How to Reach Italy Using Points and Miles in 2024

This series of articles on credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

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Italy is famed for its rich history, delectable cuisine, and stunning scenery, making it a premier destination for travelers. However, the costs of visiting can sometimes deter potential visitors. Fortunately, savvy travelers have learned how to use travel credit card rewards to cut down expenses on their journeys. If the thought of navigating the intricate world of travel rewards feels daunting, don’t worry—we’ve got your back.

In this guide, we’ll discuss strategies that enable you to utilize top travel credit cards for booking an affordable trip to Italy using points. Whether your interests lie in exploring ancient ruins, diving into Milan's fashion scene, or enjoying romantic gondola rides in Venice, your Italian dream getaway is within reach. We’ll provide all the information you need to make this dream a reality.

Getting Started with Travel Points and Airline Miles

Finding the Most Affordable Award Flights to Italy

Airfare to Italy can be pricey during the busy summer season, and even award ticket prices can soar. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you might find round-trip tickets from the US for as low as 20,000 miles. For less than what a domestic flight costs, you can travel to Italy and save money. Some travelers prefer to indulge in a flatbed business class seat on long-haul flights. With points and miles, this can often be achieved with just one credit card's welcome bonus.

Here's an overview of some of the most affordable award flights to Italy, along with details on how to accumulate the necessary miles:

• Lowest economy class fare to Italy: Starting at 24,000 Virgin Atlantic points round-trip

• Lowest business class fare to Italy: 88,000 ANA Mileage Club miles round-trip

• Lowest first-class fare to Italy: 135,000 Turkish Miles&Smiles miles round-trip

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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic collaborates with Air France and Flying Blue, providing excellent offers on award tickets to Italy. An off-peak economy class ticket from the East Coast to Italy is available for only 24,000 Virgin points round-trip, while flights from the West Coast require 30,000 miles round-trip. During peak times, the costs are still reasonable at 44,000 and 50,000 points, respectively.

Off-peak round-trip business class tickets to Italy are priced at 97,000 points from the East Coast and 155,000 points from the West. For peak travel, expect to pay 117,000 points round-trip from the East Coast and 175,000 points from the West.

• Economy Class: Starting from 24,000 points round-trip (off-peak)

• Business Class: Starting from 97,000 points round-trip

Earning Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points is straightforward, with 1:1 transfer options from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and the Citi ThankYou program. Many of these programs provide sufficient points from credit card welcome bonuses to fund at least one round-trip ticket to Italy:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Receive 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of membership.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

• American Express® Gold Card: Receive 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months. Plus, get 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide, up to $100, within the first 6 months. Limited time offer, ends 11/6/24.

• American Express® Green Card*: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first six months.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Citi Premier® Card: Receive 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

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All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

All Nippon Airways (ANA), a member of Star Alliance based in Japan, offers some of the most affordable business-class flights to Italy. For only 88,000 miles round-trip, you can fly to Italy from anywhere in the US via partner airlines like United and Lufthansa.

If you choose a different class, you’ll find some of the best redemption rates. ANA charges 55,000 miles round-trip for economy and 165,000 miles for first-class flights to Italy.

• Economy Class: 55,000 miles for a round trip

• Business Class: 88,000 miles for a round trip

• First Class: 165,000 miles for a round trip

Curious about earning ANA miles? ANA Mileage Club is a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards. Depending on the Amex card you choose, you can easily accumulate enough miles for one or two award flights to Italy. Here’s a list of credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Receive 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.

• American Express® Business Gold Card: Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide, up to $100, during the first 6 months. Limited time offer, ending 11/6/24.

• American Express® Green Card*: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first six months of card membership.

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Turkish Miles&Smiles

Turkish Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance, offers fantastic flight options to Italy. Economy and business class rates are quite reasonable, but the first-class award from the US to Italy is a steal at 135,000 miles round-trip. Although Turkish Airlines doesn’t have a first class, you can enjoy this luxury with partner Lufthansa. With a stopover in Frankfurt or Munich, don’t miss the First Class Terminal, where you can take a ride directly to your plane across the tarmac.

• Economy Class: 60,000 miles for a round trip

• Business Class: 90,000 miles for a round trip

• First Class: 135,000 miles for a round trip

Turkish Miles&Smiles partners with Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, and the Citi ThankYou program on a 1:1 transfer basis. This means you have plenty of options to earn enough miles for a round-trip ticket to Italy. Here are some credit cards you can consider to boost your miles:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

• Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

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Hotels in Italy you can book using points

Accommodation represents a major expense when traveling to Europe, and Italy is no different. When planning a travel budget with points, keep in mind that you might only be able to cover a few nights. However, leveraging hotel credit cards can lead to substantial savings.

Italy boasts outstanding hotels across various chains, although they can be expensive. Typically, you can find better rates at hotels located away from city centers, though this can complicate getting around to see the attractions. Using points for hotel stays is a fantastic way to cut down on lodging costs.

To assist with your budget, we’ve crafted an itinerary based on Dinogo Planet’s first-timer’s guide to Italy. Feel free to modify the itinerary to match your interests. Here’s how you can manage lodging in each city by utilizing credit card points:

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Stop 1: Rome

Rome serves as an excellent starting point for your Italian adventure. With the country’s largest airport, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, many airlines provide direct flights or connections to other major European hubs. The city is brimming with historical landmarks and must-try restaurants. While hotel prices can be steep, consider staying at the Hotel D'inghilterra using Hyatt points.

This Category 7 hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and other iconic attractions. Room rates vary from 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, which is competitive compared to other hotel loyalty programs. You can cover up to two nights using the welcome bonus from The World of Hyatt Credit Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Additionally, you can transfer points 1:1 from your Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards accounts.

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Stop 2: Milan

As Italy's fashion and design hub, Milan captivates visitors with its rich history, elegance, and cultural offerings, making it an essential stop. The city is a shopper's dream, featuring high-end boutiques and flagship stores from the most celebrated designers worldwide. Moreover, Milan boasts a vibrant arts scene, energetic nightlife, and stunning architecture, providing a perfect blend of culture, creativity, and enjoyment. Whether you're interested in history or fashion, Milan caters to every kind of traveler.

The Hotel Indigo Milan - Corso Monforte serves as a fantastic starting point for exploring the city. You can use IHG points for your stay, although the specific amount may vary since the program has discontinued its award chart. In our searches, we discovered rates as low as 36,500 points per night. Additionally, holders of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card can enjoy a complimentary fourth night on award bookings. All three cards come with generous welcome bonuses, sufficient for at least two nights at the Hotel Indigo Milan.

If you need more points, you can transfer IHG points at a 1:1 ratio from Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.

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Stop 3: Lake Como

Just an hour away from Milan, Lake Como is a breathtaking retreat that offers a picturesque escape from urban life. Guests can wander through charming lakeside towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, each showcasing its own unique culture, history, and stunning scenery. The region’s beautiful architecture reflects Italy's noble heritage, while the clear waters provide ample opportunities for water sports.

You don’t need to be a celebrity to appreciate the allure of the Italian Alps. The Hilton Lake Como is priced around 63,000 points per night, varying by travel season. You can fund up to two nights using points from the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card* or The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Both cards grant you automatic Gold elite status, allowing for perks like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and more.

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Stop 4: Venice

We understand that Venice can be overwhelming when crowded with tourists. However, if you visit during the shoulder season, the Floating City becomes a charming experience, featuring its beautiful canals and gothic structures. Wander through its enchanting streets or glide in a gondola along the Grand Canal to be transported to a time of elegance and splendor. Iconic sites like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace highlight centuries of artistic and historical significance, while the local cuisine delivers an authentic taste of Italy.

You can book a stay at the luxurious five-star St. Regis Venice on the Grand Canal for about 76,000 points per night, depending on the season. This hotel is renowned for its opulence and consistently ranks among the best accommodations in Venice and beyond.

With the welcome bonus from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*, you can earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of card membership, providing you with a free night and points to spare.

To boost your Marriott points, consider using other co-branded credit cards or transferring points at a 1:1 ratio from Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

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Activities and ground transportation

When planning your travel budget for Italy, don't forget to include expenses for ground transportation and activities, as these can accumulate over a longer stay. Utilizing flexible rewards can help mitigate these costs. For instance, the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X cards allow for excellent flexibility in redeeming miles for travel; just charge an eligible travel expense and you can use your miles at a rate of 1 cent each.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card enables you to redeem points for activities and travel costs through Chase Travel℠ at a value of 1.25 cents per point, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a higher rate of 1.5 cents per point. Though redeeming for airfare and luxury accommodations may yield better value, using points for activities and transportation is perfectly acceptable, as the goal of points is to help you save money on travel. Use them in whatever way suits you best.

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In summary

Making your dream trip to Italy a reality is possible by utilizing points and miles. By leveraging the bonuses provided by travel credit cards, you can cover various expenses and even elevate your travel experience. Hopefully, the tips and strategies outlined in this article will help you start planning your itinerary, developing a credit card strategy, and maximizing your rewards.

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*Eligibility and benefits may vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For more details, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial note: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. These views have not been reviewed or endorsed by any of these entities.