Using Amex Points for a Simple, High-Value One-Way Flight

Not every great points redemption has to be complicated — sometimes it’s about finding the best option for a one-way flight and keeping cash out of pocket as low as possible.

For this booking, we transferred 11,000 American Express Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and used those points to book one one-way ticket from DFW to SLC.

• Cash price at booking: $180

• Out-of-pocket cost: $5.60 in taxes

• Points used: 11,000

• Value: 1.59 cents per point

This redemption gave us better-than-portal value and worked perfectly for a one-way flight that would’ve otherwise been paid in cash. Virgin Atlantic is one of our favorite Amex transfer partners for domestic flights because of how often you can find solid value on short-haul routes.

👉 Takeaway for families: Transfer partners aren’t just for big international trips. They can be incredibly useful for everyday flights, positioning legs, or filling gaps in more complex itineraries — all while saving cash.

These “small” redemptions are exactly how points make frequent family travel more affordable over time.