Best Countries for Digital Nomads to Visit Using Points and Miles

The digital nomad lifestyle has gained massive popularity over the past decade. With the ability to work remotely, many professionals now choose to travel the world while maintaining their careers. But as liberating as this lifestyle sounds, traveling frequently can get expensive — unless you master the art of using points and miles.

In this article, we’ll explore the best countries for digital nomads to visit using points, looking at factors like cost of living, ease of booking with miles, remote work infrastructure, visa flexibility, and overall travel experience.

What Makes a Country Ideal for Digital Nomads?

Before diving into the destinations, it’s important to understand what digital nomads look for when choosing where to go next. While everyone has different priorities, the key factors include:

• Affordable cost of living
• Reliable high-speed internet
• Access to coworking spaces
• Safe and welcoming environment
• Warm climate (optional, but popular)
• Good infrastructure and healthcare
• Visa options for long stays
• Abundant award flight availability

And of course — the ability to get there using airline miles or points from credit cards, frequent flyer programs, or travel portals.

Top Countries for Digital Nomads to Visit Using Points

Portugal

Why Portugal?
Portugal, especially Lisbon and Porto, is a favorite among digital nomads. The country offers a great mix of affordability, culture, safety, and solid internet infrastructure.

Best cities: Lisbon, Porto, Madeira (especially Ponta do Sol)
Cost of living: ~$1,500–$2,000/month
Points access: Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO) are accessible via United, Air France/KLM, Iberia, and TAP Portugal — often bookable with:

• 35,000–45,000 miles one-way in economy
• 60,000–70,000 in business class
• Programs: Aeroplan, Avios, United MileagePlus, Flying Blue

Visa tip: Portugal offers a Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers to stay for up to 1 year.

Mexico

Why Mexico?
Proximity to the U.S., no visa requirements for Americans for stays under 180 days, and a strong expat/nomad community.

Best cities: Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, Oaxaca
Cost of living: ~$1,200–$1,800/month
Points access: Major cities are easy to reach using points:

• 15,000–25,000 miles in economy
• 30,000–50,000 in business
• Programs: Delta SkyMiles, American AAdvantage, Avios, Aeromexico Club Premier

Visa tip: 180-day stay without a visa for many passport holders.

Thailand

Why Thailand?
Known for its affordable lifestyle, great food, coworking spaces, and stunning landscapes, Thailand is a digital nomad haven.

Best cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket
Cost of living: ~$900–$1,400/month
Points access: Bangkok (BKK) and Chiang Mai (CNX) are reachable with:

• 40,000–50,000 miles in economy
• 75,000–95,000 in business
• Programs: ANA, United, Aeroplan, KrisFlyer, Asia Miles

Visa tip: You can apply for a 60-day tourist visa and extend it for 30 more. There’s also a Long-Term Resident visa for remote workers.

Colombia

Why Colombia?
Rapidly rising as a top nomad destination thanks to its friendly people, culture, affordability, and relatively stable internet.

Best cities: Medellín, Bogotá
Cost of living: ~$1,000–$1,400/month
Points access: Easy to reach from the U.S.:

• 17,500–25,000 miles one-way in economy
• 35,000–50,000 in business
• Programs: United, Avianca LifeMiles, American AAdvantage

Visa tip: Colombia now offers a Digital Nomad Visa allowing up to 2 years of stay.

Georgia (the Country)

Why Georgia?
Tbilisi is an emerging hotspot for digital nomads with a welcoming government, very low living costs, and no visa requirements for up to 1 year.

Best city: Tbilisi
Cost of living: ~$800–$1,200/month
Points access: Best accessed via Istanbul or central Europe:

• Fly to IST with Turkish Airlines, then connect
• Use Aeroplan, United, or Turkish Miles&Smiles
• Economy: 35,000–45,000 miles
• Business: 70,000–85,000

Visa tip: U.S. passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 365 days.

How to Use Points and Miles to Reach These Countries

Use Transferable Credit Card Points

Programs like:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• American Express Membership Rewards
• Capital One Miles
• Citi ThankYou Points

…can be transferred to major airline partners to book award travel. Here’s how:

• Transfer Amex points to ANA for flights to Asia or Europe
• Transfer Chase points to United for Star Alliance redemptions
• Use Capital One for Turkish or Air France awards

These cards provide maximum flexibility when planning multi-leg travel.

Leverage Airline Alliances

Use major alliances to cover routes efficiently:

Alliance	Example Airlines	Good For
Star Alliance	United, Lufthansa, Avianca, Turkish	Europe, Asia, South America
Oneworld	American, British Airways, Iberia	Europe, Africa
SkyTeam	Delta, Aeromexico, KLM, Air France	Europe, Latin America

Mixing partners from the same alliance helps you build open-jaw or multi-stop itineraries using a single mileage balance.

Book Early and Off-Peak

Most award calendars open 330 days in advance. Booking early increases your chances of getting premium cabins and lower redemption rates.

Off-peak times for better award availability include:

• January–March (except New Year’s)
• May
• Late September–early December

Avoid Fuel Surcharges

Some programs like British Airways Avios charge high surcharges on long-haul flights. To avoid them:

• Book with United, Aeroplan, or ANA instead
• Fly via countries with no surcharges (like the U.S. or Colombia)
• Use LifeMiles for low fees

Digital Nomad Gear Essentials

Here’s what to pack for a smooth remote work setup:

• Lightweight laptop
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Backup charger and power bank
• Portable Wi-Fi router or SIM
• VPN for internet security
• Travel insurance for long stays

How Much Do You Really Save with Points?

Booking your flights using points can cut travel costs by 40–70%, especially if you’re traveling long-haul or booking business class.

Example:

• Flight NYC → Lisbon: Cash price US$750
• With Aeroplan miles: 35,000 points + US$80 in taxes
• Total savings: Over US$600

Repeat that for multiple legs and you can save thousands per year as a digital nomad.

Final Thoughts: Travel Smart as a Nomad

The digital nomad lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. By choosing the right countries and learning how to redeem your points and miles effectively, you can unlock a lifestyle that combines work, freedom, and global exploration — all without breaking the bank.

If you’re ready to take your remote work journey global, start building your points strategy today. Your next destination might be closer (and cheaper) than you think.