Redemptions: What still works

- Partner awards are getting to the point where they're mostly theoretical in premium cabins, so here's what to do if you still want to book a premium cabin in 2026

- Have you noticed that the price of gas doubled? So did airfares.

- Fuel surcharges bite, and are getting worse.

- There is still value but it's not necessarily where it was before, and not necessarily the way you got it before.

- Buying points can be a better play than earning them given how much fees have gone up for premium cards.

- There are still sweet spots in hotel programs, although many of these are being nerfed too.