Your guide to maximizing points and miles for a trip to Melbourne, Australia

With Australia reopening, traveling to the Land Down Under is once again a tangible opportunity. If you've been longing to explore the other side of the globe — quite literally — your chance has finally arrived after almost two years of the Australian border being shut to international visitors.

While Sydney might be the first city that pops into your mind when considering destinations in Australia, Melbourne has a lot to offer as well. In fact, it serves as a fantastic starting point for your Australian journey. This capital of Victoria boasts a vibrant mix of culture, eclectic shops, innovative dining, and lively nightlife — there's always something happening at any hour of the day, catering to the needs of weary travelers.

Discover how to reach, stay in, and navigate Melbourne affordably using points and miles.

How to get there

Melbourne Airport (MEL) ranks as the second-busiest airport in Australia, accommodating over 27 million passengers each year (prior to the pandemic).

Despite this bustling activity, direct flights from the U.S. are infrequent and lengthy: it takes around 15.5 hours from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and approximately 11 hours from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. If you're looking for connections within the U.S., you'll need to transit through these cities — and booking a direct flight from Honolulu using miles can be challenging. Otherwise, various connections are available, with Asia being the most common stopover.

Reserving flights with United

While United's nonstop flights from the West Coast are convenient, they may not be the most budget-friendly option. Currently, economy awards are relatively affordable, with most flights priced at 32,000 United MileagePlus miles one way. Round-trip taxes are a reasonable $100.

If you wish to enjoy more space, be ready to invest. Premium economy and business class awards seldom come at lower rates, with most dates costing 170,000 miles one-way in premium economy or 200,000 miles in business — quite a hit! On the flip side, you can snag business-class awards for as low as 80,000 United miles one-way or 160,000 round-trip if saver availability is present, but these spots are hard to find.

Similarly, if saver-level availability exists, booking through ANA Mileage Club could be more beneficial. This program offers round-trip tickets at 75,000 miles in economy and 120,000 miles in business class. You can also mix United flights with other Star Alliance partners while paying the same mileage.

Points can be transferred to United from Chase Ultimate Rewards if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, and to ANA from American Express Membership Rewards.

Arranging Qantas flights to Melbourne

While American Airlines has traditionally offered a nonstop flight to Sydney, all direct Oneworld routes to Melbourne are operated by Qantas.

Economy award availability has always been decent (currently, it's excellent), but premium seats are generally hard to secure no matter how you book. I was fortunate to snag first-class seats from Los Angeles to Melbourne back in 2019; while they were incredibly comfortable, they’re not so extraordinary that I would delay or cancel a trip if I couldn't find award seats.

Even when flying with Qantas, booking through the Qantas Frequent Flyer program can be quite costly. This is due to the program's distance-based pricing, making flights from the U.S. to Australia expensive. Instead, you can book awards for 40,000 AAdvantage miles one-way in economy. The prices for business (80,000) and first (110,000) class are reasonable, assuming you can find available award space.

The same flights can be booked using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles, with ticket prices set at 42,500 miles for economy, 47,500 for premium economy, 55,000 for business class, and 70,000 for first class. These rates are especially great for premium Qantas seats and represent an excellent use of Alaska miles.

Arriving from Hawaii? Jetstar offers a nonstop flight from Honolulu that you can book using Qantas points — a transfer partner for Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Marriott. Starting at 28,000 Qantas points each way in economy, this is a reasonable rate, assuming you have a convenient way to get to Honolulu.

Upon arrival, keep in mind that Melbourne (also known as Tullamarine) Airport is quite a distance from the city center. You can either spend a lot on a taxi or Uber ride into town or take the convenient SkyBus for $19.75 Australian dollars (around $15) each way, which includes free Wi-Fi. If you opt to rent a car, remember that driving is on the left side of the road.

Accommodation options

In Melbourne, you'll encounter hotels from all major chains, making it easy to utilize points during your stay. However, before doing so, be sure to check the cash rates: especially during off-peak times, paying for your accommodation might earn you more points than using your rewards.

Using World of Hyatt points in Melbourne

In the city center, there are three Hyatt hotels (with several more within commuting distance). Conveniently, none are overpriced, with both the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Centric being Category 4 properties, making them eligible for any free night certificates you might have.

The luxurious Park Hyatt Melbourne is classified as a Category 5 property, with most nights costing 20,000 World of Hyatt points on standard dates. This is an excellent chance to experience the Park Hyatt brand while enjoying its prime location with views of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Fitzroy Gardens.

Using IHG points in Melbourne

During my visit to Australia, I opted for the InterContinental Melbourne. This unique hotel combines two historic buildings (make sure to explore the cobbled lane from the 1890s inside) and frequently offers rates under 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night. When available, you can use your free night certificate from an IHG credit card without needing additional points. One drawback of this hotel: being located in the business district, it can feel quite quiet on weekends.

If luxury isn't a priority for you, there are three other IHG hotels in Melbourne, with two more set to open soon. The upcoming Voco, debuting in April at Melbourne Central, promises a "reliably different" experience—perfect for those who appreciate the unique charm of independent hotels while still enjoying the benefits of a chain. Alternatively, consider one of IHG's budget-friendly brands to save some points each night and extend your stay.

Don't forget, if you possess the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and use points for your booking, the fourth reward night is complimentary.

How to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points in Melbourne.

Looking to use your Marriott Bonvoy points? That's not an issue at all.

Melbourne offers several hotel options, with central locations classified from Category 4 to 6 until Marriott eliminates award charts next month. It's worth noting that these properties have high guest satisfaction ratings.

A top choice is The Westin Melbourne, situated right in the city's heart, offering convenient access to entertainment and dining. Currently, you can reserve a room for only 40,000 Marriott points per night. With paid rates typically ranging from $300 to $350, this represents a great value for your points.

You can also consider booking the W Melbourne, one of Marriott's latest entries in the Australian market. It opened in 2021 and features a prime location, an upscale lobby bar, and stylish rooms. As of now, you can book a night for 60,000 points, but it's worth checking paid rates as it often goes for under $300 per night.

Marriott has successfully expanded its properties in the most sought-after areas, providing a variety of brands and locations to satisfy different preferences. Based on various sample searches, The Westin Melbourne consistently offers the best value for points: A Category 5 hotel, even during peak nights, costs 40,000 points and could save you around AU$400. However, keep in mind that these rates might fluctuate with the removal of award charts.

Extend your stay to save even more: When you redeem points for five consecutive nights, you'll receive an extra night for free.

How to redeem Hilton Honors points in Melbourne.

Hilton has only two properties in Melbourne city, but both are likely to meet your expectations. Points rates fluctuate due to Hilton Honors’ dynamic pricing, yet with cash rates being relatively affordable, the cost of points stays is also reasonable.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne — Flinders Street is conveniently located on Flinders Street, the nearest street to the Yarra River. The hotel boasts one of the most impressive lobbies you’ll encounter in a DoubleTree and is often available for booking at 50,000 points per night or less—sometimes even at half that rate!

Close by, you’ll discover the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, conveniently located within walking distance of several key tourist attractions. Nightly rates are typically around 55,000 Hilton Honors points.

Navigating the city

Outside the free tram zone in the city center, trains and buses provide extensive coverage. Use a Myki card for payment—purchase and load it with value using your Chase Sapphire Reserve Card to earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for travel expenses. Uber is also an option if you need to get somewhere quickly.

While you likely won’t need a car if you’re staying in the city, I highly recommend renting one to drive along one of the most breathtaking roads in the world.

The Great Ocean Road winds along the coast, leading you to the breathtaking 12 Apostles, a remarkable rock formation nestled among limestone cliffs in about four hours. If you’re not comfortable driving on the left, consider joining a day trip from Melbourne—Viator and other local tour operators offer fantastic half- or full-day excursions, allowing you to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery.

For those who love animals, Moonlit Sanctuary is just an hour from the city, where you can feed kangaroos and cuddle koalas. An additional hour will take you to the beaches of Phillip Island, where visitors gather at dusk to witness the Penguin Parade, watching as dozens of penguins emerge from the sea and waddle back to their nests along the shore. A more accessible option for seeing penguins in Melbourne is in St. Kilda, easily reached by public transport.

These excursions can lead to long days. Alternatively, consider spending the night and booking an independent hotel through your card's travel portal, like Capital One Travel.

In summary

With its myriad attractions, it's no wonder that Melbourne is regularly hailed as the world's most livable city. Additionally, it's one of the most accessible destinations globally. Therefore, I suggest visiting Sydney to see Australia, but head to Melbourne to truly experience it. Be sure to utilize points and miles during your travels—you can save hundreds of dollars while enhancing your experience.