The Land of Fire and Ice: Your Guide to Traveling to Iceland with Points and Miles
Meta Description: Discover the best tips for traveling to Iceland using points and miles. Learn about the cheapest award flights, hotel bookings, and how to maximize your travel rewards. Perfect for budget-conscious travelers!
Iceland, known as the Land of Fire and Ice, is a popular vacation destination boasting breathtaking waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and dramatic landscapes. Its stunning scenery has also made it a well-known filming location for shows like Game of Thrones, highlighting attractions such as the Svínfellsjökull glacier and Vatnajökull National Park.
If you are budget-conscious, offsetting your flights and accommodations with points and miles is a wise decision. Not only can travel rewards cover your flights and hotels, but they can also help with car rentals or tour costs for an unforgettable road trip around this majestic island.
Discover Affordable Award Flights to Iceland
Travelers from the U.S. can stay in Iceland for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Notably, Icelandair offers complimentary stopovers in Iceland for passengers traveling between the U.S. and Europe—this can effectively transform your trip into two memorable experiences.
In addition to points redemption options, PLAY, a budget airline from Iceland, provides affordable flights to Reykjavík (KEF) from various cities including Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. Although PLAY is not affiliated with major loyalty programs, you can continue to earn points by using certain travel credit cards.
- Economy Class: 36,000 Flying Blue miles round-trip (for Delta flights)
- Business Class: 88,000 ANA Mileage Club miles round-trip
- First Class: 135,000 to 165,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles round-trip
Best Points and Miles Options
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is one of the most lucrative points currencies available, letting you book flights to Iceland through partners like Icelandair, American Airlines, and British Airways.
Icelandair operates year-round flights from the U.S. through cities like Baltimore, Boston, and Chicago, among others. As of 2024, Alaska Airlines will update its award chart, so checking flight distances and plans will be necessary to maximize your miles effectively.
- Economy Class: 45,000 to 55,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 90,000 to 110,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: 135,000 to 165,000 miles round-trip
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club
An excellent option for Star Alliance members, ANAMileage Club provides opportunities to book tickets to Iceland on United Airlines. Just be aware that round-trip bookings are required and must be made for yourself or family members only.
- Economy Class: 55,000 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 88,000 miles round-trip
- First Class: 165,000 miles round-trip
Avianca LifeMiles
Using Avianca LifeMiles can provide great redemption opportunities, especially for flights with United Airlines. The cost for round-trip flights varies based on your departure city.
- Economy Class: 40,000 miles round-trip (from the East Coast); 60,000 miles round-trip (from other parts of the U.S.)
- Business Class: 120,000 miles round-trip (from the East Coast); 126,000 miles round-trip (from elsewhere in the U.S.)
- First Class: 174,000 miles round-trip (from anywhere in the U.S.)
United Airlines MileagePlus
United Airlines provides seasonal service to Reykjavík. While it may not be the most lucrative option, accruing MileagePlus miles is straightforward, especially when utilizing one of United’s many credit cards.
- Economy Class: 66,200 miles round-trip
- Business Class: 388,200 miles round-trip
Accommodations in Iceland
You can find hotels from various loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt throughout Iceland. Each of these programs has its free loyalty program, which can help you earn valuable points for complimentary nights.
Popular Hotel Recommendations
- Hilton Reykjavik Nordica: Rooms start at 36,000 points per night.
- Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre: Rooms start at 57,000 points per night.
- ION Adventure Hotel: Located in the beautiful Golden Circle, starting at 50,000 points.
- Hotel Rangá: The only Hyatt property in Iceland, with rates starting at 30,000 points.
Traveling Around Iceland
To fully experience Iceland’s stunning landscapes, renting a car or campervan is an excellent option. Check local conditions and utilize available apps for real-time updates. Public transport also functions well along major routes, with many regional bus services available during peak season.
Conclusion
Traveling to Iceland doesn’t have to be financially burdensome if you plan wisely, utilize airline partnerships effectively, and make the most of credit card welcome bonuses. Whether you’re going for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or an adventurous solo trip, maximizing points and miles will enhance your Iceland experience.
