5 of The Best-Value Points Hotels in Boston
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 Boston using points and miles.
With an Irish bar on every block, fantastic seafood, winning sports teams and some of the country's top universities, it's no wonder that more than 15 million travelers pass through the city of Boston each year. If you're among that group and currently planning a trip to Boston, let us help by suggesting five hotels that offer great points redemption values for different types of travelers.
If you'd like to see Boston's historical landmarks: Boston Marriott Long Wharf
Located just off State Street near both the Old State House and Faneuil Hall is the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. With views of both the Boston harbor and the Financial District, rooms at this upscale Category 9 property start at about $399 or 45,000 points per night.
While that's undeniably a hefty redemption, the 50,000 bonus points you'll receive after spending $2,000 on the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card in the first three months means you can get at least one free night. Plus, because Marriott always offers a fifth night free when you redeem four award nights, a five-night stay would mean a redemption value of 1.4 cents per point — that's double the most recent TPG monthly valuation for Marriott points.
If you want a taste of Boston's hippest hood: Le Meridien Cambridge-MIT
Ask five Bostonians what area of Boston is the coolest and you're bound to get five different responses, with Allston, Cambridge, Jamaica Plain and Sommerville all likely to make an appearance on the list. If you'd rather explore the up-and-coming areas and make your own decision on the matter, you'd do well to consider a stay at the Le Meridien Cambridge-MIT.
Located near the MIT campus in the Cambridge area, the property is a quick 10-minute cab or Uber to any of the above-mentioned neighborhoods, and just a five-minute stroll from the closest Red Line station. With rates averaging $485 per night, this Category 5 property will run you 12,000-16,000 points per night, depending on whether you stay on a weekend or weeknight.
With the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express, travelers could earn 25,000 bonus Starwood points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card issue. That's enough for a weekend stay in Cambridge and exploring all of Boston's hottest locales.
If you've got an early flight at Boston Logan Airport: Hyatt Boston Harbor
Boston is one of the few US cities where the airport is located near the center of town. Because of that, nearby hotels can come at a premium, especially if you're looking for a last-minute room to camp out during a long layover or ahead of an early-morning flight.
For those travelers, the Hyatt Boston Harbor offers a good compromise of comfortable accommodations with fantastic city views and close proximity to the airport (with a 24-hour airport shuttle). Nightly rates start at about $149 on the low end or $400+ per night for higher-demand dates. Award nights are available from 15,000 points per night.
As Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Hyatt, a traveler hoping to nab a free night might consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. After spending $4,000 in the first three months, you’ll earn 50,000 Ultimate Reward points — more than enough for a three-night stay.
If you're headed to a conference at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center: Westin Boston Waterfront
The BCEC is the home to hundreds of annual international conferences and events, which brings numerous visitors to the Boston area each year.
Located literally right next door to the BCEC is the Category 5 Westin Boston Waterfront. The property boasts an additional 80,000 square feet of meeting space itself, meaning that many of the larger conferences actually take advantage and book satellite events here as well.
Rates at this hotel can sometimes jump above $499 per night (though negotiated conference rates can significantly cut down that price, so always check whether there's a group rate for your event before booking). Award nights start at 12,000 points per night, which equals a solid redemption rate of 4.2 cents per point, based on a $499 nightly rate.
If you want to take in a Patriots game: Holiday Inn Express Plainville-Foxboro
Regardless of whether you're a diehard Pats fan or can't stand Brady and crew, if you plan to take in a Patriots home game, you'll actually be heading outside the Boston city limits to the nearby Foxborough area.
While the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel is the closest hotel, located directly at the stadium, you won't find availability there for the remaining 2015 New England season. As an alternative, I'd recommend the Holiday Inn Express Plainville-Foxboro, which still shows both cash and award rooms available for all three remaining home games (as of press time).
This property is just a 10-minute drive from the Stadium and also features an outdoor heated pool where you can continue the celebration after the game ends. Room rates start at $165 or 30,000 IHG points per night. With the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card, which currently offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months, earning two free nights for an upcoming game is definitely doable.
No matter why you're planning a trip to Bean Town, you'll find plenty of hotels and great available award redemptions. Need additional ideas for what to do in Boston? Check out this other recent TPG content:
- A Week in the Admirals Club: Boston Logan International Airport
- Destination of the Week: Boston
- Should I fly JetBlue or Delta out of Boston?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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.