The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
How I'm earning $360 in points on a $504 all-inclusive stay
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
March 19, 2021 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Two promotions can be combined for stays at select all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, offering significant value for bookings made by March 22, 2021, for travel through Dec. 22, 2021.
Guests can receive up to $200 in resort coupons, free stays for children at certain brands and a spa credit, along with a substantial bonus in hotel loyalty points for qualifying bookings.
The combined value of points and coupons can greatly reduce the effective cost of a three-night stay, especially when factoring in loyalty point valuations.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What to consider
You must book a specific promotional rate and meet a minimum spend of $500 to qualify for the bonus points and perks.
Resort coupons have usage restrictions, such as limits on combining vouchers and exclusions for certain purchases, which may reduce their actual value.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before check-in, but always confirm the policy at booking.
What you'll miss from the article
A step-by-step guide to maximizing both promotions, including sample calculations for effective out-of-pocket costs and coupon value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Whether you're looking to book a getaway for next weekend or late 2021, you may want to consider stacking two AMResorts and Choice Hotels promotions to snag a good deal. After all, both promotions allow you to save on travel through Dec. 22, 2021, as long as you book by March 22.
These promotions have the potential to be lucrative. In particular, I found I could earn points worth $360 on a $504 three-night stay for two at an all-inclusive resort. Plus, I’d get resort coupons worth up to $200 for use during my stay. Read on if you’re interested in taking advantage of these promotions for a similar return.
How to stack these promotions
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa. (Photo courtesy of Choice Hotels)
But, first things first. These promotions are valid for AMResorts' Zoëtry, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now and Sunscape properties in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. And you’ll need to book by March 22, 2021, and check out by Dec. 22, 2021.
Seize Your Sunshine promotion
With AMResorts’ Seize Your Sunshine promotion, you’ll get the following benefits on your stay:
$200 in resort coupons per stay
Kids stay free at Dreams, Now and Sunscape brands
One child free per adult, up to two children free per room
$50 spa credit at Zoetry, Secrets and Breathless brands
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in
You must book a specific rate to get these perks. So, when booking through Choice Hotels, you should click on the "Deals" tab after searching and select a "Seize Your Sunshine" rate.
The great thing about the Seize Your Sunshine promotion is that you can stack it with a Choice promotion for 50,000 bonus points. You just need to spend $500 or more when booking your AMResorts reservation through Choice Privileges.
Based on TPG’s valuations, 50,000 Choice points are worth $300. To get this bonus, you’ll need to book by March 22, 2021, and complete your stay by Dec. 22, 2021.
You’ll also earn 10-15 Choice points per dollar spent on AMResorts stays based on your Choice Privileges status tier. Based on TPG’s valuations, this equates to a 6%-9% return.
In addition, you should factor in the return you’ll get from your credit card. To maximize your return, you’ll want to use a card that provides bonus points on travel purchases. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on travel.
So the ability to earn 50,000-plus Choice points per stay of $500 or more is very appealing. And as a digital nomad without a home base, I have the flexibility to travel to Mexico in mid-to-late 2021 to take advantage of this promotion.
Admittedly, one hesitation I have is the cancellation policy you’ll see on the Choice Hotels checkout page. After all, this cancellation policy is less flexible than the promotion's stated cancellation policy. But a Choice Hotels representative reassured me that this promotion does allow free cancellation. You just need to do so within 24 hours of check-in.
With that said, I found two two hotel options that could help me (and you) maximize these promotions.
Ixtapa, Mexico
Rates at the Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa are as low as $168 per night for two people. So, let’s consider a stay on Oct. 21-24, 2021. Specifically, I could book a deluxe partial ocean view room for two people for $504, including taxes and fees. And if I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve to pay, I’d earn 1,512 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Based on TPG’s valuations, these points are worth $30.
(Screenshot courtesy of Choice Privileges)
I’d also earn 50,000 bonus Choice points from this three-night stay, along with 5,040 points as a Choice Privileges member. This totals 55,040 Choice points, worth $330 based on TPG’s valuations.
Plus, I’d also get the perks of AMResorts’ Seize Your Sunshine promotion. Most notably, I'd get $200 in resort coupons for my stay. But when you read the fine print, you’ll see resorts will provide the coupons as follows:
$100 toward spa treatments
One $20 coupon and two $40 coupons
You can only redeem one voucher per spa treatment
$60 for dining
One $20 coupon and one $40 coupon
Combinable up to $60 per dining experience but not valid for bottles of wine
$40 for wine purchases
Four $10 coupons
Coupons can be used at any restaurant on property but are not combinable
Due to these limits, it may be difficult for some travelers to get the complete $200 in value. I expected I'd get about $80 of value from the spa coupons, $20 from dining and $10 from the wine coupons. So, despite the $200 face value, I’d likely only get about $110 in total value.
On this $504 stay, I’d earn $30 worth of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and $330 worth of Choice points. As such, I’d effectively be paying $144 for a three-night stay, during which I’ll get about $110 of value from resort coupons.
You could say I’d effectively be paying $34 for a three-night stay. Of course, this assumes I value the resort coupons at $110, Choice points at 0.6 cents each and Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each.
You can book the Sunscape Sabor Cozumel for as little as $160 per night for two people. So, let’s consider a stay on July 15-18, 2021. On these dates, I could book a deluxe tropical view king for two people for a total of $480.
(Screenshot courtesy of Choice Privileges)
But I'd likely pay more to book a suite king tropical view room for a total of $528 since doing so would allow me to earn 50,000 bonus Choice points on my stay. The math regarding earnings and coupons works out similarly to the example above, so I won't repeat it here.
You don’t need to maximize these promotions to get value. But there’s certainly potential to rack up a large number of Choice points while enjoying an all-inclusive AMResorts property. Granted, you’ll still be paying at least $500 to earn 50,000 bonus Choice Privileges points. But stacking these promotions is appealing, especially if you already have a trip to Mexico planned (or were searching for a reason to plan a trip).
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
