Using credit card points and miles,  I planned a girls’ trip to Amsterdam with two of my daughters and a granddaughter. We used points for travel there and paid cash to stay at an Airbnb.  We had a wonderful visit and encountered so many friendly, helpful people during our stay there!  Here are some things I learned from this trip that can help you plan your next trip to Amsterdam.

 

Getting There

We flew to London to visit my daughter, who lives there, before making our way to Amsterdam.  Of course, we used miles and traveled in business class. If you want to travel directly to Amsterdam, here are some suggestions:

• United Airlines: from several U.S. cities nonstop to AMS for 35,000 to 40,000 miles each way in economy or 60,000 to 70,000 miles each way in Polaris business class, booked through Air Canada Aeroplan
• KLM: from several U.S. cities nonstop to AMS for 15,000 to 20,000 miles each way in economy or 50,000 each way in business class, booked through Flying Blue; or from 12,000 to 15,000 miles each way in economy booked through Virgin Atlantic
• JetBlue: from JFK or BOS starting at about 20,000 miles each way in economy, booked through JetBlue

Flying on KLM using Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic’s programs is such a good deal that flying those routes can still make sense, even if you have to reposition.

 

Getting Around in Amsterdam

Taking the train from the airport to central Amsterdam is really easy and very inexpensive.  Most people get around in central Amsterdam on foot, by tram, or by bike (though Ubers and taxis are also available).  EVERYONE bicycles in Amsterdam—and bikes are everywhere. So don’t accidentally step out in the bicycle lanes without looking both ways first!

 

 

Where to Stay

There are lots of hotels in Amsterdam that are bookable with points.  Some of my favorite options include:

• Hyatt Regency Amsterdam (Hyatt Category 5, standard rooms for 20,000 points per night)
• Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht (Hyatt Category 6, standard rooms for 25,000 points per night)
• Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (Hilton, standard rooms for 120,000 points per night)
• Kimpton De Witt (IHG, 33,000 to 108,500 points per night)
• Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park (Hilton/Small Luxury Hotels, standard rooms for 85,000 points per night)

Amsterdam Neighborhoods

Amsterdam is made up of many charming neighborhoods.  We stayed in the De Pijp neighborhood, which was perfect for getting away from the tourist hubbub you might find in the more central areas of town. It also had good restaurants and was close enough to walk to most of our activities.  Here are some of the different neighborhoods and a little bit about them:

• Old Center:  The most central part of the city, south of Centraal Station; includes the infamous Red Light District tucked just southeast of the train station.
• De Pijp:  On the south edge of the city center; very popular with students and foreigners.  Cute, tiny lanes and good restaurants.
• Jordaan: On the northwest edge of the city center; a trendy spot for young professionals with great restaurants and beautiful bridges.
• Museumkwartier: On the southwest edge of the city center; home to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
• Plantage and the East:  East of the city center; home to the zoo, the botanical gardens, and the historical Jewish Quarter.
• Oud Zuid:  South of the Museumkwartier; home to very upscale boutiques and restaurants.

 

Where to Eat

We had lots of really good food in Amsterdam, but, hands down, our favorite things there were the tarts we bought at Waldo.  We loved them so much that we wanted to return after a visit to Haarlem on a Sunday, and we were so disappointed to discover that it was closed that day. Desperate to get them before we returned home, we even emailed the owner to see if they had them elsewhere!  We got a nice reply, but unfortunately, there was no other way to get our hands on more.  We would return to Amsterdam just for those tarts, especially the pecan and lemon flavors!   

 

 

Other places to eat:

• Bakers and Roasters: coolest brunch and pastry shop
• Little Collins: hipster brunch
• Café-Restaurant de Plantage: located a in glass conservatory, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Cocotte: the best French crepes

 

 

Things to Do

There is so much to do in Amsterdam!  We were only there for three days before going to Copenhagen, so we had to travel fast and furiously to get to the most important items on our itinerary.  Sadly, we had to miss some of the museums.  We wanted to go to the Van Gogh Museum but missed the important information about needing to book it beforehand.  If you go, remember to book in advance!  Here’s what we did during our stay:

 

Anne Frank House

This was really one of the main reasons we went and took my granddaughter, Izzy, with us.  I had no idea how emotional the experience would be.  Seeing the small areas Anne and her family hid in and the sacrifices of those who hid them were very touching.  This experience should not be skipped when visiting Amsterdam.  Luckily, we knew how to get tickets ahead of time for this exhibit.

 

Canal Boat Ride

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a ride on the canals! GetYourGuide has many trips you can book in advance. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip on the canals and seeing the city’s unique architecture.

 

 

Free Walking Tour

One of my favorite things to do when I get into any new city is take a free walking tour.  You tip the person giving the tour at the end based on what you think it is worth.  This is a great way to learn some city history and get the lay of the land.  It also often helps me decide what I want to do next.  Sometimes I take a bicycle tour or Segway tour instead of a walking tour, but whichever you choose, a two-to-three-hour tour will let teach you all about the city from a local.

 

Foodhallen

We are real foodies.  All of our trips are based on food so of course, we had to head to Foodhallen so we could choose from a cornucopia of different types of food.  We all headed in different directions, grabbed our favorite food, and sat down to enjoy it together.  Additionally, outside the food hall, there were a multitude of nice artisanal vendors.

Go to Vondelpark

Need a little downtime?  On a busy city trip, a park visit is perfect.  We headed to Vondelpark on foot, got ice cream, laid in the grass, and had fun people-watching. I think I even fell asleep for a few minutes!  Perfect.

 

Rijksmuseum

Unfortunately, we lost track of time while at the park and didn’t realize that closing time at the Rijksmuseum was sneaking up on us. We hurried over but only had about an hour to rush through and see the major pieces. It would have been nice to have had some more time there. The Rijksmuseum is beautiful and definitely worth a stop on your visit!

 

Dam Square

Visit Dam Square in the city center and check out the National Monument and the Royal Palace.  Our walking tour started here, so we got there early to explore the area.

 

Take the Train to Haarlem

We decided to take a short day trip on the last day of our girls’ trip to Amsterdam and headed to the cute town of Haarlem via train.  It was an easy ride, and we loved this scenic city of canals and windmills.  We took a tour of a windmill, wandered the streets, and had a great lunch.  We had hoped to go to the Corrie ten Boom house (dedicated to the book The Hiding Place), but it was closed on Sundays, so that broke our hearts! (It’s also closed on Mondays, in case you’re planning a visit, too.) Grote Markt was filled with vendors, and the Grote Kerk in the center was magnificent!

 

Other Activities to Do

• Van Gogh Museum
• Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken Tour 

 

Bottom Line

Amsterdam is a great place for a girls’ trip, a family trip, or a couples’ trip—and doing it with points is even better! Cobblestone streets, canals, bicycles, and the nicest people are all part of what make it a fantastic place to visit. (And don’t forget about the amazing tarts!)