TPG Readers' Favorite Places to Visit in Spring on Points and Miles
We recently asked our TPG Lounge members about the places they love to visit during the spring using points and miles. Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers, from beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan and Washington, DC, to bucket-list-worthy trips to the Maldives. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Unforgettable Trips in the US and Mexico
Whether it's the beaches of Hawaii, cherry blossom filled streets in DC or Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, our TPG Readers shared plenty of places they love to visit when it's springtime in the US, as well as a few spots in Mexico City.
"Hawaii. My favorite times for visiting are May and October." — Jay Z.
"Not very adventurous, but Florida. I love Major League Baseball spring training mostly because I hate the time of year between football and baseball seasons." — Kristen L.
"I'm going to Naples, Florida, in a few weeks. Flights are [courtesy of] JP Morgan Chase Corporate rewards, hotel is The Ritz-Carlton on Marriott Bonvoy points. I cannot wait!" — Wendy B.P.
"Just spent five days last week in Key West using Delta SkyMiles from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Hilton Honors points at The Reach Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Perfect weather." — Linda M.F.
"I usually go to New Orleans for my birthday and Mardi Gras." — Amy B.
"We went to Washington, DC, last year in late-March and early April. Great cherry blossoms and dogwoods blooming, plus lots of wild daffodils on the roadsides. So pretty!" — Joy K.H.
"Las Vegas. Not too hot, not too chilly. Heading out on the 29th [and will be] flying in JetBlue Mint." — Jon F.
"I always like going to new places so I booked a short Idaho trip with points. It will be state number 49 for me. Haven't been to Alaska either." — Bryan A.
"Always down for Las Vegas, quick Southwest jump from Los Angeles." — Randall C.W.
"Mexico City. There is nothing in the world quite like the Alameda Central with the jacarandas in full bloom." — Christopher B.
"Mexico City. The Four Seasons there has one of the best bars in the world. I go for reasons beyond hanging out a hotel bar, but still, that's a really good one" — Sean K.
Epic Trips to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia
Several TPG Lounge members wrote in saying they love to visit London and Paris, as well as more far-flung destinations like Cape Town, Japan and Sydney.
"I'm going to Italy next month and flights and hotels are almost entirely on points and miles — saved nearly $20,000!" — Alex T.
"Southern Europe, working up to Scotland. Leaving in five weeks." — Dianne W.
"I just went to London for 44,000 miles on Delta." — Anne P.
"London and Paris, always together." — Beth O.
"Italy before the crowds show up. The weather is still beautiful and pricing is not as high." — Sophie N.B.
"Cape Town." — Jeff C.
"Japan. Cherry blossom season." — Anthony I.W.
"Since I'm on the East Coast, the best use is for the other side of the Pacific, so Sydney in February." — David H.
Why Choose Just One Place?
Of course, some TPG readers mentioned more than one place, because, hey, why not if you've got heaps of points and miles on hand?
"Bangkok, Amsterdam and Cancun!" — Andy N.T.
"Argentina, Chile and Uruguay — or Australia for 75,000 AAdvantage miles round-trip." — DeVere K.
"Previously France. This year, Japan." — James B.
"Anywhere in the Caribbean." — Karen R.D.
Perhaps TPG reader Jess F. had the best response of all:
"Let’s be honest, traveling anywhere on points is my favorite!" — Jess F.
Readers Helping Readers
We love it when our readers get so involved in a topic they end up chiming in with tips and tricks to help others have an amazing trip. TPG reader Johnny Z’s response prompted a conversation among some Lounge members about their own Maldives adventures.
"The Maldives!" — Johnny Z.
"Where would you stay using points? I was there about three years ago and I want to go back but every time I look at the flights and see how long they are, I change my mind." — Joseph S.
"There are a lot of options in the SPG/Marriott portfolio, the Conrad (Hilton Honors) and the Park Hyatt. I stayed at a non-points resort last time and it was great. I did use miles to fly with Cathay Pacific to get there." — Johnny Z.
"Totally worth it! We stayed at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island using points. Just book the Q Suite on Qatar. It was like not even being on a plane!" — Jess F.
"You can always fly to a transit city and stay for two nights. It's nice to see two places on one trip." — Johnny Z.
"Were the food and drinks expensive at the Conrad? We were going to go there last year but decided on something else instead. I stayed at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and it cost around $900 for an overwater villa, all-inclusive with butler service." — Joseph S.
"Extremely. Our average dinner was $300. Drinks were roughly $40 a piece. No all-inclusive there. We had an overwater spa retreat villa. I believe it was roughly $1,700 a night. No butler service, but the underwater restaurant there was super cool." — Jess F.
"We stayed at Hurawalhi Maldives Resort, roughly $1,000 a night all-inclusive. No butler, but there was also an underwater restaurant. My wife wanted [to go to an] underwater restaurant, so when Conrad didn’t work out, I had to look elsewhere." — Johnny Z.
