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How To Fly to Colorado Ski Resorts From 5,000 Net Amex Points Round-Trip

Oct. 16, 2017
•
6 min read
Skier with sun and mountains
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Don't you love it when the stars align to create a great deal? Back in July, we told you about how you can get lie-flat business class for under 11,000 Membership Rewards points (these flights are still not a bad deal at 15k points). And in a return of a deal from April, you can book round-trip first class flights to Japan from just 70,000 Membership Rewards points.

Thanks to a couple of new Amex Offers today, we have a few new sweet spots from combining deals for flights to a couple of popular ski resort towns in Colorado. As these deals require nonstop flights, let's break out the deals by origin.

From Seattle, San Diego, Chicago and Dallas

Deal: Fly round-trip to Steamboat Springs for 5,000 net Membership Rewards points

  1. Short-haul nonstop flights (up to 1,151 miles) on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines cost just 7,500 Avios each way / 15,000 Avios round-trip.
  2. Membership Rewards now transfer to Avios at a 1:1 ratio. So, round-trip flights will cost 15,000 Membership Rewards transferred to Avios.
  3. A new Amex Offer is giving targeted cardholders 10,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $500 at Steamboat Ski Resort.

Routes: There are two seasonal nonstop routes to Steamboat on American Airlines and two on Alaska Airlines:

  • San Diego (SAN) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) on Alaska: Wed/Sat/Sun from December 16-March 25
  • Seattle (SEA) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) on Alaska: Tues/Wed/Sat/Sun from December 16-March 25
  • Chicago (ORD) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) on American: daily from December 15-April 8
  • Dallas (DFW) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN) on American: daily from December 15-April 2

Availability: Award availability is a lot better on the Alaska routes than on American's (of course). But, there's even currently availability on the AA routes starting mid-February. Both Alaska and American Airlines availability shows up on AA.com. Just make sure to choose the "Non-stop only" option once your initial search results load.

Searching award availability on AA.com shows every flight in January has award space on Alaska's flight from San Diego (SAN) to Hayden (HDN).

Booking: You can book American Airlines awards on the British Airways website. If you're unfamiliar with the process of searching and booking flights on British Airways' website, read this post. Unfortunately, you're going to have to call BA to book Alaska awards.

From Atlanta and Minneapolis

Deal: Fly round-trip to Steamboat Springs for 10,000 net Membership Rewards points

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  1. Domestic Delta flights cost 25,000 Virgin Atlantic miles round-trip
  2. 30% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club means 20,000 MR transfers into enough Flying Club miles for a round-trip.
  3. A new Amex Offer is giving targeted cardholders 10,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $500 at Steamboat Ski Resort.

Routes: There are two seasonal nonstop routes to Steamboat on Delta:

  • Atlanta (ATL) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN): 6-7x weekly from December 21-April 2
  • Minneapolis (MSP) to Steamboat/Hayden (HDN): 6-7x weekly from December 21-April 2

Availability & Booking: While low-level Delta award availability can sometimes be harder to find than a unicorn, Virgin Atlantic is selling many dates on these nonstop routes for just 25,000 miles round-trip through its website. However, it seems the carrier is trying to make it hard for you to search. A Flying Club web agent told me that the airline was only testing online booking last week and the feature has been removed. That said, we are still able to search using the website:

From Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Minneapolis

Deal: Fly round-trip to Aspen for 14,000 net Membership Rewards points

  1. Domestic Delta flights cost 25,000 Virgin Atlantic miles round-trip
  2. 30% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club means 20,000 MR transfers into enough Flying Club miles for a round-trip.
  3. A new Amex Offer is giving targeted cardholders 6,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $300 at Aspen Snowmass.

Routes: There are four seasonal nonstop routes to Aspen on Delta:

  • Atlanta (ATL) to Aspen (ASE): daily from December 21-April 2
  • Los Angeles (LAX) to Aspen (ASE): 6-7x weekly from December 21-April 2
  • Minneapolis (MSP) to Aspen (ASE): daily from December 21-January 7, then Saturdays through March
  • Salt Lake City (SLC) to Aspen (ASE): daily starting December 21

Availability & Booking: Again, your best option for searching and booking is through Virgin Atlantic's website. There's a surprising amount of award availability at just 25,000 Flying Club miles:

But, You Need an Amex Card

These deals are only good if you have a Membership Rewards-earning American Express card — both for the Membership Rewards you'll need to book these flights and for the Amex Offers that'll get you a bunch of points back. And valuable offers pop up all the time: 5,000 points for paying for your Amazon Prime membership, $160 cashback for spending $800 on Delta, 10,000 points for spending $500 through AmexTravel.com.

If you don't have an American Express earning Membership Rewards points, here are some of the top offers available now:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: 60,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $5,000 in three months
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: up to 75,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $20,000 in three months
  • The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express: 50,000 Membership Rewards points for spending $5,000 in three months

Where are you going to go skiing or snowboarding with these awesome deals?

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.