Unlocking Travel to London: Using Points and Miles Wisely

London is not only a vibrant travel destination but also serves as a key gateway to Europe and beyond. If you’re considering a trip to London or planning to use it as a stopover, you might be wondering how to make the most of your points and miles for your journey. This guide will walk you through various airlines, strategies for booking flights, and tips for using your rewards effectively.

London is serviced by five airports, but the main ones for travelers flying from the U.S. are Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Gatwick Airport (LGW). Here’s how you can utilize your points and miles to fly nonstop to London with various airlines.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers flights to LHR from several U.S. cities. To book these flights, you’ll use the American AAdvantage program, which employs dynamic award rates. This means that while you may find some good deals, you could also encounter high rates, especially for premium cabins. However, if your itinerary includes segments operated by partners like Alaska Airlines or British Airways, you can leverage the AAdvantage partner award chart to find better pricing.

Although American Airlines doesn’t share all its award availability with partners, checking with partner programs might yield better rates. The Alaska Mileage Plan is a strong contender, particularly for premium economy or business-class bookings. You can accumulate Alaska miles by transferring points from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy.

If you’re interested in business class, consider the Etihad Guest program. A one-way business-class flight from New York to London can be booked for 80,000 miles plus a nominal fee when booked through Etihad. You can earn Etihad miles by transferring points from various programs, including American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

British Airways

British Airways operates flights to LGW from cities like Las Vegas, New York (JFK), Orlando, and Tampa, as well as to LHR from several U.S. locations. However, travelers should be prepared for high taxes and fees when booking British Airways flights, which can significantly increase the overall cost. If you’re willing to pay these fees, you can redeem British Airways Avios, American AAdvantage miles, or Alaska Mileage Plan miles for your flight.

Alaska Mileage Plan offers attractive rates for premium economy and business class, but again, the taxes and fees can be steep. If you prefer lower fees, booking through British Airways Club might be advantageous, especially if you can find off-peak availability.

While redeeming American miles for British Airways flights is an option, it often doesn’t provide the best value due to high fees compared to other booking methods.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines offers flights to LGW from New York (JFK) and to LHR from several cities. You can book Delta-operated flights using SkyMiles, but be aware that Delta employs dynamic pricing, which can lead to high rates. However, Delta’s price calendar can help you find the best rates if you have flexible travel dates.

Delta does share some award space with its partners, so checking Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club could be worthwhile. They use region-based charts with peak and off-peak rates, although Delta-operated flights from the U.S. to London may not always align with published award charts, making economy awards less appealing.

Booking premium-cabin awards on Delta flights through Virgin Atlantic is theoretically possible, but availability can be limited. You can earn Virgin points by transferring various points from programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue operates flights to LGW from Boston and to LHR from both Boston and New York (JFK). You can redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points for flights to London, but keep in mind that these flights are subject to dynamic award pricing. For instance, a one-way Mint flight from New York to London could cost around 88,800 points or $1,808, depending on the timing.

Unfortunately, JetBlue flights cannot be booked through other airline loyalty programs, so you’ll need to use TrueBlue points directly.

Norse Atlantic Airways

Norse Atlantic Airways offers flights to LGW from cities like New York (JFK), Orlando, Los Angeles, and Miami. However, Norse does not have its own loyalty program, nor can you book their flights through other airline programs. If you wish to fly with Norse, you’ll need to book a paid ticket, although you can use transferable points for payment if booking through a credit card travel portal.

United Airlines

United Airlines provides flights to LHR from various U.S. cities. You can redeem United MileagePlus miles for United-operated flights, which offer ample availability but also dynamic pricing. Award rates can vary significantly, so it’s advisable to keep an eye on the rates.

Air Canada Aeroplan is another option for redeeming rewards on United flights. Award rates for a one-way flight can start at 35,000 points in economy, 50,000 in premium economy, and 60,000 in business class. You can earn Aeroplan points by transferring points from several programs, but availability in premium cabins tends to be limited.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic flies to LHR from various U.S. cities. Despite the rise in taxes and fees, the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program is generally the best option for booking flights. Award rates start at approximately 6,000 points in Economy Classic, 10,500 in Premium, and 28,500 in Upper Class. You can transfer points from several major rewards programs to Flying Club.

Accommodations in London

London boasts a wide range of hotel options across major loyalty programs. For instance, I often use IHG points to book a fourth night free, a benefit of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Alternatively, redeeming Hyatt points can also be advantageous. Here’s a brief overview of popular hotels in London along with sample award pricing:

– InterContinental London Park Lane: 60,000 IHG points per night
– Hyatt Centric Cambridge: 15,000 Hyatt points per night
– Marriott Grosvenor Square: 50,000 Marriott points per night

When traveling to the UK, remember that the official currency is the pound sterling. For the best conversion rates, use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and opt to pay in pounds.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a better understanding of how to use points and miles to travel to London, it’s time to assess your points and check for award availability based on your preferred airlines and travel dates. Be sure to check hotel rates as well, as prices can fluctuate significantly based on the season.

The world of travel rewards can be complex, but with the right strategies, you can unlock amazing experiences in London without breaking the bank. Whether you’re visiting for the sights, the culture, or a little bit of both, planning your trip using points and miles can make your journey even more rewarding.