Buying points for flights and hotel stays makes sense if it lets you pay less for a trip than you would with cash.
This is often the case with luxury resorts and business class flights. While cash prices are high, buying points can be a great deal and cost much less than paying cash.
Reward programs like Aeroplan, Air France Flying Blue, Marriott and Hilton often run promotions where you can buy points with a 50% to 100% bonus. These offers help you get closer to your next flight or hotel stay for less.
Buying points for flights and hotel stays during these promotions can often save you more money. This is especially the case when it comes to business class flights and luxury hotel stays, since they almost always have high cash prices.
Just be sure to have a specific booking in mind before you buy. Buying points speculatively just because there is an offer is not a great idea.
Here’s why and when it’s worth buying points for flights and hotel stays.
How to Buy Points for Flights and Hotel Stays
If you’re short on points for a trip, you can buy points for flights and hotel stays directly from an airline or hotel program.
Most programs use a third-party processor like Points.com to handle these transactions. Points are typically added to your account almost instantly.
This is helpful if you need to book a specific award before it disappears.
Many reward programs offer limited-time bonuses when you purchase points, so it’s worth checking the latest promotions for Aeroplan, Air France Flying Blue, Marriott, and Hilton bonus offers to save even more.
Keep in mind that since you’re buying through a 3rd party, the purchase usually won’t count as travel on your credit card statement. You likely won’t earn any extra category bonus points on the spend.
Some programs, like Aeroplan, also charge a sales tax based on your billing address. So make sure to consider that.
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It’s best to set up your loyalty accounts now, even if you aren’t ready to book yet.
Some programs won’t let you buy points for flights and hotel stays until your account has been open for 30 to 90 days. You don’t want to find a great deal and then realize you’re stuck in a waiting period and have to miss out.
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Travel more using points
Get my free beginner guide and weekly tips on credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs.
Buying Points to Keep Points from Expiring
Most airline and hotel reward programs expire points after a period of inactivity. Earning or redeeming points usually counts as activity and resets the clock.
You’ll want to keep your account active so you don’t lose points while waiting for the right redemption. Buying points isn’t always the cheapest way to extend expiry, but it’s often the fastest.
Aeroplan points, for example, expire after 18 months with no activity. But you’ll find plenty of ways to earn Aeroplan points through partners and with any Aeroplan credit card.
Hilton Honors points expire after 24 months of inactivity. There are no co-branded cards in Canada, but you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points in increments of 1,000 to keep your account active.
With most programs, even a small points purchase resets expiry. Buying points is a practical way to keep your account active and your points safe.
Sometimes there’re bonus offers when you purchase, so it’s worth checking the latest promotions for Aeroplan, Air France Flying Blue, Marriott, and Hilton.
Buying Points for Flights and Hotel Stays Top Up
Sometimes you may be short of the points needed for a flight or hotel stay.
Buying points for flights and hotel stays can be a quick way to top up your account and lock in a great redemption before it’s gone. Check out the latest promotions from Aeroplan, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Marriott, and Hilton
You can often transfer American Express Membership Rewards points instantly to programs like Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honours.
Buying points for flights and hotel stays top-up makes sense if you don’t have enough American Express points or if you want to save them for another trip.
You’ll still want to check our point valuations. In some cases, a top-up can save you money compared to paying the full cash price.
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Points Valuation in 2026
Wondering how much travel points are worth?
Not all points are worth the same. See how major travel programs compare for Canadians.
Points Valuation in 2026
Wondering how much travel points are worth?
Not all points are worth the same. See how major travel programs compare for Canadians.
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- 0.70 ¢
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Last spring, I found a great Aeroplan redemption to Florida for our family trip, but I was short 2,000 points.
I bought the extra points right away and booked before the seats were gone.
That quick top-up cost less than paying cash for the fare and saved us hundreds on our spring break getaway.
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Wondering which credit card to get next?
Our recommendations for the best credit card offers in Canada for June 2026.
Buying Points for Flights in Business Class
Buying points from Aeroplan or Flying Blue for flights can many times save you money on business or first-class flights. Cash fares for these cabins often cost thousands of dollars more than economy.
Business Class flights are often much more affordable with points. You can find great value through programs like Aeroplan and Flying Blue, especially with sweet-spot redemptions.
For example, Aeroplan business class redemptions to Europe with Star Alliance partners like TAP Air Portugal, SWISS, or LOT Polish Airlines are only 70,000 points one way.
Flying Blue business class redemptions to Europe with Air France and KLM start at 60,000 miles and can drop to 45,000 miles during monthly promos.
Buying points when you’re short of a business class redemption can be a great way to fly in comfort for less. Check out the latest Aeroplan and Flying Blue point purchase promotions to save even more.
You’ll want to check award availability before buying since it changes often.
During a Flying Blue promo, we spotted two business class seats to Europe on Air France for next summer. It was only 90,000 miles for both.
We quickly transferred our American Express Membership Rewards points and bought the miles we were missing.
In the end, we paid about $700 out of pocket for two business class seats that woudl have cost over $7,500!
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
New to Points? Start Here
From points newbie to booking your first trip
Learn everything you need to know to start using credit cards, points, and travel loyalty programs. Make your first redemption with points for nearly free travel.
Buying Points for Luxury Hotel Stays
Many times, you'll find that buying points from Marriott or Hilton for hotels can save you a lot of money on luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Cash prices at these properties can climb quickly, especially during peak travel times.
Luxury stays are often much more affordable with points. You can find great value through Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
Even more so when using the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton 5th Night Free benefit. Plus, the Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificates.
For example, a night at The Lake Como EDITION in Lake Como in Italy, can cost over $1,800 USD. Buying the points from Marriott, especially during a promotion or for a 5 night say, can cut your cost by 50%.
Similarly, cash rates at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui, Hawaii, are usually $1,300 USD per night. By buying points from Hilton, especially during a bonus sale, you can effectively book these stays at half price.
Buying points during a Hilton or Marriott promotion can be a way to open the door to luxury travel for a lot less.
We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa during our Portugal trip last summer. The cash rate was over $600 USD a night, but it was just 48,000 points.
We used a Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points. We bought the remaining 13,000 during a 35% promo for only $122 USD.
Just 10 minutes from Sintra, we enjoyed the resort’s spa, pools, gardens, and restaurants on both check-in and check-out days. It was easily one of our best hotel stays yet.
Buying Points for Flights and Hotel Stays Limits
Most loyalty programs have a limit on buying points for flights and hotel stays each calendar year.
So it’s good to keep these in mind, especially as a calendar year comes to an end.
Keep in mind that these limits are sometimes lifted during Aeroplan, Flying Blue or Hilton bonus promotions.
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If you reach your annual limit, your partner can buy the remaining points you need.
You can then transfer those Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points to your account. For Aeroplan or Flying Blue, you can take advantage of their family sharing features.
Award Booking Concierge
Let us find your award flights and hotels
You’ve earned your points! Now let us do all the work of finding the best available award flights and hotels for your next trip.
Limited-time sale pricing. Limited spots available.
Award Booking Concierge
Let us find your award flights and hotels
You’ve earned your points! Now let us do all the work of finding the best available award flights and hotels for your next trip.
Limited-time sale pricing. Limited spots available.
Don’t Buy Points for Flights and Hotel Stays Speculatively
You shouldn’t buy points for flights and hotel stays speculatively, even if they’re on sale. There’s too much that can change before you end up using them.
Loyalty programs can adjust pricing or devalue points without warning, making them worth less than what you paid.
Your own situation can also change if health, family, or work plans get in the way of travel.
And as we’ve seen with events like COVID-19, global travel conditions can shift fast. If that happens, those points could sit unused or lose value.
It’s always best to confirm availability and your trip plans before buying. Check out the latest promotions to buy points for Aeroplan and Hilton to save even more.
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Buying points for flights and hotel stays is usually handled by third-party providers like Points.com.
Since they don’t code as travel, you won’t earn extra points on cards that offer higher rates for travel purchases.
Keep in mind that you’ll also pay sales tax on points purchases if your billing address is in Canada and you’re using a Canadian credit card.
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Get more tips & ideas for travelling with points.
Join the AWP community to get guidance, updates, and practical tips on using points for travel.
The AWP Community
Get more tips & ideas for travelling with points.
Join the AWP community to get guidance, updates, and practical tips on using points for travel.
Bottom Line
Buying points for flights and hotel stays can make sense in certain situations. You can consider buying points to keep them from expiring, top up for a redemption, or save on premium flights and luxury hotels.
Buying during a promotion can stretch your value even more. Still, you’ll want to buy points only when you’ve confirmed availability and have a clear plan for using them.
Otherwise, you’re better off saving your money and earning points through credit cards, partners, and everyday spending.
Check out the latest promotions to buy points for Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Marriott or Hilton to get even more value and save money on your next trip.
