The most unique travel experiences you can book with points and miles
You don’t need me to remind you of that points and miles can help you get your favorite flights and luxury hotel stays.
But did you know that your rewards can also get you private butlers and stays on private islands?
Points and miles can work wonders. This post looks at the most exclusive travel experiences your rewards can buy. Not only are these experiences incredibly fun, but they also provide great value for your points and miles.
Spend a long weekend on Richard Branson’s private island
You can exchange 630,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points add $5,700 to get a three-night stay for two at Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
Necker Island is a 74-acre private oasis on the east side Puerto Rico in the British Virgin Islands. The resort can accommodate up to 40 people in a total of 15 rooms. Amenities include an infinity pool, peaceful relaxation spaces, several bars, elegant dining spaces, lawn games, tennis courts, water sports and on-site hot tubs sea.
Bookings are limited to those with Virgin Atlantic Silver or Gold status, although you can status matches Virgin Atlantic from another airline or hotel program.
Check-in is at Etihad Apartment A380
As the first airline to introduce an aisle on the Airbus A380, Etihad Airways offers first-class “Apartments” with incredible personal space; it allows you to move around in your private area. Each seat in the Apartment includes a wide armchair and a separate couch that converts into a 6-foot, 10-inch bed. The nine apartments alternately face forward and rear; they also alternate being closer to the window and closer to the aisle.
Rows 3 and 4 are ideal if you’re traveling with someone because you can lower the bulkhead to connect the seats. It doesn’t constitute a true double bed like you can find on Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, but when closed it’s as private as you can get in commercial aviation. First class passengers can shower on the plane before landing.
Etihad flies the A380 between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Paris-Charles de Airport Gaulle (CDG). You will pay 160,000 Etihad guests miles when booking the JFK-AUH route.
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In front of the Etihad A380’s first class cabin (where you’ll see seats 1A and 1C) is “Accommodation”. It’s a large three-room suite complete with separate living room, bedroom, and bathroom (with shower, of course). While you can’t book Accommodations with points and miles, you can upgrade with cash.
The standard one-way Residential upgrade price on the New York route totals $4,790 per person.
Stay at North Island Resort in Seychelles
If you are sitting on a large pile Marriott Bonvoy points, you can use them to stay at the incredible North Island, Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles.
You’ll be staying in a two-bedroom villa measuring nearly 5,000 square feet. Your stay will also include complimentary breakfast, use of the island buggy, morning yoga, and children’s activities.
Awards nights cost more than 400,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, and the hotel has a four-night minimum stay requirement. This rate also doesn’t include the 1,110 euros ($1,200 at the time of writing) you’d have to pay for the helicopter transfer each way. However, considering cash rates regularly exceed $7,000 per night, this can be considered a great value – as long as you have a good amount of Marriott points.
Retreat to a private all-inclusive hotel on Calala Island
Hilton Title members can redeem up to 50,000 points per night for a stay at Calala Island, an uber-exclusive SLH Hotel — assuming they can find an available award.
Calala Island is a private, all-inclusive island retreat off the coast of Nicaragua. It’s so exclusive that there are only four oceanfront suites and can only accommodate eight guests at a time.
Room rates regularly top $4,000 per night, so this is definitely a steal of points. Stays include food, drinks, activities and airport transfers.
Shower in Emirates first class
There’s no way to redeem points and miles for private jet travel, but Emirates First Class is the next best thing. You can book these prizes through Emirates Skywards, Qantas frequent flyer or Air Canada aircraft.
If you want to experience gold-plated suites, bathrooms and in-flight bars, you’ll want to fly on Emirates’ flagship A380 aircraft. If modern sports car-inspired interiors are more your style, opt for Emirates’ newer 777-300ER aircraft with their game-changing fully self-contained suites. No matter which plane you arrive on, you’ll enjoy Emirates’ fine food and drinks (including caviar and Dom Perignon) and service.
Emirates typically charges lower redemption rates than Qantas or Air Canada, with first-class flights between JFK and Dubai International Airport (DXB) costing 163,500 miles each way. You can transfer points to Emirates from six transferable points programs: Chasing the ultimate reward, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital OneMarriott Bonvoy and Bilt Rewards.
Related: You can now use Aeroplan points for Emirates first class, but it doesn’t come cheap
Fly in style in Air France’s La Premiere first class
Another top first class product is Air France’s La Premiere, available only on some of the airline’s 777-300ER aircraft. The cabin has just four seats per row, making it one of the smallest and most exclusive cabins in the sky.
La Premiere chairs are elegant and private, with individual lights in each chair and floor-to-ceiling curtains. The food is world class and the on-ground experience is superb; Passengers are picked up by a chauffeur from the ultra-luxurious first-class lounge and boarded by private car.
Unfortunately, this product is extremely difficult to order with miles. To book a La Premiere award with miles, you must hold Air France-KLM Fly Green Platinum elite status or higher. Furthermore, eligible elite members can only redeem at the “flex” (non-saver) rate, so a one-way ticket between the US and Europe will typically cost at least 220,000 miles.
If you’re eligible to book these awards, you can transfer points to Flying Blue from Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Bilt Rewards, and Wells Fargo Rewards.
Related: The bucket list hit: Air France’s extremely hard-to-book La Premiere first class rating
Enjoy a double bed in a Singapore first class room
If you’re traveling with a significant other, you can’t beat Singapore Airlines A380 series.
Each suite measures an impressive 50 square meters and not only has a reclining armchair, but also a completely separate bed. If you’re traveling with someone, you can combine two suites to create a double bed and get up to 100 square feet of space.
Singapore does not offer first class awards for partner programs but does offer them through itself. Singapore KrisFlyer Frequent customer program. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines doesn’t fly the A380 to the US so you’ll have to fly between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and somewhere like LHR or Sydney Airport (SYD) to experience it.
It’s easy to earn KrisFlyer miles as the program is partnered with Amex Member Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One.
Related: How to book Singapore Airlines first class tickets with points and miles
Relax at luxury hotels at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve
You can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Previously, the brand did not participate in a loyalty program.
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is one of Marriott’s most exclusive brands, with just seven hotels worldwide in locations such as Japan, Thailand and Mexico. It’s a step up from the standard Ritz-Carlton brand, emphasizing luxury, quiet and sustainability. These facilities are very intimate, each with only about 50 rooms and often in remote locations.
Stay values typically range from 80,000 to 240,000 points per night. Although high, the cash rate at these hotels is usually around 800 USD/night. As with other Marriott Bonvoy award stays, you may receive Thursday night is free every four consecutive nights you book with points.
Bottom line
You can redeem your points and miles for some truly luxurious flights and hotel stays that would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars.
By taking advantage of some Great sign up bonus and have a spending strategy, a lavish first class flight or trip to a private island could be within reach.
