The Best Ways To Fly to Italy With Points and Miles

Updated: March 5, 2024, 9:10am CST

Edited by:

The Best Ways To Fly to Italy With Points and Miles

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Italy has incredible food, welcoming people, and important historical artifacts almost everywhere. The country’s capital, Rome, is known for the Vatican and the Colosseum. Florence is home to Michelangelo’s David, Venice has its famous canals, and Milan is a world fashion capital. In addition to these cities, Italy’s got Cinque Terre, the Italian Alps, Tuscany, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily, all of which can’t be missed.

As with any popular destination, though, flights to Italy can be expensive. Fortunately, getting to Italy can be easy, thanks to points and miles.

In this guide, we look at some of the best programs you can use to book award flights to Italy, how to book these award flights, and how to earn enough miles for your next redemption.

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights

Fortunately, there are plenty of programs to utilize when it comes to award travel to Italy (or Europe in general). Best of all, the programs we look at cover all 3 of the major airline alliances. With these airline alliances, you can use an airline’s program to book award travel on one of their partner airlines.

It’s important to note that award space in premium cabins on certain routes to Italy can be tough to find. Typically, you want to search either close in (meaning close to the date of travel) or far out in the award calendar (10 or 11 months ahead of travel). It is important to be flexible with your travel dates.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

United Boeing 787 Dreamliner Polaris Business Class at night — United Airlines Polaris business class is a great way to get between the U.S. and Italy. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

The first program to look at for award flights between the U.S. and Italy is the ANA Mileage Club. The program offers some of the best rates and has plenty of partner airlines, as it is a member of the Star Alliance.

If you are looking to use the fewest miles possible on an award flight between the U.S. and Italy, ANA is likely your best bet. For partner award redemptions, ANA Mileage Club uses a published zone-based award chart. The mileage required for an award ticket depends on the departure and destination zones and the class of service.

It’s important to note that ANA Mileage Club does not allow for one-way award redemptions. You can only book round-trip awards with the program, but it allows for open-jaw bookings. Mileage Club also allows for stopovers on its award tickets, which is a great way to visit 2 destinations for the price of 1.

Here is the round-trip partner award pricing for flights between the U.S. and Italy:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Class of Service	Required Mileage
Y (Economy)	55,000
C (Business)	88,000
F (First)	165,000

ANA charges 88,000 miles for round-trip awards between Italy and the U.S., which is less than some programs charge for just one-way.

ANA does pass along fuel surcharges, but they vary significantly depending on which partner airline you fly. Fuel surcharges are lower for United-operated flights than they would be with many other Star Alliance partners.

Hot Tip:

ANA Mileage Club offers some of the best rates on many awards. Check out our guide to some of the best ways you can redeem ANA Mileage Club miles for max value.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA Mileage Club is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Amex points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. You also get 5,000 extra ANA miles if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once, meaning you end up with 25,000 ANA miles overall.

Turkish Miles&Smiles

Turkish Airlines Boeing 787 9 Business Class Cabin Lighting — Turkish Airlines offers an excellent long-haul business-class product. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Another excellent program for Star Alliance partner awards is with Turkish Airlines. The program also offers incredible award rates for a fraction of what other programs charge for the same flights.

Turkish Airlines publishes a zone-based award chart for both its own flights and its partner airline flights. The program has 2 distinctive award charts: 1 for promotional award tickets and 1 for regular award redemptions.

For award redemptions, focus on the promotional award chart. These rates are considered Saver-level awards and provide the best redemption rates. According to its award chart, flights between the U.S. and Italy (and the rest of Europe) can be booked for 30,000 miles one-way in economy or 45,000 miles one-way in business class.

Although the pricing is slightly more than what ANA charges, Turkish allows for one-way bookings, which allow for more redemption opportunities.

Like ANA Mileage Club, Turkish Airlines also passes along carrier-imposed surcharges on award redemptions, though they are reasonable in most cases. Of course, they vary depending on which airline you are flying.

Earning Turkish Miles&Smiles Miles

Earning Turkish Miles&Smiles miles is relatively easy, as the program is a transfer partner of major transferrable points programs. Turkish Airlines is a transfer partner of Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Bilt, Capital One, and Citi transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy occur at a 3:1 ratio, and you get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer.

Avianca LifeMiles

Lufthansa First Class is one of the best ways to fly between the U.S. and Europe. Image Credit: Greg Stone

The last Star Alliance program we’re looking at is with Avianca LifeMiles. The LifeMiles program offers a ton of value thanks to its numerous partners, lack of fuel surcharges, and the ability to book mixed-cabin awards.

LifeMiles uses a standard zone-based award chart for most flights. Here is the award pricing based on which class you are flying:

Economy: 30,000 miles one-way plus taxes and fees
Business: 63,000 miles one-way plus taxes and fees
First: 87,000 miles one-way plus taxes and fees

LifeMiles’ award pricing between the U.S. and Europe is competitive, especially in business and first class. Best of all, you can use LifeMiles to fly on partner airlines such as Lufthansa and Swiss and not have to worry about exorbitantly high cash fees, as LifeMiles does not pass along fuel surcharges.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles are some of the easiest points to earn, as the program is transfer partners with many transferrable points programs. Avianca LifeMiles is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All the programs transfer to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio, except for Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Avianca LifeMiles at a 3:1 ratio.

Avianca also offers frequent bonuses, sometimes as high as 200%, when purchasing LifeMiles. Although buying points and miles should not be a priority, buying LifeMiles can make for some cheap first class and business class award redemptions.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Air France 777 Business Class Seat 5L Windows — Air France offers a solid long-haul business-class product. Image Credit: Nick Ellis

Another excellent option for business class flights to Italy is with the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program. Air France-KLM is a part of the SkyTeam Alliance, which includes airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and ITA Airways, the national carrier of Italy.

Although the Flying Blue program has been devalued over the years, award flights between North America and Europe are still an amazing deal. The lowest available rates can be hard to find at times, but award availability is among the best.

Flying Blue does have an award chart, but it only applies to flights operated by Air France or KLM and not its partner airlines. Although there is an award chart, pricing is not fixed, because Air France-KLM uses dynamic pricing. This means that the pricing of an award ticket can vary significantly.

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide on the best ways to Redeem Flying Blue Miles (Air France-KLM) for maximum value.

According to the Flying Blue award chart, you can book an award ticket between the U.S. and Italy starting at the following rates: 15,000 miles in economy, 30,000 miles in premium economy, or 55,000 miles in business class. All prices are for one-way awards on Air France-KLM operated flights.

Flying Blue does pass along carrier-imposed surcharges on its award tickets, but they are reasonable for flights between the U.S. and Italy. You can expect to pay around $200 for a one-way flight between the U.S. and Europe.

Another perk of the Flying Blue loyalty program is its Flying Blue Promo Rewards. Each month, Flying Blue discounts select routes up to 50% off normal award rates, including many routes between the U.S. and Europe. Although you must book and fly between a specific travel period, you can book these awards for significantly less than what they normally go for.

Earning Air France-KLM Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue miles are relatively easy to earn thanks to transfer partnerships. The Flying Blue program is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points. All these points transfer to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Access to Amex International Airline Program
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card^®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card^®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card^®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card^®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,320

Annual Fee

$250

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

$250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
No lounge access

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Business owner? See our list of the best Amex business credit cards.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Delta One Suites A350-900. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club joined the SkyTeam Alliance in early 2023 and is another excellent program that can be utilized for flights to Italy.

Despite numerous devaluations to Virgin Atlantic’s partner award charts over the years, the program still offers some great rates for award flights between the U.S. and Europe. However, the program also charges extremely high fees, at least on particular routes.

Flying Club has distance-based award charts for SkyTeam partner redemptions. However, the program also has unique award charts for each partner airline, and pricing depends on where you are flying.

For flights operated by Delta, you can fly nonstop between U.S. cities and Italy for 30,000 points in economy or 50,000 points in Delta One business class. Best of all, taxes and fees are minimal on these awards. Delta typically charges more than 300,000 SkyMiles to fly Delta One between the U.S. and Europe, so you’re saving a ton of miles utilizing Flying Club.

You can also use Flying Club points on flights operated on Air France or KLM. Award rates can be quite competitive, but taxes and fees are much higher.

Lastly, Flying Club has a separate award chart for flights operated by ITA Airways, the national carrier of Italy. Nonstop flights between U.S. cities and Europe start at just 25,500 points each way in economy or 75,000 miles in ITA Airways business class.

Earning Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points

Earning Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points is quite easy, thanks to the program being a transfer partner of nearly every major transferrable currency. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles (via Virgin Red), Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All the programs transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio except Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. If you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once, you will receive 5,000 additional Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

POPULAR FIRST CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Are you a business owner? Check out our list of the best Chase business cards.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage is another solid option for award travel between the U.S. and Italy. American Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance with British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways, among others.

The program has undergone major devaluations over the years, but it still provides a ton of value, particularly on partner airlines. However, some partners are better than others when it comes to award redemptions.

For American-operated flights, American Airlines uses a dynamic pricing method. This makes it extremely hard to determine how many miles you need for an award redemption as prices vary, resulting in the need for an exorbitant number of miles. Occasionally, you can find deals on American flights, but don’t expect this to be the norm.

Fortunately, the award redemptions are different when you’re flying on partner airlines. American Airlines has an award chart for partner redemptions. This, however, can also be a problem, as certain partners, namely British Airways, charge a ton in surcharges that can be more than $700 one-way between the U.S. and Europe.

According to American’s partner award chart, you can fly between the U.S. and Italy (and Europe) for 30,000 miles one-way in economy, 40,000 miles one-way in premium economy, 57,500 miles one-way in business class, and 85,000 miles one-way in first class. American also has special pricing for Main Cabin off-peak fares, which can be booked for 22,500 miles one-way.

When looking at partner airlines, choose carefully, as some partners have high surcharges.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

It is relatively easy to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles, as there are several co-branded American Airlines credit cards issued by Citi and Barclays.

American AAdvantage is also a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Bilt Rewards is a 1:1 transfer partner, and Marriott Bonvoy is a 3:1 transfer partner.

Final Thoughts

Italy has a rich history and offers tons of diverse experiences. From the mountainous regions in the north to the vineyards in Tuscany to the beautiful coastal cities in the south, Italy has something to offer to everyone.

The key to getting to experience the country is knowing how to leverage your points and miles with the programs that offer the best redemptions. Fortunately, there is an endless list of programs you can utilize for award tickets to Italy.

It’s important to look at award programs carefully. Some programs may charge significantly fewer miles for an award ticket but may pass on fuel surcharges that can make it more expensive.

What you may notice is absent from this article is flying on an award ticket from the U.S. to Europe and then buying a ticket on a low-cost carrier from that city to Italy. This is certainly an option, too — and one that we recommend if you don’t mind a connection and spending a small amount of cash on a cheap flight.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Dario Veronesi via Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Turkish Airlines miles to fly business class to Italy?

Yes, you can use the Turkish Miles&Smiles program for award flights between the U.S. and Italy on Turkish Airlines or its Star Alliance partners.

How can I earn Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles?

Flying Blue miles are relatively easy to earn, as the program is transfer partners with most of the major transferrable points currencies. Flying Blue is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points.

How many miles does Avianca LifeMiles charge for one-way business class tickets to Europe?

For flights between the U.S. and Europe, Avianca LifeMiles charges 63,000 miles one-way in business class.

Which award program is best to use for round-trip awards between the U.S. and Italy?

ANA Mileage Club offers excellent round-trip award rates between the U.S. and Italy. ANA charges 55,000 miles in economy and 88,000 miles in business class for round-trip award tickets.

Was this page helpful?

About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE^™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.