Warm-lit hotel lounge framing Tokyo Tower at night

Points & Miles

The Cards That Get You There.

The hotels we review are not out of reach. Used properly, points and the right credit cards let you stay in them for a fraction of the cash rate — and fly there in a seat you would never otherwise pay for. This is where we explain how, in plain English, with nothing sold to you.

The cards we use All guides

Start Here

View all guides

Three Guides to Begin With.

How We Approach Points

Points Are a Means, Not a Hobby.

We write about loyalty programmes only where they change what a stay actually costs — the suite you would not otherwise book, the flat bed on the way there, the lounge that makes a connection bearable. Everything here is written by editors who hold the cards and stay in the hotels themselves.

  • Independence Rankings are not for sale. No bank, card issuer or hotel group can buy a place in our guides, or a better one.
  • Disclosure Some of our links are referral or affiliate links. Where they are, we say so on the page — and you never pay more for using one.
  • First-hand only We recommend cards and loyalty programmes our editors actually hold and use, on the stays we actually review.

The Cards We Use

Two Cards, Honestly Explained.

Referral & advertising disclosure

The links in this section are personal referral links. If you apply through one and are approved, we may earn points or a commission — at no extra cost to you.

It never affects our editorial rankings. We write about these cards because our editors hold them; a referral link is not a reason to recommend a card, and no issuer sees this page before you do.

Welcome offers, benefits, fees and eligibility are set by the issuer and change without notice. Always check the current terms on American Express before you apply.

Credit is subject to status and eligibility. Terms apply.

American Express · United Kingdom

The Platinum Card

The card our editors carry for hotel stays: the one that turns a booking into an upgraded room, breakfast and a late checkout, and makes the airport half-civilised on the way there.

Welcome offer Current welcome offer — see Amex for today’s terms.

What it is good for

  • Fine Hotels + Resorts rates, which carry on-property benefits at many of the hotels we review
  • Airport lounge access through the Priority Pass and American Express lounge networks
  • Membership Rewards points that transfer to airline and hotel loyalty partners
  • Hotel loyalty status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
View on American Express The Platinum Card — referral link, opens in a new tab

Referral link — we may earn points if you are approved

American Express · United Kingdom

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

The long-haul card for anyone flying out of the UK: everyday spending becomes Avios, and the Companion Voucher is the most useful thing a British card still does.

Welcome offer Current welcome offer — see Amex for today’s terms.

What it is good for

  • Avios earned on everyday spend, credited to your British Airways Club account
  • A Companion Voucher once you reach the card’s annual spend requirement
  • Reward seats on British Airways and its partner airlines, premium cabins included
  • A natural pair with hotel points when you are building a whole trip, not a single stay
View on American Express British Airways American Express Premium Plus — referral link, opens in a new tab

Referral link — we may earn points if you are approved

All Points & Miles Guides

The full archive

Browse the Points & Miles archive