How to Travel to Palm Springs on Points and Miles

Palm Springs is a desert gem that has something for every type of traveler. There's golf courses, pools, fine dining, quirky bars, one-of-a-kind attractions and more.

It's a region for sun seekers, mid-century modern architecture buffs, foodies, and festival lovers alike.

And though it's not exactly a cheap destination to visit, it's still possible to pull off an affordable trip to this iconic California retreat. Particularly with smart use of points and miles, you can turn your trip into an affordable escape packed with charm and style.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is just two miles from downtown, and it’s hands-down the most convenient and charming way to arrive. In fact, NerdWallet ranks PSP as one of the most charming airports in America.

It's got an open-air courtyard filled with palm trees, art installations and lush desert landscaping. It's ideal for waiting out your flight as you soak up those final few moments of California sun.

Avoid flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) unless absolutely necessary. Even if it requires a layover, booking a flight straight into PSP can save hours of traffic and stress.

Other regional airports like SNA (Orange County) and ONT (Ontario) are closer than LAX, but still can’t match PSP’s convenience and easy access.

Major airlines flying to Palm Springs

There are currently 13 airlines that fly into Palm Springs:

• Air Canada.

• Alaska Airlines.

• Allegiant.

• American Airlines.

• Avelo.

• Delta.

• Flair Airlines.

• Frontier Airlines.

• Porter.

• Southwest.

• Sun Country.

• United.

• WestJet.

The Palm Springs region includes nearby cities like Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Desert Hot Springs, offering a wide range of accommodations.

Staying in downtown Palm Springs can make sense if you prioritize walkability. But particularly for lodging right on the main drag, expect to pay a premium for that kind of location.

If you have a rental car, you might save money by staying farther out and then driving in to downtown. And having a rental car makes sense for most people visiting Palm Springs anyway, given how spread out the top attractions are.

With that in mind, these lodging locations span beyond just Palm Springs property and into neighboring cities. So all that said, here are our favorite hotels and other type of lodging, broken out by hotel brand.

Best IHG One Rewards properties in Greater Palm Springs

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

Downtown’s most fashionable address, this sleek hotel rises above the palm-lined streets with a rooftop pool, modern rooms, and panoramic mountain views. It’s a favorite for travelers who want nightlife, dining and shopping at their doorstep. Book using points through IHG One Rewards or transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Best Marriott Bonvoy properties in Greater Palm Springs

The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage

Tucked high above the valley, this luxury resort blends into the desert cliffs with understated elegance. Expect fire pits, infinity pools, and 20 miles of nearby hiking trails when you stay at the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage.

While rates often start around 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, award prices climb during peak season — and you’ll want to factor in the $40 resort fee, which typically isn’t waived on award stays. That said, the stunning setting makes it worth the splurge.

To book with points, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card for an annual free night award or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which offers a higher-value free night and Platinum elite status (see rates and fees). The Platinum Card® from American Express also grants automatic Gold status with Marriott and allows 1:1 point transfers to Bonvoy.

If you want Gold status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, but don’t want to commit to a Marriott-branded credit card, check out The Platinum Card® from American Express, which also comes with automatic Marriott Gold Status (see rates and fees, enrollment required). Points you earn with the card can be transferred to the Bonvoy program at a 1:1 ratio. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to maximize The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best Hilton Honors properties in Greater Palm Springs

La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

This historic hacienda-style resort is a world unto itself. Set among citrus groves and mountain backdrops, La Quinta Resort & Club features 41 pools, seven restaurants, and easy access to multiple golf courses.

Rooms booked with Hilton Honors points typically range from 64,000 to 166,000 points per night, though waived resort fees on award stays sweeten the deal.

Earn points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, where you’ll receive Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, among other valuable benefits (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express also comes with automatic Hilton Gold Status (see rates and fees). And the American Express Membership Rewards points you earn with the card can be transferred to the Hilton Honors program at a 1:2 ratio, which means 1 American Express point equals 2 Hilton points. Terms apply.

Best World of Hyatt properties in Greater Palm Springs

Thompson Palm Springs

Hyatt’s newest splash in the desert is the ultra-stylish Thompson Palm Springs, a design-forward hotel that’s part of the World of Hyatt program. Expect sharp interiors, a buzzing rooftop pool scene, and walkable access to the city's best bars, restaurants, and galleries.

Hyatt Palm Springs

For a budget-friendlier stay, Hyatt Palm Springs offers all-suite rooms with private balconies in the heart of downtown.

It’s a Category 3 Hyatt property, meaning off-peak nights can be snagged for just 9,000 Hyatt points — a great redemption given NerdWallet’s valuation of Hyatt points at 2.2 cents each. Plus, Hyatt waives resort fees on award stays.

How to earn Hyatt points

Your best option for earning points is with the World of Hyatt Credit Card, which lets you earn points for spending on the card and also comes with an annual free night.

» Learn more: Is the World of Hyatt Credit Card worth its annual fee?

Palm Springs has quietly emerged as one of Southern California’s most dynamic small-city food scenes. For rooftop views and fine dining, 4 Saints, perched atop the Kimpton Rowan, offers inventive new American fare in an open-air setting perfect for sunset dining. Just downstairs, Juniper Table is a more casual choice, serving seasonal Mediterranean dishes, local wines, and solid coffee in a sun-drenched lounge.

Cocktail lovers should head to High Bar, also at the Rowan, for poolside drinks that lean tropical without tipping into kitsch. For a vintage vibe, Bootlegger Tiki is a speakeasy-style bar serving potent rum cocktails in a tiny, neon-lit space — come early or prepare to wait.

If brunch is your thing, Farm, tucked off La Plaza, is an idyllic Provençal-inspired café with garden seating and decadent breakfasts. Cheeky’s is another brunch favorite, with rotating scrambles, house-made cinnamon rolls, and a bacon flight worth the hype. On Saturdays, the Hyatt Regency Drag Brunch combines bottomless mimosas with top-tier performers — it’s part meal, part show, and completely unforgettable.

For something cool and sweet, Lappert’s Ice Cream delivers creamy scoops and tropical flavors, while Great Shakes builds towering milkshakes crowned with mini donuts. Vegans and health-conscious travelers will appreciate Nature’s Health Food & Café, a retro deli and juice bar that’s stood the test of time.

» Learn more: 18 free and cheap things to do in Los Angeles

Despite its reputation as a sun-and-spa destination, Palm Springs is rich with visual and performing arts. The Palm Springs Art Museum, centrally located near the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, houses impressive contemporary collections, Native American works, and rotating exhibitions — it’s compact, walkable, and free on Thursday evenings.

Retro pop art enthusiasts will want to stop at The Shag Store, a colorful gallery dedicated to the work of Josh Agle (aka “Shag”), whose vibrant Mid-Century Modern scenes capture the playful glamour of Palm Springs. For more eclectic finds, Antique Galleries of Palm Springs is a treasure trove of vintage furniture, records, and MCM décor.

Design lovers should time their visit with Modernism Week, held every February, which celebrates mid-century architecture and design with home tours, film screenings, and pop-up exhibitions. Even outside of Modernism Week, visitors can book private architectural tours to explore iconic homes once owned by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

The Coachella Valley hosts dozens of events throughout the year that reflect its creative spirit and agricultural roots. While Coachella and Stagecoach bring global attention each spring, many of the most enriching festivals fly under the radar.

Artists will love Desert X, which is a free biennial outdoor art exhibit with a handful of site-specific installations spread throughout the region. Finding them all is something of a treasure hunt.

There's the aforementioned Modernism Week, plus others including Fashion Week El Paseo and the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Foodies will enjoy the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival, which brings together top chefs, winemakers, and mixologists from across the region. The festival highlights the area's lesser-known culinary clout, with locally sourced ingredients and desert-grown produce front and center.

You don’t have to splurge to enjoy Palm Springs. In fact, many of the city’s best experiences are totally free — or nearly so. On Thursday nights, downtown Palm Springs transforms into VillageFest, a pedestrian-only street fair with live music, art vendors, food stalls, and a bustling local crowd. It’s one of the best ways to soak up the town’s quirky charm.

A short walk from VillageFest is Marilyn Monroe Forever, the larger-than-life statue of the starlet in her iconic white dress — a fun, kitschy photo op. Design buffs should pop into the Palm Springs Visitors Center, which is housed in a former mid-century gas station and offers great views and architecture info.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage is a peaceful, beautifully landscaped retreat with free access to the gardens and visitor center. Once the winter home of the Annenbergs, it now serves as a cultural meeting place with exhibits and guided tours (free to explore, though house tours are ticketed).

Shopaholics on a budget will appreciate El Paseo in Palm Desert, home to upscale boutiques, galleries, and cafés. Window-shopping is free, and browsing luxury storefronts can be entertainment enough.

Hikers and nature lovers should consider Tahquitz Canyon, which offers a moderately easy two-mile loop past waterfalls and ancient rock art (entry is $15), or drive up the Palm to Pines Scenic Byway for stunning views of the desert floor from high alpine forests — free and unforgettable.

No trip to the valley is complete without a stop at Shields Date Garden in Indio, which offers a serene walking trail through its lush palm groves and a retro café serving the quintessential date shake.

The Palm Springs area is a popular destination with no shortage of trendy hotels, luxurious spas, shopping and outdoor activities. And if you tap into these tips for how to get to Palm Springs with points and miles, you can cover the cost of a trip with awards, too.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.