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With an extra day at work for many Americans, Labor Day weekend is an easy excuse to plan a trip. Although three days is not a long time, it is long enough to get to know a place somewhere and enjoy a change of scenery. If you stretch it longer, even better.
Last-minute travel can often be expensive, especially during the holidays, but don’t lose hope if you haven’t booked your Labor Day trip yet. Anyone with accumulated miles and points has the opportunity to take advantage of award redemptions that can greatly subsidize, or in some cases completely cover, the cost of travel.
Here’s where to go over Labor Day weekend using points and miles.
San Francisco, California
If you’ve ever been to San Francisco, you know that its ever-innovative nature means there’s always something new to see. With just a long weekend, you won’t be able to see everything, so make this a trip where you commit to exploring a neighborhood in depth. This may interest you : 5 Dog Friendly Hotels in the United States. Check out the new Presidio Tunnel Tops if you’re looking for an outdoor experience within the city limits or eat at the off the Grid food truck market in Fort Mason every Friday.
United Airlines is San Francisco’s main carrier, which should make it easy for you to find flights from home using MileagePlus miles or other Star Alliance rewards like Air Canada Aeroplan or Singapore Airlines Krisflyer miles. Although prices vary based on your home airport and specific dates of travel, aim for one-way flights for 12,500 miles or less.
In such a big city, you will ruin your chances of getting hotels. With all programs, you’ll find options in every corner of the city and at every price point. If you’re confused about where to start, consider the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA. It recently underwent a $70 million renovation and you can walk to the arts district, Union Square, Theater District, Nob Hill and more, starting at 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Cumberland, Maryland
Maryland’s mountain range feels a world away from the eastern seaboard, despite being less than two and a half hours from Washington, DC. Once there, the more athletically inclined can rent a bike and pedal the Great Allegheny Pass, which crosses all 150 miles of Pittsburgh. This may interest you : Delta’s Business Travel Optimism. spectacular scenery Not that motivated? Turn around at Frostburg, about 10 miles away, for a taste of adventure. Or, skip the cycle altogether and enjoy the views on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Downtown Cumberland is within walking distance, meaning you can leave the car at home and redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards to get there. The Capitol Limited stops at Cumberland on its route from Chicago to Washington. For longer trips, expect to travel overnight, but dorms and family rooms can also be booked with points at reasonable rates. Book early to get the best deals.
If you limit yourself to hotels within walking (or biking) distance, Fairfield Inn & Suites at the Marriott Cumberland. Ramada by Wyndham Cumberland Downtown also has a great location for 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. If needed, you can transfer Capital One Rewards or Citi Thank You Points to Wyndham Rewards.
Taos, New Mexico
For a small city, Taos packs a punch. Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible history and culture, Taos Ski Valley offers great hiking in the summer, and downtown Taos has several museums and art galleries. This may interest you : The Stray video game shows why we love being a cat. Bonus: While much of the Southwest is still stifling over Labor Day, Taos’ elevation keeps things pleasant enough to enjoy your visit.
Santa Fe (SAF) Airport is a short drive away and is served by American Airlines and United. If you don’t have miles with those airlines, remember to check prices with partner airlines. For example, you can use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles from American or Avianca LifeMiles (a common credit card transfer partner) to book on United. If you still can’t find an award flight, you can also fly to Albuquerque, ABQ to take advantage of additional airlines.
Hilton Honors will be your best bet for redeeming hotel points. Hampton Inn Taos has everything you need, including free breakfast and an indoor pool. For a more elegant stay, consider the Don Fernando de Taos Hotel, Tapestry Collection. Around the hotel you will find Southwestern decor to add to your experience.
Aruba
Beach vacations make for great long weekend getaways, but Labor Day is right in the middle of hurricane season. Fortunately, Aruba’s southern location means it escapes storms, and its relatively small size means you can see a lot in a few nights, as long as you stay away from the soft sands and turquoise waters. On a whim, hang out with a bucket of Balashi beer during the day and join a sunset catamaran at night.
From the US, you’ll find nonstop flights from major East Coast airports such as New York, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale, and a handful in the West. Cash fares can be surprisingly cheap this time of year, so don’t be afraid to cash in on the points associated with purchased fares. JetBlue’s pricing, for example, can work in your favor.
In Aruba, you’ll find boutique hotels with all the major chains, from basic to luxury. Most are located in Palm Beach, within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, nightlife and water sports. Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino, IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card* holders who redeem points for their stay can get a fourth night free.
Read more: 6 Caribbean Vacations Where Hurricane Season Doesn’t Matter
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is built for the long Labor Day weekend, with something fun to do every day. Start your holiday weekend in the Crossroads Art District: Galleries are open late on the first Friday of the month. Come and hang out between jazz club performances on Saturday. On Sunday, shop at City Market’s combined farmers market and specialty foods before taking in a Royals game on Monday. In between, you’ll still have time for museums, barbecues, parks, shopping and craft beers.
Kansas City (MCI) receives direct air traffic, with Southwest Airlines exclusively serving the airport. Pull out your Companion Pass and bring a friend for no extra points, making it an even more impressive redemption.
You’ll be spoiled for choice with hotel options in Kansas City, with particularly upscale options around the Country Club Plaza. The Raphael Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has an elegant European feel and offers live music several nights a week.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You love or hate Las Vegas, but if you fall into the first camp, an extra day off from work means more time to go out and recover when you get home, depending on how you want to do it. Indulge in classic Las Vegas activities—casinos, dining, spas, shows, nightlife, shopping, and pools—but don’t forget the Strip, either. The Fremont Street Experience, Valley of Fire State Park and Mob Museum are attractive ideas.
Finding flights to Las Vegas (LAS) is usually the easy part, as almost all US-based airlines serve the airport; this means you can search for the best deal. If comparing prices on multiple airlines seems too tedious, you can see a real-time aggregation of options through the award flight service Point.me.
There’s no shortage of hotel rewards payouts in Vegas, but this may be the time to break out the Best Western rewards. The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod, BW Premier Collection, you can traditionally redeem points for a free night or pay with points to apply rewards for a cash discount; in that case, you will be able to book suites for extra space.
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
For a seamless international adventure, head south to Costa Rica. In September, there is a high chance of rain on the Pacific coast, but Tortuguero, on the Atlantic side, has more suitable weather. Once there, you’ll be delighted to see sea turtles nesting at night. During the day, go on a boat to look for monkeys, turtles, caimans and other wildlife.
The closest international airport to Tortuguero is San Jose (SJO), which is served by almost all US-based airlines (pro tip: search for SJO specifically to avoid accidentally flying into San Jose, California). From there, you’ll need to connect on a short flight to Tortuguero, purchased separately and a great way to use travel credits on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
While you’ll need flex points or cash to book a hotel in Tortuguero itself, most major hotel programs have properties in San Jose for award nights on the way to or from the coast. Marriott Bonvoy points are especially lucrative here: choose Courtyard San Jose Airport for the shortest shuttle to Alajuela Airport or spring for the gorgeous Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen, 15 minutes away. Both are often available for less than 35,000 Bonvoy points, meaning you can use a free night certificate from your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Yes, you can go to Europe for a long weekend and even in the Azores you will escape the crowds. Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, combines fabulous cuisine with lush green landscapes and marine life viewing opportunities. Factor in everything else you love about Europe, such as history and architecture, and you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Ponta Delgada.
The Azores may sound far away, but they’re closer to Boston than Los Angeles with less than a five-hour flight. Better yet, United operates a daily flight from Newark (EWR) to Ponta Delgada (PDL) and low-priced economy awards are often available. Book with United miles, a Chase Ultimate Rewards® partner, or search for tickets with one of United’s many airlines.
There are not many hotel chains in the Azores, which adds to the charm of the archipelago. However, there are some independent properties that can be booked through Chase, Citi or Capital One travel portals. Or consider staying at an Airbnb and use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to pay yourself.
Bottom Line
Labor Day is fast approaching but it’s not too late to book your dream trip. With miles and points, you can find options for every travel style to design the perfect long weekend getaway.
