Day 4/5: How to Use Points for Travel Upgrades (Not Just Free Flights)

🎧 Always Turn Left: Elevating Travel Through Strategic Point Upgrades

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Travel rewards aren’t just about scoring free flights. In fact, some of the greatest value you can get from points and miles comes from upgrading your travel experience – turning an ordinary trip into something special. Welcome to Day 4 of the UpNonStop Award Travel Series, where we explore how to use points for upgrades beyond just free flights. With a U.S.-centric focus, we’ll dive into airlines, hotels, lounges, cruises, and even ground transportation to show how you can use your hard-earned points to travel in style. The tone here is professional yet conversational – think of it as friendly expert advice from one traveler to another.

Upgrades can provide greater overall travel value than simply redeeming points for the cheapest ticket. Why? Because an upgrade lets you enjoy a higher level of comfort and amenities without paying the full premium price. For example, using miles to move from economy to business class on a long flight can transform your journey (lie-flat bed and champagne, anyone?) at a fraction of the cash cost.

Similarly, upgrading a standard hotel room to a suite or getting access to an exclusive lounge can elevate your trip experience. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to unlock these perks using points – and why in many cases, upgrading yields more bang for your buck than a free basic fare.

Now, let’s break down all the ways you can use points for travel upgrades, and exactly how to pull it off.

Understanding Upgrade Options and Policies

“Upgrade” can mean different things depending on the type of travel, but the idea is always the same: you take what you’ve booked (a seat, a room, etc.) and enhance it to a higher tier using your loyalty rewards. In the world of points and miles, you have opportunities to upgrade across airlines, hotels, airport lounges, cruises, and even ground transportation. Each of these has its own policies and hierarchies for upgrades, so understanding the landscape is the first step.

For airlines, upgrades typically mean moving to a better cabin class – for instance, going from economy to premium economy, business, or first class. Airlines prioritize upgrades based on an internal hierarchy: top-tier elite status members usually get first dibs (often with complimentary upgrades on domestic routes), followed by those using special upgrade certificates or redeeming miles.

Timing matters too: there may be specific upgrade windows (e.g. elites might clear a few days before departure, others at the gate). Knowing when and where your name sits on the upgrade list is crucial to using your points effectively.

Hotels have their own upgrade systems. An upgrade here might mean a bigger room, a better view, club lounge access, or even a luxury suite. Hotel loyalty programs often promise free upgrades to elite members (space-available at check-in), but you can also use points to secure an upgrade in advance.

The “hierarchy” at hotels is usually based on status level and booking type. For example, a Hilton Diamond or Marriott Platinum member is far more likely to snag that corner suite (even on a points booking) than someone with no status. And if no one with higher status is competing, you might use points to confirm a nicer room when you reserve. Each chain has different rules: some allow point redemptions for upgraded rooms at booking, others might require a combination of points and cash.

Lounges and premium airport services represent another upgrade avenue. Gaining lounge access can turn an airport layover from a slog into a relaxing pit stop.

Many U.S. airline lounges (like American’s Admirals Club or United Club) require membership or a business/first class ticket for entry. However, you can use points in indirect ways – like redeeming miles for a lounge membership or leveraging credit cards that you earn points on to get complimentary access. The upgrade hierarchy here is simpler: it’s usually pay-to-play or based on class of travel, but knowing the policies (for instance, Delta recently tightened who can enter their Sky Clubs) will help you plan how to use your rewards for entry.

Even cruises and travel packages offer upgrade possibilities. Cruise lines have tiered cabin classes (inside stateroom, ocean-view, balcony, suite), and moving up can massively enhance your vacation. While you don’t typically “upgrade with miles” in the same way as airlines, you can apply credit card points or cruise loyalty rewards toward getting a better cabin. Some cruise lines also run upgrade lotteries or bidding systems where you can pay (sometimes with flexible points or credits) for a chance at a bigger room. Knowing the cruise line’s upgrade policy – like Royal Caribbean’s “RoyalUp” bidding program – lets you strategize using your points or perks for a room with a view or access to exclusive areas.

Lastly, think about ground transportation. Upgrading here might mean taking a limo or luxury car instead of a standard taxi, or getting a higher-tier rental car. Many car rental agencies give free upgrades to their elite members, and some credit cards will grant you that elite status for free (which is effectively an upgrade you’ve unlocked with your points credit card). Rideshare apps, too, have tiers – for instance, Lyft Pink is a membership that comes with perks, and Uber has premium ride options. Points can be used to claim those memberships or pay for those better rides, turning an ordinary commute into a first-class experience on the ground.

Before trying to use points for an upgrade, learn how that program prioritizes requests. Is it by status, by fare paid, by request time, or a mix? Also note the timing: many airlines clear upgrades at set intervals (e.g. 72 hours before flight for mid-tier elites, at the gate for others). Hotels often finalize upgrades on the day of arrival. If you understand when upgrade inventory is released and who gets priority, you can time your requests or point redemptions for maximum success.

Using Airline Miles for Seat Upgrades

One of the most popular ways to use points for an upgraded experience is moving into a better seat on a flight. Airline miles can be your ticket (literally) to flying in a higher class than what you paid for.

Let’s say you bought an economy ticket – with miles, you might be able to upgrade to premium economy, business class, or first class, depending on the flight and airline. This can be a fantastic use of miles, especially if you wouldn’t splurge for a premium seat with cash but have points to spare. Here’s how to do it and what to expect with U.S. carriers:

The process to upgrade with miles goes roughly like this:

1. Book your flight in an eligible fare/class (make sure the fare allows upgrades – most regular economy fares do, but basic economy does not).
2. Check for upgrade availability. You can often do this online through the airline’s website or by calling their reservations line. If upgrade space is open, you may be able to confirm the upgrade immediately by redeeming the required miles (and paying any co-pay).
3. If no upgrade space is available, join the waitlist if that option is offered. You’ll redeem the miles (and any co-pay) and be placed in line for an upgrade if a seat opens up.
4. As the flight date approaches, monitor your reservation. Upgrade inventory can change, particularly in the last 24–48 hours before departure when airlines release unsold premium seats. If you’re waitlisted, you might clear at the last minute, even at the gate.
5. If your upgrade clears, enjoy your upgraded seat (and if it doesn’t, your miles and fees will be refunded).

Each major U.S. airline has its own rules and quirks for mileage upgrades:

American Airlines: American uses a region-and-fare-based award chart for upgrades. The cost in AAdvantage miles (and a possible cash co-pay) depends on your route and the fare class of your original ticket. For instance, upgrading a domestic American flight might start around 15,000 miles plus a $75 co-pay for a one-way jump from economy to first class. Upgrading from economy to business class on a long international flight could cost more miles and a higher co-pay (especially if your original ticket was a discount fare).

American publishes an upgrade cost calculator on their site, which makes it easier to know the exact miles needed.

One perk: if you’re an American elite member, you might have received or earned Systemwide Upgrade certificates that can bump you to the next class on any flight (those aren’t points, but they’re worth mentioning as complementary tools). Also, mid-tier elites on American historically used 500-mile upgrade credits for domestic flights – nowadays, with the new Loyalty Points system, many domestic upgrades are more automatic for elites, but using miles is still a great option for non-elites or any flight not covered by complimentary upgrades. The key is to request the upgrade as early as possible (American allows it once you have a ticket) and keep checking if it doesn’t confirm right away.

Delta Air Lines: Delta doesn’t have a published upgrade award chart – everything is dynamic with SkyMiles. The primary way to use Delta miles for upgrades is through their “Upgrade with Miles” option, which appears during booking on delta.com for many domestic flights. This effectively lets you pay the fare difference with miles. In practice, Delta often pegs the value at about 1 SkyMile = 1 cent toward the upgrade cost. For example, if a cash upgrade from economy to Comfort+ or First is $100, Delta might offer it for 10,000 miles.

You can also sometimes upgrade after purchasing by going to “My Trips” on Delta’s site or app and seeing if an upgrade offer is available for miles or cash. Because it’s dynamic, the mileage cost for an upgrade can vary widely based on route, demand, and how expensive the cabin difference is. One useful thing to know: Delta occasionally offers discounted upgrade rates closer to departure. If premium seats are still open last-minute, you might see a flash offer to upgrade for fewer miles or a reduced cash rate (sometimes you’ll get an email or app notification). So keep your eyes peeled.

Just remember Delta’s policy – you must be on a Delta-operated flight (not a partner codeshare) to use miles for an upgrade, and basic economy tickets are not eligible at all. Delta’s top elites (Platinum and Diamond Medallion) also get free upgrade benefits on domestic flights, but if you’re not in that category or you’re flying internationally, using miles can be your upgrade path.

United Airlines: United offers MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, which let you use miles (and often a co-pay) to move up a class. United’s system is a bit complex because the mileage and co-pay required depend on your route and the fare class of the ticket you bought. Generally, if you bought a more expensive economy ticket (say, a flexible or full-fare Y or B class), it costs fewer miles and no cash to upgrade compared to the cheapest economy ticket. For example, upgrading a domestic U.S. flight might cost around 20,000 miles one-way if you’re on a low-cost economy fare, plus perhaps a $75–$250 co-pay depending on the route. If you booked a pricy fare, it could be as low as 7,500 miles and no co-pay.

When searching for flights on United’s website, you can select “All search options” and choose “MileagePlus Upgrade Awards” to see flights with upgrade space available. If upgrade space (in the upgrade fare bucket, often “R” class for business/first) is open, you can confirm an upgrade at booking or afterward by redeeming the miles and any fee. If it’s not immediately available, you can request the upgrade and be put on a waitlist.

One important tip with United: their elite Premier members have something called PlusPoints (a special upgrade currency given to Platinum and 1K elites) which they can use instead of miles. PlusPoints upgrades typically get priority, so as a general member using miles you’ll be behind those elites on the upgrade list. Still, United is quite transparent in their app and website about upgrade availability and your place in line.

If you don’t get the upgrade by departure, United will refund your miles/fee, so it’s a low-risk move to try for the upgrade.

Other Airlines: Alaska Airlines, a smaller but significant U.S. carrier, currently does not offer the option to upgrade flights with miles at all. Instead, they provide upgrades either as a perk for elite members or for cash at check-in if available. So if you fly Alaska, your points are better used directly for award tickets in first class, or you rely on status or paid upgrade offers for a better seat.

JetBlue doesn’t have a formal mileage upgrade program either – if you want to fly in JetBlue’s Mint business class, you generally need to book it outright with cash or TrueBlue points. (JetBlue’s points act more like cash, so upgrading essentially means paying the difference in points.) Many foreign airlines and their loyalty programs do allow point-based upgrades on flights, but since we’re focused on U.S. programs here, the main domestic players to remember for upgrades are American, Delta, and United.

So, is upgrading with miles worth it? It can be, absolutely – especially if you find yourself with a long flight in economy and a healthy stash of miles. Imagine you have a 10-hour overnight flight: economy might cost $500, and business class might be $2,000. Instead of spending $1,500 more for that lie-flat seat, you could use, say, 25,000 miles and $350 in fees to upgrade. Those 25,000 miles might get you a domestic round-trip worth $300 if used for an economy ticket, but here they’re getting you a $1,500 improved experience – that’s a great value trade-off.

On the other hand, if you’re on a cheap short flight, using 15,000 miles to upgrade a $150 ticket to a $300 first class seat isn’t as impressive; you might save your miles for something bigger. Always consider the cash value of the upgrade versus the miles asked. But value aside, there’s also the personal comfort factor – using miles for an upgrade can make your trip much more enjoyable without burning a hole in your wallet.

If not, don’t be discouraged. Join the waitlist if that’s an option, and then keep an eye on things. Inventory can change as other travelers adjust plans or as the airline decides to release more seats for upgrades. In particular, the last 24–48 hours before departure are prime time to snag an upgrade, because the airline now knows exactly how many premium seats went unsold. Set alerts, check the app, or simply ask at check-in – you might be pleasantly surprised. Being persistent (and a little flexible) can land you that lie-flat seat or extra-legroom spot using points when others miss the chance.

Hotel Room Upgrades: Elevating Your Stay

Using points for hotel room upgrades is another savvy way to get more luxury out of your travels. While many people use hotel points just to get free nights (and that’s a great use), you can also spend those points to secure a better room than the standard one you’d normally get. Think bigger suites, high floors with views, or concierge-level rooms with lounge access – all achievable with the right points strategy.

There are two main approaches to upgrading hotel stays with points.

The first is to redeem more points upfront to book a higher-category room. Most hotel programs will let you use points to reserve premium rooms or suites if they’re available. The catch is that these will cost more points than a base-level room. For example, if a standard room at a Marriott hotel costs 35,000 points per night, a junior suite might cost 50,000 points and the presidential suite even more. Hilton operates similarly – since they use mostly dynamic pricing, any room (even premium ones) can be booked with points if you have enough. This method is straightforward: you see the room you want for points, and you book it entirely with points. It guarantees you the upgrade because you’ve locked it in with your redemption. The downside is it can require a huge pile of points, so you’ll want to evaluate if it’s worth the luxury.

The second method is using points to upgrade an existing reservation. Say you’ve booked a room (either paid with cash or using points for a standard room) and you want to upgrade that reservation to a higher category. Some hotel programs allow this by applying a set amount of points (or points+cash) to move up to the next level. A prime example is World of Hyatt: if you booked a paid stay, Hyatt lets you redeem a fixed number of points per night to upgrade to a club room or suite, as long as those better rooms are available. For instance, Hyatt might charge 6,000 points per night to upgrade a paid booking to a suite – a fantastic deal if the suite is going for several hundred dollars more per night. Not all chains have this exact feature, but it’s worth calling or checking because it can be a hidden gem. Marriott, for one, doesn’t have a simple points-per-night upgrade voucher system, but you could still contact a Marriott hotel and ask if they’ll take points for an upgrade on an existing reservation (some properties might quote you a rate in points to go from a regular room to, say, a suite or club floor). IHG and other brands may handle it case-by-case as well.

Of course, one of the best “free” upgrades at hotels comes from elite status. If you’re an elite member in a hotel loyalty program, you usually get priority for complimentary room upgrades at check-in without spending any points at all. For example, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and Titanium elites can often get suite upgrades when available; Hilton Honors Gold (mid-tier) might get you a nicer room or at least an executive floor with lounge access, and Diamond status further increases your suite chances; Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist typically guarantees the best available room (up to a standard suite) at check-in. The interplay between status and using points is interesting: if you have high status, you might not need to use points for an upgrade most of the time because the hotel will try to give it to you as a courtesy. On the flip side, if you have a boatload of points but no status, you can still spend them to live it up in a suite even when the hotel isn’t inclined to give a freebie.

One strategy, if you’re not already loyal to one hotel brand, is to shop around for status match opportunities or credit card shortcuts to status. Many hotel groups periodically offer status matches or challenges – for instance, Hilton might match you to Gold or Diamond for a trial period if you can show you have Marriott or IHG status, and then you just need a certain number of stays to keep it.

Similarly, there are credit cards that come with automatic hotel status: the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass gives Gold status just for having the card, the Hilton Aspire card even gives Diamond, Marriott’s Bonvoy Brilliant card grants Platinum for as long as you hold it, etc. Even if you won’t maintain that status long-term, having it during an upcoming trip can be hugely beneficial. You could match into a status, enjoy the upgrades on your next vacation, and that saves you from using extra points to get a nicer room.

Let’s illustrate with an example scenario: You’re planning a special anniversary weekend, and you have a stash of 100,000 hotel points. You could book a regular room for 50,000 points a night for two nights – free stay, but just a normal room. Alternatively, you see the hotel’s one-bedroom suite is available for 80,000 points a night. You might decide to splurge the points to book that suite outright and savor the experience (maybe it comes with a bottle of champagne and a great view).

Or, if you already booked the 50k/night room, you might contact the hotel and offer an extra 30k points per night to upgrade – some hotels will happily accept points for an upgrade if a suite is open. If you also happen to have, say, Marriott Platinum status, you might roll the dice and not spend the extra points, hoping the hotel upgrades you for free at check-in. If it’s a low-occupancy weekend, you very well might find yourself in that suite without spending the additional points at all. But if it’s a busy time or you have no status, using the points to secure the suite in advance guarantees you the special experience.

Many hotel programs will bump you up to mid-tier or top-tier status temporarily if you have status elsewhere, giving you a chance to enjoy perks like room upgrades on that trip. Take advantage of these opportunities to get suite-level luxury without spending more points. Plus, if you time it right and complete the requirements to maintain the status, you’ll keep those upgrade privileges for future travels too.

Gaining Lounge Access Using Points

There’s nothing quite like escaping the noisy airport terminal and sinking into a comfy lounge chair, sipping a complimentary latte (or cocktail). Airport lounges are the epitome of the “upgrade” mindset – they upgrade your pre-flight or between-flight experience. While lounge access often comes with flying business or first class, you don’t have to be in a premium cabin to enjoy it. You can use points and the benefits tied to points-earning credit cards to get into lounges as well.

One direct way to use points for lounge access is redeeming airline miles for lounge membership or passes. Several U.S. airlines allow this: for example, American Airlines lets you use AAdvantage miles to pay for an Admirals Club membership, and Delta allows SkyMiles to cover the cost of Sky Club memberships or guest passes. (United has also permitted using miles for United Club memberships in the past.) However, think carefully before doing this – the mileage “price” is usually pretty steep for what you get. Often you’re better off using those miles for flights, but if you have more points than you know what to do with or you absolutely need lounge access and don’t want to spend cash, it’s an option.

A much more popular strategy is using credit card rewards to unlock lounge access. Many travel credit cards that earn points also come loaded with airport lounge benefits. The idea here isn’t that you’re spending points at the lounge door, but rather that because you hold a certain card (which you likely got for its points-earning power), you get complimentary access to lounge networks.

For instance, The Platinum Card from American Express is famous for its lounge perks: with it, you can enter Amex’s swanky Centurion Lounges for free, you get a Priority Pass Select membership (access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide), and you can even use Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta that day. Similarly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with Priority Pass membership for you and guests, and the Capital One Venture X card not only gives Priority Pass but also access to its own Capital One Lounges.

These cards do have hefty annual fees, but part of that cost goes toward lounge access – and if you travel often, you can easily justify the fee with the value of the lounge visits and other perks (like travel credits). In a sense, you’re leveraging your points hobby to enjoy VIP airport treatment without paying per visit.

Don’t forget about Priority Pass itself and other lounge programs. Priority Pass can technically be purchased separately, but many of us get it “free” via a credit card.

Once you have it, you can use points for any additional guest fees or day passes if needed (for example, you might pay with your card and then use points to erase that charge). Some airline co-branded cards come with limited lounge access too – e.g. the United Explorer Visa gives two United Club day passes annually. Those passes are essentially a perk of holding the card (which itself earns miles), meaning your involvement in the points hobby got you that taste of the lounge life.

We should also mention Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and other airline lounges in the context of points. If you use points to upgrade your flight to business or first class on an international itinerary, you often automatically get lounge access – e.g. an upgrade to business class on an overseas flight with American gets you into the Admirals Club and likely the partner lounges abroad.

But even without flying in a premium cabin, your points can still open those lounge doors via memberships or credit card perks. Delta’s premium co-branded credit card (the Delta Reserve Amex) includes Sky Club access for the cardholder when flying Delta – if you got that card, you probably did it partly to earn SkyMiles, but you also gained lounge entry as a benefit. Similarly, American’s Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard comes with full Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder. These examples show that being engaged in points and loyalty programs can grant lounge privileges that upgrade your travel experience.

Walking into a lounge can feel like a little vacation before your actual trip – free snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi, sometimes showers or even spa services. If you’re connecting through airports regularly, having lounge access thanks to your points strategy is a huge quality-of-life improvement. Instead of paying $60 for each lounge visit as a non-member (or sitting in the crowded gate area), you’re relaxing in style for “free.”

Many point-earning credit cards come with built-in lounge access, which is the smart traveler’s way to upgrade the journey. For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or an Amex Platinum, you already have membership to major lounge networks at no extra cost. Leverage these partnerships – they let you save your points for other uses while still enjoying cappuccinos in a quiet lounge before boarding.

Cruise and Travel Package Upgrades

Cruises might not be the first thing you think of with points, but there are indeed ways to use rewards to upgrade your cruise experience. When you book a cruise, you choose a cabin type – maybe an inside cabin (no window), an ocean-view, a balcony, or a suite. The differences can be huge in both experience and price. A suite on a cruise ship often comes with extra perks: private concierge, exclusive dining areas, priority boarding, bigger living space, maybe even a butler. Upgrading your cabin can turn a standard cruise into a truly pampered getaway.

While major cruise lines don’t have “mile” currencies like airlines, you can still apply the points you have from credit cards or other programs toward cruise upgrades. One straightforward method: use flexible credit card points to pay for a higher cabin category. If you have points in programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, etc., you can often redeem those through their travel portals or as a statement credit to cover travel expenses. For example, say you booked a basic balcony cabin but want to move up to a junior suite that costs $500 more – you could use 50,000 Chase points (at 1 cent per point value) to cover that difference.

Some people even book cruises directly through credit card travel portals using points, effectively paying for the whole cruise with rewards. In that case, you could choose to book a better cabin than you’d pay cash for, essentially “upgrading” your entire experience courtesy of points.

Another path is via cruise line loyalty and credit card programs. Cruise lines have loyalty clubs (earned by taking cruises frequently) – for example, Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society or Carnival’s VIFP Club. These usually don’t let you redeem points for a cabin upgrade directly, but higher status can yield perks like priority boarding, welcome gifts, or occasionally offers to move to a better room if space allows. More directly, several cruise companies offer co-branded credit cards (Royal Caribbean Visa, Celebrity Cruises Visa, Disney Cruise Line Visa, etc.). The points earned on those cards typically can be redeemed as onboard credit or money off your next cruise. While that’s not a one-click cabin upgrade, you can use those rewards to effectively fund an upgrade.

For example, you might redeem your cruise card points to get $200 in onboard credit, and then use that credit toward paying for an upsell offer to a balcony cabin. It’s not as simple as pressing an upgrade button, but it’s a way to channel points into a higher-tier experience.

Speaking of upgrade offers – many cruise lines operate upgrade auctions or “move-up” programs. After you’ve booked, you might get an email a few weeks before sailing inviting you to bid for an upgrade to a higher cabin. You put in a bid (say you’re willing to pay $300 extra for a suite), and if your bid wins, you get the upgrade for that price. Now, you usually can’t bid with points, but if you win and they charge your card, you can again use a travel rewards card to wipe that charge with points. For instance, charge the $300 to your Capital One Venture, then redeem 30,000 points to offset it.

It’s also smart to book the least-expensive stateroom you’ll be content with, then plot your way to a next-level upgrade (using points or other tactics). That way, you’ve locked in a cruise you’re happy with at a low cost, and any upgrade is a bonus rather than a necessity. If you start with a super-cheap inside cabin, the cruise line might be keen to offer you an upsell later (since they know they can earn more from you). Often, close to sailing, they’ll have flat-rate upgrade deals: e.g. “Move from inside to ocean-view for $100” or “Get a balcony for $250 extra.” These can be fantastic bargains. If you have the points, you could effectively make those cash offers free by covering them with a points redemption on your credit card statement.

Now, beyond cruises, think of other travel packages – all-inclusive resort stays, guided tours, etc. Let’s say you book an all-inclusive resort package through a travel website and it comes with a standard room. You could call the resort and pay the difference for a club-level room or a suite, and then use hotel points to cover that cost. Or if you have a tour that includes economy flights, you could use your frequent flyer miles to upgrade those flights to business class. The principle is the same: use points to elevate components of a package that are otherwise average.

Book your cruise with cash (or minimal points) in a lower cabin, and later if you see an upgrade offer, you can use credit card points to cover the cost. By doing this, you often spend far fewer points (or dollars) to enjoy a higher-tier cabin than you would if you initially booked the suite outright. It’s a savvy way to treat yourself to a better experience at a “discount” thanks to your points.

Using Points for Ground Transport Enhancements

Travel upgrades aren’t only about the big flights and hotels – you can also use points to improve the experience of getting around on the ground. Whether it’s heading to the airport, moving around a city, or embarking on a road trip, there are ways to inject some luxury or convenience using your rewards.

Start with rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. These apps have multiple service levels – from the standard UberX or Lyft ride all the way up to Uber Black or Lyft Lux (premium cars, professional drivers) and larger vehicles for groups. If you usually just take the cheapest ride, consider this: you could redeem some points to effectively cover a fancier ride that you normally wouldn’t splurge on. For example, maybe after a long flight you’d love a quiet ride in a high-end sedan instead of a regular UberX.

There are a couple of ways to do this. Uber does allow certain credit card points to be used as payment in the app (if you have a linked card with that feature, like some Citi or Amex cards, you might see an option to pay with points – though the value per point is usually under 1 cent, so it’s not always the best deal). A better method is to use a card that earns travel points to pay for the ride, then later redeem points to offset that charge on your statement. Some cards like Capital One Venture, or Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature on Sapphire Reserve, allow you to wipe travel purchases off your bill with points. So that $60 Uber Black from JFK to Manhattan could effectively cost you 6,000 points instead of cash.

Lyft has a partnership with Chase – for example, through 2025 certain Chase cards give you bonus points on Lyft rides (5x points on Sapphire cards), and sometimes there are promos like a monthly rideshare credit. While those are about earning, you can combine strategies: earn lots of points on your everyday rides, then use those points to get an upgraded ride on a special occasion down the line.

Now consider memberships like Lyft Pink or Uber One (subscription service). These usually come with a fee in exchange for perks: Lyft Pink costs about $100/year and gives benefits like 15% off rides, priority airport pickups, and relaxed cancellation policies; Uber One is around $10/month for discounts on rides and Uber Eats deliveries plus some VIP support.

You can actually use points to pay for these memberships in some cases. For instance, if you have Uber One charging $9.99 monthly to your card, you could apply your card’s reward points to cover that charge on your statement. And occasionally, credit card rewards programs have offered complimentary memberships: at one point, Chase provided a free year of Lyft Pink for Sapphire cardholders, and Amex Platinum users got Uber VIP status (which, while it lasted, gave access to top-rated drivers). Taking advantage of such offers – often available simply because you hold a certain points-earning card – effectively upgrades your ride experience every time by giving you better pricing and service without extra cost.

Car rentals are another area ripe for upgrades via points. If you usually rent a midsize car, wouldn’t it be nice to drive the luxury sedan or SUV without paying full price? Many rental car companies have loyalty programs with their own points, but a simpler method is using your bank points to book a better car. Through a credit card travel portal, you can often redeem points for car rentals just like for flights or hotels. This means you could use, say, 20,000 points to book a luxury car that might have cost $400 for a few days, whereas you’d only pay $150 for an economy car – effectively, you’re spending points to cover that difference and enjoy a nicer ride on your trip. If you have a card where points are worth extra in the portal (for example, Chase Sapphire Reserve points are worth 1.5 cents each when booking travel), it can be quite a good deal for high-end rentals.

Moreover, check what elite status benefits you can get with car rental agencies via your existing credit cards or airline status. For instance, having certain credit cards can automatically give you status like National Executive, Hertz President’s Circle, or Avis Preferred. These statuses often include free upgrades when available – e.g. National’s Emerald Club lets you choose any car in the Executive aisle even if you booked a midsize, effectively giving you an upgrade whenever a nicer car is sitting there. Hertz’s elite tiers come with a higher chance of getting a better vehicle than what you booked.

How does this tie back to points? Typically, those statuses are offered as perks on travel credit cards (which you got because they earn great points on travel). The American Express Platinum card, for example, grants status with Hertz, Avis, and National just for being a card member. So in a roundabout way, your points-earning card just ensured you often drive a better car at no extra cost. If you’re an airline elite (say United Platinum or Delta Platinum), those airlines have partnerships with rental companies too – United status can give you Hertz status, for instance. It’s worth looking up and activating those offers. You might find that because you’re invested in a frequent traveler program, you rarely end up in the compact car you paid for.

Let’s not forget other ground transport: perhaps you’re taking a scenic train ride or a long-distance rail journey. In the U.S., Amtrak’s Acela first class or sleeper cabins on overnight trains are notable upgrades from regular coach. Amtrak has its own points program, and you can use Amtrak Guest Rewards points (earned via their co-branded credit card or transferred from some flexible points like Amex) to book those premium rail experiences. While not everyone will have the chance to use this, it’s a neat example – instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a sleeper cabin on the train from Chicago to Seattle, you could use points and travel in a private room with meals included.

Whether it’s a chauffeured transfer or simply a nicer ride, ground upgrades tend to cost far fewer points than air or hotel upgrades, yet they can add a touch of comfort and class to the less glamorous parts of travel. If you’ve ever had a 6 a.m. flight, you know a groggy pre-dawn Uber ride is the start of your day; using points to upgrade that to a quiet luxury sedan with a polite driver can start your day on a much better note (possibly for fewer points than you’d spend on a fancy airport coffee and breakfast).

Some credit card reward programs allow you to transfer points to travel partners that can enhance your ground transportation. For example, you could convert credit card points into airline miles that you then use for a free or discounted rental car (many airline programs let you redeem miles for car rentals), or you could transfer points into a hotel loyalty program that offers chauffeur service vouchers.

Another tactic: use your card’s concierge or travel portal to book a car service (like a private airport transfer) and pay with points. The big idea is not to limit yourself – your points aren’t just for flights and hotels. They can often be used in creative ways to upgrade your ground journey too. That might mean turning points into a luxury car rental or into credits with a rideshare app to cover premium rides. Keep an open mind, and you’ll find options to travel like a VIP from doorstep to destination.

Strategic Timing of Upgrades for Best Value

As with most things in travel, timing can be everything. To squeeze the most value and success out of using points for upgrades, you’ll want to be strategic about when you go for those upgrades. This applies both to the timing of your travel and the timing of your upgrade redemptions.

First, consider traveling during off-peak periods when possible, especially if your goal is to upgrade. Upgrades (whether using points or not) are in highest demand during peak times – think holidays, summer weekends, big conventions or events. During those times, flights are full and hotels are booked solid, meaning fewer empty premium seats or rooms to upgrade into. If you try to upgrade with points in these conditions, even a huge pile of points might not help if nothing is available or you’re behind scores of elites on the waitlist.

In contrast, during quieter periods (say, a random week in early February or late September), airlines and hotels have more vacancies in premium sections. They’re more likely to release upgrade seats for miles, or to accept point upgrades for that suite, because those would otherwise go empty. You’ll face far less competition from other travelers as well. The result: you spend fewer points and have a much higher chance of successfully upgrading.

Next, think about the timing of your upgrade request relative to your booking. Some upgrades are best done as early as possible (e.g. as soon as you book your flight, if upgrade awards are open, grab them). Others might be best left till the last minute (e.g. a hotel might only confirm a suite upgrade on check-in day, but if you inquire a couple of days before, you might get them to agree if they see low occupancy). For airlines, a sweet spot for using miles can be right after the airline’s elite upgrade window has passed – for instance, if upgrades clear for top elites at 72 hours out, check if any premium seats are left at 48 or 24 hours out; the airline might then be willing to give those to you for miles as the next customer. For hotels, you could call a day or two in advance to politely ask about paid or point upgrades once they have a good sense of what will be available.

Also consider length of stay or flight duration. You get more value from an upgrade on a long flight or a longer hotel stay. Using points to upgrade a 10-hour flight will generally yield more comfort (and more value per point) than using the same points on a 1-hour hop. Similarly, upgrading to a suite for a week-long vacation is more rewarding than for a one-night stay (you have more time to enjoy that living room and the jacuzzi tub). That said, short special trips might still be worth using points to upgrade if it’s a milestone or occasion – value isn’t only about cents-per-point, it’s also about the memories and experience.

Flexibility is a friend of the savvy upgrader. If you can be flexible with your schedule, you can target flights or dates that have upgrade availability. For example, maybe your points upgrade won’t clear on a packed Friday evening flight – but if you can leave Saturday morning instead, there’s plenty of space to confirm your upgrade. The same goes for hotels: if you can shift your stay by a day or choose a less popular property, you might find that suite available for points when the more popular hotel’s standard rooms are fully booked and every elite is vying for an upgrade.

Lastly, keep an eye on program updates and promotions. Airlines and hotels occasionally run special offers like “upgrade awards 30% off” or limited-time periods where they relax upgrade rules. If you hear that, say, an airline is temporarily requiring fewer miles to upgrade to first class on certain routes, and your schedule is open – go for it! Or if a hotel program’s off-peak pricing drops the point cost for suites at certain properties, that’s the time to pounce.

That might mean traveling in the shoulder season or mid-week instead of the height of summer or a holiday weekend. By targeting these low-demand times, you’ll find award upgrade seats and suite upgrades that are otherwise scarce. Your points will also often stretch further, since some programs require fewer points for upgrades during off-peak periods. In short, be a contrarian traveler: when everyone else is staying home or traveling elsewhere, that’s your golden opportunity to nab the first-class seat or penthouse suite with your points.

Final Thoughts: Unlock Upgrades Galore

By understanding how upgrades work and timing your moves wisely, you can unlock truly outsized value from your points. Instead of just a free trip, you’re getting a fabulous trip – flying business instead of coach, staying in a suite instead of a standard room, sipping champagne in a lounge instead of waiting by the gate. The world of points is about more than saving money; it’s about enhancing experiences. Now you have a whole toolkit of upgrade strategies to try, so you can travel better without spending more.

Happy Upgrading and see you in Day 5 of our series, where we’ll continue to build on this foundation for even more award travel success!