Turning 18k Amex Points into First Class Seats
One of our favorite “travel hacks” is using points for positioning flights—those short but necessary flights that get you where you need to be to start a big international adventure. This time, that strategy paid off big time.
As part of our upcoming New Zealand trip, we needed a return repositioning flight home from California. Instead of paying cash, we transferred 18,000 American Express Membership Rewards points and booked two first class tickets on American Airlines using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
The Numbers (This Is Where It Gets Fun)
Points used: 18,000 Amex Membership Rewards
Cash price at booking: $715
Taxes paid: $47
Tickets: 2 First Class seats
Route: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) → Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Value: 3.71 cents per point
That’s an incredible return—especially for a short domestic flight.
Why This Redemption Worked So Well
1. Alaska Airlines + American Airlines Sweet Spot
Even though we flew American Airlines, we booked through Alaska’s Mileage Plan, which often has lower award prices for domestic first class compared to booking directly.
2. First Class = Comfort After a Long Trip
After international travel, comfort matters. First class meant:
Bigger seats
More space to relax
Priority boarding
A smoother end to a long journey
When traveling as a couple (and especially after long-haul flights), this upgrade makes a noticeable difference.
3. Perfect Use of “Leftover” Amex Points
This was a great example of using a small stash of points for outsized value. You don’t always need 100k+ points to get amazing redemptions—sometimes 18k is all it takes.
Takeaway for Families & Points Beginners
Don’t overlook short domestic flights, especially:
Repositioning flights
One-way returns
Last-leg flights home
Using points here can:
Save real cash
Add comfort where it matters
Stretch your points further than you’d expect
3.71¢ per point is well above the “average” value of Amex points—and proof that flexibility and partner transfers can unlock serious wins.
If you’re sitting on Amex points and think they’re only good for big international flights, this is your reminder: the small redemptions can be some of the best ones.