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Brazil is the ultimate tropical escape. Think bossa nova, caipirinhas on the beach, sunshine, and of course, the epic party that is Carnival. 👯
Right now, you can make that dream a reality with this fantastic deal to Rio de Janeiro from 90+ cities across the U.S. Both major hubs and minor airports are included, and we love to see it! 🍹
Travel Details
Airline: American Airlines
Route: Over 90+ U.S. airports!
Seat class: Economy
Points price: 22,000 AAdvantage miles
Cash price: $900
Dates: October 2026 - February 2027 (select dates)
Fees: $6 outbound/$31 upon return
Why This Deal Is Amazing
American Airlines is offering this deal for just 22,000 AAdvantage miles one-way. Considering that the cash price is $900, that gives us a tasty value of over 4 cents per point. 😋
Carnival in Rio is one of the world’s biggest festivals. In 2027, it’ll take place between February 5 and February 10 - and this deal covers those dates. More points in your pocket means you can book some sweet hotels (see our recs below).
Not into the party? This deal gets you out of the dreariness that is November-January, so you can turn winter into a South American summer. 😎
East Coasters: you can book a similar deal for just 18,000 miles from JFK to GRU (São Paulo). Personally, I liked São Paulo even better than Rio, but ymmv of course! Both are amazing cities with very different vibes.
Want an incredibly diverse selection of food in one of the world’s largest metropolises? São Paulo all the way.
Looking for laid-back, beachy vibes and epic landscapes? Head to Rio. Or fly into one and out the other, like I did a few years back 😉
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
Rio offers a wide range of properties that you can book for excellent value. Here are some of our favs:
Luxury Stay: Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro
This resort-style property offers crazy value. All rooms have their own private balconies, and there’s a pool, beach right out front, and a tranquil nature reserve nearby.
Cash: starting at $426 per night
Points: starting at just 9,000 points per night
Mid-Range Stay: Grand Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Cash: starting at $194 per night
Points: starting at 8,000 points per night
Budget Stay: ibis budget Copacabana RJ
Cash: starting at $136 per night
Points: starting at just 2,900 points per night
How to Book
With Points: Find this specific fare via this link. Book directly through American Airlines, either using your AA miles or transferring Citi ThankYou points to the AAdvantage program.
The secret to miles and points? Credit cards! We keep an up-to-date list of our favorite travel cards on this page, or find all credit cards here.
Maximize Your Booking
Make the most of your rewards by using a card that earns bonus points on flights, like:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Earn 2x points on all travel purchases
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Earn 5x miles on flights through Capital One’s travel booking site
- American Express® Gold Card — Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express Travel®
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Earn 4x points on flights booked direct
- American Express Platinum Card® — Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
Pro Tip
Brazil is one of those places where you have a smile on your face the entire time you’re there. Getting there is the most expensive part, and this deal squares that neatly away. Just writing this article made me reminisce about my trip there for Carnival a few years ago. My bossa nova playlist is urging me to book this deal… maybe see you there? 👀
