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.
