While Southwest is no longer the runaway winner in this ranking, it still leads the pack due to a combination of flexibility and ease of use. Because the airline focuses almost exclusively on domestic airfare, it offers one of the strongest route networks within the US. Award pricing closely mirrors cash fares, so you’re unlikely to find outsized value, but the predictability is a major benefit. Price also isn’t always the most important factor for domestic award travel, where the difference between the best options is often relatively small. When booking with points, you can cancel your ticket up to 10 minutes before departure and receive a full refund of your points, and there are no blackout dates on award flights. The Companion Pass remains the standout feature, and it’s still relatively easy to earn through credit card signup bonuses. With the right timing, you can hold it for nearly two full years. Southwest also offers five co-branded credit cards, all of which include benefits that can offset baggage and seating fees.

Chase Ultimate Rewards sits near the top of the list because of the strength and breadth of its airline partners. You can transfer points directly to several top domestic programs, including Southwest, United, and JetBlue. For more advanced users, Chase also unlocks additional domestic options through partner bookings, including flying United via Air Canada, Delta via Virgin Atlantic, and American or Alaska via British Airways. We recommend transferring to partners over booking in a portal, but if you have a Sapphire card, you can sometimes find flights using their Points Boost feature for 2¢ per point, which is a solid domestic redemption rate. While it’s not as easy to build a massive Chase points balance as it once was, there are still plenty of ways to earn points through signup bonuses and everyday spend. Not being tied to a single airline, combined with the ability to cover nearly every major US carrier through transfers, makes Chase one of the most flexible systems for domestic flights.

American is a strong contender on this list thanks to solid domestic redemptions on both its own flights and partner airlines. One of its biggest advantages is structure. American still uses award charts for partner flights, which makes pricing more predictable than fully dynamic systems. There is a wide range of co-branded credit cards available to earn miles and benefits, and its partnership with Citi provides an easy option for topping up balances when needed. American does not charge change fees on award flights, and canceled awards are refunded in full, including miles, taxes, and fees. Domestic award pricing on American-operated flights is often among the lowest, and the airline’s partner award charts can unlock attractive transcontinental redemptions. While premium cabin domestic awards can be harder to find, American remains one of the better options when they are available.

Atmos stands out as one of the few remaining airlines that still uses award charts on both its own flights and partner airlines. It consistently offers some of the lowest prices for short-haul domestic trips, with competitive pricing on transcontinental routes and flights to Hawaii as well. For travelers based on the West Coast, Atmos often rises to the top thanks to strong routing options and favorable award pricing. The airline also has a solid lineup of co-branded credit cards, with five options available, including two Hawaiian Airlines cards that earn Atmos Rewards and can be redeemed across either airline. The premium Atmos Summit card adds value with an annual Global Companion Award. Changes and cancellations are free and straightforward, and Atmos points never expire. The main drawback is that Atmos partners with only Bilt and Marriott Bonvoy for transferable points, which can make topping up balances more challenging.

JetBlue’s award pricing is directly tied to its dynamic cash fares, so you shouldn’t expect outsized value on redemptions. The upside is simplicity. JetBlue does not use award charts, has no blackout dates, and does not add fuel surcharges. If you hold the JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Business card, you’ll also receive a 10% rebate on points bookings. Much like Atmos tends to favor West Coast travelers, JetBlue is often a better fit for those on the East Coast, particularly around New York. Comfort is where JetBlue really differentiates itself, offering some of the roomiest economy seating in the US and a top-tier premium cabin with fully lie-flat seats on its Mint service for transcontinental routes. JetBlue allows free changes and cancellations on award tickets, and because pricing is dynamic, it can pay to recheck fares and rebook if prices drop on non-Blue Basic fares. The program also offers points pooling with up to seven members, making it easier for families or groups to combine balances. Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi all partner with JetBlue, making it very easy to top up when you need it.

United earns a spot on this list because of its flexibility when booking domestic award travel. Changes and cancellations are free on award bookings, which makes it easier to adjust plans without penalty. There are six co-branded credit cards offered by the airline, so building up a solid MileagePlus balance is relatively easy, and since United partners with Chase and Bilt, there are also convenient options for topping up when needed. If you hold a United credit card or elite status, you’ll gain access to additional award space, which can improve availability. You can find competitive pricing on United for domestic US travel, though it often takes more effort than with some of the other airlines on this list. While United belongs here, MileagePlus miles are often better saved for international redemptions rather than domestic flights.

Delta earns a spot on this list because of its flexibility and ease of use for domestic award travel. Changes and cancellations on award bookings are free, as long as you don’t book Delta Main Basic, which makes it easier to adjust plans when needed. Delta offers seven co-branded credit cards, giving you plenty of options for building points, and it also partners with Amex for easy top-ups. Keep in mind Amex’s 1/7 bonus rules and be selective when applying, as it’s often best to wait for an elevated welcome offer. Cardholders also receive a 15% discount on all award flights operated by Delta, which is a solid benefit. Delta’s pricing on short-haul domestic flights is often among the lowest, and while transcontinental options can be found for less elsewhere, they remain competitive, particularly if you live near a Delta hub. Dynamic pricing does make this less predictable, though.

Citi earns an honorable mention on this list, mainly because it's the only transferable currency that moves to American Airlines. This makes it valuable for AA loyalists, but less flexible overall. There are less opportunities to build a big points balance compared to other transferable systems, but it can still provide value for domestic US airfare.