How I Booked Our Trip to Quebec City Using Points (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
If you want European charm without crossing the Atlantic (or dealing with jet lag), Quebec City is the perfect solution. My 19‑year‑old son, Finn, mentioned he wouldn’t mind a summer trip together — and he didn’t have to say that twice. We both love Europe, but this time I wanted something closer, easier, and cheaper. Quebec City checked every box.
This guide walks you through exactly how I booked our flights and hotel using points, how I saved over $4,000, and how you can do the same.
If you’re new to award searches, my Point.Me Beginner Guidewalks you through how to find the best deals.
Heads up: This post has affiliate links. If you use them, I earn a tiny commission — the kind that fuels coffee, not private jets. Thanks for supporting my travel‑obsessed corner of the internet.
✈️ How to Book Flights to Quebec City With Points
Quebec City (YQB) is a smaller airport, but there are still great opportunities to book award flights — especially if you know where to look.
Best Points Programs for Quebec City
American Airlines AAdvantage — often the cheapest redemptions during sales
Alaska Mileage Plan — good for partner flights, but prices vary
Air Canada Aeroplan — great for short-haul and positioning flights
Capital One Miles — flexible transfers to Aeroplan, Avios, and more
🧩 Step-by-Step: How I Booked Our Flights for 30,000 Points Total
Earned AA miles from my American Airlines credit card I had just finished the minimum spend and knew the bonus miles were coming.
American Airlines launched a huge points sale Perfect timing — the points hit my account that morning.
Booked two round-trip flights to Quebec City for 30,000 points total Yes, total. Not each. Within 10 minutes of the miles posting, they were gone — in the best way.
Rebooked another trip and saved even more I checked my upcoming Nashville → Rome flight and saw it was only 20,000 AA miles vs. the 35,000 Alaska miles I had used. I booked the AA ticket and canceled the Alaska one.
Total savings: over $4,000 in flights This is why I love points and miles.
🏨 Where We Stayed: Hotel Pur Quebec City (and How I Saved $200)
Quebec City is stunning, but it’s not the easiest place for points hotels. There’s no Hyatt, and while I’d love to stay at the Fairmont Château Frontenac someday, it wasn’t in the budget for this trip.
We needed a room with two beds, which narrowed things down. I booked the Hotel Pur Quebec City, part of Marriott.
Then I checked the Capital One Travel Portal — and the same room was $200 cheaper.
So I rebooked through Capital One:
3 nights
2 beds
Under $675 USD
Earned 10x Capital One miles per dollar
If you’re comparing hotel options, my Hotel Hub breaks down the best ways to save on rooms.
Why Quebec City Feels Like Europe (Without the Jet Lag)
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its:
French colonial architecture
Cobblestone streets
Stone walls and fortifications
French language everywhere
…it genuinely feels like stepping into Europe.
We had just been to France a couple of months earlier, and walking around Old Quebec brought back all the memories — without the overnight flight.
If you love European vibes, check out our European Family Vacation on Points
🗺️ Things to Do in Quebec City (Beginner-Friendly Ideas)
If you’re planning your first visit, these are great options:
Old Quebec Walking Tour — perfect intro to the city
Montmorency Falls — taller than Niagara
Charming Countryside Bus Tour — easy, relaxing, beautiful
Citadelle of Quebec — history lovers will be in heaven
Stroll Petit-Champlain — one of the prettiest streets in North America
💡 FAQ: Booking Quebec City on Points
How many points do you need for Quebec City? Typical redemptions range from 10k–20k each way on AA or Aeroplan, depending on dates.
What airlines fly to Quebec City? American, Air Canada, United (via partners), and seasonal carriers.
Is Quebec City good for families? Absolutely — walkable, safe, historic, and full of charm.
🧭 Final Thoughts
This trip is the perfect example of why I love teaching families how to travel with points. With a little strategy and timing, we booked:
Two round-trip flights
A great hotel
Over $4,000 in savings
All with points and smart booking decisions.
If you want to learn how to do the same, follow along — I share everything we do in real time.
And if you want more beginner-friendly travel hacking tips, join my email list below.
Related Resources
Planning a trip using points and miles? These guides will help you save even more:
Stack & Save Credit Card Hub — Learn how to layer welcome bonuses, category multipliers, and travel portals to save thousands each year.
Beginner Guide to Point.me— Step-by-step walkthrough of how I find cheap award flights like our 30,000‑point Quebec City trip.
Hotel Hub — My complete guide to booking hotels with points, free night certificates, and travel portals.
European Family Vacation on Points — How we booked flights and hotels for our France trip using miles.
Best Credit Cards for Beginners— The easiest cards to start earning points fast.
Cruise Hub— If you love cruising, here’s how we book cruises, flights, and hotels using points and casino offers.
About the Author
Julie Davis is the founder of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to travel smarter using points, miles, and simple stacking strategies. Based in Tennessee, Julie has booked hundreds of flights and hotel nights on points—including flying her son to Europe seven times before he turned 18.
She specializes in beginner‑friendly travel hacking, real‑life examples, and practical tips that help families save thousands on trips they once thought were out of reach. Every strategy she shares is something she personally uses for her own travels.
