Honeymoon Trip Ideas on Points and Miles

Pam

While we are all about family trips using points and miles, we also believe in couples’ getaways and the value of spending time reconnecting with your significant other. We also love when newlyweds use points and miles to save on their honeymoon. Here are some honeymoon trip ideas—on points and miles, of course!

 

Costa Rica

If visiting a country with stunning beaches, lush rainforests, rugged mountains, and active volcanoes sounds good to you, Costa Rica would be a great destination for couples. Whether you want to totally relax or be adventurous with hikes, zip lining, and some water sports, you can do it all in Costa Rica.

Lodging

Hyatt has a great presence in Costa Rica. You can stay at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa, and it is one of my daughter’s favorite resorts. If you want to stay in the jungle, consider this hotel which you can stay at for only 21K points/night. It is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand, so you know it is nice! I would stay a few nights here and then move to the Andaz Papagayo  (21K points/night), which is very popular, or to the Secrets Papagayo (25K points/night), which is all-inclusive and will save you a ton on food and drinks.

You can stay at any of these hotels by concentrating on earning Hyatt points from the World of Hyatt credit cards or by earning Chase Ultimate Rewards and then transferring them to Hyatt. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is our favorite beginner card, so it is the perfect way to start earning points for these stays.

 

Resort in rainforest

Situated in the Costa Rican rainforest, the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa, is central to many adventures.

 

Flights

In most cases I fly to Costa Rica using United miles, but Southwest Rapid Rewards are also useful for flights to get there. Generally, you fly into San Jose airport or Liberia airport and then get a rental car to drive where you want to go.

Chase has several United credit cards you can get for United Miles and also Southwest credit cards that earn Rapid Rewards. Additionally, Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards transfer to both.

Here is United’s 30-day calendar on flights from Denver – Liberia Airport. Looking at the 30-day calendar can save you a ton of points if you can be flexible with dates.

 

Screenshot United flights

 

For Southwest flights, I found some Wanna Get Away fares for about 20K/each way. The flights from Costa Rica to Denver were higher because those fares were gone. I would definitely book as soon as the Southwest schedule opens up to ensure you get the cheapest flights. Then check to see if they go down, rebook, and save points.

 

Screenshot of Southwest flight

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast of Italy is a popular tourist destination for its picturesque towns, beautiful beaches, and scenic landscape. The coastline features colorful villages built into the steep hillsides, providing stunning views of the sea.

The most popular towns along the coast include Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, and Sorrento. Visitors can explore historic sites, go hiking in the hills, or simply relax on the beaches and soak up the Mediterranean sun. When thinking about honeymoon ideas on points and miles, does it get any better than Italy and the Amalfi Coast?

 

Colorful buildings along hill with turquoise water below

 

Flights

The best flights to the Amalfi Coast will go to Naples, Italy. From there you can take a train or a boat to the city of your choice. For most people, they will position to a larger city in the United States and then fly to Naples. Here are some general ideas for getting to Europe on points/miles.  If you want to use Chase Ultimate Rewards, try these ideas.  Remember, once you get to a big city in Europe, you can take a cheap European carrier like Ryanair to get to Naples.

American Airlines from Dallas to Naples is a good choice at 30K miles each way in economy, and there are several credit cards that earn AA miles.

 

screenshot AA miles redemption to Naples, Italy from Dallas, Texas

You should be able to find economy class round-trip tickets to Naples for 60K-70K miles on several airlines and from several cities. Here is another example on United, which is how I often fly to Europe.

 

Screenshot United flight to Naples, Italy

 

 

If you want to fly business class, your best bet is to fly from JFK to Milan on Emirates for 87K miles each way. The nice thing is that all four major banks transfer to Emirates, so it is easy to build up your miles.

 

Screenshot of cost in miles JFK-Milan

 

Woman sitting in business class on airplane

Emirates business class seats are pretty amazing!

Lodging

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of hotels to use points and miles at. You can always find an Airbnb or non-chain hotel and use the Capital One Venture Card or Capital One Venture X  and “erase your purchase.” Here are a few Hyatt options, too.

 

Grand Hotel Angiolieri

Another SLH hotel, the Grand Hotel Angiolieri sits atop the Bay of Naples and would be one of my couples’ trip or honeymoon choices. I’ve stayed in Sorrento before and loved it. You can then take bus tours to Positano, Amalfi, and to see the ruins of Pompeii. At only 20K points/night for a room that sells for $1,250/night, you can see why Hyatt offers such outsized value.

 

Large yellow hotel atop a hill with ocean views

This hotel looks like a perfect romantic spot!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels

Right now, Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels are bookable with IHG points. However, Hyatt recently acquired them, so that should change. There are several of these available on the Amalfi Coast, so I would check them out as possible stays.

The Marina Piccola 73 is one of them. Currently, it can be booked for 60K IHG points/night.

 

screenshot of Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotel costs in points

Hotel room in Italy with a view

Bali

Bali is stunning. It may be farther to travel to, but it is the perfect location for a honeymoon on points and miles. Known for its beautiful beaches, volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, and rich cultural and religious traditions, it would be a memorable honeymoon.

Flights

I would pick Singapore Airlines, which transfers from all the major currencies and offers a free stopover in Munich or Singapore. Plan to book nearly a year out so that you get a flight for the saver price. Here are both economy and business class options.

 

Screenshot Singapore Airlines flights to Bali

 

Screenshot Singapore Airlines business flights to Bali

Lodging

Our honeymoon ideas on points and miles are cheap because lodging is so reasonable in Asia. This is where you can use fewer points and get a nicer stay. Here are some options with different hotel chains.

IHG

There are a lot of IHG options and many ways to get IHG points. From Intercontinental Hotels, Kimpton, Indigo, and Holiday Inn, you will find a luxury or not-so-luxury stay. And the prices are so low! It may be a long flight, but you will save on accommodations!

 

Screenshot of Intercontinental Hotel in Bali

 

Hyatt

I have heard a ton of good reviews about the Hyatt Regency Bali, and it is only 8K points/night!! There are so many nice and cheap options. It would be difficult to decide.

 

Screenshot Hyatt hotels in Bali

 

Marriott

If you have Marriott points or certificates to use, you will find many Marriott properties to stay at. These are only a couple of ideas—notice that W hotel (super nice hotels) with the point saver price? Love that option!

 

Screenshot of Marriott hotels in Bali

 

Hilton

Conrad is one of Hilton’s most luxurious brands. You can be sure that is where I would pick for a honeymoon or couples’ trip. It is easy to earn Hilton Honors points because they also have several credit cards available.

 

Screenshot Hilton Conrad Bali

 

Bottom Line

These are just a few honeymoon ideas on points and miles that you can use. I went to Las Vegas and Disneyland on my honeymoon—I know you can do better! 😜 And the crazy thing is that by using points and miles, you will probably spend less!

Man and woman walking on green hill with water in background

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a Travel Mom Squad advertiser, but we always show the best public offer even when we don’t earn a commission. Terms Apply. 

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