How TPG staffers are redeeming points for Fourth of July trips this year

Like most people, the TPG team is thrilled to be back on the road, redeeming all of those points and miles we've earned from home over the last year. With Fourth of July right around the corner, we thought we’d share some of our staff’s travel plans for the long weekend.

If you don't have any upcoming travels yet, hopefully, you can use these examples as inspiration when planning your adventures for the rest of the summer. With more Americans on the road again and cash rates on the rise, now could be an especially good time to put your points and other rewards to use.

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All-inclusive retreat in California

Editor-at-Large Zach Honig planned a road trip up the California coast with a stop at several notable hotels, including one of Hyatt's top properties in North America, one of Hyatt's newest properties and a family-friendly Hilton just outside downtown Napa. His points were even able to help him fly there in style.

"I'm not one to plan trips a year in advance, but I knew I'd need to lock in my dates at least that far out to score a redemption at Ventana Big Sur for just 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night. That included a spacious king room with a fireplace, and all of our meals -- even room service and snacks by the pool.

From there, I redeemed another 30,000 points per night for the Alila Napa Valley and two Hilton credit card certificates for a weekend at Napa's Embassy Suites.

My flights were booked with cash, at just under $100 each way, but I did manage to redeem my United PlusPoints to confirm upgrades to Polaris business class." — Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large

Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

A Florida staycation

You don't need to travel far to get high value from your points or other rewards. Cards Editor Juan Ruiz is saving thousands of dollars by booking a weekend getaway that's about a two-hour drive from home.

"Used two complimentary night certificates from my The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to stay at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa. With rates exceeding $700 per night for the holiday weekend, the Aspire continues to deliver incredible value and pays for itself year in and year out." — Juan Ruiz, Credit Cards Editor

The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: How to get maximum value from Hilton free night certificates

Cross-country road trip

At the beginning of the year, TPG's Director of Marketing and Communications Becca Manheimer, left New York to spend a couple of months in California. Now, it's time for her to road trip her way back home. Although she already has several Hiltons booked, she's going to try to mostly stay at World of Hyatt properties to take full advantage of her newly-earned Globalist status.

Starting in Los Angeles, Becca plans to spend her first night at the new Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World, booked for 70,000 Hilton Honors points. She'll then head to Zion National Park in Utah to hike up The Narrows and then spend a night at the nearby Cliffrose Springdale, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton (80,000 Hilton Honors points per night).

From there, she'll head to the Hampton Inn Richfield for a night (30,000 Hilton points per night) and then spend a few nights in Denver — likely the Grand Hyatt Denver for 12,000 points per night. The rest of the trip is still in the works but will include two nights at the Thompson Chicago (15,000 points per night) and a night at the Hyatt Place Ann Arbor (12,000 points per night).

"Starting my road trip back to the East Coat -- points hotels all the way back! Earned my Globalist status on my road trip West so staying at mostly Hyatt's but a few Hiltons along the way!" — Becca Manheimer, Director of Marketing and Communications.

Related: Planning your California road trip using Hyatt points

A weekend in the Berkshires

The all-inclusive Miraval Berkshires got a lot of attention when it opened last year, but it is quite pricey — both with points and cash. Luckily, that's not the only World of Hyatt property in the area. Reporter Chris Dong plans to spend his weekend at the much cheaper Wyndhurst Manor and Club located next door.

"I booked three nights at the Wyndhurst Manor and Club in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. I redeemed 25,000 Hyatt points per night, a relative steal compared to needing 65,000 points per night at the Miraval next door." — Chris Dong, Reporter

Related: 8 easy New York City escapes you can get to in three hours or less

Bottom line

With over 50% of American adults now fully vaccinated, this holiday weekend is shaping up to be the busiest travel period since the pandemic began. Although cash rates are up, you may still be able to book a last-minute trip using your points and miles without the same price inflation. If nothing else, hopefully, these anecdotes from TPG staffers provide you with a bit of inspiration for planning travels for the rest of the summer.