Travel to Europe Using Points and Miles with iBestTravel
Explore the best strategies for traveling to Europe while maximizing your points and miles for flights and luxury hotel stays. With soaring airfare and hotel costs, understanding how to leverage points can make your travel dreams a reality.
The Cheaper Way to Reach Europe
Flying to Europe can be costly; however, if you are flexible with your travel dates, utilizing points and miles can provide considerable savings. Typically, the cheapest award flights are found during the off-peak travel season, such as winter and early spring. Major airlines like American, British Airways, and Air France often offer discounted award tickets during these times.
If you wish to travel during the summer, booking your flights well in advance can still yield strong award availability. Additionally, airlines such as Lufthansa may release award space for business and first-class travel just one to two weeks prior to departure.
Cheapest Award Flights to Europe
Here is a breakdown of the cheapest award flight options to Europe:
- Economy Class: From 20,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles round-trip to the UK.
- Business Class: From 68,000 Iberia Avios round-trip to Spain.
- First Class: From 165,000 ANA Mileage Club miles round-trip.
Top Destinations for Points Travel
London
London’s award space is abundant, particularly due to high fuel surcharges applied to flights passing through key airports. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are popular choices, with economy class options available at just 20,000 miles round-trip. If you aim for luxury, consider upgrading to business class for 88,000 miles or indulge in first-class for 165,000 miles.
Madrid
Spain, particularly Madrid, offers some fantastic points opportunities. With a focus on off-peak travel, Iberia Airways provides economical options, allowing travelers to fly round-trip in economy for 34,000 Avios and in business for 68,000 Avios.
Rome
When planning a visit to Rome, travelers can access flights on Star Alliance carriers like United and Lufthansa for 55,000 miles in economy or 88,000 miles in business class.
Amsterdam or Paris
For those aspiring to visit Amsterdam or Paris, the Flying Blue program by Air France and KLM is a solid choice. With rates starting from 30,000 miles for economy class and 113,000 miles for business class, these cities are now more accessible than ever using points.
Hot Spots to Stay with Points
Accommodations are widely available across Europe, with well-known hotel chains offering points redemption options that ensure comfort and luxury. You can enjoy upscale experiences at renowned hotels like:
The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London
This historical landmark offers grand accommodations starting at 44,000 Marriott points per night, coupled with superb amenities.
St. Regis Rome
The St. Regis Rome presents opulence at its best with luxurious rooms starting at 80,000 points per night.
The Principal Madrid
Offering rooms starting at just 21,000 Hyatt points per night, this hotel is a fantastic choice in Madrid, perfectly located for city exploration.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
The Waldorf Astoria, set in a UNESCO heritage site, is an ideal luxury destination, with award nights starting at 110,000 Hilton points.
Strategies to Earn Points
To maximize your ability to earn and redeem points for travel, consider the best credit cards that offer high rewards on travel-related purchases. Transfer partners like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards provide excellent opportunities to accumulate points quickly.
In conclusion, despite rising costs, traveling to Europe using points and miles is entirely feasible. With strategic planning and leveraging credit card rewards effectively, you can enjoy luxurious experiences while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
