Traveling in style without breaking the bank? Completely possible. The secret lies in miles and points, of course. Here’s a real-world example of how to turn an expensive trip into a nearly free one — using a mix of airline and hotel rewards.
Scoring a Flight Deal With Points
Flights between Miami (MIA) and Mexico City (MEX) can get pricey, especially at the last minute. A quick search showed fares climbing well over $400 one way.
But there’s a better way.
Alaska Airlines offers one of the best sweet spots in the game: booking American Airlines flights for just 7,500 Alaska miles plus a small fee. Since Membership Rewards (MR) points transfer to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines at a 1:1 ratio, this redemption becomes an absolute steal.
Even better? Alaska Airlines elite members get complimentary upgrades on American Airlines flights, increasing the chances of snagging a seat in first class for the same low price.
💡 Pro tip: Have leftover credit in an Alaska Airlines travel wallet? It can be used to cover taxes and fees on award flights — including those booked on partner airlines.
Final out-of-pocket cost: $12.50 instead of $400+.
Maximizing Hotel Points for a Luxury Stay
Hotel prices in Mexico City can fluctuate, especially for last-minute bookings. The good news? Award availability can sometimes be much better than cash prices.
A quick search revealed that the Andaz Condesa, a Hyatt property with a cash rate of over $400 per night, had award nights available for just 12,000 Hyatt points per night. Booking ten nights at this rate saved over $5,000 in cash.
But it didn’t stop there.
To sweeten the deal:
- A Category 1-4 Free Night Award from Hyatt’s milestone program was applied to one night.
- A suite upgrade award locked in a suite for the first seven nights.
- Another ten nights were booked at the Hyatt Regency Insurgentes for just 9,000 points per night — a steal for a high-end property in a prime location.
Total cost for 20 nights in Mexico City: A stack of Hyatt points.
Total cash price? $7,857. Y’all, that’s wild.
Why Alaska Miles and Hyatt Points Are MVPs
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Hyatt points offer some of the most valuable redemptions in the game.
Alaska Miles: One of the few programs with consistently valuable sweet spots, including ultra-cheap American Airlines awards and premium cabin redemptions on top-tier airlines.
Hyatt Points: Still some of the best value in hotel loyalty programs, with low award pricing, elite perks and easy ways to earn points through credit cards.
How to Replicate This Strategy
- Book flights using Alaska Airlines’ sweet spots. AA flights for 7,500 miles are tough to beat. Check routes operated by American Airlines, but book through Alaska for maximum savings.
- Leverage transfer partners. Membership Rewards points transfer to Alaska via Hawaiian, making it an easy way to top off an account.
- Use elite status perks. Upgrades on partner airlines, waived fees and lounge access can take a redemption from good to great.
- Find award hotel deals. Hyatt’s predictable pricing structure often makes points bookings more valuable than cash.
- Stack free night awards and upgrades. A well-placed free night certificate or suite upgrade can turn a great redemption into an unbeatable one.
The bottom line is… travel doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right points and miles strategy, five-star hotels and premium flights can cost next to nothing.
