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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
How to plan an epic, affordable weekend getaway with points and miles
Melissa Klurman is a freelance travel reporter. Combining her journalism background with her love of exploring, Melissa turned her passion for travel into a profession, venturing everywhere from the Arctic to Zimbabwe in search of stories. She has worked as an editor at both Frommer's and Fodor's travel guides, editor at large for Bonnier's Travel Group (Islands/CTL/Saveur) and was a media spokesperson for both Fodor's and Travelocity. At Fodor's she created the first Southern Africa and African Safari guidebooks, which in turn has led to more than a dozen trips to southern and eastern Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and a comically unfortunate horseback ride in the Kalahari Desert.
July 15, 2026 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
A weekend getaway can be made affordable and memorable by using points and miles for flights, hotels and activities.
Flexibility with travel dates, destinations and nearby airports increases the value and availability of rewards redemptions.
Transferable points provide more booking options across multiple airline and hotel partners, especially for last-minute trips.
Hotel loyalty programs and annual free night certificates can offer significant savings during peak travel periods.
What to consider
Always confirm award availability before transferring points, as most transfers cannot be reversed.
Combining free night certificates with points can help cover multi-night stays at higher-value properties.
Many loyalty programs allow points to be redeemed for local experiences, tours or event tickets, but options and availability may vary.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing points and miles to cover not just travel and lodging, but also unique experiences and perks for a luxury-feel weekend.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Looking for a weekend break from the daily grind, but have Champagne dreams and a beer budget? Afraid you can’t plan an epic getaway? Think again.
A long weekend in a culture-filled city or at a sunny beach or mountain retreat is within your grasp if you have a stash of points and miles.
Since you're only booking two or three hotel nights and a short flight, you don't need a ton of rewards to make a memorable weekend getaway happen. And a quick escape using points and miles can deliver outsize value, especially when cash prices spike around holidays, concerts or seasonal events.
With a little flexibility and the right strategy, you can book flights, hotels and even activities for far less than paying cash. Here's how to maximize your rewards for an epic, and affordable, weekend getaway.
Be flexible and let your points pick the destination
If there's one theme that runs through a successful weekend of points and miles travel, it's flexibility.
The more willing you are to pivot, the more value you're likely to squeeze from your rewards.
You don't necessarily need flexible dates, but leaving Thursday evening or returning Monday morning could unlock cheaper award space while giving you even more time at your destination. Visiting destinations just before or after peak season can often mean lower award pricing, fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience.
Memphis offers plenty of live entertainment options, just like Nashville. DUFFY-MARIE ARNOULT/GETTY IMAGES
But being flexible about where you go can have an even bigger payoff.
Maybe all the hotels in Nashville are fully booked over a festival weekend. It could be worth checking award availability in Memphis if you're willing to explore a similar city. It's also worth checking nearby airports for better flight options. Flying into Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) instead of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), or into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) instead of Miami International Airport (MIA), can sometimes save thousands of points without adding much travel time.
And before you lock in your weekend, check award availability with your preferred airline, or use a tool like Seats.aero to compare it across multiple programs at once.
Focus on transferable points to book hotels and airfare
If you earn transferable credit card points instead of airline-specific miles, you'll have far more options when planning a last-minute weekend escape.
Programs like Capital One Miles let you transfer points to multiple airline and hotel partners. That means you're not locked into a single loyalty program if award space becomes unavailable.
For example, if United award pricing looks expensive for your travel dates, you may find a better redemption through Air Canada Aeroplan. Likewise, Air France-KLM Flying Blue regularly offers attractive pricing on certain domestic Delta-operated flights, depending on availability.
Delta flights can often be booked for fewer points through partners like the Air France-KLM Flying Blue loyalty program. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Keep in mind, though, that you should never transfer points until you've confirmed award availability. Most transfers are irreversible, so it's worth spending a few extra minutes verifying that the flights or hotel you want are actually bookable.
Use free night certificates
If you carry a hotel credit card, there's a good chance you're sitting on one of the easiest ways to have a great stay and save money on a weekend getaway.
Rather than using a certificate on an average-priced, weekday stay, save it for a destination where weekend cash rates are unusually high. A hotel charging $400 per night during a festival, holiday weekend or peak foliage season can deliver exceptional value from a certificate you receive simply for renewing your card.
Many hotel programs also allow you to combine certificates with points, putting you another step closer to a weekend in a plus room without paying cash.
Your points can often cover way more of your weekend than transportation and accommodations.
Planning a food tour in New Orleans? A museum pass in Chicago? A snorkeling excursion in Hawaii? Depending on your rewards program, those experiences may be bookable using points.
Many airlines have programs that let you redeem points and miles to book or bid on experiences, including Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Virgin.
It's possible to book activities like snorkeling with points, too. STEPHEN FRINK/GETTY IMAGES
Several hotel loyalty programs also offer this option. For example, World of Hyatt Find Experiences is an easy-to-use program that offers more than 500 wellness, culinary and cultural excursions that you can redeem points for (think, surf lessons, horseback riding, snorkeling, private yoga sessions, rooftop brunches and much more).
Marriott Bonvoy Moments allows members to use points to bid on exclusive auctions or purchase fixed-price packages. These are a little hard to plan around, but include everything from private culinary masterclasses to VIP tickets to concerts and sporting events. And Hilton Honors Experiences lands somewhere in between these two, with a range of auctions you can bid points for, as well as activities you can book directly with points.
One of the easiest ways to make a weekend trip feel more luxurious isn't spending more — it's taking advantage of the benefits you already have.
Hotel elite status can unlock complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout, all of which can stretch your travel budget.
For example, late checkout is one of the best perks for weekend travelers. Sleeping late, having brunch, taking a long walk around the neighborhood or squeezing in one more museum are all possible when you can keep your room until 3 p.m. instead of checking out at 11 a.m.
Airport lounge access can also improve your weekend experience, since you can grab a meal or snacks, recharge devices and relax before boarding for your flight back home.
Bottom line
Points and miles make an epic weekend getaway possible even if you're short on cash. By staying flexible, using transferable rewards and taking advantage of hotel certificates and built-in credit card perks, you can turn an ordinary weekend into a memorable trip without blowing your travel budget.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
TPG editor's rating4.5
TPG editor's rating
Pros + cons
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
More details
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
TPG editor's rating4.5
TPG editor's rating
Pros + cons
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
More details
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
TPG editor's rating4.5
TPG editor's rating
Pros + cons
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
More details
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
TPG editor's rating4.5
TPG editor's rating
Pros + cons
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
More details
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Top rated mobile app
Pros
$300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel
10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Cons
If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
