Ten Epic Days in Spain: London, Malaga, and NFL Madrid on Points
How we flew business class, stayed in luxury hotels, and caught the first-ever NFL game at Santiago Bernabeu
Some trips just come together perfectly, and then life throws a few curveballs along the way. That was Spain in a nutshell. Ten days, four countries, a West End musical, a luxury golf resort, foot pain, a wrong-city Bolt ride, and the first NFL game ever played at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. If you love collecting points and miles and turning them into genuinely memorable experiences, this trip is a blueprint worth studying.
The routing was SLC to Chicago to London, then London to Malaga, train to Madrid, and finally Madrid to Paris to Vancouver to SLC on the way home. Complicated on paper, but surprisingly smooth in execution. Almost every flight was in business class on points.
Getting There: Stress in Chicago and a Dreamliner to London
When you find a great business class award, it often requires a positioning flight to connect with it. A positioning flight is simply an initial flight that gets you to the departure airport where your main award begins. Since Salt Lake City is my home airport and a Delta hub, most of our positioning flights are on Delta. That was the case here, even though our transatlantic flight was on American Airlines. The catch at Chicago O'Hare is that Delta and American operate out of different terminals, which means switching terminals and clearing security twice if your connection is tight.
Our Salt Lake departure was delayed, and we landed in Chicago with barely enough time to make it work. I have not been that stressed at an airport in a long time. Here is where American Airlines genuinely earned my respect: while we were rushing through security, they called me directly to confirm we were going to make it. I have never had an airline reach out proactively like that. Being in business class likely helped, but regardless, that kind of attention when you are sprinting through an airport is something you do not forget.
We made the flight. Once we settled in, the stress melted away fast. The transatlantic leg to London was on the American Airlines Dreamliner, and it lived up to the hype. Wider seats, a sliding door for privacy, and elevated food service. It is the small details that make a premium product worth it on a long overnight flight. We booked it at 60,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards miles per person through Alaska Airlines, which is outstanding value for a transatlantic business class seat.
Tip: If you have Alaska Atmos Rewards miles sitting around, check their airline partners regularly. American Airlines availability booked through Alaska is often better priced than booking directly through American.
One Night in London: Great Scotland Yard and the West End
We had a one-night layover in London, and rather than settle for an airport hotel I looked for something worth the stop. The Great Scotland Yard Hotel delivered. Located in the heart of the city in the historic former headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, it is one of the more eclectic places we have ever stayed. One night was all we had, but the property has so much character and the location is so central that it felt like a destination in itself. I would go back without hesitation.
This is one of the hotel’s narrative wall artworks, playing on Great Scotland Yard’s police and detective history in a modern, slightly whimsical way.
Knowing we would have time in the city, I looked for a show. The Devil Wears Prada musical at the Dominion Theatre was playing, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip. Vanessa Williams was excellent. We both loved it. Ticket prices were noticeably more reasonable than comparable Broadway shows in New York, which was a welcome surprise. We paid cash, and since the purchase was in a foreign currency our Alaska Atmos Summit card earned 3x points on the transaction.
Malaga: One Hotel to Forget and One You Will Never Want to Leave
The flight from London Heathrow to Malaga was operated by American Airlines and booked through the Alaska Atmos Rewards program for just 15,000 miles per person in business class. One thing worth knowing about short-haul business class in Europe: it is not the same product you might expect on a domestic US flight. There are no lie-flat seats or upgraded recliners. European short-haul business class typically means a standard cabin with the middle seat blocked, giving you a bit more space and some extra service. For a flight under three hours, it is a perfectly comfortable way to travel and a solid use of points.
If you are familiar with Hyatt's Brand Explorer program, sometimes called Hyatt Bingo, you know the deal. Stay at five different Hyatt brands and earn a free night certificate in categories one through four. I had been strategically working through brands, and the AluaSun Lago Rojo near Malaga was a checkbox I needed. We booked one night all-inclusive at 12,000 Hyatt points.
I will be honest: it was a disappointment. The room was one step above a dorm. The buffet was poor. When I asked for still water, they wanted to charge me even though it was tap water. Later that evening I tried to fill my water bottle, only to find there was no gym and no pool. The front desk reluctantly went to the kitchen to fetch water for me. The stay served its Brand Explorer purpose, but I will not be returning.
Tip: When completing Brand Explorer stays, research each property carefully before you book. Some brands in the program deliver excellent value. Others are best treated as a single-night checkbox and nothing more.
After checking out we took a Bolt ride to La Zambra Resort in Mijas-Marbella, and the contrast was immediate and extraordinary. We received a suite upgrade and were shown to a room with a double balcony overlooking the golf course with the ocean shimmering in the background. At 17,000 Hyatt points per night, it was one of the best redemptions of the trip and genuinely one of the most beautiful views I have ever woken up to.
We loved it so much that after a few hours I asked my wife if we could extend our stay and cancel some of our other bookings. She agreed on the spot, and the front desk was happy to keep us in the same room. The rest of our time in Malaga was spent relaxing in the sun, exploring the beautiful grounds, and getting massages.
I did try to play golf since the resort sits directly alongside a course. Here is something I did not know before this trip: many European golf courses require a handicap card to play. I do not golf frequently enough to have one, so I was not allowed on the course. I ended up taking a lesson from the on-site pro instead, who was entertaining and gave genuinely useful advice. Worth knowing if you plan to golf in southern Spain.
The Train to Madrid: Skip the Flight
Instead of taking the short flight from Malaga to Madrid, I booked us on the Renfe high-speed train. It was the right call. The train was nicer than I expected, comfortable throughout, and the roughly three-hour journey through the Spanish countryside was relaxing in a way that no flight could match. Lunch was served onboard, which was a nice touch. If you are making this trip, skip the airport and take the train. You will not regret it.
Madrid: The Palace Hotel, an NFL First, and a Few Misadventures
The main event in Madrid was the NFL game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the iconic home of Real Madrid. We were meeting my sister, brother-in-law, and my niece, who had flown in separately to join us for the game. They were staying at The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel on Plaza de las Cortes, and since we were all together for this leg we stayed there too.
The Palace is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. My wife travels for work and accumulates Marriott nights regularly, so we booked the stay under her name to keep those night credits going. We paid cash and earned 4x points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve since the booking was made directly with the hotel. It is not our usual Hyatt, but the property was outstanding in every way.
Before the game, we did a private Eco Tuk Tuk tour of the city. We booked it through the Chase Travel portal, which let us redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1.5x multiplier. That is my preferred approach when I have a healthy Chase balance. When points are running low, I pay cash for activities and try to stack a Rakuten or Chase Shopping offer on top. Either way, the tour itself was excellent. Think of it as a personalized hop-on hop-off experience with a knowledgeable guide. It works in any weather too, since the Tuk Tuk can be made fully weatherproof with zip-down covers. Highly recommended.
We also took a day trip to the Catedral Primada in Toledo. For an excursion like this, I would recommend booking a guided group tour rather than going independently. The cathedral is breathtaking in scale but can feel overwhelming without context. Having a knowledgeable guide on hand to answer questions would have added a lot to the experience.
The Royal Palace of Madrid was another highlight and an absolute must-see. The scale and grandeur are genuinely impressive. That said, come prepared: the lines are long, seating inside is limited, restrooms are basic, and outside food and drinks are not allowed. Make sure your digital tickets are easy to pull up on your phone for faster entry at the gate.
The hotel breakfast was among the best I have had anywhere. The staff were genuinely helpful throughout our stay. Partway through the trip I developed foot pain, which is as unpleasant as it sounds. When I asked at the front desk about a nearby pharmacy, instead of pointing me down the street they arranged for a doctor to call me directly, got a prescription written, and had it sent to the local pharmacy. That kind of service is what makes a hotel truly memorable.
On Sunday we set off for church before the game. At least, that was the plan. Somehow I entered the wrong address into the Bolt app and we ended up being driven to a completely different city. My wife, sister, and niece were all good sports about it, and once we stopped laughing we sorted out the correct location. We still made it to church, and with Google Translate we followed along and participated well enough.
Tip: Always double-check addresses before confirming a Bolt or Uber ride in an unfamiliar city. Spanish city names can look similar, and sending yourself to the wrong municipality is easier than you might think.
The NFL game was the first ever played at Santiago Bernabeu, and the Dolphins made it a memorable one, beating the Washington Commanders 16-13. The stadium is massive and the atmosphere was electric. What I love most about these international NFL games is looking around the crowd and seeing jerseys from every team in the league. The fans are not necessarily rooting for either team on the field. They are there because they love American football and want to be part of something special happening in their city. It is a different energy than a home game, and in many ways it is more enjoyable.
For dining, the hotel's central location made everything easy. Three restaurants within walking distance that we genuinely enjoyed: Primo Restaurant, La Freseria Madrid for strawberry chocolate treats, and Oven Mozzarella Prado for Italian. We also discovered the Divorare ham sandwich after several people in our group had spotted it on Instagram. We had to try it, and it was so good we went back for a second one. All of these spots were excellent, and none required reservations made far in advance.
The Long Way Home: Madrid to Paris to Vancouver to Salt Lake
The return journey was booked in two separate pieces. The long international leg from Madrid through Paris to Vancouver was one redemption at 80,000 KLM Flying Blue miles per person, flown on Air France. The final hop from Vancouver to Salt Lake City was a separate booking at 11,000 Delta miles per person. It was a long travel day but mostly smooth, and flying business class on the transatlantic segment made the whole thing manageable.
The one hiccup was at Vancouver customs. The agent went through my toiletry bag more meticulously than any customs officer I have ever encountered, insisting I was only allowed a one-quart see-through bag with no more than five items. I had never been told this before in all my years of international travel. I ended up throwing away about half my toiletries at the counter and replaced them when I got home.
Tip: Liquid and toiletry rules can vary significantly by country and by individual agent. If you travel internationally with any regularity, you will eventually encounter an unusually strict inspection. Keep your toiletry bag organized and minimalist, and do not let the inconsistencies ruin your trip. It comes with the territory.
The Points and Miles Breakdown
Here is a summary of the key redemptions that made this trip possible:
• SLC to London, business class, per person: 60,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards miles (operated by American Airlines, booked through Alaska)
• Devil Wears Prada tickets: Paid cash, earned 3x Alaska Atmos Rewards points (Alaska Atmos Summit card, foreign currency purchase)
• London to Malaga, business class, per person: 15,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards miles (operated by American Airlines, booked through Alaska)
• AluaSun Lago Rojo, per night: 12,000 Hyatt points (Brand Explorer checkbox stay)
• La Zambra Resort, per night: 17,000 Hyatt points
• Great Scotland Yard Hotel, one night: 25,000 Hyatt points
• Eco Tuk Tuk tour, Madrid: Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.5x via Chase Travel portal
• The Palace Hotel, Madrid: Paid cash, earned 4x points (Chase Sapphire Reserve, booked direct)
• Madrid to Vancouver via Paris, per person: 80,000 KLM Flying Blue miles (operated by Air France)
• Vancouver to SLC, per person: 11,000 Delta miles
Final Thoughts: This Trip Is Worth Planning
Ten days, four cities, a West End musical, a luxury beach resort, a scenic train journey, a Dolphins victory at Santiago Bernabeu, and more stories than we can fit in a single post. That is what a well-planned points trip looks like when it comes together.
The NFL international series has become one of our favorite ways to anchor a trip abroad. The game gives you a fixed date to plan around and a guaranteed shared experience, and the days on either side are yours to fill however you like. Spain rewarded us with incredible food, beautiful weather, genuinely luxurious hotels, and a few unexpected adventures that turned into lasting memories.
We are already planning to come back and spend more time in the cities we only scratched the surface of this time. That is the thing about travel done this way: the more you go, the more you realize how much there is still left to see. Points and miles are just the tool that keeps the door open.
Start earning. Start planning. Spain is waiting.
