The Most Insane Points Redemptions Ever: Wild Routes, Crazy Sweet Spots, and Hidden Gems 🔥
Earning points is easy, but redeeming them for maximum value? That’s where the real magic happens. While most travelers settle for economy redemptions or uninspired business-class flights, there are some absolute gems hidden in award charts that let you fly in pure luxury for a fraction of the cost.
In today's guide, we're diving deep into some of the most insane award redemptions ever—routes that stretch your miles to the max, stopover tricks that unlock multiple vacations, and ultra-luxurious flights that cost mere pennies on the dollar.
Whether you’re a seasoned points pro or just getting started, these redemption strategies will blow your mind (and hopefully land you in a lie-flat seat sipping champagne soon).
🌟 The Best Ultra-Long-Haul Redemptions (Where You Get Massive Value Per Mile)
Some flights cost an absurd amount in cash—but with points, you can get insane value per mile. Here are the best ultra-long-haul business and first-class redemptions that can stretch your points the farthest:
🇯🇵 ANA First Class Round-the-World Ticket (125K-145K Points)
What makes it insane? ANA’s Round-the-World (RTW) award ticket lets you fly up to eight stopovers in First or Business Class for as little as 125,000 miles (business) or 145,000 miles (first). That’s less than what some airlines charge for a one-way flight!
✅ Key Details:
• Must book through ANA Mileage Club
• Up to 8 stopovers, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific
• Partner airlines include Lufthansa, Swiss, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, and more
• Taxes and fees can be high, but the value is unmatched
🔗 How to Book: Transfer points from Amex Membership Rewards to ANA and call their customer service to build your route.
✨ Pro Tip:
If you're flexible with dates, this redemption can take you on a bucket-list-worthy adventure through multiple continents, making it one of the best values in award travel. Aim for routes that include high-value first-class cabins, such as Lufthansa First Class or Singapore Suites.
🇯🇵 Japan Airlines First Class (70K Points One-Way)
What makes it insane? JAL First Class is known for its over-the-top service, incredible food, and fully enclosed suites, yet it can be booked for just 70,000 points one-way from the U.S. to Japan.
✅ Key Details:
• Book with Alaska Mileage Plan for just 70K points (or with AA miles for 80K)
• Depart from New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles
• Enjoy Dom Pérignon champagne and Michelin-star-level dining
🔗 How to Book: Use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy) or American Airlines AAdvantage.
✨ Pro Tip:
Availability on JAL First Class can be scarce, but searching 330 days in advance (when award seats are first released) gives you the best chance of snagging one.
🇶🇦 Qatar Airways Qsuites (40K-70K Points)
What makes it insane? Qatar Airways Qsuites is widely considered the best business class in the world—fully enclosed suites, dine-on-demand service, and even a double bed for couples.
✅ Key Details:
• 40K points one-way (Maldives to Doha) or 70K points for U.S. to Doha
• Book via American AAdvantage or British Airways Avios
• Free stopover in Doha for up to 4 days
🔗 How to Book: Transfer Amex or Chase points to British Airways and use Avios to book via Qatar.
✨ Pro Tip:
Pair this with Qatar’s free stopover program, and you can add a luxury Doha hotel stay for almost nothing before continuing on your journey.
🚀 Crazy Stopover Tricks: Get a Free Extra Vacation
Some airline programs let you add a completely free stopover, effectively giving you two trips for the price of one. Here are the best:
🇹🇷 Turkish Airlines Stopover in Istanbul (Free Hotel Included!)
✅ Book any round-trip Turkish Airlines award ticket with a layover of 20+ hours in Istanbul and get a free 5-star hotel stay.
🔗 How to Book: Call Turkish Airlines after booking your ticket to arrange the stopover.
✨ Pro Tip:
Combine this with a visit to Cappadocia for a truly unforgettable experience!
🇸🇬 Singapore Airlines Stopover in Singapore
✅ With KrisFlyer miles, you can add a free stopover in Singapore on most awards, turning a simple one-way trip into a multi-city adventure.
🔗 How to Book: Use the Singapore Airlines website’s stopover feature when booking award flights.
🇨🇦 Air Canada Aeroplan Stopover Trick
✅ For just 5,000 extra Aeroplan miles, you can add a stopover anywhere in the world for up to 45 days! This works great for flights to Asia or Africa.
💡 The “Impossible” Redemptions That Actually Work
Some redemptions seem too good to be true—but they’re real (if you know how to book them).
🇯🇵 ANA First Class to Tokyo (55K Points One-Way)
✅ Book through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for just 55K miles (compared to 110K+ miles elsewhere).
🇩🇪 Lufthansa First Class (87K Points + Low Fees!)
✅ Use Avianca LifeMiles (transfers from Amex, Citi, Capital One) to book with minimal surcharges.
🏨 Last-Minute Luxe: How to Snag Business/First on Short Notice
Think all premium cabin seats are booked? Not if you know where to look:
🔗 Etihad First Apartment (Booked Hours Before Departure) - Use American AAdvantage miles
🔗 Emirates First Class Shower Suites - Often released last-minute via Emirates Skywards
🔍 Weird Loopholes & Underrated Redemptions
Some of the best hidden sweet spots in the game:
Avianca LifeMiles Short-Haul Hack: Fly business class in the U.S. for just 7,500 miles
Flying Blue Promo Rewards: Get business class to Europe for 50K miles round-trip
Virgin Atlantic Domestic Delta Awards: Fly Delta One transcontinental for 39K points
🔥 Final Thoughts: Maximize Your Points & Fly Smarter
With a little strategy, you can fly in luxury without paying a fortune. The best redemptions won't last forever, so if you're sitting on a stash of points, now is the time to use them.
📢 What’s the best award redemption you’ve ever booked? Drop your story in the comments! 👇
