How to do Oktoberfest with points

☀️ Good morning and welcome back to Daily Drop! Fair warning: today’s edition is a little longer than usual…

But like Oktoberfest, once you get started, you won’t want to leave early:

• 🍺 How to do Oktoberfest with points

• 💳 The credit card app that runs my wallet for me

• 💸 Cards with no preset spending limits

🍺 How to do Oktoberfest with points

If you’ve ever dreamed of clinking a one-liter stein of golden beer while an oompah band belts away, mark your calendar: Oktoberfest 2025 runs from September 20 to October 5 in Munich, Germany.

It’s the world’s biggest Volksfest — part beer festival, part carnival — with millions flocking to Munich for giant pretzels, rides, Bavarian outfits, and (of course) beer. Lots of beer.

But getting to Munich during peak demand doesn’t have to cost you thousands. With points and miles, you can get yourself into the tents — and still have money left over for bratwurst. 🌭

Flying to Munich on points

Award space to Munich (MUC) is surprisingly plentiful, even just a month out. For example, from Charlotte (CLT), you can hop on American Airlines’ nonstop for just 27,000 AAdvantage miles + $5.60.

And if you prefer, the exact same seat can be booked through Alaska Mileage Plan (*ahem* I mean, Atmos Rewards) for 27,500 points + $18.

From the West Coast, the options are just as juicy. Flying Air France from San Francisco (SFO) to Munich can be booked via Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club for only 19,000 miles in economy.

The catch? Taxes and fees run higher (about $193), but the mileage cost is hard to beat. 🤷🏼‍♂️

And if you’d rather fly nonstop and skip the extra connections, Air Canada Aeroplan gives you access to Lufthansa’s direct SFO–MUC service for 40,000 points + $57 USD.

A little more expensive on the mileage side, but with much lower cash outlay and the convenience of a direct hop across the pond.

Hotels in Munich: points to the rescue

Once your flight is set, the real challenge is finding a bed. Hotels either sell out or crank rates sky-high, but with points (and some creativity), you’ll be fine.

Take Accor Live Limitless, for example. Since its program runs on a fixed-value system, you can redeem points at budget-friendly brands like ibis and cover your stay outright.

During Oktoberfest, this $155 room near Munich prices out to just 6,348 Accor points per night.

If you’re transferring from Capital One miles, that’s less than 13,000 miles per night — an absolute steal for one of Europe’s busiest travel weeks.

If you prefer a chain with more perks, IHG One Rewards has a solid option in the Holiday Inn Express Munich – Olching.

At 27,500 points per night, it might feel steep… until you remember that IHG cardholders get the 4th night free, which reduces the overall points cost.

Stack that with the current 100% transfer bonus from Ultimate Rewards points to IHG, and suddenly you’re paying under 14,000 Ultimate Rewards points per night for Oktoberfest lodging.

And then there’s the indulgent option: the Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, World of Hyatt’s only property in the city.

Normally, you’d be shelling out over $800 per night for this five-star property. With points? Just 23,000 Hyatt points per night.

Considering the cash rate, that’s like downing a Maß of pure redemption value.

Smart alternatives: stay nearby, skip the chaos

If Munich is booked solid (or you just want a breather from the crowds), nearby Bavarian cities make great bases:

• Nürnberg: An hour by train from Munich, with its own lively fall festival atmosphere.

• Rosenheim: Hosts its own “Herbstfest” (Autumn Festival), a local favorite with fewer tourists.

• Stuttgart: Check out the Cannstatter Volksfest, often called “the second Oktoberfest,” running almost in parallel with Munich’s event — and usually easier for hotel redemptions.

Trains between these cities are frequent, affordable, and can be offset with Capital One miles if you really want to make this a true points trip. 😉

Other pro tips

• Go on a weekday to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

• Reserve a tent table in advance if you’re going with a group. Otherwise, arrive early in the day to snag a spot.

• Budget about €12 per beer and don’t skip the roast chicken or giant pretzels.

• Yes, people really do wear lederhosen and dirndls — you’ll fit in more (and get better photos) if you join the tradition.

Bottom line

Oktoberfest is one of those bucket-list experiences that lives up to the hype. And with points, you can make it happen without your wallet feeling hungover the next morning (even if you do). 🍻

PRESENTED BY MAXREWARDS

💳 The credit card app that runs my wallet for me

Keeping track of points and perks is fun… until you’re juggling a dozen cards, five logins, and a sticky note that says “Use Capital One at Whole Foods?” 😅

That’s why I use MaxRewards — an app that takes every card you have, pulls in all your accounts, and tells you exactly which one to use for each purchase.

In just a couple of minutes, you can link all your cards and start seeing:

• Best card to use in every spending category (dining, gas, groceries, etc.)

• Active credits & perks — and reminders before they expire

• Welcome offer progress, so you don’t miss out by a few bucks

• Merchant offers that MaxRewards can auto-activate for you

Basically… it’s like having a personal points strategist living in your phone. 📱

I’ve been using it to make sure I’m never leaving points (or cash) on the table, and it’s been a game-changer for tracking annual credits across all my premium cards.

Because you’re a Daily Drop reader, MaxRewards is offering 25% off its Gold subscription, plus a seven-day free trial so you can try it out first.

Just use the code dailydrop at checkout. 🎉

💸 Cards with no preset spending limits

Most cards have a hard spending ceiling — i.e., “Your credit limit is $X.”

But some premium products work differently. With no preset spending limit, your available spend flexes based on your history, payment habits, and even the purchase itself.

It’s not “unlimited,” but it’s designed to scale with you.

One major issuer is especially known for offering both personal and business cards in this category.

On the personal side, think of The Platinum Card® from American Express everyone associates with that coveted Centurion Lounge access.

Beyond the perks, one underrated benefit is that its flexible limit makes it easier to book those $6,000+ first-class tickets or prepay a luxury hotel without sweating whether you’ll exceed your credit limit.

Why this matters

• Cash-flow swings: Great for businesses (or individuals) who spend unevenly — big inventory orders one month, quieter spend the next.

• Pre-purchase confidence: Some issuers let you “check spending power” before charging a large amount.

• Clear terms: Many of these cards require full payment each cycle, sometimes with a “pay over time” option on eligible purchases.

Spotlight: Capital One Venture X Business

If you’re looking to match that flexible-limit benefit with business features and premier travel perks, Venture X Business is the card to watch:

• No Preset Spending Limit that adapts to your business profile (with full monthly repayment required)

• Rewards: 2x miles on all purchases; 5x on flights and 10x on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel

• Perks: $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary, and comprehensive lounge access (including Priority Pass^TM , with enrollment)

• Admin power: Virtual cards, detailed year-end reporting, and adjustable spending limits for employee cards to keep budgets and oversight tight

Bottom line

Whether you’re splurging on a trip or managing unpredictable business expenses, no preset spending limit cards are built to bend with your needs.

And for small businesses in particular, the Venture X Business pairs that flexibility with rich rewards and admin perks.

That’s all for today, folks! I hope this festival spotlight was fun and useful — and if you do make it to Oktoberfest, have an extra beer (or three) for me. 🤤

Prost,

3.3869° S, 36.6830° E

With contributions by Tiffany Eastham, McKay Moffitt, and Benji Stawski