Greece is a top travel destination with its crystal-clear waters, historic ruins, and captivating islands. But airfare, hotels, and transportation can add up. Fortunately, points and miles can make your dream of visiting Greece much more affordable.
With careful planning, you can use points and miles to cover flights, accommodations, and even some in-country travel. Here’s your guide to making the most of points and miles for a trip to Greece in 2025.
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Step 1: Choosing the Right Rewards Programs
When planning a trip to Greece with points and miles, selecting the right rewards programs is crucial. Different airlines and hotel loyalty programs offer unique advantages for travel to Europe.
Airline Programs:
- American Airlines AAdvantage: Known for competitive redemption rates on partner airlines such as British Airways and Finnair, which serve Greece.
- Delta SkyMiles: Partnered with Air France-KLM and Alitalia, Delta offers numerous flight options to Athens from the U.S.
- United MileagePlus: United partners with Lufthansa and Swiss Air, both of which connect through European hubs to Greece.
Hotel Programs:
- Marriott Bonvoy: Offers numerous hotels in Greece, from luxury resorts to more affordable options.
- Hilton Honors: Known for properties in Athens, Santorini, and other popular spots.
- World of Hyatt: While fewer properties are in Greece, Hyatt points can be valuable at select destinations in Athens and Thessaloniki.
Step 2: Earning Points and Miles
To maximize your points and miles, focus on earning through daily spending and strategic credit card sign-up bonuses.
Credit Card Recommendations:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve: Points transfer to United and Hyatt, two valuable programs for Greece.
- American Express Gold or Platinum: Points transfer to Delta and other partner airlines serving Greece.
- Citi Premier: Points transfer to numerous travel partners, including Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program.
Additional Earning Tips:
- Dining and Travel Bonuses: Many travel credit cards offer bonus points for dining and travel, so leverage these categories.
- Online Shopping Portals: Use airline shopping portals to earn additional miles on purchases.
- Sign-up Bonuses: Sign-up bonuses can yield between 50,000 to 100,000 points, which can cover a one-way or round-trip flight.
Step 3: Booking Flights to Greece with Points and Miles
Booking award flights to Greece requires a bit of flexibility and planning.
Using American Airlines Miles
American Airlines charges 30,000–45,000 miles each way for economy class to Europe and about 57,500–85,000 for business class. Partner airlines like British Airways offer flights to Greece via London.
- Pro Tip: Avoid British Airways’ flights on award bookings due to high fuel surcharges. Look for options on Finnair or Iberia.
Using Delta SkyMiles
Delta doesn’t have a published award chart, so prices vary. A round-trip economy ticket from the U.S. to Athens usually starts around 60,000 miles, but prices fluctuate based on demand.
- Pro Tip: Book early or during a SkyMiles sale for better pricing.
Using United MileagePlus
United offers multiple options to Greece through Star Alliance partners. Expect to pay 60,000 miles for a round-trip in economy and around 120,000 miles in business.
- Pro Tip: Search for flights with Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa to minimize stopovers and find more availability.
Step 4: Finding Accommodation in Greece Using Points
Greece offers a range of hotels that can be booked with points, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly properties.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott has properties across Greece, including luxury hotels in Athens and Mykonos. Expect to pay between 25,000 to 60,000 points per night depending on location and demand.
- Top Marriott Properties: Domes of Elounda, Domes Noruz Chania.
Hilton Honors
Hilton offers properties in Athens, Santorini, and Crete. Points requirements vary by season, with many hotels starting around 40,000 points per night.
- Top Hilton Properties: Hilton Athens, The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete.
World of Hyatt
Hyatt has limited properties in Greece, with standout locations in Athens and Thessaloniki. Award nights start around 20,000 points per night.
Step 5: Maximizing In-Country Transportation with Points
Greece’s islands and diverse cities are best explored with flexible transportation options. Here’s how to use points for local travel.
Car Rentals with Points
Consider using travel credit card points to book rental cars in Greece. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Rewards allow you to redeem points for car rentals.
Ferries with Points
While ferries between islands aren’t typically covered by traditional points programs, some travel credit cards offer a statement credit for ferry purchases. For example, using the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel credit can help cover ferry costs.
Domestic Flights
Some domestic flights between Athens and the islands, like Mykonos and Santorini, can be booked with points. Aegean Airlines offers domestic flights that are eligible for award bookings through Star Alliance partners like United.
Step 6: Tips for Making the Most of Your Greek Adventure with Points
1. Be Flexible with Dates:
Flexibility with your travel dates can help you find award flights and hotel availability.
2. Transfer Points to Airline Partners:
Use points transfer partners from your credit card program to book award flights. Chase, Amex, and Citi all offer points transfers to Greek-serving airlines.
3. Book Early for Peak Travel Seasons:
For summer or holiday travel, book as early as possible. Greek hotspots fill up quickly, and rewards availability can disappear months in advance.
4. Consider Travel Insurance:
Since many points bookings are non-refundable, consider using travel insurance to protect your bookings.
Conclusion
Traveling to Greece in 2025 using points and miles can be a rewarding experience, making it possible to enjoy this beautiful country at a fraction of the cost. By leveraging the right rewards programs, choosing smart earning strategies, and planning flights and accommodations well in advance, you can make your Greek vacation both affordable and unforgettable. Start collecting points today, and before you know it, you’ll be strolling the streets of Athens or soaking in the sunsets of Santorini!