Points & Miles Dictionary

Account Linking

Connecting a credit card program (Amex, Chase, Bilt, etc.) to an airline/hotel program so you can transfer points.

Alliance

Airline networks that let you use one airline’s miles to book another.

Award Availability

Whether award seats are open for booking with points.

Award Chart

A fixed table showing how many miles a route costs. (ANA, JAL, Alaska use these.)

Award Pricing (Dynamic)

Award prices that change constantly depending on demand, season, or cash fare.

Award Pricing (Fixed)

Award pricing based on a predetermined award chart.

Award Space

The specific inventory bucket airlines release for award bookings.

Backtracking

Routing that sends you backward geographically. Some programs allow it, others don’t.

Basic Economy Award

A restricted award ticket with fewer perks.

Carrier-Imposed Surcharges (YQ/YR)

Extra fees airlines add to award tickets. Not taxes — just added cost.

Cents Per Point (CPP)

The value you receive per point.

Co-Terminal Airports

Multiple airports treated as the same metro area (NYC = JFK/LGA/EWR).

Dynamic Pricing

Award pricing that isn’t fixed and changes in real time.

End-on-End Ticket

Two separate award tickets used to build one itinerary.

Fare Class (Award Booking Class)

Codes that represent award inventory (e.g., X for economy award, I for business award).

Gateway City

The international departure or arrival city on an itinerary.

Hold (Award Hold)

Temporarily reserving an award seat without paying yet.

Instant Transfer

When points transfer immediately from your credit card program to a partner program.

Layover

A connection less than 24 hours.

Married Segments

When two flight segments must be booked together for availability to appear.

Open-Jaw

Fly into one city, fly out of another (e.g., arrive Paris → depart Rome).

Partner Award

Using one airline’s points to book a flight on a partner airline.

Positioning Flight

A separate flight you take to reach your award itinerary’s departure city.

RT (Roundtrip)

Out-and-back itinerary.

RTW (Round-the-World)

A multi-stop ticket using alliance rules.

Saver Award

Lowest-level award with limited seats. Often the only award partners can book.

Stopover

A stay longer than 24 hours between segments.

Sweet Spot

A redemption that gives exceptional value compared to average pricing.

Transfer Bonus

Temporary % bonus when transferring points (e.g., 30% Amex → Air France).

Transfer Partner

Airlines/hotels you can move your credit card points to.

Upgrade Space

Specific award inventory allocated for upgrades. Separate from award seats.

Waitlist (Award Waitlist)

Joining a queue for an award seat when none are available.