10 Unexpected Nonstop International Routes From the U.S. You Can Book With Points

If you’ve been playing the points and miles game for a while, you already know the usual suspects: Paris, Tokyo, London, and Sydney. Those routes are everywhere, and award availability from the U.S. tends to follow.

But there are several nonstop international routes from the U.S. that fly way under the radar to places you might not even realize are reachable without a connection. Some of these flights operate only a few times a week, while others are so niche that they’re barely discussed. But they all have one thing in common: You can book them with points and miles.

I’ve personally come across a few of these while searching for award space, and they’re the kind of routes that make you pause when you realize they’re actually nonstop from the U.S.

Here are 10 unexpected destinations you can actually book nonstop — and how to do so using points.

1. Accra, Ghana (ACC): From New York (JFK) on Delta Air Lines

Accra feels like one of those “if you know, you know” destinations, rich in culture, offering incredible food, and still largely under the radar for U.S. travelers.

This nonstop route is just over 11 hours and is currently operated by Delta on an Airbus A330-900neo, offering a solid long-haul experience across all cabins. Flights typically depart from New York (JFK) in the late afternoon and arrive in Accra the following morning.

Frequency is strong on a West Africa route with Delta, offering daily year-round service. When it’s time to book, your best bet is to skip Delta SkyMiles and look at Air France-KLM Flying Blue, where economy awards can start at 33,000 miles one-way.

Delta’s own business class pricing can be eye-watering, often starting at 382,000 SkyMiles one-way, making partner bookings far more appealing.

Hot Tip:

If you’re fine flying in economy to Ghana, Air France-KLM Flying Blue is the way to go — award rates can be far more reasonable than Delta’s own pricing. Even better, earning Flying Blue miles is easy, since you can transfer points from all major programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

2. Belgrade, Serbia (BEG): From New York (JFK) on Air Serbia

Belgrade is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals, a gritty-meets-charming city with buzzing nightlife, historic fortresses, and some of the best value on the continent.

This nonstop flight is operated by Air Serbia on an Airbus A330, typically departing New York (JFK) in the evening and arriving in Belgrade the next morning — a convenient overnight hop to Eastern Europe. The route generally runs 3 or 4 times weekly, depending on the season, with increased frequency during the summer months.

You can often book business class for around 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points one-way or just 40,000 points in economy, plus taxes and fees.

Like Flying Blue, Aeroplan points are easy to earn thanks to a long list of transfer partners, including Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, Ultimate Rewards points, and Marriott Bonvoy. For a route that doesn’t get much attention in the points world, that’s pretty compelling.

3. Dakar, Senegal (DSS): From New York (JFK) on Delta Air Lines

If Accra caught your eye, Dakar should also be on your radar. Dakar is another West African gem known for its coastal scenery, vibrant music culture, and laid-back energy.

Delta typically operates this route 3 times weekly from New York (JFK), usually on an Airbus A330, and service tends to be seasonal. Like Accra, the smarter play is often to look at Flying Blue first. Economy awards can start at 25,000 Flying Blue miles one-way, which is a solid deal for a transatlantic flight to West Africa.

Delta SkyMiles can still work here, but expect higher pricing, as premium economy often starts around 90,000 miles one-way, while business class can run roughly 3x that.

4. Georgetown, Guyana (GEO): From Miami (MIA) on American Airlines

Georgetown is one of South America’s least-visited capitals, and that’s what makes this route so interesting. It is also a gateway to Guyana’s rainforests, wildlife, and natural attractions, such as Kaieteur Falls.

American Airlines operates this route daily from Miami (MIA), and at just over 4 hours, it’s among the shortest flights on this list. And, this is actually a great sweet spot using Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points, with rates starting at just 12,500 miles one-way in economy and 25,000 miles in business class.

Alternatively, you can redeem American AAdvantage miles, though it’ll typically cost a few thousand more in each cabin.

5. Amman, Jordan (AMM): From Multiple U.S. Cities on Royal Jordanian

A nonstop flight to the Middle East that opens the door to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea is far easier than most people think.

You don’t have to route through popular gateways like Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB) to get here. Royal Jordanian has been steadily growing its U.S. presence, with nonstop flights to Amman from Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Detroit (DTW).

You can often book this route in economy starting around 40,000 miles or 70,000 miles for business class using Atmos Rewards points or American AAdvantage miles, which is solid value for a long-haul flight.

Hot Tip:

You don’t need to live in a city where Royal Jordanian operates to take advantage of this route. Thanks to Oneworld partnerships, you can often add a connecting flight from your home airport to one of its U.S. gateways for little to no extra miles.

6. Manaus, Brazil (MAO): From Miami (MIA) on GOL Linhas Aéreas

If visiting the Amazon is on your bucket list (or you want to pair it with Brazil’s more popular cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo), this is one of the easiest ways to make that happen.

GOL operates nonstop service from Miami (MIA) to Manaus, giving U.S. travelers direct access to the heart of the Amazon region without having to connect deeper within Brazil. It’s a pretty wild concept when you think about it. You can leave South Florida and land a few hours later in one of the most remote parts of the world.

This route operates multiple times per week year-round, and the points options are strong, too.

You can often book this route for 20,000 miles one-way in economy through both American Airlines AAdvantage (Oneworld) and Air Canada Aeroplan (Star Alliance). The best option is with American, since you pay just $5.60 in taxes, while Aeroplan charges about $56 in fees.

As a third option, Air France-KLM Flying Blue (SkyTeam) also has access, with rates starting around 21,500 miles one-way.

7. Nuuk, Greenland (GOH): From Newark (EWR) on United Airlines

There was a lot of buzz last year when United teased a slate of brand-new international routes, including destinations that had never seen nonstop service for U.S. travelers. Greenland was easily the most surprising of the bunch.

Up until now, getting to Nuuk (Greenland’s capital) wasn’t exactly easy. Most U.S. travelers had to route through Iceland or another European gateway and then book a separate positioning flight. Now, it’s as simple as boarding in Newark (EWR) and landing in Greenland a few hours later.

United operates this route twice weekly (typically on Tuesdays and Saturdays). It’s also seasonal and runs during the summer months, when conditions are most favorable.

On the points side, your best bet is JetBlue TrueBlue, where rates start around 26,300 points one-way. Or you can book through Air Canada Aeroplan or directly with United Airlines MileagePlus, for around 40,000 points one-way.

Business class award space on this route is extremely limited, but honestly, you’re not missing much. At just over 4 hours, this is one of those routes where economy gets the job done.

8. Olbia, Sardinia (OLB): From New York (JFK) on Delta Air Lines

Sardinia has become a much hotter destination for U.S. travelers looking beyond the usual Italy itinerary — and for good reason. Italy’s second-largest island delivers crystal-clear water, beach clubs, and a more relaxed, upscale coastal vibe.

What makes this route special is the ability to fly nonstop from New York (JFK) straight to Olbia, the gateway to the glamorous Costa Smeralda, without having to connect in mainland Italy. Best of all, Delta operates this flight 4 times weekly.

The catch is pricing. Economy awards start around 47,200 miles one-way, but business class pricing can climb to painfully high levels.

If Sardinia is the goal, this is one of those routes where economy may be the better call unless you find an unusually good redemption.

Hot Tip:

If you end up booking this route with cash, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases. It’s an easy way to rack up extra rewards on a pricier ticket.

9. Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI): From New York (EWR) on United Airlines

This is one I’m actually flying myself this summer with my wife and 3 daughters for a family vacation. We’re starting in Barcelona (BCN) and then hopping over to Mallorca for some sun and dreamy Mediterranean cove beaches that look straight out of a postcard.

On the way home, the easiest option is a nonstop from Mallorca to Newark (EWR), operated by United, which is currently the only airline offering direct nonstop service between the U.S. and Mallorca. The route runs seasonally, 4 times weekly during the summer, and the flight lasts around 9 hours.

Award pricing follows a familiar pattern. Economy starts around 40,000 miles one-way, while business class can go up to 115,000 or more. Premium economy is a nice middle ground, which can be as little as 50,000 miles one-way, plus taxes and fees.

The best strategy depends on the cabin. For economy or business class, you can book through United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan. If you’re eyeing premium economy, you need to book directly through United.

10. Ponta Delgada, Azores (PDL): From Newark (EWR) on United Airlines

If you want a European trip that feels more like Iceland or Hawaii than mainland Portugal, the Azores are tough to beat.

Most people assume this requires a connection in Lisbon (LIS), but you can actually fly nonstop from Newark (EWR) on United straight to Ponta Delgada. United operates this route seasonally in the summer with multiple weekly flights, offering a rare nonstop option.

Like Mallorca, economy pricing can be pretty reasonable at around 40,000 miles one-way for economy awards through programs like United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan. Keep in mind that business class space on these seasonal routes can be pretty scarce.

If you’re looking for something different without committing to a long-haul, this one’s tough to beat, especially since it’s only about a 5.5-hour flight.

Final Thoughts

Instead of defaulting to the same big-name cities, these routes make it surprisingly easy to branch out and try somewhere new. These are the kinds of places U.S. travelers are starting to notice but haven’t been overrun yet.

Whether you’re looking at the Amazon, West Africa, or a less-visited corner of Europe, these flights open the door without requiring a com strategy to get there. If you are flexible on dates and willing to search a little deeper, some of the best award redemptions are not always to the most obvious destination.