A Note For Beginners:

Points and miles are the same thing. Different companies have different programs worth different values that can be used in various ways. One thing you need to understand is that the terms points and miles can be used (for the most part) interchangeably.

Some companies will call their rewards miles, some will call them points, some will call them Avios, as well as many other names. The term miles originated from airlines awarding passengers based on the actual number of miles they fly. While some airlines still do this, now, most largely reward based on money spent.

Although I could go in depth about the history of points and miles, the simple thing to know is they will often be used interchangeably. Points often associate with credit cards and hotels while miles often associate with airlines. However, when not referring to a specific company’s program, i.e., Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, etc., it is more than appropriate to refer to either having a similar meaning. They are both a small unit of currency that is run by a company and can be used in exchange for goods and/or services.

Just a note for those who were confused when I used the terms interchangeably. Continue earning and burning!