Compare

Two programs enter. One earns your points.

The match-ups travelers lose sleep over, settled with the facts that actually decide them — and a verdict that says when each side wins.

Airlines

United vs Aeroplan

Two Star Alliance heavyweights for business class to Europe. Same seats, different rules.

	United	Aeroplan
Award pricing	Dynamic on United metal	Distance-based chart
Fuel surcharges	None on any partner	None on most partners
Stopovers	Excursionist Perk (1 free segment)	Paid stopover for 5,000 points
Transfers from	Chase, Bilt	Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt

Award pricing: UnitedDynamic on United metal
AeroplanDistance-based chart
Fuel surcharges: UnitedNone on any partner
AeroplanNone on most partners
Stopovers: UnitedExcursionist Perk (1 free segment)
AeroplanPaid stopover for 5,000 points
Transfers from: UnitedChase, Bilt
AeroplanAmex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt

The Verdict

Aeroplan wins for complex routings and stopovers; United wins for simplicity and last-minute Star Alliance space.

Hotels

The connoisseur's chart versus the world's biggest footprint.

The Verdict

Hyatt for aspirational value and predictability; Marriott for coverage and finding a room anywhere.

Cards & Currencies

The two most valuable flexible currencies, and where each pulls ahead.

The Verdict

Chase for Hyatt and United; Amex for airline breadth and bonus-chasing. Most serious travelers hold both.

Airlines

Two transferable-from-everywhere programs with very different sweet spots.

Signature redemption: VirginANA First to Tokyo
Flying BluePromo Rewards to Europe
Award pricing: VirginZone-based chart
Flying BlueDynamic + monthly promos
Fuel surcharges: VirginHigh on some partners
Flying BlueVaries by route
Transfers from: VirginAmex, Chase, Citi, Cap One, Bilt
Flying BlueAmex, Chase, Citi, Cap One, Bilt

The Verdict

Virgin for the ANA first-class unicorn; Flying Blue for flexible, frequently-discounted business class to Europe.

Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubAir France/KLM Flying Blue

PointsSnob

The next page is getting its evidence in order.