Cusco (CUZ) is the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. There are no direct international flights — every traveler routes through Lima (LIM) first. The internal LIM-CUZ flight on LATAM is short (~1 hour) and book-able with miles. Here is the practical 2026 picture for getting from the US to Cusco on points.
The two-segment routing
| Segment | Mile cost (each way business) | Cash YQ |
|---|---|---|
| US-LIM segment via LATAM (Oneworld) | 57,500 AA off-peak / 70,000 standard | ~$80-$120 |
| US-LIM via Avianca (Star Alliance) via BOG | 40,000 LifeMiles | ~$25 |
| US-LIM via United (Star Alliance) IAH-LIM | 50,000-70,000 MileagePlus dynamic | ~$5.60 |
| LIM-CUZ on LATAM via LATAM Pass | ~12,000 LATAM Pass + ~$25 | ~$25 |
| LIM-CUZ on LATAM via AAdvantage | ~10,000 AA miles + ~$30 | ~$30 |
The cleanest combined routing
Total cost for round-trip business class US-Cusco via the cheapest path:
- Avianca via BOG-LIM-CUZ on LifeMiles: ~40,000 + 10,000 = ~50,000 LifeMiles each way + ~$50 cash. Round-trip total: ~100,000 miles + ~$100 cash.
- LATAM via MIA-LIM + AA for LIM-CUZ: ~57,500 AA + 10,000 AA = ~67,500 miles each way. Round-trip total: ~135,000 AA miles + ~$80.
Avianca LifeMiles is meaningfully cheaper — 100,000 miles vs 135,000 — but books on Avianca's smaller business class on the BOG-LIM segment. AAdvantage on LATAM books on LATAM's larger 787-9 business class with full-flat seats.
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Hotels in Cusco on points
- JW Marriott El Convento Cusco: Category 6, ~50,000-60,000 Bonvoy points/night. Historic convent property near Plaza de Armas.
- Inkaterra La Casona (Marriott Luxury Collection): Category 7, ~70,000 Bonvoy points/night.
- Palacio del Inka (Marriott Luxury Collection): Category 6, ~50,000-60,000 Bonvoy points/night.
- Hilton Garden Inn Cusco: ~30,000-50,000 Hilton points/night.
- Hyatt Centric Cusco: Category 4, 15,000 World of Hyatt points/night — exceptional value.
The Machu Picchu onward
From Cusco, Machu Picchu is reached by:
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- PeruRail Vistadome from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: 1h45m, ~$80-$120 one-way.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Sanctuary: 25 minutes, $24 round-trip.
- Inca Trail (4-day hike): $700-$900/person, requires permit booking 6+ months in advance.
For most travelers, the day-trip itinerary is: Cusco → Ollantaytambo (taxi or PeruRail) → Vistadome → Aguas Calientes → bus up → Machu Picchu → reverse. Build in 12+ hours from Cusco departure to return.
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The altitude warning
Cusco sits at 11,150 feet (3,400 meters). Most travelers experience altitude sickness on arrival. Best practices:
- Spend the first 24-48 hours in Cusco at minimal exertion.
- Drink coca tea (legal in Peru; helps with altitude).
- Consider Diamox (acetazolamide) prescription before travel.
- Book hotels with on-site oxygen if possible.
- Plan Machu Picchu (lower elevation at 7,970 feet) on day 3-4 of the trip.
Bottom line
For most points travelers, Avianca LifeMiles via BOG-LIM-CUZ at ~50,000 miles each way + ~$50 cash is the cheapest path to Cusco. AAdvantage via MIA-LIM + AA short-haul is the comfortable premium-cabin alternative at higher mile cost. The Hyatt Centric Cusco at 15,000 World of Hyatt points/night is the cleanest hotel-points value in the city. Plan altitude acclimation and Machu Picchu logistics carefully — Cusco is high and Machu Picchu requires a full day from Cusco.
Search Cusco award flights on Pointify →
Last verified by the Pointify research team on May 1, 2026, against current Avianca LifeMiles, AAdvantage, MileagePlus, and LATAM Pass award rates. LATAM partner saver inventory varies; verify before transferring miles.
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