5 of the Best-Value Points Hotels in Miami
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Miami is known for being a popular travel destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors. With millions of people flocking to The Magic City each year, hotels are battling to have our business. With a variety of brands covering all ends of the luxury spectrum, there is a property to meet everyone's needs when it comes to using points — whether you're looking for beach-front relaxation, the South Beach party vibe or the downtown culture scene.
Today we'll go through five of the best-value points hotels in Miami, Florida.
JW Marriott Miami
The JW Marriott Miami, located in the Brickell neighborhood, is right in the heart of Miami's shopping, dining and nightlife. With rooms starting at 400 square feet, there is plenty of space to relax after a day at the beach or long night out.
As this hotel is a Category 5, the standard award rate is 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (worth $280 according to TPG's valuations) per night. Rooms at the property tend to start at roughly $400/night, which will net you a value of 1.3 cents per point, a nice boost over TPG's valuation of 0.8 cents. This could also be a great spot to use your annual free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points) from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
If you're short on Marriott points, there are many ways to boost your account — including applying for one of the program's cobranded credit cards. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You'd also receive a $300 annual Marriott statement credit in each year of cardmembership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in Miami is an incredible beachfront property outside of the city of Miami. With over 1,200 feet of beachfront, there is plenty of space to relax and tan away. For those traveling with children, it's also a very kid-friendly property, with amenities such as The Ritz Kids program. With three on-property restaurants, beach and poolside cabanas, a club lounge, and the majority of the rooms overlooking either the Atlantic Ocean or Biscayne Bay, this property is nothing short of the Ritz-Carlton experience.
This hotel is a Category 6 property, which will set you back 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night (worth $400). However, rooms at the property typically start at over $700/night — inclusive of taxes and pesky resort fees. At this price, you're getting a value of roughly 1.3 cents per point. You could also make great use of the annual free night certificate offered on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which is valid at properties with award rooms up to 50,000 points per night. A free night here would cover the card's $450 annual fee (see rates and fees) in one fell swoop.
Hyatt Place Miami Airport-East
If you are traveling in and out of Miami International Airport (MIA), the Hyatt Place Miami Airport-East can be a great use of points. It's a relatively-new hotel right next to the airport, and it offers a complimentary shuttle that runs 24 hours a day. It's also close to MIA's subway station, allowing you to easily reach the downtown area without suffering through the city's notorious traffic.
This hotel is a Category 2 property within the World of Hyatt program. This means the hotel will cost 8,000 World of Hyatt points (worth $136). Rooms at this hotel do start at just over $100/night, which doesn't offer fantastic value. However, they can quickly spike in price during peak travel times — like the night of March 13, the Friday before spring break for many Florida public schools ($264.48 with taxes). This this case, having points to use can save you from paying these hyper-inflated rates.
If you are looking to earn Hyatt points, consider applying for the The World Of Hyatt Credit Card, which is currently offering a sign-up bonus of up to 50,000 points. You'll earn 25,000 World of Hyatt points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening and an additional 25,000 points after you spend $6,000 total on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening. As a cardholder, you'll automatically earn Discoverist status in the program as well, which can enhance your experience during your stay.
InterContinental at Doral Miami
If you're a loyal IHG Rewards member and want to avoid the crowds of downtown and Miami Beach, consider redeeming your points at the InterContinental at Doral Miami. Located just west of the airport, the property provides all of the luxurious amenities you'd expect from this full-service brand, including an on-site restaurant (Blue Matisse), bar (Nau Lounge), outdoor pool and 24/7 fitness center. And you're not restricted to staying on the grounds of the property; it offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service within three miles.
A free night here requires just 40,000 points, so with revenue rates that frequently climb over $250/night in high season, you can get solid value by using points here.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell
Hilton Honors loyalists have plenty of hotel options in and around the downtown area, but if you want both solid value for your points and some additional space, consider the Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell. As its name indicates, the hotel is near both downtown and the Brickell neighborhood but is just off the main drag, giving you a small buffer zone. It's walking distance to both the metro and (free) metromover, giving you easy access to the main sights in the city. The brand offers free breakfast and complimentary dinner and drinks Monday-Thursday nights, and each room features a fully-equipped kitchen.
Hilton doesn't publish a formal award chart anymore, but the program's Points Explorer tool indicates that free nights range from as low as 38,000 points to up to 60,000 points. Paid rates during high season typically start around $275/night all-in, but there are days where it climbs higher — none more so than the night of Feb. 5, 2020:
This award reservation would offer you an astonishing value of 2.67 cents per point, nearly four-and-a-half times TPG's most recent valuations.
If you're eyeing this property, consider applying for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. It's currently offering a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a free night reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
Bottom Line
Miami is a beautiful place to see with a ton of hotel options at which you can use your points. However, you'll want to make sure to crunch the numbers on these awards, as many of these fall below TPG's point valuations — especially during off-season. Before you jump on the hotel stay of your dreams, be sure to do a bit of math to make sure you aren't wasting your hard earned points.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please click here.
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.