How Many Points to Fly to Lima & Machu Picchu? (2026)

The flight: book through United MileagePlus

United direct to Lima or Avianca via LifeMiles.

Transfer Chase to United for direct flights. Transfer Amex to Avianca LifeMiles as backup. Fly Lima then train/bus to Cusco.

Economy, round trip30,000 points

Business, round trip70,000 points

Best transfer partnerUnited MileagePlus

RouteUnited direct to Lima or Avianca via LifeMiles

The hotel: 10,000 points per night

The standout points hotel here is JW Marriott El Convento Cusco / Marriott Lima, bookable through Marriott Bonvoy. Before you burn points, check the cash rate. If the redemption works out below roughly 1.5 cents per point, paying cash and saving the points is usually the better trade.

Award rate10,000 points / night

ProgramMarriott Bonvoy

PropertyJW Marriott El Convento Cusco / Marriott Lima

Compare the cash rate first

See live prices for JW Marriott El Convento Cusco / Marriott Lima and nearby hotels, then decide if points or cash wins.

Check hotel prices Book with points →

The cards that earn this trip fastest

These cards transfer to United MileagePlus or Marriott Bonvoy, so the points you earn become this exact trip.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

$95 annual fee · 100,000-point bonus after $8,000 in 3 months

100K bonus is worth $1,250+ in travel. 3x on business essentials up to $150K/yr. Points combine with Sapphire. The bonus alone is enough for two round-trip economy tickets.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

$95 annual fee · 100,000-point bonus after $3,000 in 3 months

Best Marriott card. 100K bonus gets 3–5 free nights at Marriotts worldwide. Includes a free night award every year plus Silver Elite status. The bonus alone is enough for two round-trip economy tickets.

Amex Platinum

$695 annual fee · 80,000-point bonus after $8,000 in 6 months

Best premium card. $600/yr in usable credits. Centurion lounge access. 5x on flights booked direct. The bonus alone is enough for two round-trip economy tickets.

Common questions

How many points do I need to fly to Lima & Machu Picchu?

A round-trip economy award costs about 30,000 points when you transfer to United MileagePlus. Business class runs about 70,000 points round trip. Cash prices vary by season, so the same points can be worth more in peak months.

What is the best way to book Lima & Machu Picchu with points?

Transfer flexible points to United MileagePlus and book through their award search. United direct to Lima or Avianca via LifeMiles. Transfer Chase to United for direct flights. Transfer Amex to Avianca LifeMiles as backup. Fly Lima then train/bus to Cusco.

How many points per night for a hotel in Lima & Machu Picchu?

Around 10,000 points per night through Marriott Bonvoy. A standout redemption is JW Marriott El Convento Cusco / Marriott Lima. Always compare the cash rate first so you know the redemption beats roughly 1.5 cents per point.

Which credit card is best for a trip to Lima & Machu Picchu?

Chase Ink Business Preferred ($95 annual fee) transfers to United MileagePlus and its 100,000-point signup bonus is enough for two round-trip economy tickets. 100K bonus is worth $1,250+ in travel. 3x on business essentials up to $150K/yr. Points combine with Sapphire.

Plan the whole trip in 10 seconds

The Award Flight & Hotel Finder shows the full booking path for Lima & Machu Picchu: flights, hotel, transfer partner, and the right card.

Open in the Award Finder Check a redemption's value →

Keep planning

Full Lima & Machu Picchu roadmap Cents Per Point Calculator All free tools

More destinations

🇦🇷 Buenos Aires 🦎 Galápagos Islands 🇲🇽 Mexico City 🎭 Rio de Janeiro All 50+ destinations →