Why now is the time to book an all-inclusive resort with points and miles
Points and miles mean different things to different people. For some, a huge stash of points means a first-class ticket with free-flowing Champagne, an airplane seat in a pod with a closing door and maybe even a refreshing shower in the sky. For other people, points and miles might be less about that one epic splurge and more about spreading the wealth to take the whole family on vacation.
Now, as people are starting to tighten up their belts in the midst of an uncertain economy, I'd argue that it is the best time to book a vacation using points and miles to visit an all-inclusive resort — especially one you can book with points.
Related: Best all-inclusive resorts in the US
All-inclusive resorts are high-value
The main argument for staying at an all-inclusive resort is that you can essentially leave your wallet at home and sit comfortably in the fact that nearly everything is covered in the price that you paid when booking, including your drinks (often even alcoholic drinks) and meals. Of course, there are other expenses — transportation, souvenirs, the occasional paid excursion or, if you're me, parasailing or hopping on some sort of tube being recklessly whipped around the ocean. But those can often be options, and sometimes airport transportation is even included in all-inclusive nightly rates.
As someone whose job it is to stay at dozens of hotels and resorts throughout the year, I can say firsthand that resort prices these days are astronomical, and it's not uncommon for a breakfast buffet to cost upward of $50 a person and a margarita to cost $15-$20. Don't even get me started on dinner. With an all-inclusive resort, the biggest worry is usually, "Which restaurant should we eat at tonight?"
To me, those savings alone justify the vacation, and I can spend my time lounging on the beach not worrying if my next glass of wine will require me to get a second mortgage. (Isn't there a saying about peace of mind being priceless?)
Times are changing for the all-inclusive landscape
But aren't all-inclusive resorts trash, the skeptics might be asking?
Well, in the last decade — particularly the last five years since the coronavirus pandemic started — all-inclusive resorts have been changing dramatically and challenging the stereotypes that have long been associated with the popular resort style: bland food, watered-down drinks, tacky design, forced fun and rambunctious crowds looking for a party.
Sure, you can find all of that, and I've had my fair share of lackluster pina coladas and bothersome binge-drinking spring breakers over the years.
But a new crop of all-inclusive resorts has been popping up and reinventing the space. This new era of resorts is shifting from focusing on the masses and instead catering to different groups of today's modern, savvy travelers with specific needs and wants, like foodies, the wellness-obsessed, luxury seekers and people who want to be immersed in the local culture.
Interestingly, the new leaders in the all-inclusive space are actually the major hotel brands with the biggest loyalty programs, including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton and Accor.
Related: Hyatt is offering up to 40% off all-inclusive stays — and throwing in some extra surprises
In 2021, Hyatt added about 100 all-inclusive resorts to its loyalty program with the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group, and has since launched Impressions by Secrets, a high-end adults-only inclusive experience, as well as Hyatt Vivid, a lifestyle-focused, younger-leaning all-inclusive brand with beach clubs, fitness classes and experiential dining.
It was also announced that the Chicago-based company is buying Playa Hotels & Resorts, the force behind my favorite points-affiliated all-inclusive property, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana. It also formed a joint partnership with Bahia Principe, adding even more resorts to the fold.
Also in 2021, Marriott started adding more all-inclusive resorts to Marriott Bonvoy, and it's taking it a step further by introducing all-inclusive versions of brands we already know and love, including The Luxury Collection, the eponymous Marriott brand and, most exciting, the highly anticipated opening in May of the world's first W-branded all-inclusive resort.
Related: How to leverage perks at these brand-new Marriott Bonvoy resorts in sunny locales
Hilton and Accor might not have as much presence in the Caribbean and Mexico, but they're growing — and all of this growth, development and innovation in the space is forcing every resort brand, whether it's part of a loyalty program or not, to step up its game.
For people with a stash of points and miles, this is all exceptionally good news. For people looking for an easy, affordable vacation, it's even better.
Hyatt still uses award charts and has a special one for all-inclusive resorts. The rates start at 12,000 points per night for two people, and can reach as high as 58,000 points for a peak stay in the top-tier category. I had a great stay at the family-friendly Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in the Dominican Republic, where award stays start at 17,000 points per night.
Dynamic pricing is in play at many of the other brands, but if you're willing to be flexible, you can find great deals using Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy points. And with sales throughout the year, sometimes you can even find cash rates lower than $100 per person, per night.
Ultimately, any vacation is whatever you make it. But when the stress of life just gets to be too much, I find myself longing for the beach and the ease of my favorite all-inclusive resorts. And now, as the know-what-you-pay-upfront vacation style continues to evolve, I'm keeping my eyes open for incredible redemptions across all of these all-inclusive brands.
Related reading:
- The best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
- 11 best Hilton all-inclusive resorts
- The best Marriott all-inclusive resorts for a perfect vacation
- The 14 best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world
- Good food, new rooms and incredible ocean views: A review of the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort
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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.