Booked a last-minute getaway on miles and points

I just got back from a trip to Asia, and re-entry has not been easy. So I must be crazy to think about traveling again in the near future, right? Well, having miles and points makes you do crazy things.

After discovering my work schedule is giving me an extended weekend here in a few weeks, my husband and I decided to book a short trip for just the two of us. My oldest son is home from college for the summer, so he can hold down the fort while we’re gone.

We had some ideas of where we’d like to go. Our main requirements were:

• Nonstop flight
• Cooler weather
• Flights and hotel bookable with miles and points

After researching award availability, we landed on the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area of New Mexico. My husband and I had a trip planned to Santa Fe a few years ago that we had to cancel, so this will give us a chance to circle back there.

Flights: Nonstop on American Airlines from DFW to ABQ booked with Alaska Airlines miles 4500 miles each way (great deal!)

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa for 15,000 points each night (cash price would have been $349/night)

We have enough points to cover the cost of a rental car, too, but we will likely pay cash for that and save our points for a future trip.

Besides exploring Old Santa Fe, we plan to go on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.

Are you planning to book any last-minute getaways this summer using miles and points?