How I Combined Amex Rewards To Book A Trip For Two To Greece

Last updated Feb. 22, 2025 by Charles Zemub

Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and visiting Greece has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The alluring history, the breath-taking landscapes, and the vibrant culture of Greece made it an irresistible destination. However, like many of us, budget constraints often weigh heavily on such plans. Thankfully, American Express offers a robust rewards program that, if used wisely, can significantly offset travel costs. Here’s how I strategically combined my Amex Rewards to make this dream trip for two to Greece a reality.

Understanding Amex Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible loyalty program offering points for every purchase made with an eligible Amex card. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, including travel expenses, merchandise, and statement credits. The key to maximizing value is understanding the nuances of how these points can be spent.

Step 1: Evaluating My Rewards Portfolio

My journey began by taking stock of my current Amex Membership Rewards balance. I had accumulated a considerable number of points over time thanks to strategic use of my Amex cards for both personal and business expenses. This included using bonus categories effectively, such as earning extra points on groceries, gas, and dining out, as well as capitalizing on special promotions.

Step 2: Setting Reward Goals

With my destination in mind, I set my sights on covering the key components of the trip with my rewards: flights, accommodations, and some local experiences. This required a good balance between using the points I already had and understanding how to earn more before the trip.

Step 3: Booking Flights Using Points

Flights are typically one of the most expensive components of international travel, so my initial focus was on securing flights to Greece using points. American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to a number of airline partners, often at a 1:1 ratio. I took advantage of the transfer partnerships with airlines like British Airways and Delta.

By researching different routes and trying out various combinations of round-trip flights, I managed to book flights from New York to Athens for me and my travel companion for just the cost of taxes and fees, which are negligible compared to the full ticket price. Transferring my Amex points to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program proved to be the best option, as they offered the lowest miles requirement for the dates I had in mind.

Step 4: Finding Accommodation

Next up was finding a place to stay. Greece has a diverse range of accommodation options, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels. My goal was to enjoy comfortable stays without dipping into my cash reserves.

Amex Membership Rewards can also be transferred to major hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Choice Privileges. After evaluating the transfer values and the ultimate points requirement to book a 5-night stay in Santorini and Athens, I opted to transfer my points to the Marriott Bonvoy program where I found an amazing suite using a combination of points and cash.

Step 5: Planning Local Experiences

One of the highlights of traveling is immersing yourself in the local culture. I sought to book some unique local experiences, such as guided tours of ancient sites and a cooking class featuring traditional Greek cuisine.

Amex Membership Rewards can be used to book various activities through the Amex Travel portal. By booking these tours and classes with my rewards points, I was able to reduce my out-of-pocket expenses significantly.

Step 6: Utilizing Amex Offers and Discounts

Throughout the months leading up to my trip, I kept an eye on Amex’s special offers and discounts, available exclusively to cardholders. These offers provided further savings, such as discounts on car rentals and dining experiences, which helped me allocate more of my points towards major travel expenses.

Maximizing Points Earned Before the Trip

Accumulating points is an ongoing process. For future travel plans, it is crucial to keep certain strategies in mind to maximize Amex Membership Rewards:

1. Optimize Bonus Categories: Use your Amex card strategically to earn extra points in categories like dining, groceries, and travel.

2. Sign-Up Bonuses: Choose Amex cards with attractive sign-up bonuses that supplement your point balance.

3. Online Shopping Portals: Use the Amex Membership Rewards shopping portal for additional points on purchases you’d make anyway.

4. Take Advantage of Promotions: Keep an eye out for special promotions that offer bonuses for specific spending or transfers to travel partners.

5. Pay with Points at Checkout: Use the ‘Pay with Points’ feature at select merchants to spend your points directly, often in combination with ongoing promotions.

Before We Take Flight: Practical Tips

1. Flexible Travel Dates: Flexibility with travel dates is essential in finding award availability, especially during peak seasons.

2. Monitor Transfers: When transferring points to travel partners, verify the transfer ratio and potential bonuses or shortfalls.

3. Check for Point Expiration: Ensure your points or converted miles don’t expire before you redeem them.

4. Account for Taxes and Fees: Though minimal, taxes and fees must be accounted for when booking flights and hotels.

5. Stay Informed: Follow travel blogs and online forums for promotional insights and strategies.

Experiencing Greece: The Highlight

After systematic planning and smart use of Amex Rewards, the trip to Greece was everything I dreamed it would be. From visiting the Acropolis in Athens to sailing around the caldera of Santorini, every moment was made more enjoyable by knowing that our travel savvy had made it all possible without breaking the bank.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are Amex Membership Rewards points worth using for travel?

Absolutely. Amex Membership Rewards points are highly versatile and can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering significant savings on travel.

Q2: Can I combine my Amex points with cash to book travel?

Yes, many travel partners and Amex Travel services allow you to use a combination of points and cash, which can help stretch your points further.

Q3: How can I quickly accumulate Amex points for my trip?

Maximize points by using your Amex card for high-earn categories, take advantage of sign-up bonuses, and use the Amex shopping portal to earn extra points on purchases.

Q4: Do Amex points expire?

Amex points generally do not expire as long as your account is in good standing. However, transferred points may be subject to expiration based on the partner program’s terms.

Q5: What are the benefits of transferring Amex points to airline partners?

Transferring Amex points to airline partners can yield higher value redemptions for flights, offering travel experiences that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive with cash.

By carefully managing and utilizing Amex Rewards, dream vacations like a trip to Greece can become attainable and memorable experiences. It’s all about understanding the program’s offerings and being strategic in point accumulation and redemption.