Travel to Spain on a Budget with Points and Miles

Spain has long captivated travelers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and captivating art scene. However, for many, the dream of exploring this European gem remains elusive due to the high cost of travel. Fortunately, there is a way to unlock a vacation to Spain without breaking the bank: using points and miles.

The Cheapest Award Flights to Spain

Flights to Spain can be quite affordable during off-peak dates. For example, it’s common to find fares under $500 round-trip from the West Coast. Using travel credit cards effectively can help you book flights either with points or by redeeming miles. If you prefer to travel during peak times, budgeting with points and miles is an excellent way to save on travel expenses to Spain.

• Cheapest Economy Class Ticket to Spain: 34,000 Iberia Plus miles round-trip.
• Cheapest Business Class Ticket to Spain: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip.

Iberia Plus

Iberia is Spain’s national flag carrier, offering numerous direct flights between major US cities and Spain. The program boasts reasonable redemption rates for economy and business class flights.

• Economy Class: From 34,000 Avios round-trip.
• Business Class: From 68,000 Avios round-trip.

To earn Iberia Plus points, consider using a co-branded credit card or transferring points from other rewards programs like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

ANA offers one of the most advantageous mileage programs for booking award flights to Europe. With some of the lowest economy and business class fares on Star Alliance flights, you can easily reach Spain from various destinations.

• Economy Class: 55,000 ANA miles round-trip
• Business Class: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip

ANA Mileage Club miles can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, providing a great opportunity to maximize your travel rewards.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers a great way to travel to Spain with Delta flights at a much cheaper rate. You can fly Delta non-stop from cities like Atlanta or New York to Madrid or Barcelona.

• Economy Class: 60,000 Virgin Atlantic points round-trip.
• Delta One Business Class: 100,000 Virgin Atlantic points round-trip.

Virgin Atlantic miles are easy to earn through transfers from various credit card rewards programs, making it convenient to accumulate enough points for your journey.

Hotels in Spain You Can Book with Points

Spain is ripe with culture and history, offering numerous cities to explore. Accommodations can be costly, yet using hotel credit cards to earn points can significantly help offset these expenses. Here’s a look at some hotels you could book:

Stop 1: Madrid

Madrid is an ideal starting point for your Spanish journey. It hosts world-class museums, stunning architecture, vibrant markets, and a fulfilling culinary scene. Consider staying at the Hotel Indigo Madrid Gran Via, which can be booked for under 30,000 points per night.

Stop 2: Seville

Next, you can travel to Seville, known as the “Pearl of Andalusia.” Here, the magnificent architecture, including the Alcázar and the Giralda Tower, showcases the city’s rich heritage. Look into the Marriott’s Hotel Alfonso XIII for its convenient location near important monuments.

Stop 3: Valencia

Valencia, located on Spain’s sunny east coast, offers a vibrant food scene and stunning architecture, famed for its origin of Paella. The Marriott’s Palacio Santa Clara is a great option for accommodations. Prices vary seasonally but typically hover around 25,000 points per night.

Stop 4: Barcelona

Capping your trip in Barcelona provides you with iconic architecture and historical streets. Hyatt’s Hotel Bagues is a fantastic place to stay, with reasonable rates of 17,000-23,000 points per night.

Activities and Ground Transportation

After securing flights and hotels, it’s time to plan for activities and transportation. Credit card points can often be redeemed for travel purchases, including train tickets and museum passes. With cards like Capitol One Venture and Chase Sapphire, you can redeem points towards various travel expenses, allowing you to manage your budget effectively.

Bottom Line

Traveling to Spain doesn’t have to be a financial burden. By utilizing the right credit cards, you can leverage points for considerable savings on airfare, hotels, and transportation, letting you enjoy more of your vacation.