Every year, The Points Analyst team gathers to do something we love: make bold predictions about the future of points and miles. 

This is not just an exercise in guesswork, it is a fun tradition where we analyze trends, debate the biggest changes on the horizon, and try to outdo each other with the most spot-on predictions.

If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that the world of points and miles never stays the same for long. Airlines and hotels tweak their loyalty programs, credit card issuers shake up their rewards structures, and new ways to earn and redeem points emerge. 

Some changes make award travel even more rewarding, while others… well, not so much. So, what is in store for 2025? 

Will credit card issuers introduce game-changing perks? 

Are we in for another round of airline devaluations? 

Could we see new redemption options that make points even more valuable? 

Based on our research and a bit of educated guesswork, we are making ten bold predictions for the year ahead. 

Let’s dive in and see what might be coming next!

The Prediction Methodology

The Points Analyst team took a structured approach to predicting the future of points and miles in 2025. We analyzed trends in airline and hotel loyalty programs, credit card rewards, and the travel industry. Each writer then created a list of ten predictions based on these insights.

We met to compare notes, and any prediction that appeared on every list was automatically included. The team then voted on the remaining ideas to finalize our top ten.

The result? A carefully curated list of ten expert predictions that reflect where we believe points and miles are headed in 2025. 

Now, let’s dive into what we expect to see in the year ahead!

Credit Card Predictions

Credit card rewards are constantly evolving, with issuers competing to attract travelers through lucrative sign-up bonuses, enhanced earning structures, and new perks. 

So, what is next?

BILT Launches A Premium Credit Card

BILT has already shaken up the points and miles world by offering valuable rewards on rent payments, and in 2025, we predict they will take things to the next level with a premium credit card.

This high-end card will likely come with a mortgage payment feature, allowing cardholders to continue earning rewards after they transition from renting to homeownership. 

The annual fee is expected to fall between $300 and $500, positioning it alongside mid-tier premium travel cards. For earning categories, we predict 1x on mortgage or rent payments, 4x on restaurants, 3x on travel, and 2x on rideshare. These bonuses would make the card highly competitive for frequent travelers and diners. 

On the benefits side, expect Priority Pass lounge access, a CLEAR credit, and exclusive transfer bonuses to sweeten the deal.

If this card launches, it could be a game-changer, giving BILT loyalists a reason to stay in the ecosystem long after their renting days are over.

Note: BILT has since announced that a premium credit card is in development, along with a set of potential benefits. However, our prediction was made before that announcement.

World of Hyatt Launches A Premium Credit Card

For years, Hyatt loyalists have hoped for a premium credit card, and 2025 could finally be the year it arrives. 

Rumors of an upscale Hyatt card circulated before the launch of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, and now the timing seems right for Hyatt and Chase to introduce a high-end option.

This new card would allow Chase and Hyatt to compete with premium hotel cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. We expect an annual fee between $400 and $600, making it a mid-tier luxury option for frequent Hyatt guests.

The earning structure would likely mirror the existing World of Hyatt Credit Card, but the real value would come from its perks. A Category 1-7 free night certificate each year, a 10% discount on cash stays, and automatic Explorist status would provide significant value to cardholders. 

Additionally, the card could offer five free qualifying night credits annually, though these would not stack with the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

If this prediction comes true, Hyatt fans could soon have a powerful new tool to enhance their stays and fast-track elite status.

Barclays Launches A Beginner Credit Card With Transferable Points

Barclays has been losing ground in the travel credit card space, and 2025 might be the year they make a big move to stay relevant. 

With American Airlines shifting its focus to Citi and Hawaiian Airlines likely leaving due to its merger with Alaska, Barclays is running out of airline co-brand partnerships. Meanwhile, Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and even Wells Fargo continue to dominate the market.

To compete, we predict Barclays will bring back a transferable points currency, similar to what they once had with the Arrival Plus and Arrival Premier cards before shutting them down in early 2020. 

This new card would likely be a $95 annual fee travel rewards card, designed to compete directly with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Like most entry-level travel cards, it would probably include basic travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, and solid earning categories. However, a potential wild card feature could be the inclusion of Lufthansa Miles & More as a transfer partner, since Barclays already has a credit card relationship with the airline.

If Barclays goes this route, they could finally re-enter the competitive travel rewards game instead of being left behind.

Transfer Partner And Alliance Predictions

Loyalty programs are constantly evolving, and one of the biggest ways they add value is through transfer partnerships and airline alliances. In recent years, we have seen banks expand their transfer options, airlines shift alliances, and hotel programs introduce new earning opportunities.

Citi Adds American Airlines As A Transfer Partner

This prediction seems more like a matter of “when” and not “if.”

American Airlines was briefly a Citi transfer partner in the early 2020s, and with recent shifts in the credit card landscape, we believe it could happen again in 2025. BILT removed American Airlines as a transfer partner in favor of Alaska, and American is ending its co-branded credit card partnership with Barclays, leaving Citi as its sole major credit card issuer. 

Citi already offers both entry-level and premium co-branded American Airlines cards, making a full transfer partnership a logical next step.

With United and Southwest aligned with Chase and Delta locked in with Amex, American needs a strong banking partner to compete. By adding Citi ThankYou Points as a transfer option, American could strengthen its award program while giving Citi cardholders a valuable new redemption choice.

Wells Fargo Adds At Least 3 New Transfer Partners

Wells Fargo made a recent splash in the travel rewards space with the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, but its current list of transfer partners is too limited to compete with the likes of Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, or Citi ThankYou Points. 

If Wells Fargo wants to stay relevant, it needs to expand its lineup in 2025.

We predict that Wells Fargo will add at least three new transfer partners across airlines and hotels. Potential airline partners include Air Canada, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, while on the hotel side, IHG and Hyatt seem like logical additions, especially since Wells Fargo already has ties and connections to both through its BILT partnership.

While more transfer partners would improve the appeal of Wells Fargo, it may not be enough to lure travelers away from more established programs – unless Hyatt becomes an option. That could be a game-changer!

BILT Adds Lufthansa Miles & More As A Transfer Partner

BILT has a habit of pulling off things that other programs cannot. 

They made rent payments rewarding without fees and even added Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner – something no other major bank has done. So, could they be the first to bring Lufthansa Miles & More into the world of transferable points?

Right now, Lufthansa does not have any transfer partners, which could mean they prefer to keep their program exclusive. But if they are looking to gain traction in the lucrative U.S. market, partnering with BILT could be a smart move.

If this happens, it would further solidify BILT as the most valuable flexible points currency, giving travelers access to one of the top loyalty programs in Europe.

That said, we will admit, this might be a case of wishful thinking. But hey, crazier things have happened in the points and miles world!

Starlux Joins The Oneworld Alliance

This prediction just makes too much sense. 

Taiwan has three major airlines: EVA Air (Star Alliance), China Airlines (SkyTeam), and Starlux. If Starlux wants to compete on a global scale, joining Oneworld seems like the logical move.

Right now, Starlux has an exclusive partnership with Alaska Airlines, which is currently the only way to book Starlux award flights outside its own program. Since Alaska is a Oneworld member, it would not be surprising to see Starlux take the next step and fully integrate into the alliance.

However, there is one potential roadblock: Cathay Pacific. 

As a founding member of Oneworld, Cathay has veto power over new entrants and may see Starlux as a threat on some of its most profitable routes. 

If that happens, Starlux could remain independent and pursue individual partnerships like Emirates or Etihad, despite what otherwise seems like a perfect fit.

One Airlines Adopts Avios As Its Award Currency

Avios is quickly becoming one of the most dominant award currencies in the airline world. Originally used by British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, it has expanded in recent years to include Qatar Airways and Finnair. 

With this growing network, it seems likely that another airline will adopt Avios in 2025.

For airlines, switching to Avios can be a smart move. Much like the Euro unifying European economies, using Avios creates a flexible and transferable currency, making it easier for travelers to earn and redeem miles across multiple programs. It also gives airlines more exposure and relevance in a competitive loyalty space.

Two airlines that stand out as potential candidates are Royal Air Maroc and Royal Jordanian, as both are members of Oneworld. These carriers could benefit from the increased engagement that comes with a well-known points system, while Oneworld would continue strengthening its shared loyalty ecosystem.

If another airline adopts Avios, it would further cement its status as a global powerhouse award currency – offering travelers even more opportunities to earn and redeem points seamlessly across multiple programs.

Other Miscellaneous Points And Miles Predictions

Not all changes in the points and miles world fit neatly into credit cards or airline alliances and transfer partners. Some of the biggest shifts happen in unexpected ways – whether through new travel perks, loyalty program overhauls, or entirely new ways to earn and redeem rewards.

Hyatt Moves To Dynamic Award Pricing

For years, World of Hyatt has been the last major hotel loyalty program sticking with a fixed-rate award chart, while competitors like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards have embraced dynamic pricing. 

But in 2025, we predict Hyatt will finally make the shift to dynamic award pricing.

The signs are already there. In 2024, Hyatt adopted the Sabre reservation system, which is known to support dynamic award pricing models. Additionally, Hyatt has already tested dynamic pricing with the Mr & Mrs Smith, Under Canvas, and Venetian properties, a departure from its traditional pricing structure with the former Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) partnership.

If Hyatt moves to a fully dynamic model, it would mark the end of one of the last remaining sweet spots in hotel loyalty programs. 

While this change might offer more availability at lower rates during off-peak times, it could also mean higher redemption costs for aspirational properties.

For Hyatt loyalists, 2025 may be the year to redeem points sooner rather than later – before award charts become a thing of the past.

Social Media Affiliate Marketing Prediction

The world of points and miles is not just shaped by airlines, hotels, and credit card issuers – it is also influenced by the way information is shared. In recent years, affiliate marketing has played a huge role in how travelers learn about the best rewards programs and credit card offers. 

But as the industry evolves, so do the rules around how these programs can be promoted.

Chase Relaxes Restrictions On Social Media

For years, Chase has enforced strict rules preventing influencers and affiliates from mentioning its products on social media. While bloggers can openly discuss Chase and Chase credit cards on their websites, social media posts have been a no-go – leading creators to use code names like “blue bank” to skirt the rules.

In 2025, we predict Chase will loosen these restrictions, allowing more influencers to post about its products. 

We have already seen early signs of this shift, with a small group of creators being permitted to share pre-approved content. Going forward, we expect more affiliates to gain permission to post, though all content will likely require approval from Chase.

This change would bring Chase in line with other issuers like Amex and Capital One, which have long allowed social media promotion. 

If Chase opens the floodgates, it could make credit card content more accessible and help more travelers discover new ways to maximize their rewards.

Final Thoughts

The points and miles world is always evolving, and 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year. 

From potential new premium credit cards to major shifts in transfer partnerships and even changes in how influencers can talk about Chase, the landscape of travel rewards continues to keep us on our toes.

Some of these predictions feel inevitable, while others might be long shots; but that is what makes this exercise so much fun. If even a few of these changes come true, they could have a big impact on how travelers earn and redeem their points.

As always, the best way to stay ahead is to remain flexible, take advantage of rewards while they are still available, and adapt your strategy as the industry shifts. Whether it is locking in a Hyatt award stay before a potential move to dynamic pricing or keeping an eye out for new credit card launches, being proactive will ensure you get the most value from your points.

At the end of the year, we will revisit these predictions to see how many came true – and which ones missed the mark.