5 of The Best-Value Points Hotels in Miami
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
In the latest installment of our “Points and Miles Destination Guide” series, TPG Contributor Whitney Magnuson explores the many different ways to maximize hotel redemptions in Miami using points and miles.
Miami is one of the most vibrant cities in the country — a melting pot of different cultures, cuisines, art, music and nightlife. The city attracts nearly 15 million visitors each year and has a plethora of drool-worthy hotel properties for all kinds of travelers and budgets. Below, I'll look at five common reasons for booking a hotel in Miami and recommend redemptions that best maximize point and mile options.
If You Want to Check out the Nightlife in South Beach: W South Beach
Hot bodies, Art Deco architecture and great nightlife all bring the crowds to Miami's South Beach district, which can be found just off the coast of mainland Miami between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. For those looking to be in the center of all the excitement, the W South Beach is a solid choice.
Featuring ocean views and a popular pool, this property is definitely on the pricey side — its lowest nightly rates start at about $782 per night. However, if you use Starpoints, a room can be had for 30,000 points per night, giving you a redemption rate of about 2.6 cents per point redemption rate, which is favorable according to TPG's latest monthly valuations that peg Starpoints at 2.5 cents apiece. And with the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express offering 25,000 bonus Starwood points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, a cardholder is already most of the way to a free night after just completing the introductory spending.
If You're Heading out on a Cruise: Holiday Inn Port of Miami
With more than 30 cruise ships calling the Port of Miami home for at least a portion of the year, it's no surprise that many visitors come to the city just before setting sail. And as seasoned cruise-goers typically recommend arriving in your embarkation city the day before your ship is scheduled to depart, many of them will need at least one night in a hotel.
The closest hotel to the Port of Miami is the Holiday Inn Port of Miami, which averages $285 or 35,000 IHG points per night, for an effective redemption rate of 0.8 cents per point. Given the current 60,000-point bonus available after spending $1,000 in the first three months with the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card, earning a free night in advance of your cruise vacation is very doable.
If You're in Town for a Convention: Hyatt Regency Miami
The James L Knight Center, located in Downtown Miami, pulls double duty as both an entertainment arena and the home of the Miami Convention Center. Note that this is a different convention center than the Miami Beach Convention Center, which serves as a focal point of the annual Art Basel event.
Assuming you're visiting the former, you'll most likely want to stay at the Hyatt Regency Miami, which is connected to the event space and offers additional overflow meeting areas for larger conventions. Rates for a standard room tend to hover around $270 a night, or can be had for just 12,000 Hyatt points.
As Chase Ultimate Reward points transfer instantly to Hyatt, a traveler looking to book a points stay at this property would do well to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The card currently offers a 50,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months after card opening, which would be enough for a free four-night stay.
If You've Got an Early Morning Flight from MIA: Hyatt House Miami Airport
Miami is a true international destination, with nonstop flights out of the Miami International Airport to nearly all the major South American and Latin American cities, as well as many destinations in Europe and the Middle East. When an early morning flight or a travel snafu means needing a hotel room near the airport, you'll often find a great redemption value at the Hyatt House Miami Airport.
The Hyatt House is an all-suite hotel, and it offers a complimentary airport shuttle for hotel guests, a full breakfast buffet and free high-speed internet for about $329 a night. However, for only 12,000 Hyatt points per night, the same room would give you a very good redemption value of 2.7 cents per point. Further, because this is an all-suite hotel, that standard award gets you a two-room suite without the need for a suite upgrade certificate.
If You Want to Eat Your Way Through Little Havana: Aloft - Miami Brickell
Whether Pitbull's inspired you to check out the Calle Ocho, or you've always wanted to dine at famed Cuban restaurant Versailles, it's undeniable that Little Havana is an integral part of Miami's cultural draw. Unfortunately, the neighborhood is not particularly flush with hotel options.
Instead, anyone hoping to explore this district should consider a stay in the Brickell neighborhood, just east of Little Havana. The Aloft - Miami Brickell, for example, is less than two miles away. Even better, with a Citi Bike station just outside the hotel, the Cubano-curious can easily rent a bike and then explore the district on two wheels; Maximo Gomex Park, aka "Domino Park" is less than a 10 minute bike ride away.
A standard room at the Aloft tends to run about $218 a night, or can be redeemed with 10,000 Starpoints, meaning a redemption value of about 2.2 cents per point. However, some dates are available with an even more attractive cash + points option, where each night costs $75 plus 5,000 Starpoints. That redemption bumps the value of your points up to 2.9 cents per point — well above the latest TPG valuation.
Check out these other recent articles for more Miami tips:
- My Miami: Inside Tips on Where to Beach, Eat, Party & More
- 10 New Things to See in Miami This Fall
- Ultimate Art Basel Guide to Miami's Hottest Neighborhoods
- Your Layover Guide to Miami (MIA)
- First Glance at the New Miami Airport Centurion Lounge
What's your favorite points hotel in Miami? Let us know in the comments, below.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.