The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Long weekend on points: St. Louis (3 nights)

Long weekend on points: St. Louis (3 nights): free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Disclosure: Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. Everything here was checked on October 10, 2026. The Lambert MetroLink closure starts October 12, museum hours change by season, and some official pages would not open for us. Each stamp tells you what we opened; each "verify before publishing" tag tells you what we did not.

Cover block

Promise: a Friday-to-Monday St. Louis weekend where the bed and (if you choose) the flight come from points, and most of the sightseeing is free.
Trip length: 3 nights, 4 days (Friday arrival, Monday departure).
Best months: spring and fall for the outdoor-heavy plan; check seasonal hours for any month you choose.
Budget band: roughly $0 to $80 per adult in admissions for the plan below, plus food, local transport and any cash hotel nights ____.
Best for: points collectors who want a short city break, museum-goers, first-time visitors who already know the basics from the base guide.
Base guides: /guides/st-louis/ (our base guide covers the full city itinerary; this guide covers only what changes for a 3-night points trip) and /guides/great-river-road/ (the river drive; not repeated here).

At a glance

Arch tram: from $15 adult, $11 child (3-15), infants free, "Prices vary by date of visit" (checked Oct 10, 2026).
The Arch's own site says tram tickets "sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended" (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Forest Park: Art Museum, Zoo and Science Center are free entry (stamped in chapter 1).
Paid: City Museum from $20; Botanical Garden $16 (ages 13+) (stamped in chapter 1).
Airport: MetroLink does not serve Terminal 1 from October 12 [read 2026-10-10, https://www.metrostlouis.org/ — home page only, no fares shown].
Points: Southwest via Chase or Bilt at 1:1; hotels via Hyatt, Marriott, IHG transfers. No award prices are quoted here.