5 Coolest Travel Experiences to Book With Points

Image source: Getty Images

Sure, you know points and miles can get you business class upgrades on flights and fancy hotel stays. But did you know they can also get you a stay on private islands or even an in-flight apartment? Let’s explore some of the most exclusive travel experiences you can snag with your hard-earned credit card points. These aren’t just incredible experiences — they also give you great value for your points.

1. Stay at Richard Branson’s private island

Who doesn’t want to stay on a billionaire’s private island? Use 630,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points plus $5,700 for a three-night stay for two on Richard Branson’s Necker Island. This 74-acre paradise in the British Virgin Islands offers pure luxury. The island can accommodate up to 40 guests across 15 rooms. Enjoy infinity pools, serene relaxation areas, several bars, exquisite dining spots, lawn games, tennis courts, water sports, and a beachside hot tub.

Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards

2. Fly in Etihad’s A380 The Residence

The Residence is like having your own private luxury apartment in the sky, perfect for two guests. It comes with an ensuite shower room, a private bedroom with a double bed, and a separate living area. The VIP treatment starts well before you board, with a personalized welcome at the airport and an attaché to guide you through the airport seamlessly. In the lounges, you’ll find your own private suite and a dedicated team ready to help you relax, dine, or freshen up before your flight.

Etihad has kept most of the redemption rates for these luxury bookings a mystery, but here’s what we do know: a one-way ticket in The Residence from Abu Dhabi to London costs 300,000 Etihad Guest miles. If you’re bringing a second passenger to share the suite, the total comes to 500,000 Etihad Guest miles.

3. Relax at the North Island Resort in Seychelles

Got a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points? You can spend them at the North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort in Seychelles where Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly honeymooned. You’ll stay in a nearly 5,000-square-foot, two-bedroom villa. The stay includes breakfast, use of an island buggy, morning yoga sessions, and activities for kids. Award nights start at 385,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Considering the cash rate often exceeds $6,000 per night, this can be a great deal if you have a lot of Marriott points.

4. Get Taylor Swift tickets

Marriott Moments is a fantastic way to make your Marriott Bonvoy points work for you with unforgettable experiences. The cool thing about Marriott Moments is that the offerings change all the time, so there’s always something new and exciting to check out.

For instance, you could grab four tickets to a Taylor Swift concert for 500,000 points, or treat yourself to an amazing dinner and kitchen tour at Per Se for around 87,000 points. Whether you’re into concerts or gourmet dining, Marriott Moments has something special that can turn your points into priceless memories. Keep an eye on the latest deals to find your perfect experience.

5. Explore Antarctica

Ever dreamt of an epic adventure to Antarctica but balked at the price? Well, guess what — you can use your World of Hyatt points to book a Lindblad/National Geographic cruise and make that dream come true.

Here’s the scoop: When you redeem your points for one of these amazing expeditions, you’ll get a solid $0.016 per point in value, which is a fantastic deal since Hyatt points are typically worth around $0.015 each. Sure, it takes a lot of points, but imagine checking Antarctica off your bucket list without spending a dime out of pocket.

Sounds awesome, right? To get started, make sure to load up on World of Hyatt points. Once you’re ready, booking your cruise is easy — just go online, request a reservation, and select World of Hyatt points as your payment method. If there’s space on your chosen itinerary, you’ll get a booking confirmation via email.

Points and miles can unlock some truly luxurious travel experiences. With some strategic planning and a few big sign-up bonuses on travel credit cards, you could find yourself flying first-class or relaxing on a private island. So start planning your next adventure and make those credit card points work for you.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool recommends Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.