With the unofficial start to summer kicking off Memorial Day Weekend, there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Not to mention, May is one of the best months of the year to travel. You can take advantage of excellent weather and cheaper travel rates before the summer rush officially begins.
If you think it’s too late to squeeze in a vacation this May, think again. Here are four of the best destinations to book.
Plan the ultimate wellness retreat in Sedona, Arizona
How to Get There
Hunting for a last minute flight deal is made easier thanks to our roster of airline transfer partners, like Alaska and United. Remember, your Bilt Points transfer to these loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio. For instance, a flight from Chicago to Phoenix starts at only 10,000 United miles. Regardless of where you’re flying from, it should be easy to get a great deal thanks to this major airport's flight options.
To get to Sedona, you’ll likely want to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). And fortunately for you, renting a car at PHX is a breeze. Upon landing, take the (free!) Sky Train to the rental car center that stays open all day.
Did you know you can book rental cars through the Bilt Travel Portal? Bilt Points are always worth 1.25 cents each towards flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities booked in the travel portal.
Where to Stay
Sedona is a quirky town known for its blend of boutique properties and luxurious spa resorts. And, lucky for you, quite a few options are bookable with your Bilt Points thanks to our transfer partner, Marriott Bonvoy.
Group-friendly options, such as the Residence Inn® Sedona, and more upscale properties, like the Sky Rock Sedona, are all part of Marriott Bonvoy's expansive portfolio. Another perk of the Marriott Bonvoy program? For every five consecutive nights you redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points for your stay (pay with Marriott Bonvoy® Points), you will receive the lowest point-value night free. Additional terms apply.
Kick off an early summer in Iceland
Iceland is on almost every traveler’s radar, as there have been four volcano eruptions since December alone. While there are some serious safety precautions to take into consideration, visiting Iceland during an active eruption can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The temperatures are much more bearable this time of year — all without carrying a heavy down jacket — and you’ll experience nearly 24 hours of sunlight. Put simply, it’s one of the best times to hit the road and see all the waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches on your list.
How to Get There:
Iceland’s flag carrier, Icelandair, offers nonstop routes to more than a dozen U.S. cities, from New York (JFK) to Denver (DEN), to smaller cities like Raleigh-Durham (RDU). While Icelandair is not one of Bilt’s transfer partners, you can book flights through the Bilt Travel Portal.
By booking this way, you’ll receive an excellent redemption rate of 1.25 cents per Bilt Point. For example, you could book one of these nonstop Icelandair flights for just 47,000 Bilt Points round-trip this May.
Where to Stay
You’ll need at least five days to hit all of Iceland’s major sites and hikes. Most people like to start and end their vacations in Reykjavik; while near the airport, you can check out the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll or Viking World and, of course, the Instagram-famous Blue Lagoon.
But most of Iceland’s beauty comes from its ethereal sites in remote locations, where chain hotels can’t be found. Many bed-and-breakfast and independently owned hotels are bookable through the Bilt Travel Portal — again at that favorable 1.25 cent rate. For instance, Hotel Grimsborgir can be booked for under 20,000 points per night.
Enjoy Hamptons in style in May
Escaping the hustle and bustle of New York for a Hamptons retreat? It’s a tale as old as time. And, the month of May is arguably a better time to visit as it can be prohibitively expensive once we venture into June. If you need a few ideas for things to do, you can spend a weekend sampling wine at the Wölffer Estate Vineyard, kayaking in Main Beach, or exploring the iconic town of Montauk.
How to Get There:
The Hamptons is an easy train, bus, or even a Blade helicopter ride away for New Yorkers. If you’re flying in from out of town, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the largest major airport. From there, you can easily take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Jamaica Station all the way to the Hamptons.
Where to Stay
Booking a Hamptons house with points? Thanks to the Marriott Homes & Villas program, which allows members to book vacation rentals through the trusted brand, it's possible. And it’s a great deal using points, with spacious accommodations bookable starting at just 35,000 Marriott points*.
It’s free to create a Marriott Bonvoy member account, and you’ll get 100 bonus points for linking your loyalty number in the Bilt app. Then, transfer away to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 rate (aka 1,000 Bilt Points = 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).
Island hopping in Greece
A Greece vacation never goes out of style, and visiting in May is just the right time to do so. With balmy temperatures and longer days, the intra-island ferries start to pick back up for the start of the summer season. Your only challenge lies in deciding which islands to explore (of more than 200+ options).
How to Get There
Did you know that Emirates flies daily between Newark (EWR) and Athens (EWR)? This is just one of the many ways to get to the Greek Isles in comfort and style. As Emirates Skywards is one of our Bilt transfer partners, you can book this flight for 38,750 points in economy, 87,000 points in business class, or even 102,000 points in first class.
Where to Stay
Every Greece getaway starts in Athens, where you can spend a day admiring ancient ruins and indulging in Mediterranean favorites. Our personal pick is the Grand Hyatt Athens, which boasts awe-inspiring views of the Acropolis and can be booked for 15,000 World of Hyatt points in May.
In fact, World of Hyatt has a long list of hotels spanning the most popular Greek islands. A few all-inclusive options are available, such as The Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa, bookable for 21,000 points per night, or the AluaSoul Zakynthos for a budget-friendly option at 12,000 points per night.
Bottom Line
While many of us are eagerly waiting for summer to begin, there’s no reason you can’t book a vacation this May. If you’ve built up a substantial heap of Bilt Points and PTO days to burn, there’s no better time of year to embark on that next trip.
*Result may not be typical. Marriott Bonvoy Points redemption rate is subject to change and may vary due to availability, length of stay, dates, room category, and other factors.