Iceland With Points & Miles

In Episode 125 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosts Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer dive into a variety of hot topics in the travel and points world before focusing on a destination deep-dive into Iceland. They discuss recent credit card offers, including elevated Hilton Amex bonuses and a new Alaska Airlines Visa offer with a rare companion fare deal. Hyatt's bonus point promotion and Oman Air's upcoming entry into the Oneworld Alliance are also covered. On the personal front, both hosts share recent award redemptions, card strategy updates, and trip planning efforts—including Angie's family reunion logistics and Cameron’s luxurious stay at Hermitage Bay.The main segment features an in-depth guide to traveling in Iceland, drawing from Angie and Cameron’s separate experiences. Both traveled in August, but while Angie focused on the Golden Circle and adventurous Highlands hikes, Cameron tackled the full Ring Road route counterclockwise, visiting a broad range of regions including the East Fjords and North Iceland. They share practical advice for using points and miles for flights and accommodations, emphasizing the limited but valuable hotel options like Hilton Nordica and ION Adventure Hotel. Tips include renting a 4x4 vehicle, buying food at Costco to save money, and being prepared for strenuous hikes. The episode wraps with a fun announcement: Award Travel 101 merchandise is coming soon.Links From EpisodeOman Joins OneWorldHyatt PromotionNew Hilton OffersNew Alaska CC offerIceland Names/PlacesSouthBlue LagoonFriðheimar- Tomoto restaurantReykjadalur Hot SpringsJokulsarlon- glacier boat ride and diamond beachReynisfjara BeachSkaftafell- glacier and hikesHighlandsLandmannalauger and/or ThorsmorkSoutheastHofn- Pakkhus restaurantStokksnesEastSeydisfjordur or Borgarfjörður EystriNorth- AkureyriDettifoss waterfallLake Myvatn and bathsDimmuborgir lava fieldLeirhnjukur- bubbling hot fieldsHusavik- whale watchingSiglufjörður- orange lighthouseNorthwestSnaefellsnesKirkjufell- waterfallLodgingHunkubakkarWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.