TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Hotel Redemptions
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Having just asked our TPG Lounge audience to share their favorite flight redemptions a few weeks ago, we were curious about the best hotel redemptions they'd been able to score in 2018. Here's a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
The Best Trip Ever, All on Points and Miles
Many TPG Lounge members were savvy enough to use a combination of airline miles and hotel points to plan the ultimate getaway, whether it was an epic trip to the South Pacific or a memorable wedding and mini-moon in Hawaii.
"Just booked the Maldives for November 2019 — I'm very happy I started following The Points Guy years ago! It's over $60,000 in cash equivalency and my wife and I are out a grand total of $500. [We spent] 200,000 Delta SkyMiles [to fly in] Air France business class, 120,000 AAdvantage miles [to fly in a] QSuite double bed on the way back and 240,000 SPG points for five nights at the W Maldives." — Mike M.
"240,000 Marriott Rewards points for five nights at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai; 85,000 United miles for Swiss business class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago-O'Hare (ZRH) to Zurich (ZRH) to Dubai (DXB); and 85,000 United miles for Ethiopian Air business class from Dubai to Chicago to Los Angeles over Valentine's Day. I booked it in August 2018, when all activities were included with points redemptions and have fortunately received written confirmation from the property that full board and daily activities will be included [Marriott has also confirmed this with TPG]." — Gary W.
"40,000 SPG points (pre-merger) for four nights in a 450-square-foot King room at the Westin New Orleans Canal Place. I was upgraded to a 1,600-square-foot River View Suite — 10,000/night? not bad! — and for the flight, used Alaska's $99 companion fare for my wife's ticket." — Jason L.
"125,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for five nights at Hilton Hawaiian Village (two oceanfront) and three at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa for my wedding in Oahu and mini-moon in Kauai." — Timothy O.
"Conrad Maldives for 380,000 Hilton Honors points and 140,000 miles for [a round-trip flight] from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Doha (DOH) to the Maldives (MLE) in QSuites." — Deana D.
"180,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for an eight-day trip to Tahiti for two, including flights, hotels, activities and staying in an overwater bungalow. We took advantage of United's new route from San Francisco (SFO) to Papeete and got the flights individually with points, which [would have been] roughly $490 each round-trip. We're staying one night in Papeete, five days at the Intercontinental Resort and Spa Moorea — which I got as a deal staying in a standard room since we will be out and about during the day — and finishing the trip with two nights in an overwater bungalow at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa." — Alan B.
"Palm Beach to New York City last-minute at 7,500 miles each way on Delta. Then 20,000 Hilton Honors points for a room each night in Manhattan!" — Jay C.
"48,000 SPG points for five nights at The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler over New Year's Eve. Also 50,000 Alaska miles for Cathay Pacific business class from Shanghai (SHA) to Hong Kong (HKG) to Seattle (SEA)." — Allen C.
"Southwest Florida to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, in first class with AAdvantage miles on JAL before they increased their mileage requirements. Stayed four nights free [thanks to the] sign-up bonus from the World of Hyatt Credit Card at the amazing Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on Victoria Harbour. It was during Chinese New Year and we had front row seats to the fireworks show from our room! Working on the best use of our points for a spring trip in first or business class to Hawaii." — Michele F.S.
Saving Money With Marriott and Hilton
From cushy Conrad properties in Cartagena and the Maldives to luxury collection hotels in Boston, our TPG Lounge readers definitely know how to put their Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors points to good use.
"The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston. 60,000 points a night but we were upgraded due to status and the whole stay was mind-blowing." — Rachel M.
"A 1,000-square-foot one bedroom suite at Conrad Cartagena for six nights over Christmas for less than 350,000 Hilton points (not an upgrade)." — Michael K.
"Seven beautiful days at the Conrad Maldives in the spa villa." — Laurel C.
"600,000 Hilton Honors points for nine days in London, two nights in Paris and three nights in Amsterdam." — Frank A.
"40,000 Hilton Honors points for Patriots tickets and field passes via Hilton Experiences!" — Kevin B.
High Times at the Hyatt
Several TPG Lounge readers wrote in with stories about how they'd saved big time by booking epic stays at places like the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek or Park Hyatt New York with World of Hyatt points or free night certificates.
"30,000 World of Hyatt points for Christmas Eve at the Park Hyatt New York. The regular room price was over $2,000." — Jamie P.
"Two nights at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek between Christmas and New Year's — December 26 and 27 — with one night on my free night certificate and one on points. Breakfast and parking were included with my Globalist status. It would have been $1,300 per night. I booked in September and was quite surprised there were openings. Hyatt Place Keystone also had openings when I looked." — Craig D.
"32,000 World of Hyatt points (transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards) for four nights at Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Downtown for the 2019 Final Four. The regular price was $2,400 including taxes." — Mark Y.
"The Park Hyatt New York, which ended in an upgrade to the $30,000 per night presidential suite." — Jacob H.
"36,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points converted to Hyatt for three nights in Augusta for The Masters, where the rate was $3,300." — Chris K.
IHG, Fairmont and Choice Hotels
Not to be outdone by the other hotel brands, several readers said they scored free (or almost free) vacations by cashing in hotel points with IHG, Fairmont and undervalued points program Choice Privileges.
"An all-inclusive in Jamaica for 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night." — Mike A.
"Three free Fairmont nights in Singapore, upgraded to a penthouse suite on arrival at 8:30am!" — Beverly B.
"8,000 Choice Privileges points for a $225 room is sort of an insane valuation for them. I was proud of that one. The sign-up bonus is actually really solid for a card with no annual fee. You can also rack up tons of points during their 'Stay Twice Get a Free Night' promotion because you can get the bonus an infinite number of times and hotel hopping on consecutive nights nets you an 8,000-point bonus. They do it a few times a year. Some of the brands are crap, but Sleep Inn (the renovated ones) and Comfort Suites (all of them) are solid." — William M.
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.