April 24, 2026
Reader Success Story to Austria and Italy
Pam
How We Took a Dream Trip to Austria & Italy Using Points and Miles
My parents, husband, and I took a two-week European adventure (June 30–July 12, 2025) that took us to Vienna, Salzburg, and Venice—and here’s the best part: flights and hotels for all four of us were fully covered by points and miles!
It all started in January 2024, when I dove headfirst into the world of travel points. I binged every episode of Points Talk Squad® and brought my husband and parents along with me. This was our first trip using points and miles, so THANK YOU, Squad!!
Our Strategy
We all opened the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, earned the welcome bonuses, and stacked referrals. We repeated the same strategy with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. My husband also opened a Marriott Bonvoy card for extra hotel coverage.
We transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards® to Hyatt for our stays in Vienna (Andaz Vienna) and Venice (Hyatt Centric Murano) and used Venture miles for flights on Air France and Air Canada. The Marriott points, along with some extra Venture miles, covered the Sheraton Grand Salzburg—perfect since Salzburg doesn’t have Hyatts.
Our Itinerary
Vienna (4 nights): Loved the Andaz Vienna—modern, stylish, and right next to the train station. My dad celebrated his 66th birthday while we were staying here, and the Andaz surprised him with the most beautiful chocolate cake!
Salzburg (3 nights): The Sheraton Grand was within walking distance of Old Town and the Mirabell Gardens.
Venice (4 nights): The Hyatt Centric Murano was peaceful and charming. Daily water taxis made exploring magical.
We booked trains between cities with the Omio app—super easy (tip: pay a few extra Euros to reserve seats!)
Highlights by City:
- Vienna
- GuruWalk Free Walking Tour with Michael
- GOTA Coffee Experts (voted best coffee shop in Europe)
- Mauthausen Concentration Camp day trip
- St. Charles Church & nearby rooftop museum views
- Wiener Schnitzel at Schnitzel One
- Salzburg
- Sound of Music tour
- Eagle’s Nest day trip
- Hohensalzburg Fortress funicular views
- Furst Mozart chocolates (blue foil = real deal)
- Venice
- Wave Murano glass demonstration
- Ferry to colorful Burano
- Hyatt’s breakfast = 10/10
- Free walking tour with Simona
- Grom gelato (gluten-free and fabulous!)
- Jewish Quarter guided tour
Bottom Line
This trip was pure magic—and thanks to points and miles, we’re already planning the next one!
Thanks, Suzanne, for your reader success story!
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