Amazing Destinations You Can Go to With Rewards Points and Miles
While credit card rewards may not be life-changing for everyone, for some, they make the impossible possible. With airline miles, hotel points, cash back, or flexible rewards, many people find they can afford to travel farther, and potentially stay longer. And, who knows? Perhaps you can visit a destination you've always dreamed of.
If you're aching to see parts of the world you assume are beyond your reach, researching airline and hotel rewards programs can help you see what's possible. Airline credit cards can help you get free flights, hotel credit cards can help you score free accommodations, and flexible travel cards allow you to use points for all kinds of travel expenses.
Need help jump-starting your wanderlust? Here are five bucket list spots you can absolutely see with rewards.
1. Bora Bora
Bora Bora is undoubtedly the most beautiful island in French Polynesia. A short flight from Tahiti, this island paradise is comprised of tiny islands (motus) that surround a central mountain and an inspiring, azure blue lagoon teeming with sea life. While Bora Bora is perfect for a honeymoon or romantic retreat, it's well known as a fun (albeit expensive) family destination as well.
How to get there
There are numerous ways to get at least part of the way to Bora Bora with airline miles. From Los Angeles International (LAX) to Papeete (PPT), Tahiti, for example, you can fly round trip with Alaska Airlines for 80,000 miles plus taxes and fees. You can also fly round trip using Air France's Flying Blue program for 60,000 miles plus taxes, or 80,000 American AAdvantage miles plus taxes round trip.
No matter how you get to Tahiti, however, you'll have to pay around $400 per person, round trip, for the short flight from Papeete to Bora Bora. The airline that operates this leg (Air Tahiti) doesn't offer a mileage program.
Where to stay
Numerous hotel programs promise to let you stay in Bora Bora for free, including the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort, which you can book with free nights from the IHG Rewards Club. If you build a stash of Hilton Honors points, on the other hand, you can score free stays at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
2. Maldives
The Maldives is another tropical destination well known for its crystal-clear waters and overwater bungalows. Smack dab in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are expensive to visit and quite a trek for most of us to reach. However, there's a reason why so many people travel to the ends of the earth for a stay in the Maldives. According to many who have been there, the water, scenery, and atmosphere make it one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in the world.
How to get there
The best airline strategy for the Maldives depends a lot on where you live. Many would say that Air France is the way to go due to its plentiful award availability and cheap economy redemptions. Currently, you can book round-trip flights from New York City to Male, the capital, for 80,000 Flying Blue miles plus around $400 in taxes and fees.
Cathay Pacific is another option if you have Alaska Airlines miles. For just 60,000 Alaska miles plus taxes you can fly from certain U.S. cities to Male on Cathay. (See also: 5 Amazing Destinations You Thought Were Unaffordable)
Where to stay
Use your Hyatt points to stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. Look for bonus offers that include free nights and sign up both you and your partner to add them together to one trip by booking two subsequent reservations, or combine points if possible.
3. Aruba
Aruba is one of the Lesser Antilles islands in the southern Caribbean Sea. Known for its desert landscape and amazing blue waters, Aruba is bursting with hotels, casinos, night life, and water activities galore. While Aruba is popular for land-based vacations, cruise ships bring thousands of passengers to the island weekly. Fortunately, Aruba's location in the Caribbean makes it fairly easy to travel there on points.
How to get there
While you can get to Aruba a few different ways, the easiest strategy is utilizing Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Depending on where you live in the United States, you can usually get to Aruba for less than 25,000 miles plus taxes round trip. Another popular option is Flying Blue, especially if your credit card rewards program transfers to the frequent flyer program. On Flying Blue, you can get to Aruba for 25,000 miles plus taxes and fees round trip.
Where to stay
Most of the major hotel chains let you earn points for free stays in Aruba. Marriott Rewards can help you score free nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Marriott Aruba Surf Club, and more. You can also stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba with IHG Rewards points, or at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino with World of Hyatt points.
4. Italy
Italy is a bucket list destination for nearly everyone, well known for its inspiring culture, historical sites, delicious cuisine, and dynamic landscapes, which span from the mountainous north to idyllic beachfronts on the country's western shore. While most people go to Italy to see major sites like Rome's Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, or the world-famous art spread across Florence, others dream of Tuscan wineries, lazy beach days in Cinque Terre or Sorrento, or a trip to the famous island of Capri.
How to get there
If you're looking for a cheap and easy way to get to Italy, check out American Airlines' AAdvantage program. If you fly coach and travel off-peak (October 15–May 15), you can score a round-trip flight for just 45,000 miles plus airline taxes and fees.
Where to stay
The best part about being in Italy isn't its huge, prestigious hotels; it's the side streets and the intimate culture of the locals. To see the real Italy, we recommend booking an Airbnb or condo, which you can do with a credit card that offers rewards for all kinds of travel purchases.
5. Greece
Greece is home to some of the most wondrous sites on the planet — the renowned Parthenon, Olympia where the world's first Olympic Games were held, the historic Delphi, and the mountaintop monasteries of Meteora. That doesn't even include the famous Greek Islands, such as Crete and Santorini. Fortunately, Greece is also cheap to visit, with plentiful hotels and resorts for less than $100 or even $50 per night.
How to get there
Flying to Greece can be cheap and easy with airline miles. You can fly round-trip economy using United MileagePlus for 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees. If you have American AAdvantage miles, you can score an off-peak fare for 45,000 miles plus taxes and fees.
Where to stay
Greece is another country where it's smart and economical to book a small, independent hotel versus a big chain property. Sign up for a credit card that offers a travel portal through which you can use rewards points to book cheap hotels (with free breakfast). Or, opt for a flexible card that offers travel credit so you can book an Airbnb or a small boutique hotel near the major sites.
Credit cards that will get you there
Ready to get started earning travel rewards points for your dream vacation? Here's a list of our favorite cards to get your started:
- Best Sign-up Bonuses for Airline Miles Credit Cards
- Best Travel Reward Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards that Transfer Points to Airline Miles
- Best Co-Branded Airline Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards with Sign-up Bonuses for Hotel Stays
- Best Credit Cards That Offer TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry Reimbursement
- Choose the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card with this Guide
- Credit Cards That Make Scoring Free Airfare Easy
- Best Credit Cards with Easy Travel Redemption
- Breakdown of Benefits and Value of the Best Hotel Rewards Programs and Credit Cards
Read More
And if you want to do more research on getting started with travel rewards credit cards, here are more resources:
- How to Get a Free Vacation in 9 Months Through Credit Cards
- 5 Steps to Picking the Best Airline Credit Card for the Most Rewards Value
- Choose the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card with this Guide
- How Travel Rewards Credit Cards Really Work
- Which Credit Card Should You Use to Get Free Hotel Stays?
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Tagged: Travel, beaches, Europe, greece, hotels, islands, Italy, miles, points, rewards, tropical, vacation
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