17 Current Promotions for Buying Airline Miles and Hotel Points (Get up to 150% Bonus Miles)

At AwardWallet, we are staunch proponents of gathering miles and points in the most economical ways possible. These typically involve earning miles through credit card sign-up bonuses, taking advantage of transfer bonuses, and earning miles from everyday spending. But there are certainly times when you might be slightly short on points for a sweet redemption and need some quick miles or points — like, right away!

If you are unable to transfer miles or points into your loyalty account, the quickest way to get some miles into your account fast is to just buy points or miles directly from the airline or hotel. And the best time to buy miles or points is when the airline or hotel loyalty program is selling them at discounted rates.

With so many different programs out there, it can be tough to keep track of which ones are offering deals. To make things easier, we’ve gathered all the current airline, hotel, and other travel loyalty promotions on points and miles in one place.

Buy Miles Promotions From Airlines

In the table below, you’ll find the latest airline promotions offering bonuses or discounts when you buy miles. These deals can sometimes unlock cheaper award travel than paying cash — even in business or first class cabins.

Buy Points Promotions From Hotels

The table below highlights current hotel promotions for buying points. These offers can be useful when you need to top off your account for a free night or upgrade.

Buy Points Promotions From Other Transportation

Here you’ll find the latest promotions from other travel and transportation programs where you can buy points. Check the table below for opportunities to save on future travel.

Should You Buy Points and Miles?

Unless there’s an active discount or bonus, it’s generally not worth buying points or miles. However, even when there is a deal on the table, it really only makes sense in a few specific situations:

• When you only need a small number of points to make a redemption. Buying points can be one of the fastest and easiest ways to top off your balance if you don't have transferrable points.
• When purchasing the miles you need ends up being cheaper than paying the cash rate for the same flight or hotel. Buying points and miles can be a good way to travel in luxury for less.
• When you’re working toward a credit card sign-up bonus spending requirement. Buying points can help you reach the threshold while collecting additional miles to put towards future travel.

But no matter what, always have a plan before you buy. Programs can change award rates without warning, and miles you're sitting on can lose value overnight. This isn't to scare you, but the best time to buy is when you know exactly how you will use them in the near future.

Business class on Iberia's A321neo XLR. Credit: Tyler Glatt/AwardWallet

Related: Buy Points and Miles the Smart Way: How to Leverage Promotions to Score Incredible Deals on Travel

How Long Does It Take to Buy Miles or Points?

It’s important to know how long purchased points and miles take to post to your account so there are no surprises between checkout and when your new stash appears. To help set your expectations, AwardWallet has a dedicated page that tracks average posting times across loyalty programs using anonymized user data.

Before you buy, check that page to see when your points or miles are likely to arrive. Many programs post instantly, but some don’t. Knowing which ones post reliably quickly and which take a bit longer can be the difference between picking one program over another when you need a last minute redemption.

Additionally, AwardWallet Plus members can use the Balance Watch feature. It monitors a chosen account and alerts you by desktop, mobile, or email the moment your balance changes. With up to 24 checks per day, you’ll know exactly when the points hit your account so you can jump on your booking before availability disappears.

Related: How Long Does It Take to Buy and Transfer Points?

What Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?

Most hotel and airline point purchases aren’t processed by the brand itself. Nearly all are handled by Points.com, which is a third party. That matters because, even though you start on the airline or hotel’s website, the charge posts from Points.com and won’t trigger as an “airfare” or “travel” purchase.

Therefore, it makes the most sense to use one of the following cards instead:

• Whatever credit card with a sign-up bonus you're working on right now. Here are the best welcome offers available now — and here are welcome offers worth 100k points or more.
• Any credit card with perks you can unlock from spending, such as hotel free night awards, hotel elite status, or airline elite status.
• Your best credit card for everyday spending, such as the Citi Double Cash^® Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, or The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Apply Now

Annual Fee$0Rates & Fees

Credit ScoreExcellent, Good

• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  
  Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

How to Apply

Annual Fee$95

Credit ScoreExcellent, Good

• 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
• 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases

The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Welcome Offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

Apply Now

Annual FeeNo annual feeRates & Fees
(Terms Apply)

Credit ScoreGood, Excellent

• Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.

There are exceptions, though. Delta SkyMiles and American Airlines AAdvantage miles purchases are processed directly by the airline. That means you can use a credit card that rewards travel purchases on these purchases.

Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?

Bottom Line

Remember, there are usually better ways to earn points and miles than buying them. Collecting without paying cash for them is almost always a cheaper route to grow your accounts in the long run. That said, when there’s no better option, or when buying points is cheaper than the cash rate for the trip you want, purchasing points or miles to unlock a valuable redemption can absolutely be worth it.

Keep this page bookmarked, since we update it daily to reflect the latest deals you can take advantage of right now.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Double Cash^® Card (Rates & Fees), and The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)

AwardWallet Tip of The Day

Did you know that we can analyze your everyday spending and make suggestions on how to increase your earnings with every transaction? Add an account with cards that earn Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards and we'll analyze what you earn with every swipe and identify how you can potentially earn more. To see this report, simply navigate to the CARD SPEND ANALYSIS tab in your account list
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