How to Secure Your Ideal European Getaway Using Points

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With COVID restrictions lifted, international travel making a comeback, and the euro weakening ($1.02 = €1 as of press time), many travelers are gearing up for their much-anticipated European adventures. Consequently, finding a reasonably priced flight has become increasingly challenging—even with miles—and hotel prices have surged due to demand, inflation, and global shortages.

While award seat availability for flights from North America to Europe currently appears bleak (especially for sought-after business-class seats), the scenario is quite different for points availability at hotels across Europe. Whether you’re looking to use points from Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, or World of Hyatt, there are thousands of hotels in Europe you can book without spending any cash.

To kick off your European adventures—and planning—we’ve curated a selection of four top-notch points redemptions at hotels across the continent. Plus, for those eager to accumulate points for future getaways, we’ve highlighted some of the best hotel credit card offers available.

Kimpton St Honoré Paris, France

Why we adore it: As France’s inaugural Kimpton property, this hotel matches the cool factor of its American counterparts—and then some. Nestled in the heart of Paris, between Opéra and Madeleine, the 159-room Kimpton St Honoré Paris beautifully transforms a historic early 20th-century luxury department store. Parisian interior designer Charles Zana artfully blends history with a minimalist aesthetic, featuring 1930s art deco inspiration and contemporary French flair. Admire the stunning multistory spiral staircases, restored to their former glory, and enjoy breathtaking views of the City of Light from the rooftop bar and garden, Sequoia, which offers 360-degree panoramas of both the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur. Look forward to complimentary perks like bicycle rentals and nightly wine happy hours.

Cost in points: The hotel can be booked via IHG One Rewards for 84,000 to 90,500 points per night, with great award availability for the coming year.

Earn points swiftly: In celebration of the IHG loyalty program's rebranding, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card (annual fee $99) has increased its welcome offer to up to 180,000 miles (including 140,000 bonus miles and a free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Together, that’s enough for two nights at the Kimpton St Honoré Paris. If you have a travel companion in mind, have them sign up for the card as well, and voilà—you’ll enjoy four wonderful nights in the City of Light for free. It’s that easy!

Park Hyatt Vienna, Austria

What we adore: One of central Vienna’s largest and oldest banks has been beautifully converted into a sophisticated and grand hotel. The 143-room Park Hyatt Vienna impresses at every corner, starting with the dazzling subterranean spa and pool, located within the former bank vault. On the ground floor, the spacious cashier's hall now serves as the Bank Brasserie and Bar, offering an incredible breakfast buffet and dinner featuring innovative takes on brasserie classics. Above, the rooms and suites radiate Viennese elegance, adorned with gold accents and framed by striking walnut panels, complete with luxurious marble bathrooms. While it may not enjoy the same fame as the grand hotels of Paris or Rome, Park Hyatt Vienna is undoubtedly among Europe’s elite.

Cost in points: As a Category 6 hotel in the World of Hyatt program, the standard redemption rate for Park Hyatt Vienna is 25,000 points per night, dropping to 21,000 during off-peak times and rising to 29,000 during peak season.

Earn points quickly: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (annual fee $95), you can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. These bonus points can then be transferred to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, Italy

What we adore: The best vantage point for Italy’s iconic skyline is from the island of Giudecca, atop the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. Once a flour mill, this striking Hilton has been ingeniously transformed by merging 13 buildings into a single 379-room property, where brightly lit rooms burst with color and luxurious accents. With multiple dining and bar options that celebrate Italy’s culinary excellence and cocktail culture, highlights include a multi-course dinner at Aromi restaurant and drinks at the rooftop Skyline Bar. The 3,229-square-foot Presidential Suite is the largest and highest suite in Venice, featuring its own private lookout tower and fitness center.

Cost in points: Standard guest rooms are available from as low as 39,000 Hilton Honors points per night during the off-season and 67,000 in season. For a more luxurious stay, the newly renovated Molino Deluxe rooms start at 67,000 points per night in the off-season and 107,000 in season. The Presidential Suite can also be booked with points, usually costing just under 2 million points per night.

Earn points swiftly: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees) offers 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership. (Terms apply.) Additionally, transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors points is simple, with a conversion rate of 1:2, meaning 100,000 Amex points converts to 200,000 Hilton Honors points.

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul, Turkey

What we adore: Overlooking the Bosphorus, the Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul stands as a towering modern marvel, epitomizing the luxury of a premier city hotel. With floor-to-ceiling windows in all 243 guest rooms and suites, recently refurbished by acclaimed Portuguese interior designer Patricia Pina, guests are treated to spectacular views. Facilities include a traditional Turkish hammam, a heated indoor pool, and an outdoor infinity pool heated for year-round enjoyment.

Cost in points: Although the Ritz-Carlton brand typically commands high cash prices, this location offers a surprisingly affordable points rate, usually ranging from 38,000 to 50,000 Bonvoy points per night for a stay.

Earn points quickly: With the current promotion on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you can earn five complimentary nights (each valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. That’s right—five free nights at a Ritz-Carlton hotel through this introductory offer with a single credit card (annual fee of $95).

Although the offers listed above are accurate at the time of writing, they may change at any moment and could have altered or become unavailable.