Are you interested in local wine, decadent dishes, vast mountain ranges, and bustling cities bursting with culture? If the first thing that popped into your mind was a vacation to the European countries that host the Alps or the Pyrenees, I wouldn’t blame you. Wine, food, mountains, and cities are easily found all across Europe, but I’d like to introduce you to a more southern alternative: Argentina.

First of all, Argentina is huge. It spans great distances from its northern tropical latitudes to its southern polar regions, and it is possibly best known to wine-lovers and backpackers. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway to a villa in wine country or you’d like to test your hiking boots over the rugged terrain of Patagonia, Argentina is full of excellent opportunities for an ideal vacation.

The most obvious and easiest point of entry is the Argentinian capital: Buenos Aires. With over 15 million people living in the metro area, Buenos Aires is full of art, museums, theaters, and of course, great food. Here are a few points properties that we think you should check out for an unforgettable trip to Buenos Aires.

Marriott

Buenos Aires Marriott

Buenos Aires Marriott - buemb penthouse

Buenos Aires Marriott (Photo Courtesy of Marriott)

Be among the very first visitors to experience this hotel when you book in with the Buenos Aires Marriott.

This brand new property features a prime location along Av. 9 de Julio, near Buenos Aires favorites like the Obelisk, Teatro Colon, and the Palace of Justice. This neighborhood is well stocked with plenty of restaurants and cafes, from familiar favorites to local treasures. Don’t forget to take advantage of the on-site spa and dining options; the fitness center, indoor pool, and beautiful rooftop terrace all feature panoramic views of the city that shouldn’t be missed.

A night at this new Category 4 property is available from 25,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Park Tower, Luxury Collection

 

Park Tower - Lobby

Park Tower (Photo Courtesy of Marriott)

Located along the shores of Rio de La Plata, the Park Tower stands ready to welcome guests from the nearby ferries, trains, or however they journeyed to the Argentinian capital.

True to its name, this hotel towers over the parks below, which feature Torre Monumental as well as Plaza General San Martin; both wonderful places to walk or picnic. Another nearby urban green space is Parque Mujeres Argentinas, which lies just across the Puente de la Mujer. Enjoy a day exploring the nearby parks then return to the hotel, where visitors are enveloped in storied luxury with design elements that are both elegant and cozy.

A night at this Category 5 property is available from 30,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn Marriott Points

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

One of the quickest ways to earn Marriott points is to open a line of credit with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Not only do cardholders have the opportunity to earn more Bonus Points on everyday spending, but they also earn automatic Silver Elite status simply by being cardholders. Cardholders earn 6X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott Properties and 2X points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

With all of these benefits, this card is well worth the $95 annual fee; however, there is another way to skip the annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

If you want extra benefits without the annual fee, apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. You’ll still have access to complimentary Silver Elite Status and earn 3X points per $1USD spent on purchases at Marriott properties. You’ll also earn 2X points per $1USD spent on travel purchases and 1X points per $1USD on all other purchases.

If you want a quick path to Silver Elite and a decent earning potential without committing to an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold could be the right pick for you.

Hilton

Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection

Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection

Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection (Photo Courtesy of Hilton)

Located in the San Telmo neighborhood is the Anselmo Buenos Aires, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton. While the interior of this property features all modern conveniences and designs that usually accompany a 21st-century hotel, the facade remains true to its surrounding neighborhood architecture and history.

Enjoy unparalleled access to Plaza Dorrego and its famous Sunday market, and be sure to take advantage of the many wonderful places to eat nearby. For guests who enjoy visiting art museums while traveling, the Museum of Modern Art is only a three-minute walk away. Don’t miss the on-site restaurants in the back of back at the hotel, which feature several locally sourced Argentinean favorites.

A night at this property is available from 24,000 Hilton HHonors points.

Cards to Help You Earn Hilton Points

Hilton has a long-standing partnership with American Express and offers four different co-branded cards: three personal cards and one business card. Here, we’ll mention the perks of our favorite personal card as well as the business card.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Perfect for business owners on the go, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a card with decent earning potential and plenty of travel benefits. While it comes with a $195 annual fee (see Rates and Fees), cardholders earn 12X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases and 5X on other purchases on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.

In addition, this card is an excellent way to jump straight to Gold Status; a $195 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay considering that benefit. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to Diamond Status depending on how much you’re planning on using the card, which is a definite bonus.

Hilton Honors Aspire

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is our favorite credit card in the collection, and it comes with a hefty $450 annual fee (see Rates and Fees).

At first glance, it might not seem worth it to splurge on a high-fee card when the Bonus Points earning potential is only marginally better than the other three cards in the collection. However, when weighing the annual fee against the additional benefits, it might be a good deal if you’re looking to skyrocket your status.

Cardholders earn 14X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on Hilton purchases, 7X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on purchases at US restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, and cars booked directly through select car rental agencies, and 3X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other eligible purchases. Note that the value of the accompanying travel benefits surpasses the annual fee, so as long as you’re planning on using the benefits, this card is well worth it.

IHG

InterContinental Buenos Aires

 

InterContinental Buenos Aires

InterContinental Buenos Aires (Photo Courtesy of IHG)

InterContinental hotels are always a crowd favorite, and the InterContinental Buenos Aires is no exception.

Located equidistant between Plaza del Congreso and Plaza de Mayo, this property offers classic and luxurious accommodation in the heart of Monserrat, near Av. 9 de Julio. There are plenty of parks and historical sites to visit around the property itself, but the shore of Rio de La Plata and its many urban green spaces is roughly a 30-minute walk away. Alternatively, one could take the subway to Plaza de Mayo and walk from there; this property is very well connected to the rest of the city via subway. Note that if you are or have been a frontline or essential worker during COVID, you’ll be able to book at a special rate!

A night at this property is available from 24,000 IHG Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is the premium card in the IHG collection.
This card comes with an $99 annual fee, but it includes automatic Platinum Elite Member status and up to 26X points per $1USD spent at IHG properties, which include existing reward benefits from your status.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Of course, the Premier level card doesn’t suit everyone. If you are an IHG Rewards member interested in opening an IHG line of credit but don’t want to bother with any annual fees, then signing up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase could be a better move.

This card does come with the opportunity to bump up to Gold Elite, which is a nice perk for members with Club Member status. Additionally, you can earn up to 17X points per $1 spent at IHG properties worldwide when combined with your status.

Hyatt

Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires (Photo Courtesy of Hyatt)

Located in the Recoleta neighborhood, this legendary two-building complex is an enticing destination itself. Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is housed in a storied aristocratic palace but includes every perk of modern luxury that one could imagine.

Spend time relaxing at the Ahin Wellness & Spa, enjoy dishes curated by the on-site chefs, relax in the tranquility of the Duhau Gardens, and marvel at the property’s private art collection. This property even has its own patisserie and in-house pastry chef! While it’s tempting to simply remain at the hotel, make sure to head up near Centro Cultural Recoleta and the surrounding parks, plazas, and museums while you’re in town.

A night at this property is available from 25,000 World of Hyatt points.

Cards to Help You Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential with World of Hyatt, the best way to do that is by – you guessed it – opening up a line of credit.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card holders earn 9X Total Points per $1USD spent at Hyatt properties, 2X Bonus Points on transportation, restaurants, flights purchased directly through the airline, and fitness club memberships, and 1X Bonus Points per $1USD spent on all other purchases.

Chase Travel Portal

The above properties are wonderful options for Buenos Aires, but they aren’t so exciting if you haven’t stocked up on a bunch of points in exactly the right currency. If you don’t have a stash of brand-specific points lying around, there is another option.

Many credit cards offer their own rewards programs that include the opportunity to redeem points on travel. If you’ve been stockpiling credit card rewards instead of brand-specific hotel rewards, a trip to Buenos Aires could be a great way to redeem them.

For example, you could use your stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to book your hotel. When Chase points are redeemed on travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Portal, they are worth 50% more than other select categories. That bonus is a great incentive to use them on a trip to Buenos Aires! Here are a couple of example properties in Buenos Aires that you can book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Alvear Palace Hotel

Alvear Palace Hotel

Photo Courtesy of Alvear Palace Hotel

If you’re looking to splurge with your stockpile of Ultimate Rewards points, book in with the Alvear Palace Hotel. This world-renowned property is known for its architecture and design but is famously lauded for its guest services and hospitality.

Decorated in the French style as a nod to its original purpose as a luxury accommodation for European travelers, this property offers visitors a truly indulgent stay in the Recoleta neighborhood and is an absolute steal for the points. Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, delicious meals at the on-site restaurants, and a dip in the pool during your stay. As with the aforementioned Hyatt property, be sure to explore the surrounding neighborhood and its many parks and attractions.

A night at this property is available from 26,000 Ultimate Rewards points.

CasaCalma Hotel

CasaCalma Hotel

Photo Courtesy of CasaCalma Hotel

If you’d like to stretch your points instead, the CasaCalma Hotel is an excellent option.

Located near Av. 9 de Julio and Plaza General San Martin, this property is one of the few eco-friendly hotels in Argentina. This is evident through their design choices; open-concept, naturally lit spaces and greenery are common themes throughout the property. T

he staff at CasaCalma are more than happy to help you plan tours and excursions around the city, and they also offer bamboo bicycles for those who prefer to explore Buenos Aires on two wheels. This is a great option for budget travelers as well as anyone who aims to travel as eco-consciously as possible.

A night at this property is available from just 2,600 Ultimate Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A consistent favorite of the Chase collection is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offering unparalleled opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points and benefit from travel perks. Its hefty $550 annual fee is offset by an annual $300 travel credit, plus built-in insurance and protections for when you’re on the go.

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If a $550 annual fee just doesn’t sound like a good time, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. This card is ideal for a first-time Chase Sapphire applicant. You’ll still enjoy some travel benefits and the ability to earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed through the Travel Portal.

Final Thoughts

Buenos Aires is an enormous city full of historical sites, urban green spaces, theaters, museums, and places to eat. It is also home to a wide variety of points properties which might be ideal for your next points redemption. If you haven’t been to Argentina yet, we recommend beginning your adventure in Buenos Aires!