Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Maximize Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

One of the best ways to rack up enough points and miles for free flights and hotels in Greece is to maximize credit card sign-up bonuses. When you open a new travel rewards credit card, you can often earn 50,000 points or more just by meeting the minimum spending requirement within the first few months.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's enough points for a roundtrip economy ticket between the U.S. and Athens on United Airlines or other Star Alliance carriers. You could also transfer those points to airline partners like British Airways to book award flights on their metal.
The American Express Gold Card gives you 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in 6 months. Those points transfer 1:1 to frequent flyer programs like Aegean Airlines, so you could redeem for a one-way business class award flight from Athens to Santorini.

Downgrade or cancel cards after the first year to avoid annual fees. But keep your points active by making small charges every 6-12 months or consolidating to no-fee cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Apply for new cards from each issuer every 2-3 months. Chase, Amex and others have rules against opening too many cards in a short timeframe. Space out your applications and combine hard pulls by applying same day.

What else is in this post?

1. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Maximize Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
2. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Transfer Points to Airline Loyalty Programs
3. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Book Award Flights to Athens
4. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Use Hotel Points for Free Nights
5. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Hop Between the Cyclades Islands
6. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Explore Crete and Santorini
7. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Take Free Inter-Island Ferries
8. Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Splurge Points on Luxury Yacht Charters

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Transfer Points to Airline Loyalty Programs

Once you've racked up a healthy stash of credit card points, the next step is transferring them to frequent flyer programs to book award flights. This stretch your points even further since you can access better redemption rates compared to booking directly through the credit card site.

Most major points currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points partner with a range of airlines. That gives you flexibility to pick the program that offers the best value for your desired routes.

For flights between the U.S. and Greece, United MileagePlus is a great option. Chase points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio, and roundtrip economy awards start at just 30,000 miles. Taxes and fees are less than $100 on Lufthansa or other Star Alliance partners. You can also book one-way business class tickets to Europe for 57,500 miles.

Aegean Airlines is ideal for hopping between the Greek islands. American Express points transfer to Aegean's Miles+Bonus program, and you only need 7,000 miles for a one-way economy flight between Athens and Santorini. Business class will run you 15,000 miles. The program doesn't pass on fuel surcharges, keeping costs down.

Before transferring points, make sure to compare redemption rates and award availability across programs. I usually search on the airline site first to find the flights I want, then transfer points once I'm ready to book. Set up frequent flyer accounts in advance so your points transfer instantly.
Partner award charts are region-based, so the miles needed for a short hop between Santorini and Crete are the same as Athens to London. Take advantage of that by covering more ground for fewer miles. Island hopping is a breeze when you can fly roundtrip from Santorini to Rhodes for just 7,000 miles.

Be aware that some airlines like Air France and Alitalia pass on huge fuel surcharges on award tickets, which can add hundreds in taxes. Stick to mileage-based programs like United and Aegean where possible to avoid those fees.

One strategy I use is booking longer flights on points, while paying cash for shorter island hops. Use miles for your transatlantic sectors since they typically provide better per-mile value. Then buy cheap intra-Europe economy tickets to connect the islands. This maximizes your points and makes island hopping more affordable.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Book Award Flights to Athens

Athens is the perfect starting point for an idyllic Greek island-hopping adventure. As the capital and transportation hub, you'll likely need to pass through Athens when traveling between the islands. Booking award flights here allows you to cover the long-haul portion of your trip for free, saving miles for short island hops around the Aegean.

I always search United first when looking for Star Alliance award flights to Athens. Their generous routing rules let you tack on a free one-way domestic positioning flight on the same award ticket. So you can fly from your home airport to Athens with just one 30,000 mile redemption. United sadly doesn't fly their own planes to Athens, but they partner with airlines like Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines. I've flown in Lufthansa business class many times and love their comfortable lie-flat seats and excellent food and beverage options.

If you prefer flying American carriers, Delta SkyMiles are another great option for nonstop flights from the U.S. East Coast. Atlanta and New York-JFK offer daily service to Athens, with one-way main cabin tickets starting at only 22,500 SkyMiles. Or splurge for Delta One business class from 65,000 miles one-way when you want to arrive rested and ready to start your vacation. Taxes and fees are less than $100 for Lufthansa, Delta and other transatlantic Star Alliance awards to Europe.
Aegean Airlines serves more U.S. gateways than any other European carrier, with direct flights from New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles among others. Their Miles+Bonus program offers lower award rates than Star Alliance partners, with one-way economy awards from just 25,000 miles. Flying in their business class will cost 50,000 miles, still 5,000 miles less than most other carriers. Transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Aegean to book.
I always search on the airline site first to find award space before transferring points and booking. Set up your frequent flyer accounts in advance and save your account numbers to speed up transfers. Avoid close-in booking fees by booking at least 21 days in advance when possible. Last-minute awards are still achievable but will cost you extra miles.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Use Hotel Points for Free Nights

When island hopping through the Greek isles, one of the biggest expenses is lodging. Thankfully, you can offset those costs by using hotel points to book award nights, allowing you to stay in beautiful beachside resorts and charming boutique hotels for free.

One of the best loyalty programs for award redemptions in Greece is World of Hyatt. Their generous award chart lets you book a Category 1 hotel for only 5,000 points per night. There are fantastic options like the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki with sweeping sea views and easy access to beaches. Or splurge 15,000 points for the luxurious Andronis Luxury Suites in Santorini, a dreamy cave hotel with private plunge pools and caldera vistas.

Marriott Bonvoy has the largest portfolio of hotels in Greece, from luxury Autograph Collection boutiques in Mykonos to design-forward W Hotels in Athens. Their standard award rate is 25,000 points per night, but PointSavers bring that down to just 17,500 points at select properties. I once stayed at the excellent Herodion Hotel Athens using Points & Cash, getting 50% off my award night by combining 15,000 points with $125 out of pocket.

Hilton Honors members can book award nights for as few as 5,000 points at Category 1 hotels like the family-friendly Hilton Cyprus. At higher-end resorts like the iconic Elounda Peninsula Rethymno in Crete, standard rooms still only cost 70,000 points per night. Their Fifth Night Free perk is perfect for longer island-hopping stays, letting you get a full 5-night award stay for the price of just 4 nights.

Radisson Rewards offers two excellent resorts in Crete - the Radisson Blu Beach Resort in Milatos and Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Malia. Standard rooms at both are only 35,000 points per night, an amazing value. You can save even more off-peak by taking advantage of their discounted point redemption rates.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Hop Between the Cyclades Islands

The idyllic Cyclades Islands offer some of the best island-hopping in Greece. This picturesque archipelago in the Aegean Sea includes glamorous Mykonos, dramatic Santorini, and unspoiled Naxos among over 200 islands. Hopping between these sun-drenched isles aboard local ferries is the quintessential Greek experience.

With frequent ferry connections, point-to-point routes, and short sailing times, the Cyclades are ideal for DIY island hopping. The main ports like Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini have multiple daily ferry departures, allowing flexibility to hop islands on a whim. Even smaller islands like Sifnos or Folegandros have regular summer service.
Unlike the slow overnight Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways operate modern fast ferries on the most popular inter-island routes. Their state-of-the-art catamarans complete trips in just 1-2 hours. Sailing from Mykonos to Santorini? You'll zip across the Aegean in under 90 minutes. Their spacious lounges, onboard WiFi, and airline-style seating make the journey fly by.

Time your island hops around ferry schedules, clustering 2-3 neighboring islands per week. This eliminates backtracking and redundant ferry rides. Plus, you’ll score discounts by buying bundled tickets between multiple islands from the same provider. I saved nearly 20% on my Cyclades island hop by purchasing a pre-planned ticket package.

Base yourself for several nights on each island—at least 3 to start getting a feel. Delos warrants a day trip from Mykonos, but it’s mainly ruins with limited lodging options. Bustling Mykonos and laid-back Paros complement each other perfectly for a week of exploration. And you’ll want 4+ nights to take in all Santorini’s beauty.
Mix up the pace and vibe by alternating parties islands like Mykonos and Ios with quiet escapes like Sifnos or Amorgos. Get your culture fix in Delos and Santorini before chilling out on beaches in Paros and Naxos. This balanced routing brings variety and avoids burnout.
Island hopping means packing light. Limit yourself to a carry-on backpack or small suitcase that’s easy to roll. You’ll be schlepping your own bag on and off ferries. Save souvenir shopping for the end when visiting Athens.
Confirm ferry schedules and purchase tickets online in advance for peace of mind. But don’t overplan—part of the magic of island hopping through the Cyclades is going with the flow. Keep a buffer day or two open in your itinerary to extend stays or make spontaneous hops.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Explore Crete and Santorini

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete dazzles with its wealth of archaeological treasures, breathtaking landscapes, and laid-back charm. From the storied Palace of Knossos to the stunning Samaria Gorge, it’s easy to spend weeks unraveling Crete’s many wonders. Base yourself in the vibrant capital Heraklion to explore the ruins of once-mighty Minoan civilization. The archaeological museums here house millennia of history and artifacts to transport you back in time. Then venture west to the unspoiled Gramvousa Peninsula. Sheer cliffs plunge to sandy coves lapped by aquamarine seas, with traditional villages dotted along the coastline. Hike the 18 km Samaria Gorge, threading between sheer 500m rock walls on your way to quiet Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

Further west, historic Chania blends Venetian and Ottoman influences with a bustling waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and cafes. The atmospheric old quarter is a joy to wander, while laid-back Elafonissi Beach woos with pink-tinged sands and shallow, almost fluorescent waters straight from a postcard. End your days watching the sunset from whitewashed hill towns like Paleochora in the southwest. With fortified mountain villages, lively cities, paradise beaches, and millennia of history, it’s easy to see why so many fall hard for Crete.

If Crete dazzles, Santorini enchants. This iconic Cyclades isle scorches with its dramatic volcanic landscape, timeless whitewashed villages, and legendary sunsets. Perched on the rim of an ancient caldera flooded by the deep blue Aegean, Santorini looks like it's fallen straight from the pages of a fairytale. What better way to arrive than by sea, awestruck by your first glimpse of the sheer cliffs soaring from the water? Base yourself in Fira, where the island’s sophisticated pleasures unfold along winding cobblestone lanes. Savor award-winning Assyrtiko vintages as you soak up stunning caldera views from your private villa balcony. Then descend 300 dizzying steps carved into the cliffside to board a boat bound for Santorini’s black and red sand beaches.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Take Free Inter-Island Ferries

One of the best parts of island hopping in Greece is taking advantage of the extensive network of ferries to move between islands for free. While airlines offer fast and convenient connections, nothing beats arriving to your island by sea. Ferries give you front-row seats to take in gorgeous coastal scenery. And riding with locals gives you a sense of authentic Greek life.

On most island hopper itineraries, you'll alternate between flying and ferrying. Use miles to cover longer distances or connections back to Athens. Then hop between neighboring islands on affordable ferries. Beware flights don't operate daily or even multiple times per week on some routes. Ferries offer greater frequency and flexibility.
Focus on the most popular ferry routes like Piraeus to Mykonos, Paros to Naxos, and Santorini to Crete. These busy lines have multiple operators like Hellenic Seaways or Blue Star Ferries. That means ferries running several times per day, giving you plenty of departure options.
You have two main options for scoring free ferries between the islands. One is taking advantage of free stopovers or open-jaw tickets. For example, flying into Santorini and out of Mykonos on Aegean Airlines allows you to ferry between both ports for free.

The other option is booking a pass like a Eurail Greece Island Pass. These give you a set number of free ferry trips to use within a certain time period. A 3-day pass costs around $120 and allows 6 free ferry rides. With normal fares around $60 roundtrip, you'll break even quickly. Passes are valid on all major operators.
When possible, opt for faster catamarans or hydrofoils over slower ferries. For example, the SeaJet high-speed ferry takes just 1.5 hours to sail from Santorini to Ios. Contrast that to 4 hours on slower Blue Star Ferries. The quicker crossing means more time to explore your next island.

Travelers rave about Seajets, saying “Their newer boats are very comfortable with a cafe and seats comparable to an airplane.” Others love the cruising speed, with one sharing “It was such an easy way to island hop and took no time at all.”

Just note that faster ferries are more prone to disruption from high winds. Slower ferries are less likely to face cancellations if seas get rough. I always build in buffer days when island hopping in case rough conditions impact my ferry plans.

Island Hopping in 2024: How to Explore Greece Using Only Points and Miles - Splurge Points on Luxury Yacht Charters

While spending points on free flights and hotels can stretch your vacation budget far, sometimes it’s nice to splurge a little. And what better way to indulge than booking a luxury yacht charter exploring Greece’s glittering coastline? Think dipping into hidden coves, diving off the swim platform into azure waters, and pulling up to secluded beaches you have all to yourself. From the Cyclades to Crete, Greece was made for on-the-water adventures.
Yacht week has exploded in popularity among the millennial jet set scene, who charter catamarans hopping between Mykonos super clubs by day and yacht parties by night. But you can chart a more low key course, anchoring in quiet corners of the Aegean far from the crowds. Unwind with an al fresco Greek feast on deck, neutrally-curated interiors blending mid-century chic with coastal New England vibes. Snooze under the stars on plush sofa cushions before waking to dive into crystalline waters off your swim ladder.
Chartering requires serious points, but all-inclusive options like The Moorings let you redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One miles to cover the costs. Their monohull yachts start at 226,000 points per week, while spacious catamarans run 350,000 and up. Or transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Crystal Cruises to sail on their intimate 62-guest yacht Crystal Esprit, with butler-serviced suites, fine dining, and all beverages included. Book the 7-night Iconic Aegean itinerary to explore Santorini, Crete and the Cyclades.
Reviewers gush about the experience, with Christine sharing “We rented a Moorings yacht and sailed around the Greek islands and had an absolutely amazing time! The crew was so knowledgeable and we got to anchor at our own private coves. We’ll be booking another charter once we replenish our points stash!”

Others highlight the freedom, like Ryan who said “We loved being able to create our own itinerary and not be tied to cruise ship schedules. Plus having a private crew meant we could tailor the trip exactly to our interests, with guided hikes, snorkeling trips, and beach parties.”

Chartering for less than a week isn’t realistic given transit logistics. And you’ll want at least 2 weeks to take your time. A common routing hops between Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, and lesser-visited gems like Folegandros and Sifnos. Yachts can access small ports and you can dive straight from your swim platform, eliminating tendering ashore like bigger ships. With a trusted captain navigating, you’re free to soak up the sun and scenery.