This sequence of articles about bank cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is introduced to you in partnership with The Points Man.

Advertiser Disclosure: This put up comprises references to merchandise from a number of of our advertisers. We might obtain compensation once you click on on hyperlinks to these merchandise. Phrases apply to the affords listed on this web page. This relationship might affect how and the place hyperlinks seem on this website. This website doesn’t embrace all monetary firms or all out there monetary affords. All details about the Iberia Visa Signature Card, American Categorical® Inexperienced Card, World of Hyatt Credit score Card, and the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Lonely Planet. These playing cards should not out there via Lonely Planet.

Spain has lengthy captivated vacationers with its wealthy historical past, vibrant tradition and artwork scene. However for a lot of, the dream of exploring this European gem stays out of attain due to the excessive price of travel. Whilst airfare has turn out to be extra reasonably priced, accommodations might be dear and the price of floor transportation and actions provides up rapidly. Nonetheless, there’s a manner to unlock a trip to Spain with out breaking the financial institution: points and miles. 

With travel bank card welcome bonuses, worldwide travel turns into far more reasonably priced. You’ll be able to cowl your airfare and accommodations solely by using the points from these bank cards. In case you’re simply getting began with travel points and airline miles, we’ll present you the way to leverage travel rewards to save in your Spanish journey or merely improve your expertise. Right here’s all the pieces you want to learn about touring to Spain using points and miles: 

How to get main perks at international occasions and live shows along with your bank card

The most cost effective award flights to Spain

Flights to Spain are very reasonably priced throughout off-peak dates. Actually, it’s not unusual to see fares underneath $500 round-trip out of the West Coast. On this state of affairs, it is smart to use a card just like the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card to e book your flight with money after which redeem miles in the direction of the acquisition. Capital One miles are price one cent every in the direction of travel, which isn’t the very best worth you’ll get however can nonetheless be preferable to paying for travel out of pocket.

In case you desire to travel in the course of the summer season months, then budgeting with points and miles is a good way to get monetary savings on travel to Spain. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for financial system class tickets or need to splurge on enterprise class, flights to Spain are a number of the most cost-effective you possibly can e book with points. Right here’s a run-down of probably the most reasonably priced award flights to Spain and the way to earn the miles wanted:

• Least expensive financial system class ticket to Spain: 34,000 Iberia Plus miles round-trip.
• Least expensive enterprise class ticket to Spain: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip.

How to travel to Japan using points and miles

Iberia Plus

Iberia is Spain’s nationwide flag provider and affords quite a few direct flights between US cities and Spain. Iberia affords nonstop flights between Madrid and Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Washington D.C. (Dulles), to identify a number of. Not solely does Iberia provide plenty of direct flights, however this system has very cheap redemption charges for each financial system and enterprise class flights to Spain:

• Economic system Class: From 34,000 Avios round-trip.
• Enterprise Class: From 68,000 Avios round-trip.

You’ll be able to earn Iberia Plus points from the co-branded bank card or by transferring them from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards or Chase Final Rewards. You too can convert British Airways Avios into Iberia Plus Avios. Right here’s a listing of bank cards that may provide help to earn sufficient Iberia Avios for a flight to Spain, beginning with the very best welcome bonus:

• The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical*: Earn 120,000 points after spending $15,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Credit score Card: 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.
• The Platinum Card® from American Categorical*: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.
• Iberia Visa Signature Card: Restricted time provide! Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening. 5x Avios on up to $10ok in gasoline, grocery shops, and eating purchases for the primary 12 months.
• American Categorical Enterprise Gold Card*: Earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Gold Card*: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Inexperienced Card*: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of card membership.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first Three months from account opening. That is $900 towards travel once you redeem via Chase Travel℠.
• Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first Three months from account opening. That is $750 once you redeem via Chase Travel℠.

How to travel to Italy with points and miles

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Membership

All Nippon Airways is without doubt one of the greatest mileage packages for reserving award flights to Europe. It affords a number of the lowest financial system and enterprise class fares on Star Alliance flights. You’ll be able to fly carriers like Lufthansa, United, Turkish and TAP Portugal to Spain. 

• Economic system Class: 55,000 ANA miles round-trip
• Enterprise Class: 88,000 ANA miles round-trip

ANA Mileage Membership miles might be transferred 1:1 from American Categorical Membership Rewards. With the welcome bonus from some Amex playing cards, you possibly can cowl up to a business-class flight to Spain:

• The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical: Earn 120,000 points after spending $15,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• The Platinum Card® from American Categorical: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.
• American Categorical Enterprise Gold Card: Earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Inexperienced Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of card membership.

How to travel to the Seychelles with points and miles

Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership

Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership affords Delta flights at a less expensive price than the Delta SkyMiles program. You’ll be able to fly Delta continuous from Atlanta (ATL) or New York-JFK to Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN). It is a wonderful means to travel to Spain using points and miles:

• Economic system Class: 60,000 Virgin Atlantic points round-trip
• Delta One enterprise class: 100,000 Virgin Atlantic points round-trip

Virgin Flying Membership miles are simple to earn. You’ll be able to switch them 1:1 from American Categorical Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Final Rewards and the Citi ThankYou program. Typically, these packages provide bonus points as a switch incentive, which makes it even simpler to get the miles you want. Right here’s a listing of present welcome bonuses that may provide help to earn sufficient Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership points for a flight to Spain:

• Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise: Earn 150,000 miles when you spend $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. 
• The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical: Earn 120,000 points after spending $15,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Credit score Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.
• The Platinum Card® from American Categorical: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.
• Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
• Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening.
• American Categorical Enterprise Gold Card: Earn 70,000 points after spending $10,000 inside the first three months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 inside the first six months of card membership.
• American Categorical® Inexperienced Card: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 inside the first six months of card membership.
• Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first Three months from account opening. That is $900 towards travel once you redeem via Chase Travel℠.
• Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first Three months from account opening. That is $750 once you redeem via Chase Travel℠.

Finest bank cards with no worldwide charges

Spain accommodations you possibly can e book with points

Spain has no scarcity of culturally wealthy and traditionally vital cities to probe for foodies and journey vacationers. That will help you expertise as a lot of it as attainable, we’ve put collectively a four-stop itinerary via Spain’s numerous landscapes and cultures. 

The journey begins in Madrid, the place the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and bustling Puerta del Sol provide a glimpse into Spain’s royal heritage and vibrant avenue life. From there, you’ll head south to the enchanting metropolis of Seville earlier than persevering with to Valencia, a metropolis that seamlessly blends the previous and the brand new.

Discover the futuristic Metropolis of Arts and Sciences and stroll via the historic Outdated City, savoring conventional delicacies and having fun with the Mediterranean breeze. You’ll be able to wrap up your Spanish journey in Barcelona, the place the artwork scene and vigorous environment of Las Ramblas provide an ideal finale to your journey. This four-stop Spanish odyssey guarantees a well-rounded immersion into the nation’s tradition, historical past and artwork.

In fact, accommodations might be dear, which is the place resort bank cards will help you earn sufficient points to offset these bills. Right here’s a take a look at Spain accommodations you possibly can e book with points:

10 superb accommodations around the globe you possibly can e book with points

Cease 1: Madrid

Madrid is Spain’s capital metropolis, making it the perfect place to begin your journey. A number of airways provide direct flights to Madrid from main worldwide cities, so that you’ll find yourself right here first. Town affords world-class museums, together with the famend Prado, gorgeous structure, bustling markets and a culinary scene to fulfill any foodie. The Resort Indigo Madrid Gran By way of has a superb location for all of your sightseeing wants and might be booked for underneath 30,000 points per evening. The welcome bonus from the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card will cowl three nights at this resort. Cardholders get the fourth evening free on award redemptions, providing you with an extra 25% low cost on award stays. 

Touring to Europe using points and miles

Cease 2: Seville

From Madrid, you possibly can take a 3-hour prepare trip to discover Seville, dubbed the “Pearl of Andalusia.” Town’s magnificent structure, together with the awe-inspiring Alcázar and the enduring Giralda tower, displays a wealthy heritage that spans centuries. Marriott’s Resort Alfonso XIII is the right base from which to discover Seville. It’s positioned inside strolling distance of vital monuments just like the Gothic Cathedral and Alcázar, plus it affords easy accessibility to public transportation. 

TSA PreCheck vs. International Entry: A information to choosing the very best one for you

Cease 3: Valencia

Situated on Spain’s sunny east coast, Valencia is a must-visit in your manner to Madrid. Town’s historic Outdated City affords slender winding streets and gorgeous structure, whereas foodies will respect the birthplace of Paella for its vibrant meals scene. Marriott’s Palacio Santa Clara is a good resort choice in Valencia. Rooms go for round 25,000 points per evening, although that quantity will fluctuate relying on the travel season. You’ll be able to earn these points by transferring them from Amex, Bilt or Chase. Or you possibly can cowl up to six nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Categorical® Card*.

10 superb accommodations around the globe you possibly can e book with points

Cease 4: Barcelona

Barcelona is the right metropolis to cap off your journey to Spain. With its iconic structure and a wealthy historical past mirrored within the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona supplies a charming journey via time. Hyatt’s Class 5 Resort Bagues is a good place to keep. The resort supplies a superb location to discover the town. Charges are additionally very reasonably priced at 17,000-23,000 points per evening. You’ll be able to switch these points 1:1 from Bilt or Chase Final Rewards. Or you possibly can cowl up to 4 nights with the welcome bonus from the World of Hyatt Credit score Card.

Finest bank cards for airport lounge entry

Actions and floor transportation

When you’ve coated your flights and accommodations to Spain, it’s time to deal with actions and floor transportation. Whether or not it’s your prepare tickets across the nation or museum passes, you possibly can cowl a few of these bills along with your bank card points. The Capital One Enterprise and Enterprise X playing cards allow you to redeem miles in the direction of travel purchases at a price of 1 cent every. That is easy and simple.

If in case you have a Chase bank card, you possibly can e book your vacationer actions via the Chase Travel℠ portal and redeem points throughout checkout. Points Points are price 1.25 cents every with the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and 1.5 cents every with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Finest bank cards for street journeys

Backside line

Touring to Spain doesn’t have to be costly, nor do you’ve got to sacrifice consolation so as to stick to your travel price range. With the suitable bank cards, you possibly can leverage points to save on airfare, accommodations and transportation, leaving you with extra funds to spend on meals and enjoyable. Even in case you don’t need to apply for brand new bank cards, you may give you the chance to leverage present rewards to scale back your out-of-pocket prices. Hopefully, the ideas outlined above have given you an thought of how to just do that.

How to travel to Italy with points and miles

*Phrases apply to American Categorical advantages and affords. Enrollment could also be required for choose American Categorical advantages and affords. Go to americanexpress.com to be taught extra.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, airline or resort chain, and haven’t been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of those entities.