As I stood atop the Acropolis in Greece last week, I thought back to my first trip to Athens almost 10 years prior.
This time, my husband and I redeemed 87,000 IHG points for a four-night stay at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens. We were upgraded to a junior suite thanks to his IHG elite status and got access to the club lounge with its impressive view of the Acropolis due to his club lounge membership.
Meanwhile, I’d paid just $27 for a night at a well-rated hostel in 2015. Both lodging options offered rooftop bars but otherwise provided very different experiences.
Ten years ago, I was just getting into points and miles. At the time, I believed travel credit cards and rewards would let me travel more for less. While that’s true, points and miles have also unlocked amazing travel experiences I wouldn’t have booked with cash.
On the hotel side, we’ve redeemed points for many stays that would have been otherwise out of reach. Some of my favorite award stays I’ve reviewed for TPG include Miraval Austin and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Most recently, we booked the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, where cash rates range from $824 to $3,036 per night — but if you book an award stay with World of Hyatt points, rates are just 25,000-35,000 points per night.
In short, points and miles can be the key that lets you travel more, better or both. Want more inspiration? Check out these articles:
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