How to Plan Your Dream Trip to the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany Using Credit Card Points, According to a Money Expert

Pro tips for savoring pasta and seaside views without blowing your entire budget.

Framed by mountains and sea, the Amalfi Coast is famed for its dramatic scenery, charming villages, delicious restaurants, and panoramic views. All this makes it one of the most in-demand destinations in the world. That means crowds and sky-high prices, especially during the height of summer. While you might not be able to escape the maelstrom of peak season tourists, turning fantasies of twirling a plate of spaghetti in Sorrento or traipsing through the gardens of Ravello into reality don’t have to break the bank. Ditto goes for the always gorgeous region of Tuscany, from the vineyards of Chianti to its cultural heart and largest city, Florence.

Tori Dunlap, money expert and founder of Her First $100K, recently embarked on an adventure to the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany, paid for in large part with credit card points. Scroll on to find out how she did it — and snag some tips for pulling off your own budget-savvy dream trip to Italy (or anywhere else for that matter).

“I didn't always use points for everything, but I made sure to save them for the big-ticket items like flights,” says Dunlap. “My partner and I flew from Seattle to Frankfurt in business class, thanks to Alaska Airlines points I’d accumulated being a frequent and loyal flier and transferred to Condor.” If I had booked without the points, the flight would have cost around $4,000 per person. Her biggest travel tip? Stay loyal to an airline to build up those frequent flier miles — it really pays off.

A rental car is essential when traveling to certain parts of Italy, especially the Amalfi Coast and the Tuscan countryside. Dunlap booked a rental car for a week (picking up in Naples and dropping off in Florence) for 62,000 points, saving about $1,100. As for accommodations, summer in Italy means sky-high rates. If you have the points to cash in, it’s a great way to experience incredible hotels such as Terme di Saturnia, which Dunlap loved, without draining your bank account.

Of course, it’s possible to book a lot more than just transportation with points. Many credit cards let you use points for experiences like guided tours or museum passes, which you can book through your card’s online portal. Dunlap arranged a Tuscan cooking experience for six people for 11,000 points (it would have cost about $900).

Dunlap built up her points by putting all her purchases on credit cards. “Every single thing I buy, whether it’s my electric bill, meals, or business expenses for Her First $100K, goes on a card. By doing this, I earn points on every dollar I spend. I use multiple credit cards to maximize the points and rewards I get, choosing cards that align with my spending habits and offer the best perks for things like travel and everyday expenses.” Banking enough points to cover a big portion of the trip took her about a year and a half. Start saving now and you could be sipping an Aperol spritz overlooking the Bay of Naples next summer.

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