The Sweet Spot Graveyard
The legends, documented to the end.
Every famous redemption that died — dated, sourced, and explained — each linked to the devaluation that killed it. Blogs keep living lists; this is the record that remembers.
49
documented deaths since 2015
7
average lifespan, years
award-price increase
deadliest cause
2024
deadliest year
Choice Privileges 8,000-point nights in central Tokyo/Osaka/Fukuoka
2018–2026 · lived 8.5 years · Choice Privileges
World of Hyatt three-tier award chart (Off-Peak/Standard/Peak; Cat 8 max 45,000)
2021–2026 · lived 5.4 years · Hyatt
Citi ThankYou → Preferred Hotels I Prefer at 1:4
2024–2026 · lived 2.3 years · Citi
Citi ThankYou → Choice Privileges at 1:2
2021–2026 · lived 5.3 years · Citi
Turkish Miles&Smiles US-domestic United economy (7,500 one-way)
2019–2025 · lived 7 years · Turkish Airlines
Turkish Miles&Smiles US–Hawaii on United (7,500 one-way)
2019–2025 · lived 7 years · Turkish Airlines
United Excursionist Perk (free one-way within a region on multi-city awards)
2016–2025 · lived 9.7 years · United Airlines
Amex → HawaiianMiles → Alaska Mileage Plan backdoor (1:1)
2024–2025 · lived 1.5 years · American Express
ANA Star Alliance Round the World award
2010–2025 · lived 15.5 years · ANA
Iberia off-peak Business US East Coast/Chicago–Madrid (34,000 Avios one-way)
2016–2025 · lived 9.4 years · Iberia
Hyatt Category 1-7 certificate at Grand Hyatt Kauai / Park Hyatt Tokyo / Grand Hyatt Tokyo
2021–2025 · lived 4.3 years · Hyatt
TAP Business JFK–Lisbon via LifeMiles (35,000 one-way)
2019–2024 · lived 5.7 years · Avianca
ANA Business US–Japan via LifeMiles (67,000 one-way)
2019–2024 · lived 5.7 years · Avianca
Lufthansa First Class via LifeMiles (87,000 one-way, no surcharges)
2017–2024 · lived 7.7 years · Avianca
Delta One US–Europe via Virgin Atlantic (50,000 points, ~$5.60 fees)
2019–2024 · lived 5.6 years · Virgin Atlantic
ANA Business Class via Virgin Atlantic (45k–47.5k one-way; 90k–95k roundtrip)
2014–2024 · lived 10.4 years · Virgin Atlantic
ANA Business US–Japan on ANA (75,000–90,000 roundtrip)
2014–2024 · lived 10.3 years · ANA
ANA Star Alliance Business US–Europe (88,000 roundtrip)
2014–2024 · lived 10.3 years · ANA
Cathay Pacific First Class US–Hong Kong via Alaska (70k one-way)
2011–2024 · lived 13.3 years · Alaska Airlines
Cathay Pacific Business US–Asia via Alaska (50k one-way, connections included)
2011–2024 · lived 13.3 years · Alaska Airlines
Turkish Miles&Smiles Business US–Europe (45,000 one-way, Turkish & Star Alliance)
2015–2024 · lived 9.2 years · Turkish Airlines
Japan Airlines Intra-Asia Business via Alaska (25k one-way)
2016–2023 · lived 7.3 years · Alaska Airlines
Japan Airlines Business US–Japan via Alaska (60k one-way)
2016–2023 · lived 7.3 years · Alaska Airlines
ANA First Class via Virgin Atlantic (55k–60k one-way; 110k–120k roundtrip)
2014–2023 · lived 9.3 years · Virgin Atlantic
Marriott Bonvoy Category 1–8 award chart (fixed points)
2018–2022 · lived 4.3 years · Marriott
Emirates Business Class via Alaska (any Emirates award via Mileage Plan)
2012–2021 · lived 9.6 years · Alaska Airlines
American Airlines awards via Alaska Mileage Plan
2010–2020 · lived 10.2 years · Alaska Airlines
IHG PointBreaks (5,000 points/night list)
2009–2020 · lived 11.1 years · IHG
United MileagePlus published saver award chart (own flights)
2010–2019 · lived 9.9 years · United Airlines
Citi Prestige unlimited 4th Night Free (concierge-booked, loyalty-eligible)
2014–2019 · lived 5.8 years · Citi
Aeroplan Mini-RTW (two stopovers on a roundtrip)
2010–2019 · lived 9.8 years · Air Canada
Delta/Hawaiian to Hawaii via Korean Air via Chase (25k–30k roundtrip)
2013–2018 · lived 5.7 years · Chase
Korean Air First Class via Chase (80k one-way US–NE Asia)
2013–2018 · lived 5.7 years · Chase
Marriott Travel Package 7-night Cat 1-5 + 120,000 miles (270,000 points)
2012–2018 · lived 6.7 years · Marriott
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles roundtrip discount (HKG–JFK business 145,000 roundtrip)
2012–2018 · lived 6.5 years · Cathay Pacific
Flying Blue "Israel & Morocco as Europe" award pricing (published chart)
2013–2018 · lived 5.5 years · Air France-KLM
Amex Business Platinum 50% pay-with-points airfare rebate (2 cents/point)
2016–2017 · lived 1.5 years · American Express
Delta awards via Alaska Mileage Plan
2010–2017 · lived 7.3 years · Alaska Airlines
Southwest Companion Pass via hotel-point transfers (Marriott Travel Package trick)
2013–2017 · lived 4.3 years · Southwest Airlines
Singapore Suites JFK–Frankfurt via KrisFlyer with 15% online discount (57,375 one-way)
2012–2017 · lived 5.3 years · Singapore Airlines
Emirates First Class via Alaska (90k–100k one-way)
2012–2016 · lived 4.3 years · Alaska Airlines
AAdvantage First US–Canada/Alaska (32.5k; Cathay First JFK–YVR)
2011–2016 · lived 5.3 years · American Airlines
AAdvantage Business US–Asia 2 (55k sAAver)
2011–2016 · lived 5.3 years · American Airlines
AAdvantage Business US–Europe (50k sAAver)
2011–2016 · lived 5.3 years · American Airlines
AAdvantage First US–South Pacific (72.5k; Qantas First)
2011–2016 · lived 5.3 years · American Airlines
AAdvantage First US–Asia 2 (67.5k; Cathay First to Hong Kong)
2011–2016 · lived 5.3 years · American Airlines
British Airways Avios 4,500 short-haul on American/Alaska within the US
2011–2016 · lived 5.2 years · British Airways
Club Carlson Visa Bonus Award Night (last night free on 2+ night award stays)
2012–2015 · lived 3.5 years · Radisson
Delta SkyMiles published award chart
2010–2015 · lived 5.2 years · Delta Air Lines
The Watchlist
Spots the record watches. No status claims — a spot moves to the Graveyard only when a documented change on the tracker kills it.
Questions
How many famous sweet spots have died?
49 documented deaths on our record since 2015, average lifespan 7 years.
What was the most recent sweet-spot death?
Choice Privileges 8,000-point nights in central Tokyo/Osaka/Fukuoka, died June 8, 2026 (award-price increase).
What kills most sweet spots?
award-price increase — the leading documented cause. Deadliest year so far: 2024.
Cite this data
Bonus Eagle. “The Sweet Spot Graveyard.” bonuseagle.com. https://www.bonuseagle.com/sweet-spots
