Where to Go in March: From Deserts to Ski Slopes

March is one of the best months on the travel calendar for points and miles travelers, because it sits right between two pricing windows. Northern Hemisphere winter is winding down, peak spring break runs only two or three weeks, and most of the year's award sweet spots, from desert lodges to the last good ski week in the Alps, are still bookable at shoulder-season rates if you act early. If you are reading this in spring or summer of 2026 with March 2027 on your mind, you are looking at the right month to plan: most major hotel and airline programs open their 11-to-13-month booking windows in April, May, and June.

This guide covers the destinations that consistently reward March travelers, grouped by trip type. For each one, we cover when in March to go, which loyalty program tends to be strongest for getting there or staying there, a specific hotel category to anchor your search around, and a rough sense of the points value you should expect. If you are still picking the card that will fund the trip, the final section walks through the three flexible-points and hotel cards that pull the most weight in March.

Quick Answer

March rewards travelers who plan ahead. The best destinations split into four buckets: deserts and wildlife (Atacama, Madhya Pradesh), city culture (Chicago, Dublin, Houston), beaches and warm coastlines (Dominican Republic, Oman, Belize), and a final ski week (Val d'Isère). For award redemptions, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture cards cover most of the flight side through transfer partners, while a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or World of Hyatt card handles the lodging side. Book 6 to 9 months out.

Why March Is a Points-and-Miles Sweet Spot

March straddles two pricing regimes, which is why points often go further this month than in February or April. Caribbean and desert destinations are still in their dry season, but hotel award charts have not yet jumped to summer pricing. European ski resorts are heading into their final operating weeks, so many properties drop into off-peak award nights. And in the cities, March is a quiet month before spring travel demand kicks in, which means standard-room availability is wide open at hotels that would be a fight to book in May.

The strategic move is to book the flight on points and pay cash for the hotel, or vice versa, depending on the destination. A few specific examples in the sections below show why that calculation flips by region.

One scheduling note: avoid the two weeks bracketing U.S. spring break, which generally fall in mid-March. If your dates are flexible, the first week of March and the last week of March almost always price better than the middle.

Adventure and Nature

For travelers who want landscape over nightlife, March is hard to beat. The dry season holds across most of the Southern Hemisphere, wildlife is active in the right places, and the heat has not yet arrived.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Time it for late March, when daytime temperatures stay in the 70s Fahrenheit and the night sky is at its clearest. The Atacama is one of the highest-rated stargazing locations on Earth, and Valley of the Moon is a half-day trip from the town of San Pedro de Atacama.

For award flights, LATAM is the dominant carrier into Calama (the gateway airport). The strongest tool is transferring Capital One Venture miles to Avianca LifeMiles at the standard 1:1 ratio, which prices a one-way economy ticket from a U.S. gateway through Lima to Calama at around 30,000 miles in economy. Business class on LATAM via LifeMiles runs roughly 60,000 to 75,000 one-way, which is a reasonable use of points given LATAM's reliable hard product on the South America runs.

For lodging, most of the Atacama's high-end properties are independent and not in major loyalty programs. The play is to use a flexible card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Venture X to absorb the lodge cost, then bank the points earned on the spend. If you want a chain stay before or after, the Marriott Renaissance Santiago is a Category 6 Bonvoy property and a useful overnight at around 50,000 points per night.

Madhya Pradesh, India

Late February through mid-March is the high-confidence window for tiger sightings in central India. The grass is still short, water sources concentrate the wildlife, and the daytime temperatures are pleasant.

The award strategy here is one of the best uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards points in the world. Transfer to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Air France-KLM Flying Blue at 1:1, then book Air India or partner flights to Delhi, with a domestic connection on IndiGo or Vistara to Jabalpur. Expect 40,000 to 50,000 points one-way in economy, or 80,000 to 95,000 in business depending on the routing and the carrier. Flying Blue runs monthly Promo Rewards, and India is occasionally included.

On the ground, Taj Hotels (through the Marriott partnership) and a handful of Hyatt-affiliated lodges sit near the park gates, but most premium lodges are independent. Treat the safari camp as a cash expense and route the flights and city overnights through points.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

March is peak flow on the Zambezi, which means the falls are at their most dramatic. The trade-off is heavy spray, but that is what most people are flying in to see. White-water rafting may not run at full intensity, so if rafting is the priority, push your trip to August or September instead.

For lodging, the Avani Victoria Falls Resort and the Royal Livingstone are both within walking distance of the falls, but neither is in a major loyalty program. The closest reliable points play is the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya on the Zambian side. For flights, the strongest path is United MileagePlus or Aeroplan via partner award space on South African Airways or Ethiopian, often around 80,000 to 90,000 one-way in business from the U.S. East Coast.

San Pedro, Belize

March falls in Belize's dry season, with water visibility at its best for diving the Belize Barrier Reef. Direct flights from several U.S. hubs make this one of the easiest Caribbean-adjacent points trips of the year.

The award math is straightforward: American AAdvantage prices one-way economy to Belize City at 12,500 to 17,500 miles, which is one of the more durable sweet spots left on the AA chart. From Belize City, the puddle-jumper to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye runs roughly 75 dollars one-way in cash, which is not worth using points for. For lodging, Marriott Bonvoy has limited presence on Ambergris Caye, but the Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club is part of Hilton's Curio Collection and prices in the 50,000 to 70,000 Honors points range, which generally beats the cash rate during March.

City Breaks and Culture

March cities work because the crowds have not arrived yet. Museums, restaurants, and sporting tickets are all easier, and hotels are in their lowest standard pricing tier of the spring.

Chicago

Chicago in March still runs cold, but the city's St. Patrick's Day weekend, including the river-dyeing, is one of the largest celebrations in the country. Book the weekend closest to March 17 if that is the goal, or push to the last week of March if you want the cultural depth without the crowds.

For Chicago hotels, the Hyatt Regency Chicago is a Hyatt Category 4 property, which means 12,000 to 18,000 points per night depending on standard versus peak pricing. That is one of the better-value chain redemptions in any major U.S. city. For travelers with Marriott points, the JW Marriott Chicago is a Category 6 hotel at 40,000 to 60,000 Bonvoy points per night.

Cents-per-point math: a 250-dollar cash rate on a Category 4 Hyatt at 15,000 points works out to roughly 1.7 cents per point, which is above the 1.5-cent floor most points analysts use for World of Hyatt redemptions.

Houston

Houston's weather in March is what most U.S. cities aspire to: 70s, mostly clear, manageable humidity. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs through much of March, which is worth a night even if you have no connection to rodeo culture. It is one of the largest events of its kind in the world, and headline music acts perform after the rodeo each evening.

For award stays, the Marriott Marquis Houston downtown is a Category 5 Bonvoy property at 30,000 to 40,000 points per night, with a reliable rooftop pool and direct access to the convention area. For Hyatt loyalists, the Hyatt Regency Houston is a Category 2 hotel, often as low as 8,000 points per night during standard pricing, which is one of the strongest hotel point values in any major U.S. city.

Dublin and Ireland

Dublin around St. Patrick's Day is busy and expensive. The smarter play is Dublin two weeks before the holiday (early March) or two weeks after (last week of March), when the city is meaningfully cheaper but the weather is comparable.

For Ireland, Aer Lingus is the airline to know. They are not in a major U.S. alliance, but they are a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner through Avios. Transfer at 1:1 and book one-way economy from Boston, New York, or Chicago for 30,000 to 35,000 Avios off-peak, which March generally is. Business class on Aer Lingus runs roughly 75,000 to 100,000 Avios one-way and is consistently one of the better-priced transatlantic business class redemptions available.

For lodging, the Marriott Bonvoy footprint in Dublin is modest, but the Westin Dublin is a Category 6 property in the center of town. The IHG One Rewards InterContinental Dublin is also worth a look at 60,000 to 80,000 points per night, depending on dates.

Relaxation and Warm Weather

Beach and warm-weather trips in March are at the high-confidence end of the year. The Caribbean and southern Arabian Peninsula are both still in their dry seasons.

Dominican Republic

Punta Cana and the surrounding coast offer reliable sun and warm water through all of March. For all-inclusive resorts, the Hyatt brands Ziva and Zilara are the strongest points plays in the region. Both fall into Category 6 or 7 World of Hyatt pricing at 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, with all food and most drinks included. That is one of the best all-inclusive points redemptions on any award chart.

For families, the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana lets a second room (or connecting suite) be booked on points at the same rate, which makes it one of the more practical multi-room redemptions in the region. If you do not have Hyatt points, transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1:1.

Oman, Coastal Areas

Muscat in March holds in the low 80s during the day, which is the last reliably comfortable window before the summer heat. The Salalah coast on the southern end of the country is even more pleasant.

The award lodging here favors Marriott. The W Muscat is a Category 6 Bonvoy property in the 40,000 to 60,000 points per night range, and the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton, sits in the same general band. Both are situated well for beach time and city exploration.

For flights, Oman Air is not a Chase or Amex transfer partner, but Etihad Guest is, and Etihad flies into Muscat from Abu Dhabi. The U.S. routing is typically through Abu Dhabi on Etihad metal, which runs 88,000 Etihad Guest miles one-way in business from the U.S. East Coast. That is a strong redemption when Etihad opens space, which they do most consistently around 3 to 4 months out.

Winter Sports

March ski trips are a points-and-miles bargain that most travelers overlook. Daylight is longer, snow conditions still hold at altitude, and award chart pricing at ski destinations frequently drops into off-peak tiers after the U.S. holiday weeks.

Val d'Isère and the French Alps

Val d'Isère and Tignes, together known as Espace Killy, offer one of the longest reliable ski seasons in Europe, with skiing typically running into early May. Late March balances good conditions with materially better availability than February.

There are no major chain points hotels in Val d'Isère itself, but Geneva, the most common gateway airport, is well covered. The InterContinental Geneva is a strong overnight on either end of the trip at around 50,000 to 60,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, and the Mandarin Oriental Geneva is bookable on Capital One's travel portal at competitive cash-equivalent rates.

For flights, the strongest path is transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, then booking the U.S.-Geneva or U.S.-Lyon route. Flying Blue routinely runs Promo Rewards in March, and Europe is included more often than not. Expect 25,000 to 35,000 points one-way in economy during a promo, or 50,000 to 60,000 outside of one.

If a chalet rental makes more sense than a hotel, pay with a card that earns transferable points on the spend. Chase Sapphire Preferred at 2x on travel or Capital One Venture at 2x on everything will both bank meaningful points back from a week-long booking.

Best Credit Cards for March Travel

The three cards below cover the vast majority of March bookings between them. Pick one or two based on your dominant trip type.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best for: travelers whose March trip leans on flights to Europe, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia, especially anyone who wants Hyatt access for the Dominican Republic all-inclusives.

The Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel and 3x on dining, and its 1:1 transfer to World of Hyatt is the single most valuable points partnership for any traveler doing the Hyatt Ziva or Zilara trip in this guide. Annual fee is 95 dollars (as of May 2026, subject to change), which is typically earned back in a single 4-night Hyatt redemption.

Capital One Venture Rewards

Best for: travelers who want the flexibility to redeem against any travel charge, and anyone whose March itinerary involves a destination, like the Atacama lodges, where points hotels are sparse.

Venture earns 2x miles on every purchase, which is the simplest "set and forget" earning structure of any travel card. The "purchase eraser" lets you offset any travel charge at 1 cent per mile, which is the right tool for independent lodges, safari camps, and the chalets in Val d'Isère. Capital One's transfer partner list also includes Avianca LifeMiles (LATAM partner) and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, both of which are useful for several of the destinations above. Annual fee is 95 dollars (as of May 2026).

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Best for: travelers whose March trip leans on hotels in Houston, Chicago, Dublin, Oman, or Belize, where the Marriott footprint is strong.

The Boundless card earns 6x at Marriott properties, 3x on the first 6,000 dollars in combined travel, dining, and grocery each year (as of May 2026), and 2x on everything else. It also includes a 35,000-point free night certificate each anniversary, which covers a Category 4 property like several of the Houston-area Marriotts. Annual fee is 95 dollars.

For travelers who plan to spend more nights at Marriotts than the Boundless rewards efficiently, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant from Amex is the step up, with an annual free night certificate up to 85,000 points and automatic Platinum Elite status, which is useful for the higher-end Bonvoy properties in this guide like the Al Bustan Palace.

How to Pick the Right Card for Your Trip

Before you apply, run through four questions:

• Where are you going, and which programs control the gateway? LATAM destinations want Capital One. Caribbean Hyatts want Chase. European partner space wants either Chase or Amex.
• Where do you actually spend the most? Dining-heavy spenders earn more on Sapphire Preferred. Flat spenders earn more on Venture.
• What are you optimizing: flights, hotels, or flexibility? Boundless for Marriott-heavy trips, Sapphire Preferred for Hyatt-heavy trips, Venture for everything else.
• Are you above 5/24? Chase still enforces its 5-cards-in-24-months rule (as of May 2026), which can rule the Sapphire Preferred and Boundless out for some readers.

Putting It Together

March is a high-leverage month for points travelers because the destinations are weather-appropriate, the loyalty programs are pricing in shoulder-season tiers, and the booking windows for most major hotels open right when you are planning. If you are already thinking about March 2027, the next 60 days are when transfer partners are most likely to release space at the lowest end of their pricing range.

Pick a destination from the four buckets above, pick the program that controls it, and apply for the card that funds it. The combination of one good destination and one well-matched card usually produces a March trip that costs a fraction of the cash equivalent.

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