From the Grand Canyon to Kyoto: Discover 9 autumn trips to book with points and miles

With back-to-school shopping and pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, it’s clear that fall is just around the corner.

If you’ve been contemplating a fall getaway using your accumulated points and miles, now is the ideal moment to make your reservations. Cash fares are expected to increase, and award availability may decrease. So, if you have airline miles or hotel points saved up, it’s a great opportunity to plan a quick escape this autumn. Additionally, if you possess transferable credit card rewards, your options for maximizing points are even broader.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best destinations to visit this fall—both nearby and overseas—and how to secure flights and accommodations using your points and miles.

Award pricing was accurate at the time of publication.

Experience the Grand Canyon using your points and miles

If adventure travel is on your list, consider planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Autumn is the perfect time to explore this renowned national park since it's less crowded and the temperatures are more pleasant compared to the sweltering summer months. While most people might not associate it with trees, the Grand Canyon is actually filled with them, and they display stunning colors in the fall. Just remember, the South Rim (the park's most visited area) and Grand Canyon West are open year-round, but the North Rim operates seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.

The nearest major international airport to the South Rim is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). It takes about hours to drive to the South Rim, so make sure to check out our tips on renting a car with points and miles. Plus, accessing your rental car is now easier with the Sky Train.

PHX is served by most major U.S. airlines and is a hub for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

We discovered American award flights starting at just 6,000 AAdvantage miles each way from West Coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco, and between 7,000 to 10,000 miles each way from various East Coast cities including New York, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.

You can also find flights for around 4,000 Rapid Rewards points each way from Southwest hubs such as Denver, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and your points can go even further if you have a Companion Pass.

When you plan your trip to the Grand Canyon, you can opt to stay either within the park or in a nearby town.

While the accommodations inside the park are not part of any major hotel loyalty program, you can still use points to book them via credit card travel portals like Chase Travel℠ or Capital One Travel. For options outside the park, consider these points deals:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon: Starting at 44,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
• Travelodge by Wyndham Williams Grand Canyon: 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night
• Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon: From 40,000 Best Western Rewards points per night

Explore Montreal using your points and miles

Montreal is a beautiful place to enjoy fall colors. The foliage typically begins to change around mid-September, reaching its peak in early October. While you’ll want to bring a coat, the temperatures remain quite pleasant, and the summer tourist rush has mostly subsided.

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) serves as a key travel hub, offering nonstop flights from numerous U.S. cities. The options for booking these flights with points and miles are virtually limitless.

Air Canada Aeroplan features special low rates for flights under 500 miles, requiring only 6,000 to 10,000 Aeroplan points each way in economy. This means you can fly from various New York City airports to Montreal for as little as 6,400 points each way.

According to Air Canada's award chart, longer domestic flights cost between 10,000 and 25,000 points in economy. You can also book awards on Air Canada (or United Airlines) for similar or often lower rates using Avianca LifeMiles.

Once you arrive, you'll find numerous hotel options available. For example, Marriott offers a range of affordable accommodations in downtown Montreal, with rates starting at just 37,000 points per night. This is an excellent choice if you want to use one of your Marriott free night certificates, which lets you book a stay for up to 35,000 or 50,000 points, depending on the certificate type. If you possess a 35,000-point certificate, you can combine it with up to 15,000 points, meaning you'd only need an additional 2,000 points to secure your reservation.

Here are a few additional points options you might consider:

• Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown: 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night
• InterContinental Montreal: Starting at 36,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
• Hyatt Place Montreal — Downtown: Beginning at 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night

Explore the Texas Hill Country using points and miles

With the cooler nights and pleasant daytime temperatures, fall is an excellent time to visit the Texas Hill Country. The leaf-changing season arrives a bit later here than in many other North American destinations, usually peaking from late October to mid-November, giving you extra time to plan your getaway.

Fredericksburg serves as a perfect starting point for your Hill Country adventures. It's conveniently located less than two hours from both Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and San Antonio International Airport (SAT), providing numerous flight options.

This fall, Delta Air Lines is offering affordable award tickets to Austin from various cities. We discovered flights from Miami priced at 8,000 SkyMiles one way, from Los Angeles at 6,500 SkyMiles, and from Denver starting as low as 6,000 SkyMiles.

Explore our guide on domestic sweet spots for additional tips on booking your flights with points and miles.

We suggest spending a few days in the city at the beginning of your trip (check out our top Austin hotels) before renting a car and driving to Fredericksburg. If you can find a good deal on a one-way car rental, consider concluding your journey in San Antonio.

Here are some accommodation options in Fredericksburg. Consider booking four or five nights if you qualify to earn a free night when using your points.

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Fredericksburg: Starting at 32,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fredericksburg: Starting at 25,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
• Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg: Starting at 38,000 Hilton Honors points per night

Explore Asheville and drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway using points and miles

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, making it one of TPG's top road trips in America. Driving this scenic route in the fall, particularly from late October to mid-November, offers stunning views and pleasant weather.

Opting for a one-way car rental allows you to fully enjoy this picturesque drive. We suggest flying into Asheville, North Carolina. It's ideally situated at the western end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and boasts its own charm, featuring a vibrant arts scene, historic buildings, and an array of delicious food and craft beers to explore.

This fall, American Airlines offers flights to Asheville from various U.S. cities, including Boston, New York, Chicago, and Denver, starting at approximately 7,000 miles each way. United has similar options beginning at 11,000 or 12,000 miles each way, but you can frequently find United award tickets for a lower price through Avianca LifeMiles or Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.

For example, a flight on Oct. 9 from Chicago to Asheville is priced at 11,100 miles when booked through United, but only 8,000 miles via Avianca.

Your lodging options will ultimately depend on your travel plans. You can either reserve a series of one-night stays in various towns along your route or choose to stay longer in a few locations and embark on day trips from there. Since smaller towns might have limited hotel choices, consider booking independent hotels through an online travel agency rewards program like One Key or via a credit card travel portal like American Express Travel.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are now two glamping options near Asheville available for booking with points: AutoCamp Asheville (through Hilton Honors) and Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains (through World of Hyatt). This October, here are some of the "rooms" you can reserve at Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains using World of Hyatt points:

Explore Bavaria in Germany with points and miles

Autumn is an especially enchanting season to experience the German region of Bavaria. The main cities here include Munich (famous for Oktoberfest), Nuremberg, and Augsburg, but you'll discover even more stunning foliage if you venture beyond the urban areas. Consider renting a car to drive along the Romantic Road, a picturesque route that winds through Bavaria's charming villages and vineyards, or stay in the city and use public transport for day trips to the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle, or Bavarian Forest National Park.

There are numerous ways to use points and miles to reach Europe. A popular option is Air France-KLM's Flying Blue program, known for offering affordable award flights to Europe, especially during its monthly Promo Rewards. If you lack Flying Blue miles, you can easily transfer points from all major credit card programs.

Currently, Flying Blue offers ample award availability on flights to Munich from several key cities like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, starting at just 20,000 miles each way. For some routes, you can even book premium economy for as low as 35,000 miles each way.

Here are a few hotels in Munich where you can redeem points:

• Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor: 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• Moxy Munich Ostbahnhof: Starting at 15,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
• Hilton Munich Park: Starting at 37,000 Hilton Honors points per night

We would likely choose the Moxy Munich Ostbahnhof for its affordable rates, lively atmosphere, and prime location near the Ostbahnhof train station. Staying for five or even ten nights would allow us to take advantage of Marriott's "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" offer, which is accessible to all Bonvoy members, not just those with elite status.

Explore Chicago with points and miles

Autumn is an ideal season to explore the vibrant city of Chicago. You can avoid the extreme temperatures and enjoy everything the city has to offer—from theater shows and museums to outdoor dining and river cruises—while dressed comfortably in a sweater and jeans. It's also a wonderful time to stroll or cycle along the Lakefront Trail by Lake Michigan.

Traveling to Chicago using points and miles is quite convenient as well. Delta often provides discounted SkyMiles award tickets from its hubs — we discovered economy tickets for less than 6,000 miles each way from Charlotte, New York, and Seattle. American Airlines offers flights from Houston and Atlanta for 6,000 miles each way, and from Minneapolis-St. Paul for just 5,000 miles each way.

Following the conclusion of American's partnership with Bilt, there are currently no credit card currencies available for transfer to AAdvantage. However, you can still transfer major currencies to British Airways and book flights operated by American using Avios.

Chicago boasts a variety of excellent points hotels. Here are some top choices in the downtown area:

• Chicago Athletic Association: 17,000 to 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• W Chicago — Lakeshore: Starting from 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
• Kimpton Gray Hotel: Starting at 55,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

We would personally opt for the Chicago Athletic Association. This trendy hotel features three bars, is located right across from Millennium Park, and is just a short stroll to the lakefront — all for a great deal starting at only 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Alternatively, if you hold a Category 1-4 free night award (a benefit of the World of Hyatt Credit Card), you could make the most of it at the Category 4 Hyatt Regency Chicago or Ambassador Chicago.

Explore Salt Lake City using points and miles

Utah's capital is rapidly expanding, yet its surrounding landscapes remain breathtaking. You can stroll along the iconic Salt Lake, hike the nearby mountains, and easily access Zion, Arches, and other national parks with a rental vehicle. Plus, the city itself offers a plethora of activities. Food enthusiasts will delight in the Sugar House district, filled with restaurants, breweries, and bakeries.

Delta operates a hub at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), making it the first place to check for SkyMiles award tickets. We discovered economy awards starting at just 4,500 miles each way from Denver, 7,000 miles from San Francisco, and 8,000 miles from Seattle.

Here are some of the top hotel choices in downtown Salt Lake City:

• Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Downtown/The Gateway: 6,500 to 9,500 World of Hyatt points per night
• AC Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown: Starting from 22,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
• The Peery Salt Lake City Downtown: Starting at 39,000 Hilton Honors points per night

We suggest booking a stay at the Hyatt Place in downtown Salt Lake City. Its prime location offers convenient access to public transport and local dining options. Plus, at just 8,000 points per night on standard dates, it's a great deal for an extended visit. If you venture out to Zion, we highly recommend using Marriott points to stay at the SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park.

Explore Maine and Acadia National Park with points and miles

New England is renowned for its stunning autumn colors, and Maine's Acadia National Park is one of the best places to experience it. This park, situated on an island, offers not just forests but also dramatic cliffs, caves, beaches, and more.

Your best option is to stay in the charming coastal town of Bar Harbor, located just over an hour's drive from Bangor International Airport (BGR) and three hours from Portland International Jetport (PWM). BGR is accessible via American, Delta, United, and Allegiant Air, while PWM has additional choices including Southwest, JetBlue, and Frontier Airlines.

If you find yourself in the New York City area, traveling to Portland is both simple and affordable. JetBlue and Delta are currently offering nonstop award flights from NYC-area airports for less than 5,000 TrueBlue points or SkyMiles each way.

You can also catch a flight to Portland from Atlanta for 9,400 TrueBlue points each way, or from Chicago for just 7,000 SkyMiles each way. Additionally, since Southwest flies to PWM, fans of the airline can utilize Rapid Rewards points to book flights to Portland.

Bar Harbor boasts a variety of independent hotels, making it worthwhile to compare rates on sites like Hotels.com or through your credit card's travel portal. However, there are also several points hotels available to choose from:

• Hampton Inn Bar Harbor: Starting at 61,000 Hilton Honors points per night
• Under Canvas Acadia: Starting at 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor: Starting at 52,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

Explore Kyoto in Japan with points and miles

Renowned for its lush parks, shrines, and gardens, Kyoto, Japan, is a prime destination for momiji-gari, or "red leaf hunting." Stroll along the Philosopher's Path, join a bike tour to visit the city's most famous temples, or embark on a day trip to the picturesque mountain village of Arashiyama. The vibrant autumn colors in this region reach their peak slightly later than in most of the U.S., so aim to visit from late October to mid-November for the best leaf-viewing opportunities.

The nearest airports to Kyoto are Osaka International Airport (ITM) and Kansai International Airport (KIX), but you can also fly into Tokyo and take a three-hour bullet train ride to reach Kyoto.

Thanks to Air France's ongoing award flight promotions to Japan and Citi's Flying Blue transfer bonus (which concludes on Aug. 17), you can book round-trip flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) starting at 53,000 miles.

Alaska Airlines provides flights to Osaka from several West Coast cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with prices starting at 37,500 miles each way.

Kyoto boasts a wide range of accommodation options, from charming ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) to major hotel chains. Some of these chains offer more luxurious properties where you can take full advantage of your free night awards.

For example, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike and JW Marriott Hotel Nara (where many fall dates are priced between 40,000 and 50,000 Bonvoy points) are excellent choices for utilizing your up-to-50,000-point Marriott Bonvoy free night award. Currently, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card is offering a free night award certificate worth up to 50,000 points.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card provides a 50,000-point certificate after you spend $15,000 in a cardmember year (note that some hotels may have mandatory resort fees).

Other Marriott cobranded cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, provide a 35,000-point certificate each year on your card anniversary. By combining this certificate with up to 15,000 Marriott points, you can book an award night at The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike and JW Marriott Hotel Nara, as long as the cost remains under 50,000 points.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card also grants cardholders an annual free night certificate upon account opening and on each cardmember anniversary. This certificate is valid solely for standard award rooms at Hilton hotels. You might consider using it at the Roku Kyoto, where standard room awards cost 110,000 points per night.

The details regarding the Hilton Aspire card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Additional points hotel options include:

• Park Hyatt Kyoto: 40,000 or 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• Hyatt Regency Kyoto: 20,000 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel: Starting at 31,000 Bonvoy points per night

In conclusion

From the breathtaking Grand Canyon and the charming Texas Hill Country to the picturesque landscapes of Bavaria and Kyoto, there are countless amazing destinations to enjoy autumn. However, with travel demand soaring, many sought-after attractions are likely to fill up quickly this fall. If you come across an award flight or hotel stay that catches your eye, it's wise to secure it now to prevent losing out to other travelers.