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
Amex → HawaiianMiles → Alaska Mileage Plan backdoor (1:1)
2024–2025 · lived 1.5 years · American Express
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
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
Delta awards via Alaska Mileage Plan
2010–2017 · lived 7.3 years · Alaska Airlines
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