Travel inspiration

The 5 most underrated ways to use transferable points

By The Beyond Points Team · Published 2026-07-29

The short answer: The best-value redemptions often aren't the famous ones — they're the programs experienced travelers skip because they're a little less convenient. Five stand out: Turkish, Avianca LifeMiles, Iberia Avios, Flying Blue Promo Rewards, and Virgin Atlantic partner awards. Each can beat the obvious option — if you know when it shines and where it doesn't. Typical figures — confirm live pricing and availability before you transfer.

Why the overlooked options often win

Points programs get famous for convenience, not value — and the two rarely line up. The redemptions below are underused precisely because they take a little more effort: a clunky website, an off-peak-only fare, a promo you have to wait for. That friction is exactly why the value survives. None of these requires expert status — just knowing when to reach for them. Figures are typical and dynamic; confirm the live price before transferring.

1. Turkish Miles&Smiles — cheap Star business most people skip

  • Why it's underrated: it's not an Amex or Chase partner and the booking can be clunky, so many travelers never look — yet it's often the lowest-priced Star Alliance business across the Atlantic.
  • When it shines: transatlantic and Star Alliance business class, funded from Citi, Capital One, or Bilt.
  • Limitations: a glitchy site (sometimes a phone call), and it's off the two biggest currencies.
  • Typical value: among the cheapest Star business to Europe (typical — confirm live).
  • Who should consider it: anyone holding Citi, Capital One, or Bilt with a premium-cabin trip in mind. See Turkish Miles&Smiles.
A Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900 on final approach in golden evening light, the red tulip tail unmistakable
A Turkish Airlines A350-900. · Photo: 4300streetcar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

2. Avianca LifeMiles — no fuel surcharges, ever

  • Why it's underrated: it quietly charges no fuel surcharges, so a Lufthansa or ANA business seat that carries hundreds in fees elsewhere costs only modest taxes here.
  • When it shines: no-surcharge Star Alliance premium cabins worldwide; its frequent buy-miles sales can effectively discount a business award below the cash fare.
  • Limitations: a region-based chart whose prices have crept up, and a booking site that can be glitchy.
  • Typical value: strong on premium cabins once you dodge the surcharges (typical — confirm live).
  • Who should consider it: anyone wanting Star business/first without the surcharge tax. See Avianca LifeMiles.
An Avianca Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on approach in the airline's red-and-white livery, landing gear down
An Avianca 787-8. · Photo: Mitchul Hope / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

3. Iberia Avios — the cheap transatlantic hiding behind British Airways

  • Why it's underrated: everyone knows British Airways Avios, so Iberia — the same currency family — gets overlooked, even though its own-metal fares are cheaper with far lower surcharges.
  • When it shines: US East Coast to Madrid on an off-peak date, where business can price near ~34,000 Avios one-way (typical, off-peak only).
  • Limitations: the cheap fare is off-peak only, and combining Avios across programs has account rules — plan before you transfer.
  • Typical value: the best price-plus-surcharge combination in the Avios family (typical — confirm live).
  • Who should consider it: East Coast travelers to Spain and onward Europe. See Iberia Avios and which Avios program to use.

4. Flying Blue Promo Rewards — a monthly discount most people ignore

  • Why it's underrated: Flying Blue publishes a rotating set of discounted awards every month, but because the routes change, most travelers never check.
  • When it shines: when a promo lands on a route you actually want — the discount can be substantial, and Flying Blue is reachable from every major card.
  • Limitations: rotating and unpredictable (you can't count on your route), and Air France/KLM carry moderate surcharges.
  • Typical value: a meaningful percentage off the standard award when a promo aligns (typical — confirm live).
  • Who should consider it: flexible travelers to Europe who can move with the promo calendar. See Flying Blue sweet spots.

5. Virgin Atlantic partner awards — the back door to ANA and Delta One

  • Why it's underrated: people think of Virgin for its own flights, but its real value is booking partners — Delta One across the Atlantic and ANA business to Japan.
  • When it shines: ANA to Japan when you don't hold Amex (Virgin is reachable from every card), and Delta One transatlantic; it's also a frequent transfer-bonus target.
  • Limitations: partner award space can be thin, and some routes carry surcharges — price the all-in cost.
  • Typical value: excellent on the ANA and Delta One sweet spots, especially with a bonus (typical — confirm live).
  • Who should consider it: non-Amex holders eyeing ANA, and anyone chasing Delta One. See Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

How to put these to work

The pattern is the same across all five: a little friction guards a lot of value. Decide the trip, check whether one of these overlooked programs books it cheaper than the obvious choice, and — because a transfer bonus can sweeten several of them — confirm the award before you move points. Your next step: search your trip and compare these against the mainstream options before you transfer.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most underrated transferable-points program?

It depends on the trip, but Turkish Miles&Smiles and Avianca LifeMiles are frequently overlooked despite offering some of the cheapest, lowest-surcharge Star Alliance business class. Both take a little more effort to book, which is exactly why the value survives. Confirm live pricing before transferring.

Why is Iberia Avios better than British Airways Avios for long-haul?

They share the Avios currency, but Iberia's own-metal transatlantic fares are cheaper with much lower fuel surcharges, especially off-peak to Madrid. British Airways is excellent for short-haul; for long-haul, routing the same Avios to Iberia usually costs far less all-in.

How do Flying Blue Promo Rewards work?

Flying Blue discounts a rotating set of award routes each month. When a promo lands on a route you want, the savings can be significant, and Flying Blue is reachable from every major card. The catch is unpredictability — you can't count on your specific route, so stay flexible and check when you're ready to book.

Can I book ANA without American Express points?

Yes — Virgin Atlantic Flying Club also books ANA, and Virgin is reachable from every major card, not just Amex. It's one of the most underused ways to reach ANA's business class to Japan. Confirm the award space before you transfer, as partner space can be limited.