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If I book off-season travel, will my credit card points go further?

I like the way Kay is thinking because off-season travel can be a good strategy for maximizing your rewards. However, whether you pay fewer points for off-season flights or hotels depends on the loyalty program.

Certain programs have official off-peak prices or charge fewer points when demand or prices are lower, but others have fixed prices. Let's take a look at a few key details to think about as you try to squeeze an extra flight or night out of your credit card points.

There are two main systems loyalty programs use to price awards: Dynamic and fixed.

Dynamic prices are flexible and often shift along with the cash price. With dynamic award flights, two flights flying to/from the same cities on the same day can have different prices, or you could pay five different nightly prices for a five-night hotel stay. Dynamic award charts can make off-season travel appealing because you may be able to secure dramatically reduced flights or nights.

Fixed award charts offer the same price regardless of the cash price or demand. For hotels, fixed award charts are typically divided into categories. Wyndham is a good example, and it recently changed from three to four reward tiers. When you use Wyndham points to book a hotel, it will have a set price of 5,000, 15,000, 30,000 or 45,000 points a night.

Fixed airline award charts are usually based on zones/regions or distances. Distance-based award charts typically use pricing bands. For example, flights up to 600 miles may cost one amount of points, while flights from 601 to 1,500 miles cost more. It's uncommon for an airline frequent flyer program to feature a purely fixed award chart. Many airlines offer starting prices between zones that can increase well above the lowest published cost.

Hybrid award pricing is also popular with hotels. For example, Hyatt previously had an award chart with only eight categories, then it added peak and off-peak prices to each tier. It recently expanded to five tiers per category, which is in addition to separate award charts of all-inclusive resorts and specific brands. Now a standard room can vary in price by 6,000 to 40,000 points a night depending on the category. This is effectively dynamic pricing; it's just a little less dynamic than it could be.

Think of off-season as low demand

To save on your next vacation, you may not need to travel to Europe in October or visit Florida in the sweltering heat of summer. Simply changing the day of the week you're traveling may give you access to much lower prices. And you may also find greater award availability on less popular travel days as well.

I've found flights for fewer miles early in the morning or late at night. Sometimes, booking a flight with an extra connection can unlock lower prices or more award seats. This strategy is a big reason why I've fallen in love with using American Airlines miles for domestic travel.

I recently helped a friend open a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® when it had an increased limited-time welcome bonus. Thanks to American Airlines' dynamic pricing, he was able to book round-trip airfare from the East Coast to California for a family of five with a single intro bonus. Traveling this way won't always be possible or practical, but if you can travel differently than the masses, you may find great deals.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering if you fly with American Airlines once or twice a year because you'll get your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

  • First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Preferred boarding

  • American Airlines Flight Discount has a high spending requirement

  • Has an annual fee

Many airlines have clearly defined peak and off-peak dates and prices. Other programs have peak and off-peak prices but don't publish award charts. However, these prices may not apply to partner flights or may be limited to specific airline partners. Some airlines reserve off-peak pricing for economy awards, so review the fine print before booking.

A few of the top frequent flyer programs with peak and off-peak dates include:

  • Aer Lingus
  • All Nippon Airways
  • American Airlines (for economy partner awards)
  • British Airways
  • Iberia
  • Qatar Airways
  • Virgin Atlantic

It's also easy to earn rewards in many of these programs because most of them partner with multiple credit card travel rewards programs. For example, you can move points from every major transferable travel rewards program to Virgin Atlantic or the Avios program, which is the loyalty program for British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and more.

The advantage of shared transfer partners is that you can combine completely different travel rewards into a single airline program. This makes it much easier to get the points you need. For example, you could earn the welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and later on get the American Express Platinum Card®. If you transfer those points to one airline, you'll have a much easier time booking premium airfare or travel for a family.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.

  • You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
  • Long list of travel and shopping protections

  • Annual Chase Travel hotel credit

  • Has an annual fee

  • Requires a high credit score

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
  • Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Member FDIC

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)

  • Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
  • Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs

  • Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)

  • High annual fee

  • Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
  • Not as rewarding for purchases as other lower-fee travel cards

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
  • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. As of 01/2026
  • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
  • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
  • $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
  • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95 statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

N/A

None

Take advantage of airfare sales and dynamic prices

Airlines that operate purely dynamic award charts can offer amazing opportunities during the off-season or when there's a promotion. Award flights for JetBlue and Southwest are tied to the cash price, and both airlines frequently offer discounted flights.

Southwest recently offered flights within the lower 48 states from 7,000 points and flights to Hawaii for 10,000 points each way. These deals usually have blackout dates and are only available for a short time, but they're amazing if they work for you.

Delta was a pioneer of award pricing, and now its award flight prices can get out of control. However, it also has frequent flash sales that are extremely enticing. During these sales, Delta has offered deals such as round-trip award flights from the U.S. to Australia for 30,000 miles and to Hong Kong for 50,000 miles. These deals can be even better if you have a Delta card that offers 15% off Delta award flights, like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has the right mix of benefits if you occasionally fly with Delta, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts.

  • Earn up to $300 in travel credit every year
  • First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on eligible flights

  • Discounts on eligible in-flight purchases and on Delta award flights (Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees).

  • Annual fee after the first year

  • Delta flight credit benefit has a high spending requirement to earn

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after your first Card renewal when you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
  • Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
  • Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • Send money, split purchases, and focus on the moments that matter – with Send & Split®. Powered by Venmo and PayPal. Enrollment Required. Terms apply.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees.

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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.

For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.

Editorial Note:Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.