Southern Hemisphere Summer with Points
Northern winter is Southern Hemisphere summer. Australia, New Zealand, and southern South America offer perfect December-February weather. Premium cabin awards to these regions are some of the most competitive in the points world.
Best months: December – February (with peak holiday period mid-December to mid-January)
Top destinations
Sydney, Australia
Sydney harbor + Blue Mountains + beaches at peak summer
Melbourne, Australia
Coffee + culture + Australian Open tennis (mid-January)
Auckland, New Zealand
Gateway to North Island + day-trip to Hobbiton
Queenstown, New Zealand
Adventure capital; gateway to South Island fjords and lakes
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentine summer; gateway to Patagonia trekking
Patagonia (Chile + Argentina)
Hiking, glaciers, fjords; Torres del Paine peak season Dec-Feb
Cape Town, South Africa
Western Cape summer + safari at Sabi Sands or Kruger
Best mileage programs
- Atmos Rewards (55K Qantas business to Australia — cheapest in points)
- United MileagePlus (80K Polaris direct US-Australia)
- American AAdvantage (Qatar Qsuite to Cape Town at 75K)
- Aeroplan (Star Alliance to Buenos Aires, Cape Town, etc.)
Booking timeline
Book 11-12 months out. December departures open at 354 days, meaning December of the prior year. Australia at saver rates books out within hours.
Tactical tips
- Holiday period (December 18 – January 5) is hardest to find availability
- Mid-January through February is easier — Australian school holidays end mid-January
- Direct routings to Australia (LAX-SYD, SFO-SYD, IAH-SYD) all have similar saver pricing on partner programs
- Patagonia hiking peak: December-February for stable weather
- Cape Town benefits from year-round flights but summer months see higher demand
Points budget
Round-trip business to Australia: 110-180K miles. Round-trip to South America: 110-130K miles. Round-trip to South Africa: 140-170K miles via Doha or Abu Dhabi.
FAQ
Is Australia summer pricing higher than other times?
Yes — December-February peak summer (especially around Christmas/New Year) is the most expensive Australia booking window. Off-peak (March-May or September-November) has more availability and similar mileage prices on partner awards.
Related guides
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