Questions and Answers

I’m not new to collecting points but I am new to playing the game to get the best deal. The goal: Rome and Tuscany, at least business class if not first, for two in April of 2018. We have 93K miles with AA, 38K with Delta, tons with SWA. We got the new Chase Reserve and have 48K currently. As for hotel points: SPG 6500, Marriott 83K and Hilton 65K. What is your recommendation to get the best deal? Current credit cards: Citi AAdvantage, AmEx Delta Gold Skymiles, SWA, Chase Reserve. Thank you in advance!

Well, the Southwest points wont get you to Europe so save those for another trip.

If you boost your AA miles a bit, you could have enough for two one way tickets from the US to Italy, if you can find award space on American, British, Finnair or airBerlin. However, aside from BA the other carriers are stingy with award space.

If you can get other Chase cards, like the Sapphire Preferred, Freedom and/or Freedom Unlimited, their points can be transferred to Korean Air to book SkyTeam awards to Europe for 80k round trip. Aeroflot is pretty good for award space, though you may come across AirFrance, KLM, Delta or Alitalia space.

Another option is to combine Chase and Marriott points for one of their Nights & Flights awards where you’ll be able to book several nights at a Marriott hotel and receive a bunch of airline miles.