The Best Ways To Fly to Sweden With Points and Miles

Along with the Scandinavian countries of Denmark and Norway, Sweden is a country with many islands, lakes, forests, and mountains.

The northern lights, fishing, hiking, and skiing are what Sweden is known for, in addition to its capital city of Stockholm.

The major airport in Sweden is Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).

This airport offers nonstop flights between the U.S. and Sweden, as well as connecting flights from the U.S. through other European countries.

Nonstop Flights Between the U.S. and Sweden

At the moment, there are 3 airlines that offer nonstop flights between the U.S. and Sweden, and you probably aren’t expecting one of them!

All of the nonstop flights are through Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). Unfortunately, just 1 of these airlines has good award availability.

But if you’re flexible enough, you are bound to find a date with availability for at least 2 travelers in business class.

Here are the airlines with nonstop flights between the U.S. and Stockholm (ARN) in Sweden, along with their routes:

Finnair (Fifth Freedom Flights)

SAS

United Airlines

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights

The major airline alliances in Oneworld, SkyTeam, and the Star Alliance will come in handy when booking the various ways for you to fly to Sweden from the U.S.

As you’re reading through this list, it’s important to note that the award prices shown are round-trip prices.

Except for ANA partner airline flights, you can book one-way flights with any of the programs on the list.

But in order to book a nonstop flight on Finnair or SAS, you’ll most likely need to redeem points from a Oneworld or Star Alliance frequent flyer program, respectively.

Now that we have that covered, let’s jump into how best to book flights to Sweden!

ANA Mileage Club

Japan-based ANA’s Mileage Club is a program you should check out when booking flights to Sweden.

One of the most well-known sweet spots with the Mileage Club program is booking Star Alliance business class flights to Europe.

The lack of flexibility when booking partner airline award flights and fuel surcharges are by far the biggest downsides to keep in mind when using ANA miles.

ANA also requires you to book round-trip partner flights, which limits the flexibility of your flights.

With respect to fuel surcharges, ANA passes them on to you. This means that if you book airlines like Austrian Airlines or Lufthansa with ANA miles, you’ll pay a ton in taxes and fees.

Luckily, if you happen to find award availability on SAS, you’ll pay as little as $70 in round-trip taxes and fees in business class!

Here’s the award redemption chart:

Hot Tip: A way to get around high fuel surcharges on Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa is to use Avianca LifeMiles or United MileagePlus. Both of these programs don’t impose fuel surcharges, so you’ll save a lot of money in the process.

Flights to Sweden that you can book with ANA Mileage Club miles include:

• Chicago (ORD) – Stockholm (ARN) for 55,000 ANA miles in SAS economy class
• Newark (EWR) – Stockholm (ARN) for 88,000 ANA miles in SAS business class

You’ll want to use the steps below to book your next award flight with ANA:

1. Search for flights on United’s website.
2. Confirm the same availability on ANA’s website.
3. Book the flight online.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA has transfer partnerships with both Amex airline partners and Marriott Bonvoy, making it super easy to earn ANA Mileage Club miles.

Points earned in both programs can be transferred directly to ANA.

ANA offers a co-branded credit card, but unfortunately, its bonus categories are paltry compared to Amex’s.

If you have the choice, you’ll want to earn American Express points first (the reason being that American Express points transfer at a 1:1 ratio in 2 to 3 days).

In the case of Marriott Bonvoy, point transfers take 7 days at a 3:1 ratio. With Marriott Bonvoy transfers, you’ll want to transfer 60,000 points at a time to earn the 5,000-mile bonus.

In short, these are the American Express credit cards to keep your eye on:

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

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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 Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible 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

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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

Cons

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $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: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 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.
• 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.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

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American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

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 Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, 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 & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

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American Express Membership Rewards

Bottom Line: ANA offers the second-cheapest business class award option to Sweden, right behind Asiana Airlines. 

American Airlines AAdvantage

One of the things to consider when earning American Airlines AAdvantage miles is that the award program doesn’t have a ton of sweet spots.

Compared to other Oneworld airline award programs, you’ll pay a premium on many routes when redeeming AAdvantage miles.

Hot Tip: Booking off-peak award flights is the way to go with the American Airlines AAdvantage program. Off-peak dates on American Airlines and partner airline flights to Europe are from January 10 to March 14 and November 1 to December 14.

Here’s the AAdvantage award chart for nonstop Finnair flights to Sweden:

Hot Tip: Booking Finnair flights nonstop is an excellent way to minimize those pesky fuel surcharges on European flights!

With the required number of AAdvantage miles in your account, you can book flights like these to Sweden:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Stockholm (ARN) for 115,000 American Airlines miles in Finnair business class
• New York (JFK) – Stockholm (ARN) for 45,000 American Airlines miles in Finnair economy class

The American Airlines award booking process is as follows:

1. Search for flights on American Airlines’ website.
2. Book the flight online.
3. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

Earning AAdvantage miles should not take much effort.

American Airlines has both a transferable program partner in Marriott Bonvoy and also offers several co-branded credit cards.

The transfer time from Marriott is Bonvoy 2 days at a ratio of 3:1. We provide an in-depth analysis of the various Marriott credit cards available.

Asiana Club

Asiana Club is another Star Alliance program to keep in mind when booking flights to Sweden.

Asiana Airlines receives the most coverage for the ability to book business and first class Star Alliance flights to Europe at low rates.

The catch with Asiana Airlines is that you’re on the hook for the fuel surcharges. Fuel surcharges and the online booking process are what frustrate many travelers about the Asiana Club program.

Here’s the award chart for flights between the U.S. and Sweden:

Example flights to Sweden that can be booked by redeeming Asiana Airlines miles include:

• Miami (MIA) – Stockholm (ARN) for 80,000 Asiana miles in SAS business class
• New York (JFK) – Stockholm (ARN) for 80,000 Asiana miles in SAS business class

Redeeming Asiana Airlines miles takes a bit of effort but is made easier if you use the process below:

1. Search for Star Alliance partner flights on United.
2. Call Asiana Airlines at 800-227-4262 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST Monday to Friday.
3. Book the flight over the phone.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Asiana Airlines Miles

Marriott Bonvoy is the only partner of the Asiana Club program, making it difficult to earn Asiana Airlines miles.

The same 5,000-mile bonus can be earned when transferring 60,000 Marriotts Bonvoy points at a time. Before transferring any points, keep in mind Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 4 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Bottom Line: Flying business class on airlines with low taxes and fees is the way to receive the most value with Asiana Airlines miles. 

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Joining American Airlines is our second Oneworld member in Cathay Pacific.

One of the best ways to redeem Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is on British Airways business and first class flights between the U.S. and Europe. The reason is that you’ll pay lower taxes and fees.

The Asia Miles program is not known for having a competitive award chart, and many of its partner airlines can’t be booked online. Here’s the approximate award chart:

Hot Tip: Cathay Pacific doesn’t have an award chart when you’re flying 1 Oneworld airline partner. Simply add 5,000 miles to the pricing shown in the Asia Miles Standard Award chart. 

For those of you with Asia Miles, consider booking flights like these to Sweden:

• Boston (BOS) – London (LHR) – Stockholm (ARN) for 100,000 Asia Miles in British Airways business class
• Miami (MIA) – Stockholm (ARN) for 54,000 Asia Miles in Finnair economy class

You can book British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia flights to Sweden using these steps:

1. Search for partner airline flights on Asia Miles’ website.
2. Book the flight online.
3. Pay the taxes and fees.

For other airline partners that fly to Sweden (i.e. American Airlines), the process is a little different:

1. Search for American Airlines award availability on British Airways’ website.
2. Call Cathay Pacific at 866-892-2598 to confirm award availability.
3. Book the flight over the phone.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific has partnerships with American Express, Brex Rewards, Capital One, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy, meaning it’ll be extremely easy to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

Cathay Pacific also offers a co-branded Synchrony Bank credit card, allowing you to earn Asia Miles directly from your spending.

If you find yourself with American Express, Brex, Capital One, Citi, and/or Marriott Bonvoy points, keep the transfer ratios and times in mind as they are different.

American Express points transfer in around a day at a 1:1 ratio, Capital One Miles transfers take 5 days at a 1:1 ratio, Citi point transfers take 24 hours at a 1:1 ratio, Brex points transfer at a 1:1 ratio in 1 business day, and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 5 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers come with a bonus of 5,000 Asia Miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once.

If you’re looking to earn Citi ThankYou Points, we recommend checking out the cards below:

Recommended Citi Card

Citi Premier^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Citi Premier^® Card

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Welcome Offer

No offer available

No offer available

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$0

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 29.24% variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Premier^® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
• Access to Citi transfer partners
• Annual hotel credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• No welcome offer available
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou^® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.24% variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Iberia Plus

Iberia is the third Oneworld airline partner to make this list.

For U.S. travelers, there are 2 things that you may be familiar with about the Iberia Plus program — the ability to book domestic American Airlines flights and the ability to redeem Iberia Avios (miles) for Iberia flights during off-peak dates between the U.S. and Europe.

Before you start earning Iberia Avios or transferring points to Iberia, you’ll want to keep in mind that some partners, like American Airlines, require you to book round-trip flights.

Many travelers see this as a drawback when using the Iberia Plus program.

Check out the award chart for off-peak flights booked using Iberia Avios:

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for an even cheaper flight option to Europe, consider redeeming Aer Lingus AerClub Avios. You’ll need to book an additional flight to Sweden, but you can fly to Europe in economy at extremely low prices using Aer Lingus Avios. 

Award flights to Sweden that can be booked using Iberia Avios include:

• Boston (ORD) – Madrid (MAD) – Stockholm (ARN) for 85,000 Iberia Avios in Iberia business class off-peak
• New York (JFK) – Madrid (MAD) – Stockholm (ARN) for 42,500 Iberia Avios in Iberia economy class off-peak

Booking award flights to Sweden redeeming Iberia Avios is pretty simple. Use the process below to book:

1. Search for Iberia flights on Iberia’s website.
2. Book Iberia flights online.
3. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Iberia Avios

Earning Iberia Avios won’t be too much of a challenge.

Iberia offers a co-branded Chase credit card that earns Iberia Avios and also has partnerships with American Express, Chase, and Marriott Bonvoy.

The transfer times and ratios are different among the transferable point programs. American Express and Chase have 1:1 transfer ratios while Marriott Bonvoy has a 3:1 transfer ratio. Chase transfers almost instantly, Amex takes 1 to 3 business days, and Marriott Bonvoy takes around 1 business day. With Marriott Bonvoy transfers, try to transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at a time to earn the 5,000-mile bonus.

We love earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points and recommend checking out these cards to earn your fair share:

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

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

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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)

Cons

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 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, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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.

Apply Now(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 Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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 through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $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 $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

INTRO OFFER

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Flex^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
• Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74%-28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Bottom Line: The off-peak award calendar is the way to go with Iberia. You can save yourself a ton of Avios by simply traveling during these off-peak dates. 

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Japan Airlines’ Mileage Bank is an interesting program that doesn’t get much media coverage and is known for is offering low rates on Oneworld partner airline flights.

While Japan Airlines has competitive award prices, its miles can be tough to earn — one of the drawbacks of this program that you should keep in mind.

Hot Tip: Japan Airlines has a partnership with SkyTeam’s Air France outside of its partnership with the Oneworld alliance. This works in your favor as you can use Japan Airlines miles to book an Air France award flight.

Here’s the JAL Mileage Bank award chart for Oneworld flights:

If you have Japan Airlines miles, here are a couple of flights to Sweden that you can book:

• Boston (BOS) – Paris (CDG) – Stockholm (ARN) for 85,000 Japan Airlines miles in Air France business class
• New York (JFK) – Helsinki (HEL) – Stockholm (ARN) for 85,000 Japan Airlines miles in Finnair business class

Using the steps below will help you book a flight to Sweden with Japan Airlines miles:

1. Search for Oneworld flights on British Airways’ website.
2. Search for Saver-level Air France flights on Delta.
3. Confirm the same availability on Japan Airlines.
4. Book the flight online.
5. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Japan Airlines Miles

Japan Airlines only partners with Marriott Bonvoy, so it may be challenging to earn Japan Airlines miles.

In addition to earning points via Marriott Bonvoy, Japan Airlines offers a co-branded First National Bank of Omaha credit card.

Due to the low welcome offer and earn rates, we’d recommend passing on it for now.

For those of you looking to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points, the transfer time takes 2 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Keep in mind that you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus with every 60,000 points that you transfer to Japan Airlines.

Bottom Line: For flights to Sweden, flights that travel the shortest distance require the fewest number of Japan Airlines miles. 

Korean Air SKYPASS

South Korea-based Korean Air is the lone SkyTeam partner to make this list.

For U.S. travelers, the SKYPASS program is known for competitive business class award flights to Europe and competitive award flights on Air France between Los Angeles and Tahiti.

Fuel surcharges and its online booking process are 2 downsides that you should be aware of when redeeming Korean Air miles.

Particularly on this route, expect to pay several hundred dollars in fees.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to fly SkyTeam airline partners to Stockholm, we also recommend checking the award prices on Air France, Delta, and KLM. 

The following is the award chart for a SkyTeam award flight booked using Korean Air miles:

You can redeem Korean Air miles on flights like these to Sweden:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Paris (CDG) – Stockholm (ARN) for 80,000 Korean Air miles in Delta or Air France business class
• Detroit (DTW) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Stockholm (ARN) for 50,000 Korean Air miles in Delta or KLM economy class

Award flights to Stockholm can be booked much easier by following these steps:

1. Search for SkyTeam flights on Air France, Delta, or KLM.
2. Confirm the same availability on Korean Air or call Korean Air at 800-438-5000.
3. Book the flight online or over the phone.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS Miles

Marriott Bonvoy is the only transferable point program that partners with Korean Air, and for this reason, you may have a tough time earning Korean Air SKYPASS miles.

For those of you holding Marriott Bonvoy points, the transfer time to Marriott Bonvoy takes 48 hours at a 3:1 ratio.

Another way that you can earn Korean Air miles is by putting your spend on its co-branded U.S. Bank-issued credit card.

Bottom Line: Using Korean Air miles to fly SkyTeam business class can open up incredible value. The main thing to factor in with these flights is the fuel surcharges.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Booking Singapore Airlines premium cabin flights and booking discounted flights during its Spontaneous Escapes are 2 things the KrisFlyer program is known for.

What you may not have considered is using KrisFlyer miles to book Star Alliance flights to Sweden.

Star Alliance business class award pricing is probably a pass for us, but if you have a lot of Singapore Airlines miles, you can get some good value from them.

Here is the award chart:

Hot Tip: If you don’t mind booking an additional flight to Stockholm, you can fly Singapore Airlines between the U.S. and Europe. The 2 routes are New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) and Houston (IAH) – Manchester (MAN). 

Star Alliance flights to Sweden that you can book with KrisFlyer miles include:

• Chicago (ORD) – Stockholm (ARN) for 61,000 KrisFlyer miles in SAS economy class
• Miami (MIA) – Stockholm (ARN) for 61,000 KrisFlyer in SAS economy class

Singapore Airlines has a straightforward award booking process that looks like this:

1. Search for Star Alliance flights on United.com.
2. Confirm the same availability on Singapore Airlines.
3. Book the flight online.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles

American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Brex Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy all partner with Singapore Airlines.

This means that it’ll be easy to earn Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card for the U.S. market, so transferable points will be the main way to earn miles without flying.

Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Brex all transfer at a 1:1 ratio. All of them may take 1 to 2 business days to transfer.

When transferring Marriott Bonvoy points, the transfer ratio is 3:1. Also, keep in mind that you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at a time to Singapore Airlines.

If you’re looking to earn Capital One miles, here are the cards we recommend:

Recommended Capital One Cards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Bottom Line: Booking Star Alliance economy flights to Europe is what we recommend. If business class is your jam, consider using ANA, Asiana, or Aeroplan to unlock more competitive award pricing. 

United Airlines MileagePlus

The last airline on this list is one that U.S. travelers likely have used in the past.

United Airlines’ MileagePlus program is known for its ability to book award flights without fuel surcharges, saving you a ton of cash when you’re flying Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa.

While you will not pay fuel surcharges with United, one of the downsides to redeeming MileagePlus miles to book award flights is that you will pay more in miles.

Hot Tip: Consider using United miles when you want to book partner airline flights that have high fuel surcharges. 

Although the award chart isn’t published any longer, here’s how much Saver-level tickets generally cost:

With many Star Alliance airline partners based in Europe, you have tons of award flight options to Sweden like these:

• Chicago (ORD) – Vienna (VIE) – Stockholm (ARN) for 140,000 United miles in Austrian Airlines business class
• Newark (EWR) – Stockholm (ARN) for 120,000 United miles in United Polaris business class

United makes it easy to book award flights. You can also follow this process:

1. Search for flights on United’s website.
2. Book the flight on United.
3. Pay the taxes and fees.

Earning United Airlines MileagePlus Miles

United Airlines has 2 transferable point program partnerships — Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

United also offers several co-branded credit cards. The spend that you put on these cards directly earns MileagePlus miles.

For those looking to transfer Chase points, the points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio.

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer within 2 days at a 3:1 ratio, and with every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive a 10,000-mile bonus.

Bottom Line: United doesn’t offer the lowest award prices to Sweden. However, United miles shield you from high fuel surcharges that you’ll typically see when booking Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa. 

Final Thoughts

You have numerous airline programs to choose from when booking your next trip to Sweden.

With an array of economy, business, and first class options, the only thing holding you back is deciding what award flight makes the most sense for you.

When booking award flights to Sweden, we recommend earning transferable points.

These types of points allow you to book flights in any of the programs on this list.

You’ll have the most flexibility when you’re ready to book your next European vacation to this beautiful Scandinavian country.