Austin is basically the perfect weekend getaway, with good food, good shopping, pool time, and a night out that might end with you on a mechanical bull. We made a 48-hour itinerary covering South Congress, breakfast tacos, Barton Springs, West Sixth, and some of our favorite spots to eat and drink. Cowboy boots strongly encouraged. For hotels, you can use points at the Thompson Austin, The Driskill, or W Austin.

Also, start booking Thanksgiving and Christmas flights now. Prices are only going up from here. Marriott is offering up to 4,500 bonus points per qualifying stay. Meanwhile, Delta and Hyatt are teaming up, letting Delta SkyMiles members earn miles on qualifying Hyatt stays and World of Hyatt members earn Hyatt points on qualifying Delta flights.

You don't need a Bilt credit card to earn Bilt Points. Join Bilt Rewards for free and earn points on purchases you're already making while still earning rewards from your credit card.

Take Lyft, for example. Link your Bilt and Lyft accounts to earn 2X Bilt Points on eligible rides. You can also earn bonus points at participating restaurants, Walgreens, and fitness studios through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits.

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I planned the perfect 48-hour girls’ trip, and it involves barbecue, cowboy boots, pool time, and a mechanical bull.

Welcome back to Departure Digest!

If Austin is sitting in your group chat for the next girls’ trip, I did the planning for you. We’ve got tacos, shopping, cocktails, and maybe a questionable decision.

But first, I have three quick travel PSAs.

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas, now’s a really good time to start watching those flights, if you haven’t already booked them. Holiday airfare can get more expensive as we get closer, so I wouldn’t wait until November to start looking. Set a Google Flights alert, play around with your dates, and if you see a price you’re comfortable with, I’d be pretty comfortable booking it.

Next, Marriott just launched a new global promotion. For stays from Sept. 22 through Nov. 22, you can earn 1,500 bonus points after a two-night stay, plus another 3,000 points if you’re staying at a participating resort, for up to 4,500 bonus points total. You have to register before your stay, so if you’ve got a Marriott stay coming up, be sure to do that. I’ll drop the link below.

Hyatt also announced that it’s ending its partnership with American Airlines and will replace it with a new partnership with Delta. The new Delta partnership will launch in the coming months. All the details aren’t live yet, but here’s the gist: Delta elite members will be able to earn Delta miles on qualifying Hyatt stays, in addition to certain other World of Hyatt benefits. And World of Hyatt elites will be able to earn Hyatt points on qualifying Delta flights, in addition to certain other SkyMiles benefits.

Nothing to act on yet, but if you’re loyal to Delta or Hyatt, keep this one on your radar.

Okay, back to Austin.

Start Friday by checking into your hotel and dropping your bags, then head straight to South Congress. Walk the vintage shops, get the photo at the “I Love You So Much” mural, and soak up the neighborhood.

From there, go to Aba for happy hour, then have dinner at La Piscina or La Condesa.

And for the nightcap, head to Retail Therapy. Since you’re there on a Friday, they have free champagne for the ladies. Have a drink, enjoy the vibes, and then call it an early night.

For Friday, I’d wear a flowy maxi or midi dress with cowboy boots. Keep it cute, but breathable. You’re going to sweat.

Saturday is the big day.

Saturday starts with breakfast tacos and coffee. Hit Veracruz All Natural for the migas taco, then grab your latte at Jo’s.

Take your time around South Congress, then head to Terry Black’s for brisket and all the sides.

After lunch, it’s pool time at Barton Springs. Austin in September is hot, so this is also your chance to cool off before the real fun starts.

Then head back to the hotel, shower, change, and take a nap. You’ll thank me later.

For dinner, go to Uchi or Suerte. Both are great options, but make a reservation ahead of time.

After dinner, head over to West Sixth for drinks and some bar hopping. And if you’re feeling particularly brave, stop at Bull and Bowl for duckpin bowling and a mechanical bull.

For Saturday night, I’d go with cowboy boots, a chic jean skirt or little dress, and something you can actually dance in. And maybe don’t go too hard, because you still have a flight tomorrow.

Sunday’s the easy day. Ask for late checkout, grab brunch at June’s All Day, squeeze in a workout or yoga class, and then head to the airport.

If you’re traveling with a group, I’d look at Airbnb or another vacation rental. Having a whole house or apartment can make things a lot easier.

But if you’d rather use points, there are some great hotel options, too.

The Thompson Austin is a World of Hyatt property right downtown, with a rooftop pool.

The Driskill is another Hyatt option if you want something more historic and classic.

And if you’re a Marriott person, check out the W Austin. It’s right downtown and has a rooftop pool.

So that’s your 48 hours in Austin. Eat well, shop, get some pool time, go out, and hopefully leave without needing a vacation from your vacation.

And if you want the visual version, we’ve got the full itinerary laid out on Instagram, so you can save it and drop it straight into the group chat.

Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Monday.