Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or taking gorgeous hikes, Iceland has something for your family—and it’s less than a six-hour flight from the East Coast of the U.S.

In this series of “for every points budget” posts, we show you how to get to a destination, whether you have plenty of points or are looking to travel on a tight points budget. 

In this post, we’re planning travel for a family from the Washington, D.C., area to Reykjavik, Iceland (though you could certainly explore beyond Reykjavik if your schedule allows).

Flights to and from Reykjavik from the U.S. are a bit tricky because Iceland’s flagship carrier, Icelandair, is not a direct transfer partner of any of the U.S. transferable points programs. 

However, there are frequent cash sales on Icelandair, so you could pay cash, or you may be able to find a deal when cash prices are low by booking through a travel portal. (I’ve gotten many alerts about Iceland deals from Thrifty Traveler.)

 

Low Points Price Flight – Icelandair Economy via JetBlue or Alaska Atmos Rewards

The family could fly from Washington Dulles to Reykjavik in Icelandair economy via JetBlue or Alaska Atmos. I found lots of summer availability for about 13,000 JetBlue miles plus $102.20 per person. 

If you have Alaska Atmos Rewards miles, you can often book through this program as well. This is how Jess booked her family to Iceland. This summer, I found many dates for about 23,000 Atmos miles plus $146 per person.  

 

 

 

Low Points Price Hotel – Candlewood Suites Reykjavik

The Candlewood Suites Reykjavik is a rare gem: a European hotel that sleeps a family of four and is bookable with points! This extended-stay property offers kitchens and laundry facilities, which come in clutch for family travelers. While not as close to the tourist attractions as some of the pricier properties, you can get to many local sites via public transit. If you are planning to have a car in Reykjavik, keep in mind that the hotel charges about $20 per day for parking. 

Like most IHG properties, the points cost of the Candlewood Suites Reykjavik varies. I found dates next May for around 50,000 IHG points per night. I hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, so I would get the fourth night free on a points stay, bringing this stay down to less than 40,000 IHG points per night. (This benefit also applies if you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.)

Redeem three nights, get the fourth night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay. You can receive a fourth Reward Night free, redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.

 

 

Medium Points Price Flight – United Economy 

United also has a flight from Washington Dulles to Reykjavik. This can be a great deal, especially if you have a United credit card, which offers better award pricing to cardholders.

Even at peak summer travel times, I found saver space on this route for four people in economy for about 33,000 miles per person plus $7.20 in taxes and fees (or about 30,000 miles for a United cardholder)  

 

 

Medium Points Price Hotel – Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre 

Jess and her family loved their stay at the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre during their Iceland and Ireland adventure last year. This hotel is centrally located in Reykjavik and has an onsite restaurant, room service, and a fitness center. The hotel charges about $24 per day for parking. 

Points prices vary, but you can often find standard room availability here for around 70,000 to 85,000 Hilton points per night. 

Unlike the Candlewood Suites, standard rooms here only accommodate two people. So you will need more than one room for the family. Luckily, Hilton points are relatively easy to amass, and you can always use one of the Squad’s favorite free-night certificates for one or more rooms. Jess booked her family a standard room and then contacted the hotel to pay for an upgrade to a suite, so you can always look into that option as well. 

If you’re planning a longer trip, you can get the fifth night free if you book your stay solely on points (not with free-night certificates), as long as you hold any level of Hilton status. 

Redeem four nights, get the fifth night free when you redeem points for a consecutive five-night Hilton hotel. You can receive a fifth Reward Night free, redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.

 

 

High Points Price Flight – Icelandair Saga Premium  

If you want to splurge for this short flight, you can often book Icelandair’s Saga Premium via a partner airline. Before you use this many points, you should know that Icelandair’s version of business class is not like other international business-class products with lie-flat seats. It’s more like a domestic first-class experience; you’ll get perks like a roomier seat, meal service, priority boarding, and checked bags. 

Next spring, I found several seats available in business class for 76,500 JetBlue points per person plus about $100 in taxes and fees. Unless you are flush with JetBlue points, I wouldn’t be inclined to spend this many points for such a short flight, especially given that not every major points program transfers 1:1 to JetBlue. 

 

 

 

High Points Price Hotel – The Reykjavik EDITION 

The Reykjavik EDITION is a luxury hotel in the heart of Reykjavik that can accommodate families in one room! The EDITION is conveniently located in the downtown area, close to the city’s main shopping area and many other attractions. The hotel has a gym, spa, and a few restaurants, including a rooftop bar with gorgeous views. 

This hotel is typically priced around 80,000 to 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for a double queen room that sleeps four. For a longer stay, you could book five nights on points and get one night free. Or for a shorter stay, this hotel would be an ideal use of your 85,000-point free-night certificates. 

Redeem four nights, get the fifth night free when you redeem points for a consecutive five-night stay at a Marriott hotel. You can receive a fifth Reward Night free, redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.

Additionally, this property is available through many of the premium-card travel sites, such as Bilt Home Away from Home, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts®, and The Edit by Chase Travel℠, so using a hotel credit could be a smart strategy. Given the high cash price, this will be a more expensive option, but it could work if you are short on Marriott points or need an additional room. 

 

 

Bottom Line 

Beautiful Iceland has so much to offer active families, whatever your points budget. Which way are you going there?

 

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