{"id":248785,"date":"2026-03-29T12:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=248785\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:37:07","slug":"patagonia-on-points-and-miles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/patagonia-on-points-and-miles\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get to Patagonia With Points and Miles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Known for its stunning beauty and as a gateway to Antarctica, Patagonia is an outdoor-lover's paradise. Getting to South America and then Patagonia can be expensive, and that's where points and miles can help make this trip an affordable reality.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to use points and miles to get to Patagonia \u2014 including flights to South America, regional connections, and where to stay.<\/p>\n

\"Map
Map of Patagonia. Screenshot of Wikipedia<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Getting to South America<\/span><\/h2>\n

Patagonia encompasses the southern tip of South America \u2014 parts of Chile and Argentina. As such, Santiago (SCL) and Buenos Aires (EZE, AEP) are the best starting points for your Patagonian adventure. Fortunately, there are several good options for getting to these hubs with points and miles.<\/p>\n

American Airlines<\/span><\/h3>\n

American flies from Dallas (DFW) and Miami (MIA) to both Santiago and Buenos Aires, as well as from New York (JFK) to Buenos Aires. Finding flights in all cabins can be relatively easy with patience. Plus, you can often book connecting flights from your home airport all the way to South America without having to position to the big cities mentioned above.<\/p>\n

For example, this Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) to Santiago (SCL) flight would cost 25,000 miles in economy, 35,000 in premium economy, and 65,000 in business class. American uses dynamic pricing<\/a>, so these prices will fluctuate somewhat. But at these costs, this is a great way to get to South America.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot
Norfolk to Santiago. Screenshot of American Airlines.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

American AAdvantage<\/a> miles aren't the only way to book this flight \u2014 you can also use partner Alaska Airlines<\/a>. The availability may differ, but as you can see, the same flight is cheaper in premium economy and business class when booking through Alaska.<\/p>\n

\"Norfolk
Norfolk to Santiago booked through Alaska. Screenshot of Alaska Airlines.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

With the ability to transfer points from transferable points<\/a> programs to both American and Alaska Airlines, this should be your first stop when looking for flights to South America.<\/p>\n

From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
American Airlines (AAdvantage)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000
Transfer partner added July 27, 2025.<\/a><\/div><\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
1 day<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
American Airlines (AAdvantage)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
2,000<\/div>
9 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>
RBC (Avion Rewards)
Canada<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
American Airlines (AAdvantage)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
10:7<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

LATAM Airlines<\/span><\/h3>\n

As a major airline in South America, LATAM Airlines can be used for regional flights \u2014 which we will discuss below \u2014 as well as to get to the continent. LATAM is not part of an alliance, but you can book its flights with many other partner loyalty programs. Unfortunately, LATAM and Alaska recently ended their partnership<\/a>, removing one of the best options for booking LATAM flights.<\/p>\n

Luckily, there are alternatives. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club<\/a> has an award chart for LATAM flights<\/a>. Although the prices aren't as attractive as the American options above, they can be even better if you can time a transfer bonus<\/a> from a major bank's currency.<\/p>\n

This Miami (MIA) to Buenos Aires (EZE) flight comes in at 37,500 points in economy or 95,000 in business class \u2014 plus $41.<\/p>\n

\"Miami
Miami to Buenos Aires on LATAM. Screenshot of Virgin Atlantic.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Related<\/strong>: Best Virgin Atlantic Sweet Spots<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also check Delta Air Lines for LATAM flights. The same flight prices out similarly in economy but is much higher in business class. But if you have a collection of Delta SkyMiles<\/a>, be sure to check here too.<\/p>\n

\"Miami
Miami to Buenos Aires on LATAM. Screenshot of Delta.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n
From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United Kingdom<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
500:500<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
Canada<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:750<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
Germany<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:2<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United Kingdom<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
500:500<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100
Capital One points transfer to Virgin Red. Link your Virgin Red and Flying Club accounts to use points for flights<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
1 day - 2 days<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
15 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
2,000<\/div>
15 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Diners Club (Club Rewards)<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
5,400:5,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Heathrow Airport (My Heathrow)<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
250:250<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Rove<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100
Transfer partner added April 7, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1:1<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Star Alliance<\/span><\/h3>\n

Several\u00a0Star Alliance<\/a> members fly to South America, and these flights can be booked through various partners. United Airlines flies from Houston (IAH) to both Santiago and Buenos Aires. Plus, other airlines like Copa and Avianca are great options.<\/p>\n

Air Canada Aeroplan may be your best bet for booking these partners. Air Canada has a fixed, distance-based award chart<\/a> for flights between North and South America. These Los Angeles area flights to Buenos Aires come in at 45,000 in economy and 60,000 in business. Note the somewhat higher fees compared to previous examples.<\/p>\n

\"Los
Los Angeles to Buenos Aires booked through Air Canada. Screenshot of Air Canada.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Booking direct through Avianca LifeMiles is worth considering, too. Avianca does have a loose award chart<\/a>, but prices will fluctuate. If you find the right dates, you may see economy as low as 13,080 LifeMiles \u2014 or 11,770 with a Lifemiles+ subscription<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Booking
Screenshot of Avianca<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Business-class flights can be found starting at the 40,000-mile range. The taxes and fees are lower through LifeMiles than Air Canada as we saw above.<\/p>\n

You can check Star Alliance flights through United MileagePlus<\/a> as well. The miles may be higher, but the cancellation policy<\/a> will be much more flexible.<\/p>\n

From<\/div>
To<\/div>
Transfer Ratio<\/div>
Min.Transfer<\/div>
Average Time<\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
Canada<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Capital One<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:100<\/div>
1,000<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
47 minutes<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
United Airlines (Mileage Plus)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Citibank (ThankYou Rewards)<\/a>
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
4 days - 5 days<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1<\/div>
3,000<\/div>
1 day<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
United Airlines (Mileage Plus)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:1
Get 10,000 bonus miles for transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points in one transaction.<\/div><\/div>
3,000<\/div>
2 days - 5 days<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Barclaycard
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
8,500:5,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
United Airlines (Mileage Plus)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,000:1,000<\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Brex Cash<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
3:2<\/div>
500<\/div>
Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div>
HSBC Rewards
United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1,250:1,000<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Livelo (Clube Livelo)
Brazil<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
United Airlines (Mileage Plus)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
2,000:500<\/div>
40,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Mesa Homeowners<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Mesa ended all point transfers effective December 12, 2025<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ramp (Ramp Rewards)<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
150:100<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Rove<\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Air Canada (Aeroplan)<\/div><\/div><\/div>
100:125
Transfer partner added May 7, 2026<\/a> and 25% transfer bonus through June 6, 2026<\/a>.<\/div><\/div>
2,000<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\u2794<\/span>
Avianca (LifeMiles)<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1:1<\/div>
-<\/div>
Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Aerolineas Argentinas<\/span><\/h3>\n

One under-the-radar option is this Argentine airline that flies from Buenos Aires to Miami, Dallas, and oddly enough, Kansas City (MCI). As a SkyTeam member, you can book this airline with partner Air France-KLM Flying Blue. As an example, this Miami to Buenos Aires flight comes in at 35,500 miles and $33 in economy class.<\/p>\n

\"Booking
Booking Aerolineas Argentinas with Flying Blue miles. Screenshot of Air France.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Business-class award flights on Aerolineas Argentinas will have very limited availability. But if you have Flying Blue miles or can take advantage of a transfer bonus, this is yet another option to consider.<\/p>\n

\"Aerolineas
Screenshot of Aerolineas Argentinas<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Flying to Smaller Regional Airports<\/span><\/h2>\n

You made it to South America, but that's only part of the journey. Santiago and Buenos Aires aren't in Patagonia, so after spending some time checking out those cities, it's time to head further south. There are several smaller cities that can provide a home base for all that Patagonia has to offer. Here are the main cities to consider and their top attractions:<\/p>\n