Traveling to Greece with Points and Miles

According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Greece was the ninth most visited country in the world last year. It’s easy to understand why: with its rich history, world-famous cuisine, and picturesque islands, Greece offers the perfect destination for both adventure travelers and those looking to immerse themselves in the land of myths and legends. However, traveling to Greece can be expensive due to airfare and accommodation costs. Additionally, if you’re hopping between the Greek islands, ferry costs can further strain your travel budget.

Fortunately, savvy travelers can manage to make their trips more affordable by strategically using points and miles. In this guide by iBestTravel, we’ll show you how to transform your travel aspirations into a reality by maximizing your rewards. Here’s everything you need to know about using points and miles to save money when traveling to Greece.

The Cheapest Award Flights to Greece

When booking a flight to Greece, accrued miles and points can often be redeemed for substantial discounts or even completely free tickets. By strategically using your points, you can significantly reduce the cost of airfare. Moreover, many airline alliances and partners allow you to leverage your points for a variety of flights and routes, providing flexibility in your travel plans and additional savings opportunities.

Here are some of the cheapest award flights to Greece and how to earn the required miles:

Cheapest economy class ticket to Greece: From 30,000 Flying Blue miles round-trip.
Cheapest business class ticket to Greece: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip.
Cheapest first-class ticket to Greece: 135,000 Turkish miles round-trip.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Air France and KLM’s joint Flying Blue program has some of the most affordable economy-class flights to Europe. Off-peak flights between New York (JFK) and Athens cost just 30,000 miles round-trip, about half of what most airlines charge for award flights to Europe. For travelers departing from the West Coast, a flight to Athens will be around 40,000 miles in economy class.

Thanks to Promo Rewards, Flying Blue members can save 50% or more on select routes, which helps in saving even more miles. Here are the mileage requirements:

Economy class: From 30,000 miles round-trip.
Premium economy class: From 60,000 miles round-trip.
Business class: From 113,000 miles round-trip.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

All Nippon Airways is a Japan-based Star Alliance carrier that provides some of the cheapest business-class fares to Europe, including Greece. You’ll need just 88,000 miles round-trip for a business class ticket to Athens, significantly lower than what other programs charge for the same award. Here are some of the cheapest fares to Greece:

Economy class: 55,000 ANA miles round-trip.
Business class: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip.
First class: 165,000 ANA miles round-trip.

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles offers some of the cheapest Star Alliance flights to Greece. Although economy and business class awards are slightly higher compared to ANA Mileage Club, first-class flights can be secured for just 135,000 Turkish miles round-trip.

Economy class: 60,000 Turkish miles round-trip.
Business class: 90,000 Turkish miles round-trip.
First class: 135,000 Turkish miles round-trip.

Accommodations in Greece

The cost of hotel accommodations in Greece can be quite high, particularly during peak summer months. In popular tourist spots like Santorini, rates at luxury hotels can easily exceed $1,000 per night. Fortunately, every major hotel chain has properties throughout Greece, allowing you to book with points. With a co-branded hotel credit card, you can accumulate points for several free nights and enjoy valuable elite status perks for extra savings.

Stop 1: Athens

The Hotel Grande Bretagne is a luxurious choice in the heart of the Greek capital, located in historic Syntagma Square. It’s within walking distance of top-tier shopping and ancient attractions like the Acropolis. Rates start at 50,000 points per night, increasing during peak travel season.

Stop 2: Mykonos

Known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, Mykonos is a must-visit. Hyatt offers multiple properties where you can use points. For instance, at the Category 6 Archipelagos Hotel, a free night costs between 21,000-29,000 points per night for a Premium Sea View room.

Stop 3: Santorini

Santorini is famous for its breathtaking views and unique charm. After a 2-hour ferry ride from Mykonos, visitors can enjoy iconic sights. Using World of Hyatt points, you can book a Category 8 Canaves Oia Suites for around 35,000-45,000 points per night, featuring dramatic cliffside views.

Stop 4: Crete

As the largest Greek island, Crete offers diverse experiences, from historical ruins to beautiful hikes. Affordably, you can stay at Hilton’s Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete for approximately 58,000 points per night—all while enjoying the benefits of elite status with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.

Activities and Ground Transportation

Ferry rides between the mainland and different Greek islands can add up significantly. By charging these expenses to your travel credit card, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards card, you may redeem miles at one cent each. Alternatively, Chase Ultimate Rewards can also be used for activities and ferries through their travel portal.

Bottom Line

Traveling to Greece doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive, nor do you have to compromise the quality of your trip to stay within budget. By utilizing travel credit card rewards wisely, you can save money on flights and accommodations in top destinations like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and beyond. While many travel cards have annual fees, they’re minor compared to the savings in travel expenses. Plus, many of these cards waive foreign transaction fees, providing additional savings on international purchases.

Using points and miles for airfare to Greece can significantly enhance your travel experience without stretching your budget. In today’s economic climate, loyalty programs and redemption options offer an exciting opportunity to explore Greece’s beauty at a fraction of the usual cost.