bonus, which equals our IHG point valuation.
The math: Purchase 300,000 points (max), get 300,000 bonus = 600,000 points for $3,000
IHG's inconsistent award pricing means you need to know your redemption value before buying. Some properties offer exceptional value at 30,000-40,000 points per night during peak season.
Smart buyers target:
- High-value properties during expensive periods
- Multi-night stays at consistent point rates
- Redemptions providing 1+ cent per point
Purchase Link: Buy IHG Points with 100% Bonus
Air Canada Aeroplan: 100% Bonus Through February 16
Aeroplan's current promotion offers up to 100% bonus when you purchase 80,000+ points. At 1.37 cents per point after the bonus, this pricing makes sense for specific redemptions.
The math: Purchase 80,000 points, get 80,000 bonus = 160,000 points for $2,192
We value Aeroplan at 1.5 cents per point, meaning you're getting a reasonable discount if you'll redeem well. Aeroplan excels for business class flights to Europe and Asia.
Consider this if you're booking:
- Transatlantic business class on partners
- Japan or Asia routes in premium cabins
- Destinations where Aeroplan beats other programs
Transfer partners (Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt) make buying less necessary, but this works for topping off accounts.
Purchase Link: Buy Aeroplan Points with 100% Bonus
JetBlue TrueBlue: 125% Bonus Through February 23
JetBlue offers the highest percentage bonus at 125%, bringing the cost to 1.43 cents per point after bonus.
The math: Purchase 80,000 points, get 100,000 bonus = 180,000 points for $2,574
The problem? We value TrueBlue at only 1.3-1.5 cents per point because they're essentially revenue-based. You'll rarely get more value than the purchase price unless you're booking during peak pricing periods.
This promotion only works if:
- Cash fares exceed point redemption value
- You're topping off for a specific booking
- Peak season pricing makes points more valuable
Purchase Link: Buy JetBlue Points with 125% Bonus
Southwest Rapid Rewards: 50% Discount Through February 23
Southwest offers a 50% discount (not bonus) on point purchases, bringing the price to 1.5 cents per point.
We value Southwest points at 1.3 cents each, so you're paying more than average value. This only makes sense when specific flights are expensive enough that using points saves money versus paying cash.
Purchase Link: Buy Southwest Points with 50% Discount
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards: 100% Bonus Through February 18
Alaska's rebranded program offers 100% bonus on purchases of 30,000+ points, pricing them at 1.88 cents each.
The math: Purchase 50,000 points, get 50,000 bonus = 100,000 points for $1,880
We value Atmos Rewards at 1.6 cents, making this purchase above our valuation. Only buy if you have a specific high-value redemption that's cheaper with points than cash.
Purchase Link: Buy Atmos Rewards Points with 100% Bonus
When Buying Points Actually Makes Sense
Most of the time, earning points through credit card spending and welcome bonuses provides better value than purchasing. But three situations justify buying points.
1. Topping Off Your Account
You've found the perfect award ticket. You have 195,000 points. The ticket costs 200,000 points. Buying 5,000 points for $100 makes more sense than earning them through spending $5,000 on a credit card earning 1 point per dollar.
The key: only buy the exact amount you need, not more.
2. Price Arbitrage Opportunities
Sometimes cash prices significantly exceed point redemption costs, even after accounting for the purchase price of points.
Example: A business class flight costs $4,500. The award ticket costs 70,000 points. Buying 70,000 Aeroplan points during this promotion costs about $1,918. You save $2,582.
Always run the math: (Cash price) - (Point purchase cost) = Actual savings
3. Preventing Expiration
If your points will expire and you can't generate earning activity, buying a small amount extends their life. Most programs count purchases as qualifying activity.
This only works when:
- The points have significant value
- You'll use them before the next expiration
- Buying is cheaper than losing them
Current Promotions Not Worth It
American Airlines AAdvantage: 40% Discount
AA's current promotion offers up to 40% discount on purchased miles, pricing them at 2.26 cents each. We value AA miles at only 1.4 cents, making this purchase rarely worthwhile.
Skip this unless you're booking a specific award that's significantly cheaper with miles than cash, and you need to top off your account.
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles: 45% Discount
Copa offers a 45% discount, bringing purchase cost to 1.65 cents per mile. While Copa has a fixed award chart and Star Alliance partnerships, the pricing doesn't offer enough value over simply transferring points from partners like Marriott.
Etihad Guest: 35% Discount
At 2.08 cents per mile after a 35% discount, Etihad's pricing exceeds our 1.4-cent valuation. Given multiple transfer partners (Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Bilt), buying rarely makes sense.
Promotions Requiring Extra Caution
Finnair Plus: 50% Bonus Through February 5
Finnair's 50% bonus prices Avios at 1.45 cents each. While you can transfer these Avios freely to British Airways, Qatar, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, we value Avios at only 1.25 cents.
The upside: This provides a backdoor way to buy Avios for other programs. The downside: You're still paying above our valuation.
Amtrak Guest Rewards: 50% Bonus Through February 28
Amtrak's 50% bonus brings point cost to 2.51 cents each. Amtrak points have limited earning options, but paying 2.51 cents only makes sense for expensive train routes where points provide better value than cash.
Wyndham Rewards: 80% Bonus Through February 18
Wyndham's 80% bonus prices points at 0.72 cents each, below our 0.9-cent valuation. This creates legitimate purchase opportunities for specific Wyndham properties that offer strong value.
The catch: Wyndham's inconsistent property quality means you need to know exactly which hotel you're booking before buying points.
How to Decide If You Should Buy Points
Follow this decision framework before purchasing any points or miles:
Step 1: Identify your specific redemptionDon't buy speculatively. Know exactly which flight or hotel you'll book.
Step 2: Calculate point purchase cost(Points needed) × (Cost per point after bonus) = Total purchase price
Step 3: Compare to cash priceIf cash price > (Purchase cost + value of time/flexibility), consider buying.
Step 4: Check transfer partners firstCan you transfer points from Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, or Bilt instead? Transfers almost always beat purchasing.
Step 5: Verify award availabilityConfirm the award space exists before buying points. Nothing worse than purchasing points for a redemption that disappears.
Programs to Avoid Buying From
Some programs rarely if ever justify point purchases:
Revenue-based programs: JetBlue, Southwest, and other programs that tie point value to cash prices rarely offer arbitrage opportunities.
Programs with generous transfer partners: Why buy Marriott, Hilton, or airline miles when you can transfer from credit card programs?
Programs with poor redemption value: If we value points at 1 cent but they cost 2 cents to buy, skip it regardless of the bonus.
Maximum Purchase Limits
Every program caps how many points you can buy annually:
- Hilton: 240,000 points per year
- IHG: 300,000 points per year
- Aeroplan: 150,000 points per year
- JetBlue: 300,000 points per year
- Southwest: 60,000 points per promotion
- Alaska: 150,000 points per year
These limits prevent using purchases as a primary points strategy. They work for topping off accounts, not building balances.
Better Alternatives to Buying Points
Before you purchase points, exhaust these options:
Credit card welcome bonuses: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000+ points for $4,000 spending. That's 60,000 points for roughly zero net cost if you'd spend that money anyway.
Transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt let you transfer points to dozens of airline and hotel programs. Build balances there instead of buying direct.
Shopping portals: Earn 2-10+ points per dollar on purchases you'd make anyway through airline and hotel shopping portals.
Dining programs: Earn bonus miles dining out through programs like Rewards Network, which partners with many airlines.
What These Promotions Mean for March 2026
The current crop of purchase promotions shows programs competing aggressively for direct sales. The 100% bonuses from Hilton and IHG mark their best regular offers.
For travelers planning spring and summer trips, topping off accounts now can lock in award space before prices increase. But remember the golden rule: only buy when you'll redeem at higher value than purchase cost.
The smartest strategy remains earning through welcome bonuses and everyday spending, using purchases only for strategic account top-offs when specific high-value redemptions justify the cost.
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