Not ready to let go of those blissful summer vibes just yet? We’ve got great news. There are plenty of places where you can keep that summer feeling alive well into September and even October — and since it’s shoulder season in these destinations, getting there and staying there will cost a lot less than it did last month.
Here are a few ideas for beach destinations you can visit in the next two months and still enjoy pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and warm seas — plus, how to get there cheaply on points.
The Greek Islands
Average high temps in September: 79-81°
Average high temps in October: 70-74°
Summer can be brutally hot and incredibly crowded in the Greek Islands; come winter, the crowds disperse, but a lot of shops, hotels, and restaurants close, and ferry service is limited. Fall is the perfect compromise. It’s still warm (sometimes even hot) with sea temps in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit into early October, so you can still enjoy the beaches with a lot fewer people around.
Several of the Greek Islands — including Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Milos, and Naxos — have airports, but all flights from the U.S. will go to Athens first. We recommend focusing your points search on a flight to the Greek capital (there are direct flights from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia) and then booking a cash fare to your final destination from there.
Fares from the U.S. to Athens start at around 25,000-30,000 points each way in economy, while business class fares start around 50,000-80,000 each way. From Athens, you can typically fly to the islands for under $100 each way.
Southern Italy
Average high temps in September: 80-90°
Average high temps in October: 70-80°
Depending on where you go, it can feel like summer in Italy well into October. For the warmest temperatures, stick to central and southern Italy. The Amalfi Coast, Tuscan coastline, Naples, Rome, and Sicily are all great options where you’ll find warm water and much lower prices than the summer high season.
There are direct flights to Rome, Venice, Naples, and Palermo from Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Philadelphia, and you can often find a one-way economy fare for around 22,000-25,000 points each way. Fares typically start at around 60,000-70,000 points each way for business class.
Cyprus
Average high temps in September: 75-86°
Average high temps in October: 70-79°
Summer extends late in the season in Cyprus, so you’re almost guaranteed beach weather with a fall trip to this Mediterranean island off the southern coast of Türkiye. Split between Turkish and Greek governance, the island is dotted with ancient architectural marvels, tiny traditional towns, stunning sea cliffs, and lush mountain ranges.
There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Cyprus but there are direct flights from several spots in Europe, including London, Athens, Zurich, and Frankfurt. On points, expect to spend about 30,000-40,000 points each way from the U.S. to Cyprus with 1-2 stops in economy and upwards of 80,000 in business class. Or look for a points fare to one of the above cities and then book a cash fare (which you can often find for under $100 each way) on a regional carrier.
Croatia
Average high temps in September: 74-81°
Average high temps in October: 66-74°
In the summer, Croatia teems with tourists who come to visit its four dozen inhabited islands, walk Dubrovnik’s famed city walls, see iconic Game of Thrones sites, and soak up the Mediterranean sun. Come mid-September, the crowds have dispersed and hotel rates have decreased, but the sun still shines and the water is still warm enough for an afternoon dip.
While there are seasonal direct flights from the U.S. to Croatia, by fall, you’ll need to have a layover somewhere in Europe. To spend the least amount of points, look at getting to somewhere like Paris, London, or Amsterdam cheaply and then flying from there on a cash fare on a regional airline. If you prefer to book it all with points, options will be limited, so expect to spend at least 30,000-40,000 points each way in economy and upwards of 100k points in business class.
French Polynesia
Average high temp in September: 79°
Average high temp in October: 80°
Temperatures in French Polynesia are pretty consistent all year round, but the amount of rain can vary dramatically by season — as can the amount of fellow travelers you need to contend with. September and October are shoulder season in the islands, sandwiched in between the crowded and dry summer and the rainy season, which generally starts by the end of October or early November. The days are warm to hot, with cooler nights and low humidity, and it’s the peak time for whale watching.
There are direct flights to Papeete, the main gateway to French Polynesia, from LA, Seattle, San Francisco, or Honolulu. If you can’t find a great points fare from your home airport, you could book a cash fare to one of these West Coast hubs and connect to a direct flight booked on points. Expect to spend at least 35,000 points one way in economy from LA or San Francisco and upwards of 55,000 each way in business class.
Galápagos Islands
Average high temps in September: 76-88°
Average high temps in October: 77-89°
Located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, straddling the Equator, the Galápagos Islands experience dry season from June to December. September and October, in particular, tend to see fewer crowds but still have great weather, though you’ll likely spend more time actively checking out the area’s wildlife rather than lazing on the beach. This is also prime season for bird-watching (including penguins) and a period of increased activity for marine life like seals, turtles, dolphins, and whales.
The Galápagos Islands aren’t easy or cheap to get to, and you’ll most likely need to break your journey into two steps: a flight to Quito or Guayaquil and then from there on to Baltra island. There are nonstop flights to Quito from Orlando, Miami, New York, Atlanta, and Houston. You can typically find a one-way economy fare to Quito for 23,000-35,000 points (and as low as 15,000 from Miami) and around 50,000 in business class.
Aruba
Average high temp in September: 91°
Average high temp in October: 90°
October is low season in Aruba, so you can expect fewer crowds and up to 50% cheaper hotels than during the peak periods of summer, Christmas and New Year’s, and Spring break. The month can be a bit rainy, but showers tend to come in short bursts rather than a full day of rain and Aruba is below the hurricane belt, so major impacts from these storms are rare.
There are direct flights to Aruba from several cities in the U.S., including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Houston, Boston, and New York City, and you can often find one-way economy fares from as little as 12,000-20,000 points each way. Business class fares start at around 44,000 points each way.
Some recent amazing fares we’ve found on point.me to warm destinations this fall:
- NYC to Naples: one stop in business class for 70k points
- Chicago to Palma de Mallorca: one stop in economy for 12k points
- San Francisco to Papeete: nonstop in business for 55k points
- Boston to Aruba: nonstop in economy for 12k points
All fares were accurate at the time of writing but will vary based on current availability.
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