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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.
Here’s how to use points and miles to get to Patagonia — including flights to South America, regional connections, and where to stay.
Getting to South America
Patagonia encompasses the southern tip of South America — 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.
American Airlines
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.
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, so these prices will fluctuate somewhat. But at these costs, this is a great way to get to South America.
American AAdvantage miles aren't the only way to book this flight — you can also use partner Alaska Airlines. The availability may differ, but as you can see, the same flight is cheaper in premium economy and business class when booking through Alaska.
With the ability to transfer points from transferable points programs to both American and Alaska Airlines, this should be your first stop when looking for flights to South America.
LATAM Airlines
As a major airline in South America, LATAM Airlines can be used for regional flights — which we will discuss below — 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, removing one of the best options for booking LATAM flights.
Luckily, there are alternatives. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has an award chart for LATAM flights. Although the prices aren't as attractive as the American options above, they can be even better if you can time a transfer bonus from a major bank's currency.
This Miami (MIA) to Buenos Aires (EZE) flight comes in at 37,500 points in economy or 95,000 in business class — plus $41.
Related: Best Virgin Atlantic Sweet Spots
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, be sure to check here too.
Star Alliance
Several Star Alliance 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.
Air Canada Aeroplan may be your best bet for booking these partners. Air Canada has a fixed, distance-based award chart 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.
Booking direct through Avianca LifeMiles is worth considering, too. Avianca does have a loose award chart, but prices will fluctuate. If you find the right dates, you may see economy as low as 13,080 LifeMiles — or 11,770 with a Lifemiles+ subscription.
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.
You can check Star Alliance flights through United MileagePlus as well. The miles may be higher, but the cancellation policy will be much more flexible.
Aerolineas Argentinas
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.
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.
Flying to Smaller Regional Airports
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:
- Puerto Montt (PMC) –– Base for rafting the Futaleufú River
- Puerto Natales (PNT) –– Torres del Paine National Park
- El Calafate (FTE) –– Mt. Fitz Roy; Perito Moreno Glacier
- Punta Arenas (PUQ) –– Strait of Magellan; penguin colony
- Ushuaia (USH) –– Southernmost city in the world; gateway to Antarctica
Several airlines fly to these cities. Some you can use points and miles, while for others, cash may be the best option. Here is where you can start your search.
LATAM Airlines
LATAM will have the most robust route map throughout the region, and booking awards will be roughly the same process as flights from North America. Checking both Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines for a flight between Santiago and Punta Arenas (PUQ) returns the following in economy only:
As you can see, Delta comes out ahead here, but neither miles total is very exciting. Comparing the cash price would be smart before using miles. Or, if you have 20 million Qantas points burning a hole in your pocket, you could book the same flight that way. Yikes!
JetSMART
This low-cost carrier operates within South America and should also be considered for your trek to Patagonia. A unique partnership with American Airlines lets you redeem AAdvantage miles for JetSMART flights. As a low-cost carrier, many services like bags and seat selection are an added cost.
This Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (USH) flight starts at only 7,300 American miles and about $8, but it doesn't include much. You can add on the extras by purchasing a package for more miles and dollars, or add those services à la carte using cash.
It is worth weighing the same JetSMART flight with cash only to see if the miles redemption option offers good value.
Aerolineas Argentinas
You can fly from both Buenos Aires' airports to Patagonia with Aerolineas Argentinas, again using Flying Blue miles. Awards start at 12,500 miles, like this flight to El Calafete (FTE).
Travel portals or paying cash
If those award totals above seem a bit steep, or you can't find availability for your dates, it's not the end of the world. The airfares to southern Patagonia can be pretty cheap, so cash may be your best bet. Plus, other low-cost carriers like Sky Airline and Flybondi can get you there economically.
Booking these regional flights through a travel portal may also make sense. For example, you could book these Buenos Aires to Ushuaia flights either using under $100 through the Capital One Travel portal or use a card like the Capital One Venture X to reimburse the travel purchase using miles.
Whether using miles, cash, or a combination of the two, there are plenty of options for getting from Santiago or Buenos Aires to your final destination in Patagonia.
Where To Stay With Points
Chain hotels using points are few and far between in these more remote locations, but there are some worth considering.
World of Hyatt has several Mr. & Mrs. Smith properties around Torres del Paine and El Chalten. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Explora Chalten, and Explora Torres del Paine are luxury properties, with price tags to boot. These hotels include food and activities but can be upward of $3,000 per night, with awards at more than 200,000 points.
Leading Hotels of the World
This luxury hotel collection has several properties throughout Patagonia. Citi ThankYou points transfer 5:1 to Leaders Club, making these properties below bookable with points.
- The Singluar Patagonia, Puerto Natales, Chile
- Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa
- Hotel AWA, Puerto Varas, Chile
For example, the Arakur Ushuaia costs 4,763 points per night when checking dates in November. That would equate to 23,815 Citi ThankYou points per night.
Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, as well as Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, are also both part of Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. That means using credits from the Platinum Card® to book these properties could be another way to defray the cost and get some extra perks.
Travel portals
Like regional flights, hotels in the area may best be booked through a travel portal. Either earning a bonus multiplier by booking a cash rate or redeeming flexible points through a portal should give you several alternatives.
For example, using the Citi Travel portal could earn up to 10X points on a cash stay, or you could use the $300 travel credit on the Citi Strata Elite toward the cost. This search of Punta Arenas shows several options bookable this way.
Using the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit or Capital One Venture X travel credit are a couple more examples of many ways to save money booking through a travel portal. Even the new Bilt Palladium card comes with hotel credits that could be useful here. Be sure to compare various portal rates even versus booking direct, as prices may fluctuate.
Related: Comparing Travel Portals
Torres del Paine Tips and Tricks
Torres del Paine National Park, the Instagram-reel gem of the region, is among the most popular tourist destinations in Patagonia, with over 300,000 people visiting annually. It is with good reason. The jagged, granite peaks and turquoise lakes look like a painting. Home to the popular “O” and “W” multiday treks, it is a hiker's paradise.
This idyllic setting was the purpose of my trip to Patagonia, so I'll share some tips for those wanting to visit the park and specifically backpack the trails.
- You can book the bus from Puerto Natales to the park with Bus Sur here.
- If taking the catamaran from Pudeto to Paine Grande Refugio, you can book it here.
- Refugios (campsites and hostels) are operated by two companies in the park. You can book through Vertice and Las Torres. Spots come and go, so you may need to continue checking dates if there is no availability.
- Required park tickets can be bought here.
- Stock up on groceries and supplies in Puerto Natales if you don't want to haul them with you from home.
- Most hotels in Puerto Natales will allow you to leave a bag while you go on the hike.
- All the Refugios have potable and hot water for cooking. The rivers are all glacier-fed, but water should probably be purified anyway (ask me how I know).
Bottom Line
Patagonia is the pinnacle of natural beauty, with so much to see and do. But getting there isn't easy, which makes the journey part of the adventure. Using points and miles for flights and hotels can make this trip an affordable reality. Whether it be flights to South America, regional flights, or hotels, using points will certainly save you money.
