Maybe you’ve always wanted to book an international trip and haven’t known where to start? Or maybe the thought of planning some crazy itinerary sounds overwhelming and not worth the hassle?
But that dream of laying eyes on Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower keeps you up at night.
Do me a favor, friend. Take two long, deep breaths. In… and out. In… and out.
Lock in with me for just a few minutes. And let’s chat through how to make your first leap across the pond as stress-free as possible (while still hitting all of the things you’ve always dreamed about).
Booking Your Flight Across the Pond
One of the easiest and most popular starting points for an intro-to-Europe trip is London. It’s well-connected and packed with tons to do and see, making it a great “first stop” before hopping around a little.
Sweet spots for award flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) are plentiful, y’all. Routes from major U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. often have the best availability and lowest mileage rates. Airlines like Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, and United Airlines regularly offer off-peak deals.
Award Deal Sweet Spots to London
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: From 10,000 to 12,500 points off-peak one way from the East Coast (and even less with a transfer bonus from Chase, American Express, or Citi).
United MileagePlus: Saver awards around 24,600 miles one way from many U.S. hubs.
American Airlines AAdvantage: Off-peak economy as low as 22,500 miles one way to London.
Aer Lingus and Iberia (via Avios): Great options for one-stop itineraries if London availability is looking scarce.
👀 Pro Tip: Cash fares to London can sometimes be just as good when airlines run sales, so always compare both your points and cash options before booking.
When I booked this trip, I transferred points during a 30% Chase to Virgin Atlantic bonus. My flights cost just 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points one way for two people and 6,000 points for the return. Yes, really. 🥹
And with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (which often comes with a 75,000-point welcome offer), you could hypothetically book three round-trip vacations for two people. That’s a lot of Eiffel Towers.
Taking the Train to Paris
Once you’ve had your London moment (and maybe a few scones from Cheeky Scone), it’s time to hop over to Paris. The Eurostar train is hands-down one of the easiest and most scenic ways to get there.
It runs from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord in about 2.5 hours.
💸 What I Paid: $278 round-trip for two people.
While you can’t book Eurostar directly with points, you can use features like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card travel credit, Amex travel credits, or “pay with points” features to offset the cost. Plus… it’s just fun! Train travel in Europe is a necessary box that everyone should check at least once.
Where to Stay on Your First Europe Trip
Where you stay can really shape your first trip. Personally, I love mixing points stays with smaller, neighborhood-style spots to get the best of both worlds.
Hotel Options in London
The Princess Royal (Notting Hill) — Quiet, cozy, and boutique-y. Perfect if you like that neighborhood feel. This is where we stayed, and it was amazing and cozy and wonderful and perfect.
London Marriott Hotel County Hall (South Bank) — Steps from the London Eye with stunning views. Nights start around 80k points but jump during peak seasons.
The Hoxton, Holborn — Trendy and walkable to Covent Garden (and it’s bookable via Amex’s Hotel Collection).
Hilton London Bankside — Great value with Hilton points, plus a nice pool and breakfast. Rates here hover around 75k points per night.
Hilton London Bankside / Photo courtesy of Hilton
✍️ To Note: If being able to walk to the major sights is your top priority, central London will save you some transit time. But if you’d rather spend your evenings in a quiet café with locals, Notting Hill or Kensington are both lovely.
Hotel Options in Paris
Moxy Paris Bastille (Marriott Bonvoy) — My favorite for value. Affordable and consistent, and nights hover around the 45k to 55k-point range.
Crowne Plaza Paris – République (IHG) — Great location and a solid redemption at around 60k points per night.
Hôtel Dame des Arts (Amex Hotel Collection) — If you’re looking for a splurge, look no further.
Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera — Near some of the best shopping and museums, often 80k to 100k points per night, depending on the season.
💛 Another Pro Tip: If you want to stretch your budget, consider splitting your stay with one “splurge” location and one budget-friendly spot. Again, you’re in two of the biggest cities in Europe (and the world), so award redemptions are naturally a little steep compared to other places.
Where to Stay in Normandy
We opted for an Airbnb, which I think is perfect for this part of France. A countryside stay gives you space to breathe after the craziness of Paris (and usually at a fraction of the price of city hotels). We’re talking charming stone cottages, big windows, breakfast on the patio, and dinner by the fire. Ok yeah… it’s time to go back. Plus, if you’re traveling with family or a group, the savings can be even sweeter.
I mean… stunning.
Towns like Deauville, Honfleur, and Étretat make wonderful home bases.
🔥 Hot Tip: Want to splurge in Northern France? Hotel Barriere Le Normandy is part of Amex’s Fine Resorts + Hotels, and while we didn’t stay there, just walking through it was enough to make me book return flights. This is a truly beautiful spot.
Sample Itinerary for England and France
To give you a feel for how this can flow, here’s the actual itinerary my mom and I (very loosely) followed. You can condense or stretch it, but it hits all the highlights without feeling like a marathon.
Days 1 and 2: London
Breakfast at Regency Café (which is basically the Waffle House of the UK)
Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Wander through Notting Hill and Kensington Gardens
Ride the London Eye, people-watch in Piccadilly Circus, and grab dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden (make a reservation!)
Optional cheeky rewatch of Notting Hill back at your hotel (but like, not optional)
This plate, after pulling an all-nighter, is… well… chef’s kiss!
Days 3 to 6: Normandy
Hop on the Eurostar to Paris (and maybe grab one more scone for the train)
Pick up a rental car and drive north. Stop in Honfleur for lunch and Étretat for some insane cliffs.
Spend your nights in a charming countryside Airbnb, with beautiful light, stone walls, and a bottle of wine on the table (or maybe two)
Visit Omaha Beach or explore nearby villages during the day, and enjoy taking things a bit slower with no strict agenda
🤎 Other Normandy Recs: My mom and I both agreed Normandy was the highlight of our trip, so here are some other spots we loved: Le Bistrot De 2 Mains and Marie Vit Creation in Honfleur, along with Le Hibouville, La Parisienne Bakery, and the Marche de Trouville-sur-Mer in Deauville.
Days 7 and 8: Back to Paris
Return your car in Paris, and check into your hotel
Stroll through Le Marais, stop at Chez Alain Miam Miam (there will be a line, and it will be worth it), and admire the Eiffel Tower with hot chocolate from Carette
Take a Louvre to Notre Dame to Seine River loop
Spend a morning in Montmartre with pastries at Pain Pain, then climb the steps to Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Dinner at Le Bistrot de Paul Bert or Café des Musées
Optional: You could take a little day trip to Disneyland Paris (which is about an hour outside of the city, but super easy to get to)
Drop the car, enjoy one last croissant (preferably from Mamiche), and hop on the Eurostar back to London for your flight home.
The Carette lineup… 🤤
Best Times to Book and Travel
Spring and fall are the sweet spots with fewer crowds, better flight deals, and that perfect 65°F weather that is just begging for almond croissants and long, aimless walks.
For award flights, aim to book three to six months in advance for the best availability. If you’re flying during peak summer, try to plan even earlier (especially for premium cabin awards).
🌟 Pro Tip: Always check for transfer bonuses from Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi before booking — they can make a huge difference.
Best Cards to Use for Your Europe Trip
Sapphire Preferred — perfect for Virgin Atlantic flights and Hyatt hotel transfers
Venture X — use your $300 travel credit for Eurostar or hotels
American Express Platinum Card® — Fine Hotels + Resorts perks in Paris and lounge access on travel days
American Express® Gold Card — points on dining (which, in Paris, means you’re earning a lot)
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card — perfect for racking up IHG points (and even more points on paid stays), and don’t forget about the 4th Night Free perk
The World of Hyatt Credit Card — great if you’re eyeing Hyatt properties, especially with complimentary Hyatt Discoverist status
Bottom Line
Your first trip to Europe doesn’t need to be some chaotic, 12-country whirlwind. London and Paris are the perfect duo for a first-timer, because they’re easy to navigate, packed with things to do (and great restaurants), and super accessible with points.
Whether it’s sipping hot chocolate in the Place des Vosges or people-watching in Notting Hill, these are the kind of memories that make it worth booking those flights.
Start with one or two cities, travel a little slower, and use your points wisely. You’ll enjoy it so much more, and you’ll probably start scheming your next trip before you’ve even flown home. At least, that’s what I always do. ❤️
