Ever wondered what 10,000, 100,000, or even one million points can get you? The answer is… a lot more than you think.
Whether you’re just starting out with a new travel credit card or you’ve got a huge stash of points burning a hole in your digital wallet, here’s how to turn them into real trips, from weekend getaways to global adventures. And if you’re a visual learner👇
What You Can Book With 10,000 Points
While 10,000 points might not sound like much, they can still unlock a solid little getaway.
Many hotel programs, like World of Hyatt, let you book Category 1 hotels for as little as 3,500 to 5,000 points per night. That means a weekend stay at a Hyatt Place or similar property is within reach, especially if you drive instead of flying.
Maybe you’d prefer to use your points for flights? You can sometimes snag a one-way domestic flight for under 7,000 points with programs like Alaska Airlines or Southwest. Pair that with a budget-friendly hotel redemption, and you’ve got yourself a quick, affordable trip with no massive stash of points required (yay!).
What You Can Book With 100,000 Points
Jumping up to 100,000 points opens up a world of possibilities… literally.
Option 1: A Caribbean All-Inclusive
Fly round-trip to the Caribbean for as few as 15,000 to 20,000 points using JetBlue TrueBlue or American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Then, check into an all-inclusive Hyatt property for 17,000 points per night. This could mean five nights of beachfront luxury with… wait for it… only points.
Option 2: Castle Life in Scotland
Fly round-trip to Edinburgh (EDI) from the U.S. for just 25,000 to 30,000 points using Avios or other partner programs. Then check into the Schloss Roxburghe — a Destination by Hyatt estate with rooms starting at just 12,000 points per night. You could spend nearly a week enjoying the Scottish countryside, spa treatments, and fine dining, all paid for with points.
And if you're traveling with a partner? Cut back a night or two at the hotel, and use those extra points for their flights. Flexibility is key with 100,000 points, and there are plenty of ways to make it work.
What You Can Book With One Million Points
Think one million points is just dreaming? Think again, friend (this is Daily Drop).
With the right strategy, like elevated welcome offers, two-player mode, and transfer bonuses, it's very possible to reach this milestone over time.
So what would a one-million-point trip actually look like? I’m so glad you asked!
Round-the-World Luxury Adventure
Here’s a real example based on actual redemptions:
Fly ANA First Class from the U.S. to Japan for 85,000 Virgin Atlantic points
Stay at top-tier Hyatt properties in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Bali (29k to 35k per night)
Hop through Southeast Asia, staying in private villas in Thailand and the Maldives
Fly business class with Qatar, Emirates, and Air France between destinations
Wrap it up in style at the Park Hyatt Paris before flying home
All of that is actually about a $60,000 to $70,000 trip (for two) covered entirely with points. With some smart transfer bonuses and careful planning, this could even be pulled off for fewer than a million points.
How to Earn Those Points
The golden question… how the heck do you actually rack up that many points?
Welcome offers: Many premium travel credit cards offer 75,000 to 100,000+ points just for signing up and meeting a minimum spend.
Everyday spending: Maximize category bonuses like dining, travel, groceries, and online shopping.
Two-player mode: Have a partner or family member join you and pool your points for shared goals.
Transfer bonuses: Take advantage of limited-time promotions that increase the value of your points.
With a bit of strategy, one million points could unlock the trip of all trips. But even 10,000 sounds pretty sweet to me.
