This week we’re back to Europe for a little bit of sun on the Greek island of Santorini. For a couple to make this trip, one will need a credit score of at least 720, and the other one will need at least a 715. If they can handle a spend of $4,500 per month on their cards, then they can make this trip happen.

The total out of pocket cost on this one? Just the $200 round-trip ferry ride from Athens to Santorini.

HIS APS: Four cards — Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold, Starwood Preferred Guest Card, Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card

HER APS: Three cards — Chase Sapphire Preferred, Starwood Preferred Guest Card, Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card

ITINERARY OVERVIEW: The couple flies from the US on United to Athens on October 21, arriving on October 22. They take the ferry from Athens to Santorini. From October 22 through October 27, they stay at the Vedema Resort. On the 27th, they take the ferry back to Athens and fly home.

(Note: This is a sample itinerary only. We haven’t checked award availability to ensure that these dates are open.)

TOTAL TRIP VALUE: $3,890.40

(Note: The airline value is based on the cheapest available seats found using ITA Matrix for the dates in the sample itinerary with a starting point of Chicago. The hotel value is based on a standard-room on Tuesday-Sunday dates in September, as the Vedema currently doesn’t show availability beyond October 1.)

HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT:

October 21: Round-Trip on United: USA to Athens
Cost: $1,925.40 ($962.70 per ticket)
Method: Ultimate Rewards
Cards:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred (x2) – 86,000 Ultimate Rewards points
   1. He receives 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in three months, which he can accomplish in the first month.
   2. He receives 3,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
   3. She receives 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in three months, which she can accomplish in the first and second months.
   4. She receives 3,000 points from her spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
2. Chase Ink Bold Business Card – 55,000 Ultimate Rewards points
   1. He receives 50,000 points after spending $5,000 in three months, which he can accomplish in the second and third months.
   2. He receives 5,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.

Explanation: This is the same pairing we used last week to get to Amsterdam (where we also noted the option of flying US Airways). Ultimate Rewards are some of the most valuable points around, and here we’re using them to transfer into United miles at 1:1. A round-trip Saver ticket from the US to Europe on United is 60,000. A couple can get to Athens for 120,000 miles. Our couple will have 21,000 points to spare.
Out of Pocket Cost: Taxes

October 22: Round-Trip: Athens to Santorini
Cost: $200 ($100 per round-trip ticket)
Method: Cash
Explanation: Several ferries run between Athens and Santorini. We found the Blue Star Naxos, which costs 37.5€ per ticket each way, which is roughly $100 per person. The ferry ride takes about three hours and 50 minutes.
Out of Pocket Cost: $200

October 22-27: Vedema Resort
Cost: $1,765 ($353 per night)
Method: Starpoints
Cards:

1. Starwood Preferred Guest Card (x2) – 60,000 Starpoints
   1. He receives 10,000 points after his first spend.
   2. He receives another 15,000 Starpoints after spending $5,000 in six months, which he can accomplish in the third and fourth months.
   3. He receives 5,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
   4. She receives 10,000 points after her first spend.
   5. She receives 15,000 points after spending $5,000 in six months, which she can accomplish in the fourth and fifth months.
   6. She receives 5,000 points from her spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
2. Starwood Preferred Business Card (x2) –40,000 Starpoints
   1. He receives 10,000 points his first spend.
   2. He receives another 15,000 points after spending $5,000 in six months, which he can accomplish in the fifth and sixth months.
   3. He receives 5,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
   4. She receives 10,000 points after her first spend.

Explanation: The Vedema Resort in Santorini is an amazing Category 6 Starwood property. Using SPG’s Fifth Night Free option, for 100,000 Starpoints, a couple can spend five nights here. With the four SPG cards, the couple will have 100,000 points – they could have as much as 120,000 points, but that would require an additional spend of $5,000 (rather than just using the second SPG business card once and getting 10,000 initial points).
Out of Pocket Cost: $0