How to Use Points to Stay in 5-Star Resorts
Traveling in luxury doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. If you’re savvy about earning and redeeming rewards points, you can enjoy stays at 5-star resorts for a fraction of the cost—or even for free. Hotel loyalty programs, credit card rewards, and travel hacking strategies make it possible to access high-end accommodations without breaking the bank. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use points to stay in 5-star resorts .
1. Understand Hotel Loyalty Programs
Hotel loyalty programs are one of the most effective ways to earn and redeem points for luxury stays. These programs allow you to accumulate points by staying at partner hotels, using co-branded credit cards, or participating in promotions. Below are some of the top hotel loyalty programs that offer access to 5-star properties:
Marriott Bonvoy
- Overview: Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest hotel loyalty programs, offering access to luxury brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and W Hotels.
- How to Earn Points:
- Stay at Marriott properties.
- Use the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™).
- Participate in promotions like “Bonus Nights” or “Double Points.”
- Redemption Tips:
- Book during off-peak dates when fewer points are required.
- Use the “Points + Cash” option if you don’t have enough points for a free night.
- Consider transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards.
Hilton Honors
- Overview: Hilton Honors provides access to Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, and other luxury properties.
- How to Earn Points:
- Stay at Hilton hotels.
- Use Hilton Honors credit cards (e.g., Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card).
- Shop through the Hilton Honors shopping portal.
- Redemption Tips:
- Look for the “Fifth Night Free” benefit when booking five consecutive nights.
- Redeem points for premium rooms or suites, which often provide better value.
World of Hyatt
- Overview: World of Hyatt is known for its generous rewards structure, especially for luxury properties like Park Hyatt and Andaz.
- How to Earn Points:
- Stay at Hyatt hotels.
- Use the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
- Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Redemption Tips:
- Take advantage of Category 1-4 free night certificates offered by the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
- Book during off-peak seasons for lower point requirements.
IHG One Rewards
- Overview: IHG One Rewards includes luxury brands like InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels.
- How to Earn Points:
- Stay at IHG properties.
- Use IHG credit cards (e.g., IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card).
- Participate in quarterly promotions.
- Redemption Tips:
- Use the “Points + Cash” option to stretch your points further.
- Redeem points for Reward Nights at high-end properties.
2. Leverage Credit Card Rewards
Credit cards are a powerful tool for earning points that can be redeemed for 5-star resort stays. Many premium travel credit cards offer lucrative sign-up bonuses, transferable points, and exclusive perks.
Transferable Points Programs
Some credit card issuers allow you to transfer points to hotel loyalty programs, giving you flexibility and maximizing their value.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer points to partners like World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG One Rewards.
- American Express Membership Rewards: Transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy.
- Citi ThankYou Points: Transfer points to World of Hyatt.
Best Cards for Luxury Travel
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Offers access to Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR), which provides benefits like room upgrades, daily breakfast, and late check-out at select 5-star properties.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Provides access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, offering similar perks to FHR.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card: Offers annual free night awards and elite status, making it easier to book luxury stays.
3. Maximize Promotions and Partnerships
Hotels and credit card companies frequently run promotions that can help you earn extra points or reduce the number of points needed for redemption.
Stay Promotions
Many hotel loyalty programs offer bonus points for staying during specific periods. For example:
- Marriott Bonvoy might offer double points for stays booked within a certain timeframe.
- Hilton Honors could provide extra points for weekend stays.
Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses are an excellent way to quickly accumulate a large number of points. For instance:
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card offers up to 75,000 bonus points after meeting spending requirements.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers up to 150,000 bonus points.
Airline Partnerships
Some hotel loyalty programs partner with airlines, allowing you to transfer miles to hotel points or vice versa. For example:
- You can transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to Marriott Bonvoy.
- Delta SkyMiles members can earn Marriott Bonvoy points through co-branded promotions.
4. Book During Off-Peak Seasons
One of the easiest ways to save points is by booking during off-peak seasons when hotels require fewer points per night. For example:
- Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing, so staying during less popular times can significantly reduce the point cost.
- Hilton Honors also adjusts point requirements based on demand, making off-peak bookings more affordable.
5. Utilize Award Charts and Sweet Spots
Some hotel loyalty programs still use fixed award charts, while others have moved to dynamic pricing. Understanding these structures can help you identify “sweet spots”—properties where the point cost is disproportionately low compared to the cash rate.
Examples of Sweet Spots:
- World of Hyatt: Category 1-4 hotels often provide incredible value, especially when using free night certificates.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Properties in smaller cities or less touristy areas may require fewer points than those in major metropolitan hubs.
6. Take Advantage of Elite Status Benefits
If you hold elite status in a hotel loyalty program, you’ll unlock additional benefits that enhance your stay. These perks can include:
- Room upgrades to suites or ocean-view rooms.
- Complimentary breakfast.
- Late check-out.
- Bonus points for each stay.
How to Earn Elite Status:
- Stay frequently at partner hotels.
- Use co-branded credit cards that offer automatic elite status (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant grants Gold Elite status).
7. Use Points for All-Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive resorts are another great option for luxury travelers. Programs like Club Med and Sandals offer all-inclusive packages that cover meals, drinks, and activities. Some hotel loyalty programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy, partner with all-inclusive brands, allowing you to redeem points for these experiences.
8. Combine Points with Cash
If you don’t have enough points for a full redemption, consider using the “Points + Cash” option offered by many hotel loyalty programs. This allows you to pay part of the cost in cash while using points to cover the rest.
