How to Plan a Multi-Country Trip Using Points and Miles

Planning a multi-country adventure might sound like a dream trip — and with the right strategy, it can become a reality without the massive price tag. Whether you’re dreaming of hopping across Europe, exploring several countries in Asia, or doing a round-the-world itinerary, using points and miles can drastically reduce your travel costs and make your journey seamless and luxurious.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to plan an epic multi-country trip using your travel rewards wisely.

Why Plan a Multi-Country Trip with Points?

Traveling to more than one country in a single trip offers incredible cultural exposure, food experiences, and memories. But the costs of multiple flights, accommodations, and transportation between countries can add up quickly. That’s where points and miles come in.

Advantages of using points:

• Save thousands on flights and hotels
• Unlock business class seats for long-haul journeys
• Flexibility to customize your route
• Add luxury touches without breaking the bank

Step 1: Choose the Region and Route

Start by selecting a region that’s easy to explore across borders. Some of the best areas for multi-country travel include:

• Europe: Easy border crossings, short flights, efficient trains
• Southeast Asia: Budget airlines, affordable lodging, cultural diversity
• South America: Rich experiences and low costs in countries like Peru, Colombia, and Argentina
• Oceania & Asia: Combine Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Asian countries like Singapore or Japan

Once you know your region, map out the countries you want to visit. Be realistic with the number based on your timeline — 3 to 5 countries over 2–4 weeks is often ideal.

Step 2: Research Airlines with Stopover and Open-Jaw Policies

Some frequent flyer programs allow free stopovers (extended stays in one city en route to another) or open-jaw bookings (arriving in one city and departing from another).

Best programs for this:

• ANA (via Amex points): Great for Asia and around-the-world tickets with stopovers
• Air Canada Aeroplan: Allows one stopover per direction for 5,000 extra points
• Alaska Airlines: Free stopovers on one-way awards
• United MileagePlus: Use the “Excursionist Perk” for a free intra-region leg

Example:

• Fly New York to Paris, stopover in Lisbon, then continue to Rome
• All booked with Aeroplan points + ~$150 in taxes

Step 3: Leverage Round-the-World (RTW) Tickets

If you’re planning an ambitious global itinerary (e.g., visiting 3–6 continents), consider RTW tickets using points. These are offered by alliances like Star Alliance, Oneworld, or SkyTeam and let you fly around the world with multiple stops for a fixed number of miles.

Examples:

• ANA RTW Ticket: As low as 125,000 miles in economy, 170,000 in business for up to 8 stops
• Oneworld RTW: Redeem with American Airlines or British Airways Avios (based on distance or segments)

While availability can be limited, these tickets offer amazing value for big trips.

Step 4: Maximize Low-Cost Regional Flights

For moving between countries, use:

• Budget airlines: Ryanair, EasyJet, AirAsia, Jetstar, etc.
• Short-haul award redemptions: Use Avios (British Airways) for intra-Europe, or KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines) for Asia
• Turkish Miles&Smiles and Lifemiles: Great for Latin America and Africa

Many intra-region flights are less than 10,000–15,000 miles one-way. Some examples:

• Bangkok to Hanoi: 6,000 Asia Miles or $50 with AirAsia
• Rome to Barcelona: 8,000 Avios + $25 in taxes
• Lima to Bogotá: 10,000 Lifemiles + $30 in taxes

Step 5: Combine Airlines and Programs Strategically

No single program will cover your entire trip. Mix and match across alliances and flexible currencies like:

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

Use one program for long-haul flights and others for shorter regional hops. This approach helps optimize point value and availability.

Sample booking mix:

• JFK to London with Virgin Atlantic (Amex points)
• London to Amsterdam with British Airways Avios
• Amsterdam to Athens with Flying Blue promo fare (Capital One miles)
• Return from Athens to JFK with United (Chase points)

Step 6: Book Hotel Stays with Points

You’ll need places to sleep in each country, and points can help here too. Focus on:

• Hyatt: High value, especially in Europe and Asia (8,000–15,000 points/night)
• Hilton: Great for cities and beach towns (20,000–40,000 points/night)
• Marriott: Broad global presence, good value in Latin America and Eastern Europe
• IHG: Affordable options in secondary cities

Consider booking apartments or boutique hotels using:

• Capital One or Chase points for statement credits
• Airbnb using a travel card’s redemption portal

Pro tip: Book free night certificates (from credit cards) for expensive cities like London or Tokyo.

Step 7: Use Travel Tools to Simplify Planning

Useful websites and apps:

• AwardHacker: See how many points needed for various routes
• Point.me: Search multiple loyalty programs for award flights
• Skyscanner and Google Flights: For cash fare comparison
• Rome2Rio: Map out train, bus, and flights between cities
• Trainline: Book trains across Europe

Having these tools in your arsenal makes trip planning much faster and smarter.

Step 8: Optimize for Value and Comfort

Traveling to multiple countries in a short time can be tiring. Use points not just to save money, but also to enhance comfort:

• Upgrade to business class on long-haul legs
• Stay in central hotels or lounges between flights
• Redeem points for experiences, airport transfers, or even food credits

Don’t forget travel protections from premium cards — trip delay, baggage insurance, etc. — especially when changing countries frequently.

Step 9: Realistic Multi-Country Itinerary Example

Europe: 3-Week Adventure

• Week 1: Lisbon → Barcelona → Rome
• Week 2: Rome → Vienna → Prague
• Week 3: Prague → Amsterdam → Paris → Return home

Point breakdown:

• Flights: 60,000 Chase points via Aeroplan
• Hotels: 120,000 Hyatt points across 3 weeks
• Total cash: ~$300 in taxes and transport

Southeast Asia: 2-Week Tour

• Bangkok → Siem Reap → Hanoi → Bali
• Flights with Avios and Asia Miles
• Hilton and Marriott stays for 10,000–20,000 points/night
• Total out-of-pocket: <$400

Step 10: Budgeting and Safety Tips

• Always have backup cash and a no-foreign-transaction-fee card
• Carry proof of return flights for immigration purposes
• Ensure all countries have open borders or visa arrangements
• Know local customs, exchange rates, and SIM card options
• Make digital copies of important documents

Planning is key, but flexibility is gold. Be open to adjusting your route to maximize point usage or catch a promo.

Make Your Dream Trip Possible

A multi-country trip doesn’t have to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy or seasoned travelers. With the right points, timing, and tools, it’s entirely possible to cross several countries off your bucket list in one unforgettable journey — without draining your bank account.

Whether you’re city-hopping in Europe, temple-touring across Asia, or exploring the southern hemisphere, points and miles make the world more accessible than ever.

Start planning now, and you might be sipping espresso in Rome, admiring Gaudí’s architecture in Barcelona, and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle — all on one trip, powered by points.