Guides

Points & Miles Guides

Plain-English playbooks for getting more out of your points, from airline upgrades to hotel price matches. Every guide is verified against official sources and dated so you know it’s current.

Getting Started

New to points and miles? Start here.

What Kind of Points Traveler Are You?Before you pick a card, figure out what you actually want from travel. Find your "why," and the "how" gets easy.Read the guide →

Airlines & Flying

Upgrades, award flights, alliances, and lounges.

How to Upgrade to First Class on American AirlinesEvery current way to upgrade, when each offer appears, and how to use miles or cash to get there.Read the guide →

Hotels & Stays

Best rate guarantees, elite status, and free nights.

Hotel & Travel-Portal Best Rate GuaranteesWho has a best rate guarantee, what you actually get, and how to win a claim, from official terms.Read the guide →How to Book a Sold-Out HotelGuaranteed room availability: the elite perk that books you a standard room when a hotel shows sold out, and the cheapest cards that unlock it.Read the guide →How to Actually Win a Best Rate Guarantee31 tips pulled straight from the fine print to get your price-match claim approved.Read the guide →

Cards & Points

Transfers, welcome bonuses, and choosing a card.

The Best First Card for Every Type of TravelerYou know your travel why. Now the one card to actually apply for, one anchor pick per traveler type, grounded in real card data.Read the guide →

Looking for a specific program instead? Browse our airline and hotel program pages.