2026 Top Destinations: A Points & Miles Cheat Sheet for The 17 Best Places

Stop wasting time hunting multiple sites — book the 2026 trip you actually want using points

Booking travel in 2026 feels like a scavenger hunt: dynamic award pricing, changing transfer bonuses, and dozens of loyalty programs all battling for your attention. If your pain points are fragmented booking, hidden fees, unclear redemption value and last-minute changes, you’re in the right place. Below I translate The Points Guy’s 17 must-see 2026 picks into practical, step-by-step points & miles strategies so you can book each destination on a budget — often last-minute — without losing your mind.

The 2026 angle: why now matters

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought two trends that change the rules of reward travel: first, airlines and hotel programs accelerated dynamic pricing, pushing travelers to be flexible and opportunistic. Second, banks and loyalty programs resumed frequent transfer bonuses and targeted offers after pandemic-era quiet, meaning savvy redemptions can stretch points like never before.

That means the highest-impact moves for 2026 are: flexibility with dates/destinations, combining bank points (Chase, Amex, Capital One) with partner airlines/hotels, and using last-minute award opportunities or credit-card certificates when inventory is tight.

How to use this cheat sheet

For each destination below you’ll find:

• Recommended transfer paths (bank points → airline/hotel partners)
• Search tactics for award space and last-minute deals
• Booking hacks like stopovers, open-jaws, and hybrid cash+points

Bookmark this and treat it as an actionable playbook for 2026 travel deals.

Tools & 2026 trends to use every time

• Use airline award calendars plus Point.me or award search tools to scan alliances quickly.
• Watch for targeted bank transfer bonuses (Chase UR, Amex MR, Capital One) — these can instantly raise redemption value.
• Search one-way awards across alliances and stitch itineraries — mixing partners often saves points. For stitching and airport strategies, see our field notes on airport micro-events and hub tactics.
• Leverage credit card free-night certificates and statement credits (hotel cards, premium airline cards) for instant value — learn long-stay and certificate strategies in our hotel playbooks like long-stay hotel strategies and boutique retreat guides (boutique retreats).
• For last-minute bookings, check airlines' saver/last-minute award pools and use hybrid cash+points if inventory is tight.

17 destinations — practical points & miles strategies (2026)

1. Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan

Why go: reopened festivals and renewed regional routes in 2026 make Japan a perennial favorite. Strategy: prioritize round-trip awards on Star Alliance or ANA when transferring Amex MR or Chase UR. If business class is your goal, watch for ANA or JAL award space released around schedule changes. Also check local cultural programming — Tokyo food and festival experiences leaned into tech this year (case studies on VR food festivals).

• Transfer paths: Amex → ANA/Air France-KLM; Chase → United/Air Canada.
• Hack: book one-way on a partner airline to avoid fuel surcharges (use partners like ANA/United vs. British Airways).
• Use JR Pass alternatives with hotel points: combine a cheaper Tokyo base (Hilton/Hilton Honors) with nights in ryokans booked with cash or loyalty upgrades.

2. Lisbon & Porto, Portugal

Why go: Lisbon remains great value with short flights from many European hubs. Strategy: use Avios for short-haul intra-Europe segments and transferable points for long-haul transatlantic flights.

• Transfer paths: Chase → British Airways Avios; Amex → Air France/KLM Flying Blue for promotional awards.
• Hack: split tickets — use Avios for short European hops (often low taxes) and use a partner airline for long-haul.
• Hotels: Marriott and Hyatt both have strong options; use a free-night cert on a high-category property and book the rest with points during off-peak windows.

3. Iceland (Reykjavik + Ring Road)

Why go: 2026 saw more carriers adding seasonal Reykjavik service — more award routes means more options. Strategy: seek out discounted transatlantic awards and use rental-car partners rather than hotel points for remote stays.

• Transfer paths: Amex/Chase → Air France/KLM or Aeroplan (Star Alliance) for flexible itineraries.
• Hack: book Reykjavik round-trip on a discounted partner award, then rent a car using credit card rental insurance and redeem points or cash for high-value guesthouses.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico

Why go: culinary scenes and cultural events boosted Oaxaca on every 2026 list. Strategy: short-haul domestic flights from US hubs are cheap with Avios or Alaska miles; use hotel chains sparingly and lean on boutique stays paid with cash or local loyalty programs.

• Transfer paths: Capital One/Amex → Avianca LifeMiles or Alaska for partner redemptions.
• Hack: use one-way award + cash domestic legs; look for Southwest or Alaska saver fares on routes where award availability is poor.

5. Cartagena, Colombia

Why go: vibrant history and island day-trips. Strategy: use partner awards into Bogotá or Medellín then book a cheap domestic flight or low-cost carrier to Cartagena.

• Transfer paths: Chase → United; Amex → Air France/KLM (for SkyTeam redemptions).
• Hack: combine a premium long-haul award into Bogotá with a cash domestic connection — often cheaper and gives flexibility.

6. Norway (Fjords & Lofoten)

Why go: 2026 investments in regional routes opened up remote Norwegian travel. Strategy: use Avios for intra-Europe short hops; use Star Alliance awards for transatlantic service with partner connections.

• Transfer paths: Amex → Flying Blue or SAS (where available); Chase → United/Aeroplan.
• Hack: open-jaw Oslo to Bergen or Tromsø to maximize scenic routes without backtracking; book scenic trains with cash and use points for high-value hotel nights.

7. Ljubljana & Lake Bled, Slovenia

Why go: small-country charm and improved connectivity. Strategy: fly into nearby hubs (Venice, Zagreb) using Avios or Star Alliance awards and position overland — often much cheaper than direct flights.

• Transfer paths: Chase → Aeroplan/United; Amex → Flying Blue for flexible intra-Europe travel.
• Hack: book a multi-city award into Venice and out of Ljubljana (open-jaw), using trains for the short scenic transfer.

8. Azores, Portugal

Why go: the Azores continue to be a 2026 hidden gem. Strategy: use Iberia or TAP award seats from the U.S. East Coast when available; position via Lisbon on a cheap connection. For operators and short-stay product design for island destinations, see microcation playbooks like microcation resort strategies.

• Transfer paths: Chase → Iberia Avios (via British Airways/Avios ecosystem); Amex → Flying Blue if seasonal awards appear.
• Hack: book Lisbon as the long-haul award and add a separate intra-Portugal short-hop using Avios to conserve points.

9. Marrakech, Morocco

Why go: cultural energy plus more competitive transatlantic routes in 2026. Strategy: use Oneworld or Star Alliance partner awards into Madrid/Barcelona then hop to Marrakech with low-cost carriers or Avios.

• Transfer paths: Amex → Iberia/Avios; Chase → United for broader Star availability.
• Hack: use an open-jaw Madrid→Marrakech→Casablanca→home to create a region-hopping adventure on a single ticket married to cheap intra-Europe flights.

10. New Orleans, USA

Why go: festivals and culinary tourism remain must-dos. Strategy: use domestic award sweet spots — Southwest Rapid Rewards, Alaska Mileage Plan and Delta/United partner awards — and pair with hotel free-night certs. If you time a festival trip, local micro-events and pop-ups can add value to short stays.

• Transfer paths: Chase → United; Amex → Delta; Capital One → Alaska.
• Hack: book off-peak midweek dates to reduce award cost; use hotel certificates for boutique French Quarter stays to save points for other legs.

11. Vancouver & British Columbia, Canada

Why go: outdoor adventure plus improved transborder schedules. Strategy: Aeroplan and Alaska are excellent for Canada — look for partner awards into Vancouver + local rail or rental-car packages.

• Transfer paths: Chase → Aeroplan; Amex → Air Canada via transfers when available.
• Hack: book inbound on a transpacific carrier with a stopover (Aeroplan is generous with stopovers), then use points for one or two nights at a Pacific Northwest hotel with Hyatt or Marriott.

12. Cape Town, South Africa

Why go: renewed long-haul connectivity and operator options make Cape Town easier to reach in 2026. Strategy: use Star Alliance or Oneworld partner awards and avoid steep fuel surcharges by selecting the right carrier partner.

• Transfer paths: Chase → United/Aeroplan; Amex → Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) for promo awards.
• Hack: book a one-way award using life-mile or partner programs that historically levy lower surcharges, and buy a cash return if award pricing spikes.

13. Bali, Indonesia

Why go: Bali stays on trend for 2026 with new luxury openings. Strategy: use Asia-Pacific alliances and transfer partners; consider mixed-cabin itineraries where long-haul business is booked and short-haul economy is paid cash.

• Transfer paths: Amex → ANA or Singapore KrisFlyer; Chase → United for Star Alliance reach.
• Hack: use hotel free nights (World of Hyatt category changes in 2025/26 mean Hyatt can be super high-value) for expensive beachfront properties — pair with paid local villas for flexibility.

14. Athens & Greek Islands

Why go: new seasonal routes in 2026 expanded access to smaller islands. Strategy: book Athens via mainline transatlantic award; use Avios or Flying Blue for short island hops — they’re often very cheap in miles if you book early.

• Transfer paths: Chase → Flying Blue/Aeroplan; Amex → Air France/KLM for island promotions.
• Hack: create multi-stop island loops using Avios where each hop can be under 10K points — book early to lock in low-cost award seats.

15. Alaska wilderness (Denali & Inside Passage)

Why go: 2026 saw record demand for outdoor travel. Strategy: use Alaska Airlines miles and partner awards; combine award flights with cruise or rail packages that often include discounted or points-eligible lodging.

• Transfer paths: Capital One → Alaska; Amex/Chase transfers to airline partners that interline with Alaska.
• Hack: use an Alaska companion fare (when offered with a credit card) and redeem hotel points for up-front lodging so more spend goes to experiences.

16. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Why go: strong cultural calendar and favorable 2026 connectivity. Strategy: look for South America partner awards on Oneworld and SkyTeam; use flexible bank points for opportunistic bookings when award pricing fluctuates.

• Transfer paths: Amex → Avianca Lifemiles (good for South America partners); Chase → United/Aeroplan.
• Hack: book one-way awards and use local low-cost carriers between Argentine destinations — they are cheap and free up points for long-haul travel.

17. Queenstown & New Zealand South Island

Why go: 2026 reopened routes and improved transfer options make New Zealand a bucket-list pick. Strategy: target transferrable points to Star Alliance partners or JAL when routing favors them; watch for seasonal award space well in advance or chase last-minute saver space.

• Transfer paths: Amex → ANA/KrisFlyer; Chase → Aeroplan/United.
• Hack: consider positioning via Australia on a separate ticket to take advantage of cheap trans-Tasman awards with Avios or Qantas points (watch quotas and fees).

Universal booking playbook — step-by-step

1. Define flexible windows (± 3 days) and at least two hubs you’ll accept. Flexibility saves thousands of points in 2026.
2. Search award calendars by alliance, not by a single airline — use Aeroplan, United, Avios, Flying Blue calendars.
3. Identify bank points you can move quickly (Chase, Amex, Capital One) and check partner rates. If a transfer bonus appears, move points and lock the award.
4. When award availability is poor, use a hybrid strategy: one-way award + paid connection or cash hotel + point nights for peak properties.
5. Use credit-card free-night certificates smartly — apply them to the priciest night to maximize value, even if a cheaper night with points exists. For long-stay or certificate strategy reads, see long-stay hotel strategies and boutique retreat playbooks.

Pro tip: In 2026 the best value is often found by stitching tickets — one-way awards across alliances plus paid short hops — rather than expecting a single-ticket award to cover everything.

Avoid these common 2026 mistakes

• Don’t hoard points for “someday.” Target-specific redemptions and watch transfer bonuses.
• Don’t assume award charts are stable — dynamic pricing means nightly and seasonal swings, so act fast when you find value.
• Don’t forget fees/taxes — always compare the total cash + points cost versus a paid fare during sales.

Quick reference: Best programs to favor in 2026

• Chase Ultimate Rewards — versatility with United, Air Canada, and many hotel partners.
• American Express Membership Rewards — strong Asia and Europe airline partners; great hotel transfer options.
• Capital One Miles — flexible transfer options that expanded in 2025; excellent for last-minute redemptions.
• Aeroplan, Avios, and Flying Blue — frequent promotional award sales and intra-Europe sweet spots in 2026.
• World of Hyatt — still the highest-value hotel program for aspirational stays and card certificates. For tactical hotel plays near airports and transit hubs, see our review of tech-forward airport-adjacent hotels.

Actionable takeaways — what to do this week

• Pick one destination from the list and set 3 flexible travel windows in your calendar.
• Check award inventories across three alliances for your top window and screenshot any saver fares you like.
• If you hold transferable bank points, sign up for transfer alerts (email or loyalty app) to catch bonuses; move points during a 20–40% transfer bonus. For aggregators and alert workflows see deal aggregator playbooks.
• Use a free-night certificate on the most expensive night and use points for other nights to maximize value.

Final note on 2026 reward travel

2026 rewards travel rewards the planners who are flexible, use transferable currency, and chase targeted redemptions. With airlines and hotels continuing to tweak pricing, the single best advantage you have is information — knowing which programs play well together and when to move points.

Ready to book? Start here.

If you want a faster route to an itinerary that uses points smartly, let us help. Sign up for our Points & Deals newsletter for weekly alerts on transfer bonuses, last-minute award space, and curated itineraries based on The Points Guy’s top destinations for 2026. Your next trip should be planned, booked, and shared — without guesswork.

Call to action: Sign up now for monthly alerts and our free 2026 Rewards Toolkit to unlock targeted transfer paths, a checklist for free-night certificates, and a bonus “stitch-it” award example tailored to your home airport. Get transfer alerts and curated hotel & airport tips from our partners at deal aggregator updates and read our pieces on airport-adjacent hospitality (smart luggage concierge & sleep pods).

Related Reading

• Packing Light, Packing Smart: The Ultimate 48-Hour Weekend Checklist — Advanced Strategies for 2026
• Review: Tech-Forward Airport-Adjacent Hotels — Smart Luggage Concierge & Sleep Pods (2026)
• Beyond the Seatback: How Edge AI and Cloud Testbeds Are Rewriting In-Flight Experience Strategies in 2026
• Microcation Resorts: Designing Short-Stay Products for Island Operators in 2026
• Event-Driven Freight Disruptions: How the World Cup and Ski Season Affect Delivery Windows and Driver Routes
• Wearable Warmth: Are Rechargeable Heating Pads the New Secret to Firmer-Looking Skin?
• Best CRM Picks for Creators in 2026: Features That Matter (and Why)
• What SK Hynix’s Cell‑Splitting Flash Means for Cloud Storage Choices
• How to Protect Your Purchasing Power: Upskills and Side Gigs To Offset Inflation