There are more options to step foot on the frozen continent of Antarctica than ever before, but you’ll pay dearly for the privilege. The average cruise starts at around $1,100 per person, per day for an entry-level stateroom, but paying double or triple that is not uncommon. If you’re flying in, you can expect to pay even more: A five-hour trip from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island (off the coast of the Antarctic peninsula) with the chance to see penguins and icy landscapes via a zodiac ride, costs $6,660.
Using miles to save. You won’t be able to use points or miles to book a trip to Antarctica directly, so travelers will want to redeem cash back to reimburse independent travel plans. When booking, look for cards that offer bonus earnings on travel purchases to help you earn points or miles for use on a future trip. You might also be able to redeem frequent flyer miles to book trips to Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile, from where many Antarctic packages depart.