How to find hotel award availability: Use these tricks during your search
Whether malicious, incompetent or just plain inconsiderate, virtually all hotel websites make reserving an award stay harder than it needs to be. Some have hidden points calendars, while others refuse to show full award availability. Some are simply glitchy.
Let’s take a look at ways to combat these quirks with each major hotel chain to make the booking process easier.
Find Marriott Bonvoy award availability
Marriott’s website falls firmly under the category of “glitchy.” Often, a hotel may look completely sold out — even when awards are wide open. We’ve identified one cause of this phenomenon: For some reason, signing into your Marriott account adversely affects the amount of award space you can see on the Marriott website. This isn’t always the case, but it happens often enough that it’s worth a mention.
For example, here’s the award calendar for Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, before signing into my account.
Here’s the award calendar after signing into my account.
Again, this doesn’t always happen. However, if you’re searching for a Marriott hotel only to find no award space, it’s worth logging out of your account and searching again.
Find Hilton Honors award availability
Hilton isn’t the only hotel chain guilty of this, but it’s one of the worst offenders.
Hilton allows you to book many different room “tiers” with points. Even if there are no standard rooms available, you can generally book a stay for an upgraded room — even a suite — as long as you’re willing to pay exponentially more points (which most of us are not).
The thing is, there often are standard rooms, even if Hilton denies the claim. You can sometimes find it by extending the length of your search by a day or two. For example, a standard room at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem is 95,000 points. But as you can see from the below calendar, there are no standard rooms in September 2024 when searching for a single-night stay.
However, when searching for a three-night stay, we find three check-in dates with 95,000-point prices. We can tell from the above calendar that standard rooms are, in fact, available from Sept.1 to 6.
The bigger issue is that Hilton agents typically aren’t able (or willing) to retroactively cancel a portion of your stay. Those who desire a one- or two-night stay can’t book a three-night stay and cancel the night(s) they don’t want. You may have luck by using the Points & Money option to redeem points for only the nights you actually want to stay and pay cash for the rest. Then, ask Hilton to cancel the cash portion of your stay.
Related: 12 ways you can earn more Hilton Honors points in 2024
Find World of Hyatt award availability
Unlike Marriott and Hilton, the Hyatt award calendar can be remarkably ineffective when searching for availability. While you can view monthly increments of award prices for hotel rooms and suites, the calendar, unfortunately, doesn’t indicate if there is actual availability on that specified date.
Take a look at the below award calendar for the Andaz Maui. It appears that every day in February 2025 is available. In reality, you’re looking at the price each night would cost if there were available rooms.
Fortunately, there's a much more practical Hyatt calendar — it’s just not created by Hyatt.
Awayz is a tool that specializes in finding awards with many hotel chains. It’s not free ($11.99 per month or $99.99 per year), but if you spend a considerable amount of time searching for hotel awards, you may find it’s well worth the money.
All in all, Awayz does a fair job, and it provides perhaps the most accurate Hyatt award calendar on the interweb. Below is the February 2025 Andaz Maui award calendar. The site shows all award availability, even if suites are the only option.
If you’re not keen on paying a subscription for the privilege of a serviceable Hyatt award calendar, you may be able to use Google Hotels to guess which nights have available awards. This is far from foolproof, but it’s worked for me plenty of times.
Related: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
Find IHG One award availability
IHG publishes an award calendar, but it’s not prominently featured on the site. It actually takes a trick to even find it.
To pull it up, you’ll need to find dates for which the hotel you want isn’t available. Only then will a “View available dates” link pop up in the top right corner.
Clicking this link will take you to the hotel’s award calendar. While it’s a bit of a pain to go through this rigmarole for each IHG hotel you’re searching for, it’s far simpler than spending hours stabbing in the dark for the lowest prices.
Related: The award traveler's guide to IHG One Rewards
Find Choice Privileges award availability
When you think of Choice Hotels, your mind probably doesn’t produce images of luxury hotels and glitzy beach resorts. Most likely, you'll think of Comfort Inn or EconoLodge. However, thanks to Choice’s partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, you can book properties like this with your points.
You can book many of these hotels online, but to see which are available for specific dates, you’ll need enough points for at least one night at your desired hotel. If you’re like most of us, you're probably not sitting on a pile of Choice points but instead opt to transfer points from travel rewards credit cards. American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One miles transfer to choice at a 1:1 ratio; Citi ThankYou Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards transfer at a 1:2 ratio.
There’s an alternative, though: the (hidden) award calendar. Instead of searching for your hotel in the default “list” view, click “Map view” on the left side of the page.
This will take you to a world map where you can zoom in to find the hotel you’re after. Once you’ve selected it, you’ll immediately be taken to a calendar showing available dates and accurate pricing.
Related: Your complete guide to earning and redeeming with Choice Privileges
Bottom line
Don’t let hotel websites thwart your vacation plans. You can outwit their clunky websites with the above tricks, which can help you find the cheapest awards and stretch your points for even more travel.
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.