10 ways to use points and miles for a great trip to London
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Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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TPG’s director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world’s most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia’s Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana’s Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina’s Mendoza region.
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
London routinely ranks among the world’s most-visited cities. It is home to incredible museums, a fabulous theater scene, great restaurants, luxurious hotels and its main airport, Heathrow (LHR), is a hub for multiple airlines, making it a great stopping-over point on a larger trip.
That said, the British capital is well worth visiting on its own for anything from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how much of an Anglophile you are.
Despite the strong U.S. dollar, London is still an expensive destination, so if price points have been putting you off lately, here are some easy strategies to stretch your London trip budget even further using miles and points.
And if you have some strategies of your own to use airline miles, hotel points and credit card rewards to maximize a trip to London, please share those in the comments below!
What is the best area of London to stay in?
Where you should stay in London depends on the purpose of your visit. If you are in town for business, you might want to stay near the City of London, while folks who want a quieter neighborhood might like Kensington or Notting Hill. Knightsbridge is best for those who want upscale shopping, while Mayfair has fantastic restaurants and boutiques.
When is the best time of year to visit London?
London can get dreary and gray during the winter months and crowded during the summer, so your best bets are fall from September-November and spring from March-May when the temperatures tend to be mild and days will include a mix of sun and rain.
How many miles does it take to fly to London?
The number of miles you need to fly to London depends on which airline you take and which miles you redeem, as well as the time of year since some mileage programs require more miles during peak travel times. That said, you can find flights on some airlines, like Virgin Atlantic, by redeeming as few as 6,000 miles each way.
What airlines fly to London?
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all fly to London from various U.S. airports. You’ll also find plenty of flights from over a dozen U.S. cities from the U.K.’s two main carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
How much does a trip to London cost?
The cost of a trip to London depends on when you visit, how long your trip is and where you want to stay. The city has options for travelers ranging from budget flights and accommodations to luxury hotels that can cost well over $500 a night. Luckily, many hotels are accessible using credit card rewards and hotel points.
Now that the FAQs are out of the way, here’s what else you need to know to start planning your trip to London.
Bargain awards on Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic flies to London Heathrow from 11 U.S. cities and using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points can be a real bargain. Just beware of taxes and fees that can be several hundred dollars, even for economy tickets.
I like using the airline’s Reward Seat Checker tool to price out tickets between city pairs over a month at a time. You can often find economy tickets between the East Coast and London for as few as 6,000 miles each way. Yes, you read that correctly — you can cross the Atlantic for just 6,000 miles. Even better, premium economy starts at just 10,500 miles and Upper Class can require as few as 29,000 miles (though it’s often much higher).
Unfortunately, you’ll be on the hook for anywhere from $450-$1,700 in taxes and fees round-trip depending on your class of service. That’s a lot, but perhaps not so bad considering even some economy flights are costing upwards of $1,400 at the moment, saving a few hundred dollars by redeeming a few thousand miles can be well worth it.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a 1:1 transfer partner of:
What’s more, some of these partners, including Amex and Bilt, offer limited-time transfer bonuses, so you can score even more of a deal on award tickets.
Soften those surcharges on British Airways business class
British Airways is one of the most generous airlines in the world when it comes to releasing award seats in its four classes of long-haul service: economy, premium economy, business class and first class.
The downside is the hefty fuel surcharges and taxes on the airline’s flights to and from its London Heathrow hub. There are, however, some ways to mitigate those.
The key is to redeem points and miles from the right programs. The extra charges will still be relatively high, but you can end up saving hundreds of dollars per ticket — each way! To illustrate this most clearly, let’s focus on British Airways business class.
While American Airlines AAdvantage would only require 57,500 miles each way in business class for British Airways flights between the U.S. and London, the taxes and fees can cost between $750-$1,000 each way. The same is true if you were to redeem 45,000-70,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points each way – with taxes and fees that can top $1,100.
Instead, you might want to consider redeeming Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Flights from the East Coast start at 63,000 miles plus $200-$450 in each direction, while those from the West Coast incur the same taxes and fees, but require 93,000 miles.
For its part, British Airways Club would require 88,000-99,000 Avios in each direction depending on which city in the U.S. you’re flying from, plus taxes and fees closer to $400-$500. Yes, that is still a chunk of change, and it’s a lot more Avios or Asia Miles, but it can be well worth it to save close to a thousand dollars per person.
| Program | Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards | American Airlines AAdvantage | British Airways Club | Cathay Pacific Asia Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles + Fees (one-way) | 45,000-70,000 + $750-$1,100 | 57,500 + $75– $1,000 | 88,000-99,000 + $400-$500 | 63,000-93,000 + $200-$400 |
That means that although you’re spending more miles for a ticket than redeeming through AAdvantage or Atmos, you have a lot more transfer partner options to top up your British Airways or Cathay Pacific accounts.
Award ticket savings for United cardholders
Another way to save on taxes and fees on award tickets as well as sparing yourself a few miles is to redeem United MileagePlus miles for a ticket on United. Not only does United charge far lower taxes and fees than British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, but if you are either a United MileagePlus elite or carry a United cobranded card, you might be eligible for preferential redemption rates on award tickets booked through MileagePlus.
You’ll pay just $5.60 flying from the U.S. to London, in any class of service, and around $200-$400 on the return, depending on which cabin you’re in.
Plus, you can save on the mileage portion of your ticket if you’re an elite or a credit cardholder. Take these flights from London to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), for instance. Regular MileagePlus members would have to redeem 40,000 miles for coach, 50,000 for premium economy and 80,000 for United Polaris business class. But if you have access to preferential rates, you’ll save at least 10% of the miles and need just 36,000 for coach, 45,000 for premium economy and 72,000 for business class.
Finally, don’t forget that United has a special partnership with Marriott. Normally, when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to one of its airline partners, you end up with 20,000 airline miles plus a 5,000-mile bonus for 25,000 miles total.
With United, however, you get a 10,000-mile bonus, so 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 30,000 United miles. That’s probably a special-circumstance use for most folks, but still something to consider if you’re swimming in Marriott points.
Points hotels aplenty
I’d suggest picking the area you want to stay in and then doing a search with your preferred hotel programs around there. In the meantime, here are some of my top picks with each program.
My favorite Hilton hotels in London
The swanky NoMad London opened in 2021 and immediately gained a following thanks to its maximalist decor and popular bars and restaurants, not to mention its central Covent Garden location. It’s now part of Hilton, so you can redeem points for stays. Nights start at $550 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points.
I also love the colorful BoTree Hotel, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. It opened in a quiet pocket of Mayfair in 2023 and has bright but sophisticated rooms and is home to an outpost of the see-and-be-seen Italian eatery Lavo. Rates start at $400 or 108,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
My favorite Hyatt hotels in London
I love Mayfair, so my top Hyatt pick for the city is Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, which sits right on stately Portman Square and is turning 50 years old next year. The room decor is not exactly overawing, but the public spaces are grand indeed and the service is impeccable. Nights start at $440 or 25,000-55,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
TPG staffers also love the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, which is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. Rooms are on the small side, but you can’t beat the history since it’s in a heritage-listed building that was once the Metropolitan Police headquarters. Rates start at $380 or 20,000-40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
For something a bit hipper as well as budget-friendlier, try the Standard. It’s in a very busy area right near Kings Cross, but chic, 70s-inspired room decor and several buzzy bars and restaurants will make your time here feel like an upscale city experience. Rates start at $305 or 20,000-40,000 points per night.
My favorite IHG hotels in London
Even among quirky Kimptons, the Kimpton Fitzroy is a standout thanks to the magnificent 1900 landmark building that houses it and its central Bloomsbury location. Make time for afternoon tea in Palm Court, which is a veritable London institution. Rates start at $319 or 66,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
The InterContinental London Park Lane has an utterly convenient location at Hyde Park Corner and features spacious rooms, specialty drinks inspired by the royal family at Arch Bar and an expansive spa and fitness center. Rates start at $433 or 83,000 points per night.
My favorite Marriott hotels in London
It might occupy a heritage-listed building from 1910, but the London Edition feels utterly of the moment (even though it opened over 13 years ago). Rooms have Edition’s signature look of white textiles, wood paneling and minimalist bathrooms. It’s worth spending an evening admiring the sculpted ceiling at Berners Tavern while enjoying dishes from chef Jason Atherton’s menu. Rates start at $485 or 70,400 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Formerly a Renaissance hotel, St. Pancras has since joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection and is a favorite among train enthusiasts thanks to its location in a landmark neo-Gothic edifice attached to the train station of the same name. Rooms feel opulent in a Victorian way, and its Moorish-inspired spa is a treat. Rates start at $280 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Get a third or fourth night free at luxury hotels
While hotel points come in handy for saving bundles of money on otherwise expensive stays, if you are looking to splurge while in London, there are still ways to save on luxury hotels.
There are plenty to choose from, but my personal favorite London hotels that participate in Amex FHR include:
Remember, if you have the American Express Platinum Card or The Business Platinum Card from American Express you are also eligible for up to $300 in statement credits biannually for up to a total of $600 per year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection or Airbnb Luxe bookings (of two nights or more for THC and Airbnb) through American Express Travel® or the Amex Travel App™. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, those FHR bookings will require two nights or more to be eligible for this credit.
Likewise, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business you can book a hotel that is part of The Edit by Chase Travel℠. Cardholders are eligible for two statement credits of up to $250 each (for a total of $500) this calendar year to put toward stays of two nights or more booked through The Edit. During your stay, you are also eligible for availability-based upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast and a $100 on-property credit.
Destination dining from around the world
Although British food was long a punchline, the city has become one of the world’s premier dining destinations in the past two decades or so. These days, you can find everything from Sri Lankan hoppers and Scandinavian smoked fish to French haute cuisine and sustainable farm-to-table fare.
Among the ones that might help most are:
Another favorite tip of mine: You can often find discounts of up to 50% at some restaurants by booking reservations via The Fork. Then, just show your reservation details at check in, enjoy your meal, and the savings will be automatically applied to your bill.
Earn more and save on transport
Taxis and Ubers are easy to come by in London, though rides can be expensive. So if you do go this route, so to speak, make sure to use a card that earns bonus points on ride-hailing services.
It’s also easy to hop on the city’s Tube lines and buses, both of which are easy to navigate and affordable, by simply tapping on with your credit card. If you decide to do so, keep a card that earns bonus points on public transportation at the top of your wallet.
You might be able to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $300 in annual travel statement credits toward transit purchases as well as taxis and Ubers since these charges often code as “travel.”
Theater
No matter whether you spell it “theater” or “theatre,” no trip to London would be complete without seeing a production in one of the West End’s magnificent venues. Ticket prices tend to be more reasonable than in the U.S. but can still put a dent in your budget. Luckily, you can take advantage of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Stubhub credit to offset some of that cost.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive up to $300 per year to use on purchases made through StubHub or its sister site, Viagogo. The credit is split into two biannual credits of up to $150 (activation required; through Dec. 31, 2027).
Among the productions currently available through Stubhub in London are “Paddington: The Musical” (just beware it’s mostly sold out except for last-minute tickets) and “Oh, Mary!”.
The Cultivist Museums
A few years ago, Capital One partnered with The Cultivist, a service that grants members free, priority access to dozens of museums around the world. Eligible Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holders can register for half-price membership that costs $220 per year instead of $440. This auto-renews at the discounted rate for the second year and then is full price after that.
While $220 is a lot, if you visit museums frequently, you can end up saving far more than that on tickets since The Cultivist Enthusiast-level membership available with the Venture X includes priority admission for the cardholder plus a guest. In London, the participating museums include:
- Apsley House
- Kensington Palace
- Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
- Leighton House Museum
- MOCO London
- National Portrait Gallery
- Sambourne House
- The Royal Academy of Arts
Skip the foreign exchange fees
Finally, some credit cards levy foreign exchange fees on purchases you make outside the U.S. They tend to add 1-3% to your purchase price, which can add up quickly. Instead, use a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, of which there are many to choose from.
If you travel abroad frequently, you might also want to consider the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card. In addition to waiving foreign transaction fees, the card actually earns 3 points per dollar on foreign transactions, in any category. It’s almost too good to be true, and that makes it one of the best credit cards for trips abroad.
