119. Sexy vs. Unsexy Award Redemptions

We all love talking about luxurious, over-the-top award redemptions—think first-class flights, overwater villas, and five-star resorts. But let’s be real—some of the best uses of points and miles are not Instagram-worthy. In this episode, we break down the difference between sexy and unsexy redemptions, why both are important, and how they each play a role in maximizing your points strategy.

What Makes a Redemption “Sexy”? Pam kicks things off with her signature philosophy: “A sexy redemption is a Pam redemption.” For her, that means business-class flights on international routes and stays at luxury hotels. But she also reminds us that sexy is subjective—a Southwest flight to Hawaii can absolutely be a dream-worthy redemption for a family! Jess adds that she aspires to make every redemption as “Pam-level” as possible, but admits that her first year of points and miles was entirely unsexy.

Unsexy Redemptions: The Unsung Heroes of Travel Not every redemption is flashy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Alex shares how some of her best redemptions have been for things like:

• Flying last-minute for a wedding, funeral, or family emergency
• Booking budget-friendly Hyatt Place stays for soccer tournaments
• Using airport hotels for positioning flights to avoid travel disruptions
• Staying in hotels during home renovations or natural disasters
• While they may not be glamorous, these redemptions save real money and make everyday travel easier. As Pam puts it, “If you can cover an ‘unsexy’ expense with points and it costs you nothing, that’s actually pretty sexy.”

Our Favorite Sexy and Unsexy Redemptions Each of us shares a mix of redemptions that stand out:

• Jess: Emirates first class with an onboard shower and champagne (sexy!) vs. Hyatt stays during a Houston freeze and power outage (unsexy but a lifesaver).
• Alex: A Maldives overwater villa + Qatar Qsuite flights (sexy!) vs. a last-minute flight to care for her sister after surgery (not glamorous, but necessary).
• Pam: Business class Singapore Airlines flights to Thailand + Ritz-Carlton stays (sexy!) vs. booking a flight to London during COVID for a hospitalized grandchild (priceless).

Why Every Redemption Has Value At the end of the day, points and miles are a tool for travel freedom—whether that means luxury vacations, practical family trips, or unexpected emergencies. As Jess reminds us, “No redemption is a bad redemption if it saves you money and makes your life easier.”

Whether you’re dreaming of first-class flights or just want to avoid paying cash for a last-minute family trip, this episode will help you make the most of your points—sexy or not! 

Links:

• Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
• Jess’s Emirates first class reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtPGqi2gKvI/?igsh=dzZrOXp2NnA1djhw

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:30 – What is a “sexy” vs. “unsexy” award redemption?
• 01:40 – Pam’s philosophy: Why luxury redemptions are her go-to
• 07:00 – Alex’s take: Why family travel means balancing both
• 15:30 – Unsexy redemptions: Why they’re just as valuable
• 22:45 – Our best (and worst) redemption stories
• 30:00 – Why no redemption is a bad redemption