Hyatt Category 7 Properties (Hotels List) [2022]

This year alone, Hyatt grew the footprint of category 7 properties from 15 properties worldwide to a total of 119 properties worldwide. It is partly because of Small Luxury Hotels of The World partnering up with Hyatt adding new unique properties and the addition of the Alila brand joining in. 

As of today, I’ll list all category 7 properties and show you the cash prices of some of the properties so you can see which properties will offer you the best or worst value for your points. 

Interested in finding out the top travel credit cards for this month? Click here to check them out! 

World of Hyatt card

The World of Hyatt card is one of the best hotel credit cards available since it comes with a great sign-up bonus, great bonus category earning, and the opportunity for free nights. It’s also one of the best hotel cards for climbing your way up the elite status tiers for Hyatt.

  • Bonus earning: 
    • 4X spent with your card at Hyatt hotels, including participating restaurants and spas
    • 2X on local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls, and ride-share services
    • 2X at restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
    • 2X on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
    • 2X spent on fitness club and gym memberships
  • Free nights: 
    • Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary
    • Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year
  • Elite status:
    • Comes with Hyatt Discoverist status
    • Receive 5 qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year
    • Earn 2 additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
  • $95 Annual Fee 

With the Hyatt credit card, you’ll be able to earn free night awards are for categories 1 through 4, so those wouldn’t do you much good for the properties found in this article (click here for category 4 properties). However, the bonus points you could earn at these properties with a card like the World of Hyatt card could certainly add substantial value.

If you’re wanting to earn free nights for category 7 properties there is a way to do it but it’s going to require a lot of stays. As you’ll need to stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 Base Points in a calendar year. Here’s a look at all of the free nights that you can earn with the World of Hyatt program.

ActivityMilestone Rewards
Stay 20 qualifying nights or earn 35,000 Base Points in a calendar year2 Club Lounge Access Awards
Stay 30 qualifying nights or earn 50,000 Base Points in a calendar year1 Category 1-4 Free Night Award
and
2 Club Lounge Access Awards
Stay 40 qualifying nights or earn 65,000 Base Points in a calendar year5,000 Bonus Points or
A $100 Hyatt Gift Card or
10,000 Point savings on a FIND experience
Stay 50 qualifying nights or earn 80,000 Base Points in a calendar year2 Suite Upgrade Awards
Stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 Base Points in a calendar year1 Category 1-7 Free Night Award and
2 Suite Upgrade Awards and
Access to My Hyatt Concierge
Stay 70 qualifying nights in a calendar year10,000 Bonus Points
or
1 Suite Upgrade Award
Stay 80 qualifying nights in a calendar year10,000 Bonus Points
or
1 Suite Upgrade Award
Stay 90 qualifying nights in a calendar year10,000 Bonus Points
or
1 Suite Upgrade Award
Stay 100 qualifying nights in a calendar year10,000 Bonus Points
or
1 Suite Upgrade Award

You’ll notice that some of the free nights are awarded at an elite level milestone for the different Hyatt elite tiers, which consist of the following tiers:

  • Discoverist (10 qualifying nights, 25,000 Base Points, or holding 3 qualifying meetings/events per year.)
  • Explorist (30 qualifying nights, 50,000 Base Points, or holding 10 qualifying meetings/events per year.)
  • Globalist (60 qualifying nights, 100,000 Base Points, or holding 20 qualifying meetings/events per year.)
  • Lifetime Globalist status (Earn 1,000,000 Base Points over the course of your program membership)

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Hyatt category 7 points required

Hyatt category 7 properties will require 30,000 Hyatt points per night. And now with the new changes for Hyatt points + cash, the price of the cash portion will be half of the standard rate for the properties. Also, you’ll be able to use points to book premium suites at some of these properties.

Here is a look at the Hyatt award chart:

Hotel categoryStandard room points per nightRegency/Grand Club points per nightStandard suite points per nightPremium suite points per night
15,0007,0008,00010,000
28,00012,00013,00016,000
312,00017,00020,00024,000
415,00021,00024,00030,000
520,00027,00032,00040,000
625,00033,00040,00050,000
730,00039,00048,00060,000
840,00050,00061,00080,000

Which Hyatt properties are good value?

Since you’ll be spending 30,000 points if you cover the entire cost of a free night award, you can easily set a limit on your desired minimum value for your points.

I value Hyatt points at least 1.5 cents per point, so 30,000 Hyatt points are worth $450 to me. So, that means I’d generally want at least $450 in value for my redemptions.

You might value Hyatt points even higher and thus have even higher expectations for your redemptions if you’re focused mostly on truly aspirational properties (those with high prices of $700+ per night). I love those crazy expensive properties too, but I don’t feel like I have to use my points on them.

I’m more in the middle, but I wouldn’t be attracted to properties that cost below $400 because I would feel like I’m missing out on so much value with my points. That doesn’t mean that those are not quality properties, though.

In some cases, like when you really need a place to stay at, it can make sense to take less value for your points. It’s just a good idea to be aware of the range in value that you can get from Hyatt category 7 properties since it’s so wide and that’s what this article aims to do. 

Related: Hyatt & Marriott Bonvoy? (Key Differences)

United States and Canada

California

Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas

Carmel Valley Ranch

Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast & Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Residence Club

Rates at Hyatt Carmel Highlands can be very low offering some of the worst value for your Hyatt points.

Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast & Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Residence Club

Colorado

Austria Haus (New)

Capitol Peak Lodge, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Christiania Condominiums, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Christiania Lodge

Countryside at Snowmass, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Enzian, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Hyatt Residence Club at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek

Montaneros in Vail, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa can be even lower at $222.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

Shadowbrook, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Stonebridge Inn

Tamarack Townhomes, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Terracehouse, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

The Landmark, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Top of the Village, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Vail 21, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Vail Residences at Cascade Village

Villas at Snowmass Club, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Woodrun Place, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

Florida

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa

Hyatt Residence Club Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach

Hawaii

Hana-Maui Resort

Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Kāʻanapali Beach

Kaanapali Alii, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Makena Surf, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Polo Beach Club, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Puunoa Beach Estates, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Wailea Elua Village, A Destination by Hyatt Residence

Nevada

Hyatt Residence Club Lake Tahoe, High Sierra Lodge

South Carolina

Wentworth Mansion

Wentworth is an interesting property as it’s one of the few Small Luxury Hotels of The World in North America. The rates can get pretty high at certain times of the year, but hard to find availability and when you do find availability the rates aren’t too high.

Wentworth Mansion

Utah

Hyatt Centric Park City

Vermont

The Lodge at Spruce Peak

Caribbean & Latin America

Jamaica

The Trident Hotel

Martinique

French Coco

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour

I’ve heard so many wonderful things about St. Kitts that it really makes me want to head down there and see what the island is all about. The rooms aren’t too ridiculous with rooms at $576 in the winter and below $300 in the summer. It’s located on Banana Bay right on the beach, about 25 minutes from the main town which allows you to feel like you’re able to truly escape.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour

Brazil

Kenoa – Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort

Mexico

La Casa Que Canta

Las Alamandas Resort

Rancho Pescadero

Europe

Croatia

Boutique Hotel Alhambra

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

Cyprus

Columbia Beach Resort

Located right on the beach this hotel might be an interesting choice. However, the hotel has one of the highest occupancy rates as it’s so aspirational. This includes both cash and point rates.

France

Domaine Misincu

Hôtel L’Hotel

Hôtel Relais Christine

Hôtel San Régis

Le Narcisse Blanc Hôtel & Spa

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme (Now a category 8)

We stayed a couple of nights at the Park Hyatt Vendôme and I was honestly not too impressed with the service. With that said, the property is still in a great location in Paris and the rooms are very expensive so you’ll get great value for your Hyatt points. I might have just caught it on an off day and hopefully, your stay will be better.

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

Château La Chenevière

Hôtel du Palais Biarritz

Le Clos Saint-Martin Hotel & Spa

Les Sources de Caudalie

Chateau Eza

Chateau Eza is an interesting Small Luxury Hotel property as it’s located in Èze incorporating an over 400-year-old ancient wall used to be known as “The Castle of the Prince of Sweden.” It probably has some of the most breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea on top of the hill it’s located on.

Chateau Eza

Domaine de Manville

Hotel Crillon-Le-Brave

Hôtel Lou Pinet

Hôtel Martinez

Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa

Greece

Boheme Hotel

Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites

Gold Suites

Magma Resort Santorini (Opening Soon)

Mykonos Ammos Hotel

Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa

Iceland

Hotel Rangá

Italy

Grand Hotel Cocumella

Romeo Hotel

Hotel Splendide Royal

Margutta 19

Villa Spalletti Trivelli

Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda

Park Hyatt Milan (Now a category 8)

I loved my recent stay at the Park Hyatt Milan. It’s a beautiful property that is located near the Duomo and other iconic structures in the hear of Milan. The service was great and the rooms were great, especially the giant bathrooms. The rooms can range $600 to $800+  here too so it’s a great place to cash in your points.

Park Hyatt Milan

7Pines Resort Sardinia (Opening Soon)

La Villa del Re

Sikelia

Sikelia is an all-suite Small Luxury Hotel property on the Island of Pantelleria. It’s spa retreat in the mountains for a great connection to nature. With rates that go $600+, it’s hard to go wrong at this lovely property.

Sikelia

Lefay Resort and Spa Dolomiti

Hotel Byron

Il Salviatino

Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

Escalus Luxury Suites Verona

Hotel Ai Reali

Palazzo Sant’Angelo sul Canal Grande

Montenegro

Villa Geba

Netherlands

The Dylan Amsterdam

Portugal

Quinta Da Comporta

Spain

7Pines Resort Ibiza

Aguas de Ibiza Grand Luxe

El Lodge Ski and Spa

El Lodge Ski and Spa is a southern Spain mountain lodge that ranges from $500 to $700 during peak season.

El Lodge Ski and Spa

Nobu Hotel Marbella

Switzerland

Alex Lake Zurich

Crans Ambassador

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola

Park Hyatt Zurich

Rooms for the Park Hyatt Zurich are around $600 so it’s another solid option for using your Hyatt points and the property has received some pretty great reviews and it’s within walking distance of Lake Zurich.

Park Hyatt Zurich

Villa Orselina

United Kingdom

Foxhill Manor

The Nare Hotel

Cromlix

Greywalls Hotel

Inverlochy Castle

Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island (New)

Africa

Kenya

Hemingways Nairobi

Morocco

Ksar Char-Bagh

Asia

Bhutan

Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Indonesia

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Want to stay on top of a cliff with views around the property viewing the beautiful Indian Ocean? This is your property and this redemption is worth it at this beautiful Alila property.

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Viceroy Bali

Located in the heart of Ubud forests over the river valley surrounded with monkeys, it won’t get any better than this with the connection of nature at this small boutique Small Luxury Hotel. With rates that reach the $800+, this is what an aspirational property looks like.

Viceroy Bali

Japan

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills

Some say the Andaz is one of the best Hyatt properties in Japan. I agree as the Andaz is a spectacular modern infused Japanese property in Tokyo. Rates are lower than the Park Hyatt but certainly better if you like modern.

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Room rates can be pretty reasonable at the Park Hyatt Tokyo with rates dipping close to $400, but that’s during the offseason. Some complain that the property is a bit dated but the consensus is that it’s still a fabulous hotel. While it’s on the lower side of where I like to use my points, I’d still consider this a good option, especially given its location.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Shima Kanko Hotel the Bay Suites

Sowaka

The Terrace Club at Busena

Tip: When booking properties in Japan, you need to factor in Japan’s high occupancy and service tax. Taxes or resort fees aren’t included in the rates shown above. That means you could see an increase in your nightly rate of up to 20% when paying cash. When you book using Hyatt points, you don’t pay any taxes or fees.

Kazakhstan

The Veil (New)

Maldives

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Located in North Huvadhoo, Park Hyatt Maldives is secluded all by itself on its own private island. However, cash rates can be reasonable during certain seasons. Not a crazy amount like certain other properties in other regions of the world.

Park Hyatt Maldives

Thailand

Keemala

Tongsai Pool Villas

Vietnam

Naman Retreat

Mainland China

Honor Resort Yun Shu Dali

Final word

As you can see the value from using your points at Hyatt category 7 properties can vary dramatically. Some of it depends on the location and most of the times it depends on the season. I personally like to only use my points at properties that offer maximum value but you should do whatever is best for you.

Hyatt Category 4 Free Night (Hotels List) [2022]

One of my favorite credit card perks that I’ve used over and over again is the Hyatt free night certificate. It’s pretty easy to get your hands on free night certificates for Hyatt properties with the World of Hyatt Card and all of the other free night promotions offered by Hyatt.

But what are the best ways to use these free night awards?

This comprehensive article will show you all of the possibilities for using your free night awards for Hyatt category 4 hotels. I’ll also highlight the value and some of the strong points that make some of these properties worth visiting.

World of Hyatt Card

The World of Hyatt Card is one of the best hotel credit cards available since it comes with a great sign-up bonus, strong bonus category earning, and the opportunity for free nights. It’s also one of the best hotel cards for climbing your way up the elite status tiers for Hyatt. You can read our full detailed review here. 

  • Welcome Bonus
    • 30,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
    • Plus, 2 points total per $1 spent on purchases that earn 1 point, up to $15,000 in spend in the first 6 months of account opening
  • Bonus earning: 
    • 4X spent with your card at Hyatt hotels, including participating restaurants and spas
    • 2X on local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls and ride-share services
    • 2X at restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
    • 2X on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
    • 2X spent on fitness club and gym memberships
  • Free nights: 
    • Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary
    • Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year
  • Elite status:
    • Comes with Hyatt Discoverist status
    • Receive 5 qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year
    • Earn 2 additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
  • $95 Annual Fee 

As you can see, you will be granted one free night each year automatically and have the opportunity to earn an additional free night when you spend $15,000.

The free night awards are for categories 1 through 4, so this article is going to look at different ways that you can use your free night award at category 4 hotels since many people will want to maximize the free night at the top category.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Free night awards

You can also earn free night awards just by staying at Hyatt properties. Here are the different ways that you can earn free nights. 

Actions NeededRewards
Stay at 5 different Hyatt brands and pay an eligible rate starting March 1, 2017Free night award in a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort (valid for one year from issuance)
Stay 30 qualifying nights or earn 50,000 Base Points in a calendar yearFree night award in a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort 
Stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 Base Points in a calendar yearFree night award in a Category 1-7 Hyatt hotel or resort 
Stay 70, 80, 90 and 100 qualifying nights in a calendar yearChoose to receive 10,000 Bonus Points or a suite upgrade award

Note that all of the free nights are for free nights in the category 1-4 range except for the free night earned after staying 60 qualifying nights. That free anniversary night allows redemptions for properties up to a category seven. If you would like to see the best category seven Hyatt properties, then be sure to check out our article here. 

Hyatt award chart

Below is the Hyatt award chart, which shows the price for awards at each of the different categories. The free night certificates are used to claim standard rooms, though you can always get upgraded if you have status with Hyatt.

Here is a look at the Hyatt award chart:

Hotel categoryStandard room points per nightRegency/Grand Club points per nightStandard suite points per nightPremium suite points per night
15,0007,0008,00010,000
28,00012,00013,00016,000
312,00017,00020,00024,000
415,00021,00024,00030,000
520,00027,00032,00040,000
625,00033,00040,00050,000
730,00039,00048,00060,000
840,00050,00061,00080,000

When to use your Hyatt free nights

Since you can use your free night awards for properties in categories one through four, you obviously want to stay at category 4 properties as much as possible. It won’t always be possible to do, but if you can go with a category 4 hotel, that’s often where you’re going to maximize your value.

Once you are focused on category 4 properties, then you want to look at the price of a one night stay to see which hotels offer you the best value.

We know that category 4 hotels require 15,000 Hyatt points so if you value Hyatt points at 1.5 cents per point, then you’d want to shoot for around $225 in value per night to maximize your rewards.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use your free night reward for nights that cost less than $225. Once you factor in things like property reviews, location, special features, etc., you might feel it’s worth it to use your free night on a property that doesn’t offer the maximum value and that’s fine.

But I do suggest that you try to get a baseline value for your free night so you at least know the value potential of that perk.

Below is a list of 176 category 4 Hyatt properties — note that this list is always subject to change and may not be 100% updated at all times. You can also search for properties here. 

Canada

British Columbia

United States

Arizona

California

Colorado

D.C.

The Grand Hyatt Washington is a great property for touring the DC area with a great location within mere blocks of many of the major DC attractions.

Florida

Georgia

The Andaz Savannah isn’t a crazy expensive hotel, but with room rates usually over $200, you couldn’t go wrong if you end up in Savannah using your free night award and want to stay at the highly-rated Andaz.

Guam

Hawaii

Illinois

If you’re ever visiting Chicago consider the Thompson Chicago. Room rates are close to $300 and the boutique hotel feel really makes it a great hotel to stay at compared to other properties. 

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

The Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans offers great value along with a great location in the French Quarter.

Maryland

Massachusetts

With rooms going over $300, the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor is a great place to redeem your points with a great location in the heart of Boston.

Minnesota

Missouri

Nevada

The Las Vegas hotels don’t offer the best value as they offer some very low prices throughout the year.

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

They Hyatt Regency Austin is a great place to cash in on value with your free night award. Rooms can go for over $400 per night, so this is often a great deal.

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Caribbean & Latin America

Colombia

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Europe

Austria

Belgium

France

Rooms for the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile go for over $200 so this is another hotel that offers some decent value. It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the famous Arc de Triomphe and located by the Neuilly Porte Maillot station.

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Italy

The Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale Is located just outside of the main train station in Milan. It is about 15 minutes away from the Duomo via a taxi ride but this could be a great location if you will be coming in or leaving via the train station. Rooms can go for around $220 per night so this offers pretty good value. 

Latvia

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Africa

Kenya

South Africa

Tanzania

Middle East

Kuwait

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Rooms at the Grand Hyatt Dubai can go for around $300 per night so this hotel offer some really great value. The hotel is located near the airport and is about 15 minutes outside of the downtown Dubai area.

Asia

Mainland China

Hong Kong SAR

Macau SAR

India

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan

The Grand Hyatt Taipei Is a great use of your free night since the property can go for around $250 per night. It also has a fantastic location, located right next to the famous Taipei 101 Tower. 

Thailand

Vietnam

Australia & Pacific

Australia

Melbourne is such a unique city and staying at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne is a terrific way to experience the city since you’re right in the heart of the city.

New Zealand

Hyatt Category 4 Free Night FAQ

How can I get a Hyatt category 4 free night?

The World of Hyatt Card offers one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary.

How many points are needed for a category 4 free night?

15,000 points are needed for a standard room per night.

How much is a Hyatt category 4 free night worth?

With a 1.5 cent per point valuation, your free night should be worth around $225. However, the value you get on your specific redemption could be lower or higher depending on the property.

Final word 

As you can see, there are a lot of options for using your Hyatt free night awards for category 4 properties. I recommend coming up with a baseline number for the value of your free night certificates but try not to get to stuck on that figure since other factors also come into play when using free night awards.

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Best Marriott Bonvoy Category 1 Hotels in the World [2021]

With 279 Marriott Bonvoy category 1 hotels, you may wonder what properties are actually worth booking. Well, I went through all 279 and found the category 1 hotels that are worth it and narrowed down a few that stand out more than others.

In this article, I’ll give you the best Marriott Bonvoy category 1 hotels in the world and explain why some are so great. Some properties might have a club lounge, rooftop pool, or even be right the middle of a safari, so you might be surprised at how some of these stand out.

Marriott Bonvoy points categories

On March 5th, 2019 Marriott Bonvoy officially changed to their new award chart ranging from category 1 to category 8. Category 5 is a sweet spot in Bonvoy’s award chart as it can range from business hotels to luxury hotels across the globe. You can easily find an EDITION, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, and JW Marriott property in category 5. If you want to learn about the best category 5 hotels, check out my article here.

When it comes to category 1 properties, you will find that there isn’t much of a selection for premium brands. Despite being category 1, some offer rooms and service with property amenities that compete quite well with a premium or luxury branded property. Heck, some even have a club lounge.

Here is the Bonvoy award chart for your reference:

Hotel CategoryOff Peak (as of September 14)StandardPeak (as of September 14)
15,0007,50010,000
210,00012,50015,000
315,00017,50020,000
420,00025,00030,000
530,00035,00040,000
640,00050,00060,000
750,00060,00070,000
870,00085,000100,000

As you can see from the table above, off peak and peak seasons started on September 14, 2019. Depending on how you look at it, this could be a good or bad change as it creates inconsistency. So, it’s up to you if you can take advantage of this change.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

There are a total of four Marriott Bonvoy cards. Each card comes with different benefits and annual fees. There are two midrange cards, one premium card, and one entry-level card. These cards aren’t the best for earning points like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but in most cases, the benefits like the annual free night make up for the annual fee. Here are my favorite Marriott Bonvoy cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
  • Automatic Silver Elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $95 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 4 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers & on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
    • Spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year for an additional annual free night.
  • Automatic Silver Elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $125 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 50,000 points.
  • $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit.
  • Automatic Gold Elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $450 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy category 1 hotels can be quality

I have this weird fixation for properties that are cheap and great. Some of these hotels are comparable to premium branded hotels, especially when they are newly opened properties. I have actually stayed at some category 1 properties that have service quality going far beyond what might expect from a category 1 property.

Some of these properties will offer rooftop pools or views overlooking safaris and oceans. You might question “why it’s not a higher category hotel?” Well, we should thank our Marriott overlords for keeping these properties category 1.

If Marriott changes the category on these hotels, well I guess we should blame me for writing this article. 🙂

Some things you should know:

  • Courtyards in Asia will typically have a club lounge. Courtyards in Europe or the Americas won’t have a club lounge.
  • Fairfield isn’t obligated to give out free breakfast in the Asia Pacific region unless it’s included in the room rate or you have elite status.
  • You may notice brand standards vary quite a bit between regions. That is normal for any hotel chain brand and why I left out many properties in the Americas as they aren’t as good as compared to other region’s properties.

Best category 1 Marriott Bonvoy hotels

The properties that are bolded are properties that are unique, truly special, or have rooms that make you go wow.

When it’s bolded, the property could be offering a club lounge or other amenities. Maybe something more unique like villa type rooms in a nature reserve great for safaris or with rooms that are truly category breaking.

I looked at every one of these properties. I then double-checked my list making sure it includes hotels that are worthy of the Marriott Bonvoy name. Think of this list as a curated list of good to great category 1 properties. So, without further ado, here is UponArriving’s curated list of category 1 Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

ASIA

Courtyard Wuxi Lihu Lake

Four Points by Sheraton Jiaxing

Four Points by Sheraton Macheng

Four Points by Sheraton Wuchuan, Loong Bay

Aloft Chengdu Shixiang Lake

Courtyard Suzhou Mudu

Aloft Dongguan Dynamic Town

Aloft Bursa Hotel

Four Points by Sheraton Chengdu, Pujiang Resort

Sheraton Yinchuan

The Sheraton Yinchuan is a brand new property located in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. As a Sheraton, it offers a club lounge for evening cocktails and buffet. You also have premium looking rooms that actually have a chandelier in them, something you might not see in a normal category 1 property.

One minor downside you might have noticed is the location. It’s not in any major city you might know, but it’s certainly a unique city to visit with tourist attractions nearby like Western Xia Mausoleums and Shuidonggou Site. You can easily go around riding camels in the desert while spending a little number of points on the rooms here that go for $70 a night.

Sheraton Yinchuan base room: King/King bedroom

Four Points by Sheraton Izmir

Aloft Zhengzhou Shangjie

Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam

Aloft Dongguan Songshan Lake

Four Points by Sheraton Chengdu, Anren

Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town

Four Points by Sheraton Guilin, Lingui

Four Points by Sheraton Chennai OMR

Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya

Courtyard Xinchang

Yet another category 1 property that has a club lounge, but this time it’s offered at a Courtyard. The Courtyard Xinchang is located in Xinchang, Zhejiang, China. The property is nearby some interesting attractions that might like bamboo forests, temples, and mountains.

The property goes for $70 a night. Having a club lounge, the property boasts a premium feel that goes beyond the standard of other Courtyard properties. Plus, Platinum Elites and above can certainly enjoy suite upgrades with club lounge access.

Courtyard Xinchang deluxe king room

Courtyard Jiangsu Taizhou

Courtyard Zhengzhou East

Wait, another club lounge at a Courtyard? I wonder when a Courtyard in the USA will get a club lounge? Anyways, the Courtyard Zhengzhou East is in another city in China, but it’s nearby lots of interesting temples, museums, and mountains. Henan province is a beautiful province and offers lots for nature lovers.

The property starts off at $68 a night. The rooms are modern with many room categories that offer elites many upgrade opportunities. Plus, the club lounge has afternoon tea along with breakfast and evening cocktails and buffet making it a club lounge that rivals many premium brands club lounges.

Courtyard Zhengzhou East deluxe king room

Courtyard Xi’an North

Xi’an is one of my favorite Chinese cities for food. While Courtyard Xi’an North is not in the center, it’s still close to public transportation like the bus and metro. If you don’t know Xi’an already, it’s the home of the terracotta warriors, temples, and many eats that will make your mouth water.

The rooms are modern and start at $67 a night. Many room categories for upgrades and don’t forget the club lounge.

Courtyard Xi’an North deluxe king room

Courtyard Shunde Longjiang

Four Points by Sheraton Luohe

Four Points by Sheraton Changchun, Hi-Tech Zone

Four Points by Sheraton Changsha, Meixi Lake

Four Points by Sheraton Manado

Four Points by Sheraton Puchong

Sheraton Shanghai Fengxian

A brand new Sheraton property in the south suburbs of Shanghai offering a club lounge and famous Sheraton amenities. The property doesn’t have many things to do around and public transport is somewhat limited.

Rooms start at $77 a night. As an elite and an avid new hotelier, I would love to stay at this property. If you ever get a chance to stay in a new hotel, you will understand why it’s so exciting. Even though the location is not great, I would still stay here.

Sheraton Shanghai Fengxian king deluxe guest room

Courtyard Changsha South

Changsha is a lovely city with many things to see all around the mountainous region. The Courtyard Changsha South isn’t central, but being a category 1 property in a major city like Changsha is really something. The property boasts a club lounge with modern rooms and beautiful views. Rooms start at $70 a night.

Courtyard Changsha South standard room

Courtyard Zhengzhou Airport

Courtyard Madurai

Fairfield by Marriott Belitung

Africa

Protea Hotel Lusaka Safari Lodge

Not many points hotels are in private game reserve for safaris, but Marriott has you covered. With regular guest rooms in the main building and villas, you have the options for different rooms that make you question how this property is still a category 1.

Once you walk outside of the property you may encounter some wildlife chilling, playing, or fighting. It’s a unique property and with rooms starting at $118 a night, you will get a good value out of your points and a unique location.

Protea Hotel Lusaka Safari Lodge king chalet

Protea Hotel Pretoria Loftus Park

United States

Aloft Tulsa

Middle East

Courtyard Istanbul West

Four Points by Sheraton Izmir

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

South America

Four Points by Sheraton Cuenca

Four Points by Sheraton Cali

Aloft Panama

Mexico

Courtyard Chihuahua

Four Points by Sheraton Veracruz

Four Points by Sheraton Queretaro Norte

Courtyard Queretaro

Aloft Queretaro

Brand new and ready for guests, the Aloft Queretaro is a great new property that still has the grand opening rates up. The property is so new that it doesn’t even have a TripAdvisor page yet.

Rooms normally start at $77 a night, but the grand opening rate is $71 a night. While not a great property to use your points at, but when the prices go up it could be an even better redemption than today.

Aloft Queretaro guest room

Courtyard Hermosillo

Courtyard Leon at the Poliforum

AC Hotel Veracruz

Courtyard Villahermosa Tabasco

Four Points by Sheraton Puebla

Aloft Celaya

Four Points by Sheraton Veracruz

Europe

Four Points by Sheraton Kolasin

Courtyard Nizhny Novgorod City Center

AC Hotel Algeciras

The AC Hotel Algeciras is located in the most southernmost part of Spain making it a lovely hotel for a stopover between Morocco and Spain before or after catching the ferry. Rooms are alright, but when it comes to location it’s actually great as the city is lovely. Room rates start at $53 a night.

AC Hotel Algeciras guest room

Aloft Bursa Hotel

Four Points by Sheraton Kaluga

AC Hotel Palacio de Santa Ana

AC Hotel A Coruna

Canada

TownePlace Suites Fort McMurray

TownePlace Suites Medicine Hat

Final word

This list took me a while. I never realized how many category 1 hotels there are in the Marriott portfolio. However, I am glad I made this list as I will be personally using it to stretch out my points.

If you have any other suggestions, drop them in the comments below.

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Best Marriott Bonvoy Category 5 Luxury Hotels (35,000 Free Night) [2021]

With over 1,170 category 5 properties in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, you can easily find a property that is considered a sweet spot, and category 5 properties are currently the best category you can use your midrange Bonvoy credit card annual free night, which covers nights up to 35,000 points.

In this article, I will go over my top hotels that are category 5 and explain why they are unique, even if the property is on the other side of the world. I’ll also show you a long list of other luxury properties that you might want to consider using you free night at.

Marriott Bonvoy category 5 pricing

On March 5th, 2019 Marriott Bonvoy officially changed to their new award chart ranging from category 1 to category 8. Category 5 is a sweet spot in Bonvoy’s award chart as it can range from business hotels to luxury hotels across the globe. You can easily find an EDITION, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, and JW Marriott property in category 5. 

The other great thing about category 5 properties is the fact that credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card both offer an annual free night for up to 35,000 points. Then the premium credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, offers an annual free night for up to 50,000 points.

35,000 points equal to the standard points needed for category 5 when it’s not off peak or peak season. Here is the Bonvoy award chart:

Hotel CategoryOff Peak (as of September 14)StandardPeak (as of September 14)
15,0007,50010,000
210,00012,50015,000
315,00017,50020,000
420,00025,00030,000
530,00035,00040,000
640,00050,00060,000
750,00060,00070,000
870,00085,000100,000

How Marriott’s credit card annual free night works

There are three Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that are open to applicants. However, there are other Marriott credit cards that aren’t open to applicants, but people are still able to hold the credit card like the old SPG personal credit card (now known as the Marriott Bonvoy Card from American Express) that is also eligible for the annual free night up to 35,000 points.

In this article, we will focus on their Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card that are still open to applicants.

The annual free night will only arrive once you have had the card for 1 year and then it will come at the same time every year after your first anniversary.

For example, if your application got accepted for one of the credit cards above on March 7th, 2019, you will be able to get the annual free night on March 7th, 2020 and every year after that. (Do note, sometimes the annual free night might take up to 8 weeks to show up in your Marriott account.)

The annual free night is redeemable for any properties that equal 35,000 points or less. In the screenshot below, you could use the annual free night at the properties shown, even though some are less than 35,000 points.

Here are just a few properties in Jakarta that you could use the annual free night certificate at.

Note: if you redeem the annual free night for a property that is less than 35,000 points, you won’t receive the points difference in your account.

For properties that require more than 35,000 points, you cannot use the annual free night at those properties. Think of the annual free night as a certificate or a voucher. It’s useable up to a value, but you cannot combine it with points or cash to redeem for a more valuable property.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

There are a total of three Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. Each card comes with different benefits and different annual fees. There are two midrange cards and one premium card. These cards aren’t the best for earning points like other cards, but in most cases, the annual free night makes up for the annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
  • Automatic silver elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $95 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express® Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 4 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers & on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 35,000 points.
    • Spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year for an additional annual free night.
  • Automatic silver elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $125 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

  • 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at any Marriott Bonvoy property.
  • 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines.
  • 2 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Annual free night certificate valued up to 50,000 points.
  • $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit.
  • Automatic gold elite status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $450 annual fee.

Other cards you might want to consider are the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the American Express Platinum. Currently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an elevated welcome offer for 60,000 Chase Ultimate points after spending $4,000 dollars in the first 3 months. You can also transfer any points earned with Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.

Best Marriott Bonvoy category 5 hotels

The best category 5 hotels might be a little subjective since each individual will have different wants and needs for hotels along with what they value for the best.

For me, I like unique or boutique hotels. Fewer rooms at a property are better in my eyes. For the most part, I don’t care if it’s centrally located, as long as it is worthwhile to stay a little bit out of the center of a city or even in the middle of nowhere. I do enjoy destination properties where the property is the main attraction. That said, I do love city hotels.

Now that you know what I value and look for in hotels, here is the list of my top 7 Marriott hotels that are a Bonvoy category 5.

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Location: Kien Giang, Vietnam
Average price: $276 USD
Opening: 2017
Number of rooms: 234
Hotel website

Turquois Suite bathroom at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

By far the most aspirational property on this list has to be the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. Once a university, this newly opened hotel is one of the most beautiful properties. Sitting on Phu Quoc beach in Vietnam, it has both beautiful beaches and renovated rooms along with buildings that date back to the opening of the 19th-century university.

The beach at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Elite recognition is consistent with Platinum Elites and above getting upgrades to suites like the Turquois Suite shown above. Villas are also available here, and some elites do get upgrades to villas sometimes.

Deluxe Emerald Bay View room at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

Location: Moraitika, Greece
Average price: $548 USD
Opening: 2018
Number of rooms: 113
Hotel website

HRH Pearl Bedroom at Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

This adults-only seasonal beach resort on Corfu island was initially built in the late 1960s and was running independently until a massive multimillion euro renovation from 2017 to 2018. Now under the management of Luxury Collection, you are able to use your annual free night certificates and points at this property while earning points, elite nights, and receiving elite benefits.

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

The property has rooms, suites, and villas. As an elite, you can be upgraded to a suite, but maybe if the occupancy is down during that time, you might have a chance for a villa. Since this property is seasonal and will be closed for half a year, it’s only open from mid April to mid October, and some nights they are entirely sold out. While I still could find availability for using points, during August, it’s somewhat harder to find availability.

I never knew about this property until recently. So, this year I might end up staying here when I go to Europe in September and October. I especially want to eat at this property too since Michelin-starred chef Tassos Mantis created the menu for both of the restaurants at the property.

Pavilion Retreat Sea View Deck at Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

W Kuala Lumpur

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Average price: $229 USD
Opening: 2018
Number of rooms: 150
Hotel website

Marvelous Suite Bedroom at W Kuala Lumpur

Located within walking distance to the Petronas Twin Towers (aka, KL Twin Towers) this newly constructed W property is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Just like other W properties, the design is unique with gleaming surfaces. What makes this property stand out is the fact that it’s so new.

The front desk at W Kuala Lumpur

Elites are welcomed with upgrades to suites. The pool offers views of the Petronas Twin Towers, and the Wet Deck is a comfy place to reside with a drink while eating tapas. During my visit to Kuala Lumpur, I stayed at this property and had a wonderful stay. You can read my full review here.

Wet Deck at W Kuala Lumpur

The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

Location: San Antonio, Texas
Average price: $311 USD
Opening: 1909
Renovated: 2015
Number of rooms: 277
Hotel website

King guestroom at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

In the heart of San Antonio near attractions like the river walk and the Alamo, plus 5 restaurants, you can stuff your face during your stay and keep busy with all that is around. The property restaurants are busy during the week and weekend making it a spot for both tourists and locals to eat at.

Lobby/main floor at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

Elites are welcomed to suites like the junior suite. The rooftop pool offers views of San Antonio, and the cabanas offer a place to relax outside on a sunny day.

I stayed at the property back in 2017 and would stay again if I go back to San Antonio.

Junior Suite living room at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

Location: Uttarakhand, India
Average price: $254 USD
Opening: 2014
Number of rooms: 115
Hotel website

Studio king suite at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

In the Himalayas, this JW property is showing the natural beauty of India. Famous for hiking trails throughout the mountains, this property is a hikers dream. Then after a long day, visit one of the four restaurants, and you will never go hungry. The resort features a full spa, fitness center, and a sparkling pool.

JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

Elites are welcomed with two suite types that the hotel will upgrade them to, the Studio King will be more common of an upgrade. Kids are able to enjoy the bowling area and play area with a merry-go-round. Something truly unique for a category 5 property.

The Den bowling area at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Average price: $284 USD
Opening: 2007
Number of rooms: 337
Hotel website

King Guest Room with a view at JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids

In the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan the JW Marriott is still one of the nicest properties in North America with a very reasonable price and award category. Located right on the river next to Grand Valley downtown campus and clubs nearby, the property is always busy in the lobby with both guests and locals hanging around.

jdek Bar at JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids

Elites will be happy since the property does have an executive lounge. Platinum and above can access the lounge for free with one guest or anyone that has a concierge level room.

When I have stayed at this property the few times before, I enjoyed the executive lounge, and they didn’t care about the number of people I brought in. For a US property, this lounge is nice, but I still prefer international lounges in Asia.

Club Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Grand Rapids

The Sanya EDITION

Location: Sanya, China
Average price: $158 USD
Opening: 2016
Number of rooms: 512
Hotel website

Ocean View Suite at The Sanya EDITION

Many people might not know, but EDITION was Starwood’s brand new modern luxury brand. Since Marriott took over Starwood, I have seen Marriott push EDITION just as much as Starwood and still plans to open 11 new properties in the coming years.

The Sanya EDITION is a beachfront property with three different pools, a play zone for kids, bumper cars, and rock wall. Located on the beach facing the South China Sea, this property is one of EDITION’s flagship properties.

Bumper cars at The Sanya EDITION

Elites aren’t going to get anything special at an EDITION, including Sanya EDITION. While upgrades are given, breakfast isn’t since EDITION is one of Marriott’s brands that doesn’t have to provide breakfast to guests.

Ocean View King Bed Room at The Sanya EDITION

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

List of category 5 hotels

Across the globe, there are 1,173 category 5 hotels. But I think listing off all 1,173 category 5 hotels might be crazy. 

In this list, I will only list off luxury brands. Marriott’s luxury brands are Edition, Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriott, and Bulgari. Note, Bulgari doesn’t participate in the Bonvoy program. So, you aren’t able to use points at Bulgari properties.

United States

JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead

JW Marriott Charlotte – New

JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek

JW Marriott Grand Rapids

JW Marriott Houston Downtown

JW Marriott Indianapolis

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Miami

JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America

Connected right to Mall of America you can shop until you drop.

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

Events like nightly tequila toast are a thing.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead

W Atlanta – Downtown

W Chicago – City Center

W Chicago – Lakeshore

W Minneapolis – The Foshay

Canada

JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District

Mexico

JW Marriott Monterrey Valle – New

Central America

JW Marriott Panama

The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, Panama City

W Panama

South America

JW Marriott Hotel Bogota

JW Marriott Hotel Lima

JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro

Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas

Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires

W Bogota

W Santiago

Africa

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

The Ritz-Carlton Rabat Dar Es Salam – Opening soon Jan 2022

The Ritz-Carlton, Tamuda Bay – Opening Jan 2030

The St. Regis Almasa Hotel, Cairo – New

The St. Regis Cairo

Asia

The Sanya EDITION

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok

JW Marriott Hotel Macau

JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Fengxian – New

JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Beach resort in Khao Lak, Thailand.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong

JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu

JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Sanya Haitang Bay Resort & Spa

The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street

The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place

The Ritz-Carlton, Astana

The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore

The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing

The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou

The Ritz-Carlton, Harbin – Opening soon Dec 2021

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen

The Ritz-Carlton, Xi’an

Hotel National, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Moscow

ITC Gardenia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bengaluru

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Yerevan

The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The Azure Qiantang, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hangzhou

The Castle Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian

The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali

The St. Regis Bangkok

The St. Regis Beijing

The St. Regis Changsha

The St. Regis Chengdu

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

The St. Regis Mumbai

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan

The St. Regis Shenzhen

W Guangzhou

W Kuala Lumpur

W Xi’an

Oceana

The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart – Opening soon Dec 2021

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

W Brisbane

W Kuala Lumpur

Europe

Hotel Berlin Central District – New

JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus

Penha Longa Resort

A specialty Ritz-Carlton property.

The Ritz-Carlton, Astana

The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg

Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu

Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Warsaw

Hotel National, a Luxury Hotel Collection Hotel, Moscow

The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Yerevan

Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland

Middle East

Burj Rafal Riyadh, A Marriott International Hotel

Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

A specialty Ritz-Carlton property.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort, Ajman

Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba

Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha

Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kuwait City

The St. Regis Doha

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

W Muscat

Final word

While this list might be a little biased and only geared for luxury properties, this could be a good start to a more extensive list.

So, what category 5 properties would you recommend that are or aren’t on this list?

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Cash Back Monitor Guide (Shopping Bonuses) [2021]

Many people leave hundreds of dollars in savings on the table because they don’t utilize shopping portals.Then there are people who utilize shopping portals but don’t choose the best portal and lose out on lots of points.

Luckily, there is Cash Back Monitor which you can use to make comparisons between shopping portals so that you maximize your bonus points.

In this article, I’ll show you how to use Cash Back Monitor to maximize your savings (quickly and efficiently)!

What is Cash Back Monitor?

Cash Back Monitor is a website that allows you to view and compare the bonus earning rates for various shopping portals, such as the Southwest Shopping Portal, Chase Shopping Portal, etc.

It also has features such as a browser bookmark that allow you to view the cash back rates on specific websites that you’re visiting.

It’s a fantastic way to ensure that you’re maximizing your point earnings and saving money when shopping. It’s one of the few websites that I find myself using all of the time, and I usually recommend it to anybody that I know that is serious about saving money.

How does Cash Back Monitor work?

The cash back experience starts with you visiting the homepage.

I usually go straight for the search tool to find the store I’m looking for. The search feature auto-completes (although you can disable this feature if you’d like).

Cash Back Monitor search feature.
Cash Back Monitor search feature.

You’ll also see tabs where you browse for different types of shopping portals, such as:

  • Cash back
  • Travel Miles/Points
  • Credit Card Points
  • Other Reward Points 

If you click on one of the tabs, you’ll see a breakdown of many stores with the different earning rates. You can then search for different stores by letter alphabetically or simply filter the stores by name.

Notice that the gray background marks the store’s best rate for the reward type and the green background marks the portal offers best rate for the store.

So you know when you see something like the 5 miles/per dollar spent a 1-800-Contacts through the American Airlines shopping portal (highlighted in green) that’s probably a good deal to check out.

Once you click on a store, you’ll be able to see all of the various cash back rates offered from the different portals.

In this case, I clicked on WalMart to see the rates.

A green bar indicates you’ll be earning a percentage or per dollar reward while a golden bar indicates fixed amount reward. If you click on the name of the shopping portal, you’ll be taken directly to the shopping portal. (But keep in mind you still need to log-in to that shopping portal).

Notice that at the top of the screen shot below you can see the last time that the rates were updated and that there are links you can click on to to view some interesting data.

The best rate history

The best rate history will show you the previous best rates for earning cash back as well as earning for points.

Here are the best rates for WalMart.

What’s cool about this feature is you can hover over the graph to see which portal was offering the best rate over time. Sometimes, you’ll see that one particular portal dominates for certain stores and you’ll look to them in the future.

Interestingly, the graph below shows that the Chase Shopping Portal had its best rate at WalMart (4 pts/per dollar) with the Chase Freedom versus the Sapphire Preferred (2 pts/per dollar).

Assign Cash Value to Miles / Points

You can also assign a cash value to your miles and points.

Cash values for reward currencies can get very iffy sometimes but if you have a valuation in mind that you usually stick to this could be a fantastic option.

If you’re serious about maximizing your earnings by going with the currency that will reward you the most then this is a great way to efficiently compare the value of your point earnings to your cash back earnings.

View converted rate comparison

You can then view the converted rate comparison so that you can view the cash back rates versus the converted rate of your miles and points.

In the example below, I changed the value of Hilton Honors points to .5 cent per point so it shows me earning 1.5% back based on 3 points per dollar spent. 

What shopping portals are on Cash Back Monitor?

They currently monitor a whopping 43 shopping portals. And each one of those shopping portals can have anywhere from 47 to 4,000 stores so you’re talking about some ultra-efficient scanning here.

Cashback Portals

1   Active Junky
2   BeFrugal
3   Citi Bonus Cash Center
4   Coupon Cactus
5   Discover Deals
6   Ebates
7   Giving Assistant
8   Glamour Rewards
9   GoCashBack
10   Green Back Street
11   Lemoney
12   Mr. Rebates
13   Panda Cash Back
14   RebatesMe
15   Shop At Home
16   Simply Best Coupons
17   Sunshine Rewards
18   Top Cashback
19   UPromise
20   UseJewel

Travel Miles/Points Portals

21   Alaska Mileage Plan
22   American AAdvantage
23   Amtrak Guest Rewards
24   British Airways Mall (US)
25   Choice Privieges Online Mall
26   Delta Sky Miles
27   Hawaiian Miles Online Mall
28   Hilton HHonors Shopping
29   JetBlue ShopTrue
30   Southwest Rapid Rewards
31   Spirit Online Mall
32   United Mileage Plus (no ua cc)
33   United Mileage Plus (ua cc)
34   Virgin Atlantic Shops Away (US)

Credit Card Points Portals

35   BarclayCard RewardsBoost
36   Chase UR (Freedom)
37   Chase UR (Ink)
38   Chase UR (Sapphire)
39   Wells Fargo Rewards

Other Reward Points Portals

40   iConsumer
41   MyPoints
42   Shop My Way
43   Swagbucks

What kind of deals can you get?

Here’s a chart breakdown of a snapshot of the “most popular stores” as of August 2018. You’ll see the best opportunities for each category broken down in the cart and if you click on those rates you’ll be taken to the store’s page to view all of the shopping portal rates.

You can always check to see which stores are the most popular here.

# Store Views Cashback Travel Miles/Points Credit Card Points Other Reward Points
1 Amazon 667 up to 10%     up to 5% (5 SB/$)
2 Walmart 460 5.2% (20%*) 3 pt./$ 3 pt./$ 6.4% (total)
3 Best Buy 319 3% 1 mi./$ 1 pt./$ 2% (2 SB/$)
4 Target 302 5% (8%*) 2 pt./$ 1 pt./$ 2 pt./$
5 eBay 287 1.6% (5%*) 1 pt./$   2 pt./$
6 Macy’s 238 10% (18%*) 7 pt./$ 3 pt./$ 7 pt./$
7 Home Depot 231 10%
8%		 3 pt./$ 2 pt./$ 8 pt./$
8 Walgreens 212 5% 4 pt./$ 2 pt./$ 6.4% (total)
9 Staples 183 5% 3 pt./$
4 (2) mi./$		 4 pt./$ 6.4% (total)
10 Kohl’s 150 6% 4 (2) mi./$
2 mi./$		 4 pt./$
2 pt./$		 4.8% (total)
11 Nike 149 13.5% (15%*) 9 (3) mi./$
6 pt./$		 6 pt./$
5 pt./$		 9.6% (total)
12 Groupon 146 11.03% (20%*) 3 mi./$ 4 pt./$ 12 pt./$
13 Lowe’s 145 4% 2 (1) mi./$ 2 pt./$ 3 pt./$
14 Neiman Marcus 135 12%
11%		 10 (2) mi./$
6 pt./$		 6 pt./$
3 pt./$		 9.6% (total)
15 Apple Store 127 5% 3 pt./$ 2 pt./$ 1 pt./$
16 Bed Bath & Beyond 125 10% 6 pt./$ 4 pt./$
2 pt./$		 4.8% (total)
17 Saks Fifth Avenue 125 9%
8%		 3 pt./$   2 pt./$
18 eBags 115 18% 15 (5) mi./$ 7 pt./$
10 pt./$		 9.6% (total)
19 Nordstrom Rack 98 3.2% 2 pt./$ 1 pt./$ 4.8% (total)
20 Bloomingdale’s 94 10% (12%*) 4 pt./$ 4 pt./$ 3.2% (total)

When are the rates updated?

The rates are updated daily but you always need to verify what the current earn rates are for the different portals.

You can always check at the top of the screen to see when the last time Cash Back Monitor was updated.

My Monitor

My Monitor is your personalized Cash Back Monitor experience.

You log in via Twitter, Facebook, or Google and then you can set up your Monitor for up to eight shopping portals. You can also pick up to 20 stores to monitor.

Cash Back Monitor Bookmarklet

The Cash Back Monitor Bookmarklet allows you to quickly jump to the Cash Back Monitor page from whatever store you are visiting.

To install it for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari on desktop, you’ll simple drag and drop a link found on this page  to the browser’s bookmark toolbar.

When visiting a store’s website, clicking on the bookmarklet within your browser will take you to the Cash Back Monitor page with reward information about the store. (When there is only one store that matches the URL, the Cashback Monitor Store Page is displayed immediately.)

Here’s what I saw when I visited Amazon.com and then clicked on the Cash Back Monitor Bookmarklet. As you can see, it took me directly to Cash Back Monitor and allowed me view the different cash back rates going on at the time. 

Such an easy and quick way to keep up with the best cash back rates.

How do shopping portals work?

Shopping portals are pretty easy to use.

First you need to log in to your account (or create an account) and then find the store you want to shop at. Each store will have a specific number of miles or % of cash back earned per dollar spent.

You’ll then click through to your store and check out your products like you would normally do but you’ll earn points on your purchases.

So shopping portals allow you to earn extra miles on purchases you’d already be making.

Preparing to use the portal

Before you ever even access the shopping portal, there are a few things you should consider doing to decrease the odds of your purchase not tracking properly.

Clear your shopping cart

If you’ve already been browsing online with the merchant and dropping items into your shopping cart here and there, you might want to remove those items first. (After you click through the portal and get back on the merchant’s website later on, you can add those items back.) This is not necessary all the time but many people choose to do it out of precaution.

Turn ad blockers off

Make sure your ad blocker is off before you access the Chase shopping portal. This could prevent necessary pop-ups from showing or interfere with your tracking.

Enable cookies and javascript

Make sure you have enabled cookies and javascript. Some people also like to clear their cookies before they access the portal but you could also just use an incognito browser to do the trick.

Also, you might want to disable your browser toolbars so that they don’t interfere with your tracking.

Final word

Cash Back Monitor is one of the best ways to monitor the cash back rates with the various portals. It’s very quick and easy to keep tabs on all of the top shopping portals and I highly recommend the site to anyone looking to save some serious cash.

Amex Membership Rewards vs Ultimate Rewards [2021]

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

Amex Membership Rewards vs Ultimate Rewards — which program is better and offers more value?

This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many variables that go into the answer and many of them depend on your personal preferences.

Below, I will break down the different areas of comparison and highlight the differences between these two programs.

Eligibility concerns

One of the biggest concerns you should be thinking about is the eligibility strategy to earn lots of Amex Membership Rewards or Ultimate Rewards.

All Chase cards are subject to the Chase 5/24 rule which generally means you should prioritize getting approved for Chase cards first. So most people should seek to earn lots of Ultimate Rewards first.

Failing to do this could result in you being unable to earn Ultimate Rewards for quite a while.

Chase also limits you to one Sapphire bonus per 48 month period. (Getting a Sapphire card is the primary way to earn lots of Ultimate Rewards with personal credit cards.)

This usually means you want to go after the Sapphire card with the higher bonus first and then look into potential upgrade/downgrade possibilities.

The big eligibility concern with American Express is the “once per lifetime rule” which states that you can only earn a welcome bonus once per lifetime.

In reality, people are able to earn a bonus a second time after waiting several years (~5 years) after closing a card but that is not always guaranteed.

This means that you want to focus on earning the best welcome bonuses for American Express cards. Basically, you just don’t want to settle for mediocre bonuses because you may not have a second shot at it.

Tip: You can use the mobile app WalletFlo to automate the calculations for all of your credit card eligibility questions.

Earning options

The earning options can be divided up into earning points via: 1) welcome bonuses, 2) bonus spend categories, 3) shopping portals/offers, and 4) referral offers.

When it comes to welcome bonuses I give the edge to American Express but when it comes to earning points with your spend I give the edge to Chase.

I’ll explain why below.

Welcome bonuses

One major advantage that American Express has over Chase is that they offer more opportunities to earn points (in this case Amex Membership Rewards).

Membership Rewards earning cards that stand out include the:

American Express also has a stout lineup of business cards which include the Business Platinum Card and Business Gold Card.

By pursuing a few of these cards you could easily earn 300,000 to 400,000 Membership Rewards pretty quickly.

With Chase, it is a little harder harder to accumulate points (Ultimate Rewards) via bonuses because there are only a couple of personal cards to choose from.

Typically, you will have to choose between the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred and you are forced to wait 48 months between getting a bonus for those cards.

You could add on a Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited but the bonuses are often relatively low for those cards.

The good news is that Chase has a solid lineup of small business credit cards.

If you can get on board with cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Ink Unlimited, and Chase Ink Business Cash, you can still come away with tons of Ultimate Rewards.

With Chase, it would be much harder to get to around 300,000+ points on average which is one disadvantage compared to American Express.

Bonus spend categories

You can earn a lot of points with your bonus spend with both American Express and Chase cards.

I would probably give the edge to Chase here because of the potential to earn points with no annual fee cards.

If you were to get the “Chase Trifecta” your earnings could look like this:

  • Sapphire Preferred: 2X on dining and travel
  • Freedom Unlimited: 1.5 X on all purchases + 3X on dining, drug stores, and 5X on Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal
  • Freedom Flex: 5X on rotating categories + 3X on dining, drug stores, and 5X on Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal

Considering that you can earn those bonus categories while only paying one ($95) annual fee, that is pretty strong.

But you could even sweeten up the deal by getting a business card like the Chase Ink Business Cash which earns 5X at office supply stores, cable, Internet, and phone bills in addition to 2X on dining and gas (spending caps apply of $25,000).

Once again, the Chase Ink Business Cash has no annual fee so the earning-to-fee ratio with Chase is extremely hard to beat.

American Express also offers some fantastic earning opportunities. In fact, they offer some of the highest rates for key categories.

I am a huge fan of earning points with the Amex Gold Card which earns 4X on dining and US supermarkets (up to $25K/year) as well as 3X on airfare.

The Green Card is also a pretty great earner with 3X on dining and travel, similar to the Sapphire Reserve (but with a much lower annual fee).

And finally, the Platinum Card comes in strong on airfare by earning a whopping 5X (it also earns 5X on pre-paid hotels booked through Amex Travel).

Across the board these are very high bonus earning rates that are some of the best you will find out of any credit cards.

The drawback with American Express is that if you start stacking bonus earning opportunities with their best cards you will start racking up big annual fee costs.

For example, the three cards above would cost you over $900 in annual fees!

Most of these annual fees can be offset by utilizing the perks that come with the cards but that is not the case for everybody. So for that reason I think Chase is the winner here — it’s just easier to get more bang for your buck.

Shopping portals

Chase has one advantage over American Express with its shopping portal which allows you to earn additional Ultimate Rewards when you make purchases online.

American Express lacks a shopping portal but they do have Amex Offers. These offers will often save you money but they also can sometimes help you earn additional Membership Rewards. (Chase has a similar offers program but it’s not as developed.)

Referral offers

Both of these programs will allow you to earn points by referring your family and friends to your cards. But American Express has a more robust referral system.

For one, some major cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve have not seen referrals for a while. Second, the referral amounts that you can earn by referring your friends may be much higher with American Express.

Recently, American Express allowed card members of the Platinum and Gold Cards to earn 30,000 points per referral which is pretty insane.

If you think that you will have people who will gladly use your links to apply for cards then you might want to consider American Express which will likely be more rewarding in that regard.

Related: Amex Refer A Friend: How to Get Links (Offers, Bonuses) 

Redemption options

I’ll talk about transfer partner possibilities below but first I will hit on the different types of redemption possibilities.

Cash back

You can always redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards for at least one cent per point which allows all of the Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards to become cashback cards (if desired).

For people who don’t travel a lot or have unpredictable travel plans, this cashback option is a huge advantage for Chase.

Chase also has a major leg up because of the Chase Travel Portal. In the Chase Travel Portal, you can redeem your points for increased bonus rates if you have a premium card like the Sapphire Preferred or the Sapphire Reserve.

The Sapphire Preferred can redeem points towards travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point while the Sapphire Reserve can redeem points toward travel at a rate of 1.5 cents per point.

Being able to redeem your points for 1.5 cents per point is a huge advantage because it allows you to get respectable value for your points for various travel expenses including flights, hotels, etc.

In a number of cases that will offer you better value than transferring your points.

Meanwhile, American Express does not have great all-around redemption possibilities.

If you were to redeem your points for a statement credit you would only get .6 cents per point which is just not great at all.

Note that there have been targeted offers allowing customers to redeem at higher rates. Also, if you have the Platinum Card Schwab version you can cash out your points at 1.25 cents per point.

If you were to utilize your points for hotel stays, rental cars, or cruises via Amex Travel the redemption rate is also pretty abysmal — only .7 cents per point.

The only somewhat decent redemption rate through Amex Travel is for flights which go for one cent per point for standard Amex cards which still is not exceptional.

The exception is if you have a Business Gold Card or a Business Platinum Card and you can take advantage of the airline bonus.

The Business Gold Card will give you a 25% bonus while the Business Platinum Card will give you a 35% bonus which comes out to 1.54 cents per point.

That is a really solid rate for flights but you are limited to select airlines for economy flights (you can get a bonus on any airline for premium cabins).

So overall I would definitely give the nod to Chase when it comes to better options for redeeming points outside of travel partners. American Express still has some great opportunities but they are a bit limited depending on the type of cards you have.

Transfer partners

When it comes to determining the better or more valuable transfer partners this really comes down to personal preference and or geographic location for a lot of people.

Personal preference will affect things like your preference for certain types of airlines, patience for dealing with booking procedures, etc.

Some people don’t mind missing out on super lucrative sweet spots because they find the booking process too time-consuming or difficult.

Geographic location often means considering your nearby airline hubs or proximity to desired destinations (e.g., East Coast to Europe, West Coast to Hawaii, etc.).

For example, if you live in Houston, Chase offers one to one transfer opportunities to both United and Southwest — two airlines that have a huge presence in Houston.

That makes is really convenient to use your points and for that reason, it makes a lot of sense to accumulate Ultimate Rewards for your travels.

Before jumping into who has the stronger partners it’s worth pointing out that both of these programs have a number of overlapping partners.

Not only that but these partners can be phenomenal travel partners with great premium products and experiences.

Here are the transfer partners that belong to both American Express and Chase:

Note: All Chase partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio but that is not the case with Amex.

  • Air Canada Aeroplan (coming to Chase late 2021)
  • Air France/KLM flying blue
  • Emirates
  • JetBlue (Amex ratio 2.5:2)
  • British Airways
  • Aer Lingus
  • Iberia
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Marriott Bonvoy

That is a lot of overlap and so it is pretty easy to build a large balance with these programs since you can optimize earnings across multiple cards with both both American Express and Chase.

Citibank and Capital One also partner with some of these as well.

Now let’s look at the unique travel partners of Chase:

  • Southwest
  • United Airlines
  • Hyatt
  • IHG

Being able to transfer to Southwest and United Airlines is definitely a major advantage for Chase especially if you live near airports that service those airlines heavily.

One area where Chase definitely shines with transfer partners is when it comes to hotel stays.

It’s extremely hard to beat the value that Hyatt offers when compared to other hotel transfer partners like IHG, Hilton, and Marriott.

So if you like to cover your hotel stays with points and still get great value, Ultimate Rewards is going to be a better option for you.

But now let’s take a look to see what unique transfer partners American Express has:

(All ratios are one to one unless indicated otherwise.)

  • Aeromexico (1:1.6)
  • Alitalia
  • ANA
  • Avianca
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Delta
  • El Al (50:1)
  • Etihad
  • Hawaiian
  • Qantas
  • Hilton (1:2)
  • Choice Privileges (1:1)

American Express obviously has a much longer list of travel partners. But it is not just about the quantity — it’s more about quality.

I think American Express has an advantage with the following partners: ANA, Avianca, Etihad, and Cathay Pacific.

So if you are someone really interested in transferring out your points to partners American Express likely offers more opportunities but once again it all comes down to your preference and geography.

Some people might find these exclusive Amex travel partners more difficult to optimize which may turn them away from Amex.

One final advantage with transferring your points that American Express offers is that you can keep the ability to transfer your points to travel partners if you hold the Amex EveryDay Card.

This is significant because this is a no annual fee credit card which means that you don’t have to pay any fees to keep your points and transfer potential alive.

Meanwhile, with Chase you will have to pay an annual fee of at least $95 in order to keep the ability to transfer your points to travel partners.

Related: Amex Membership Rewards Expiration Policy Guide

Transferring options

A lot of times you may need to transfer your points to somebody else in order to make your travel booking. So knowing how that transfer process works is vital for optimizing your rewards.

Chase allows you to combine points with other members of your household.

So for example I can transfer my Ultimate Rewards to my husband because we live in the same household and then he can transfer them to his frequent flyer or hotel accounts

This is a great benefit if one of your household members has a premium card that allows for higher redemptions in the Chase Travel Portal.

American Express does not allow you to combine Membership Rewards between multiple people. Instead, they only allow you to transfer your points to the loyalty programs for authorized users of your cards.

So Chase offers better flexibility when it comes to combining your points.

If you share the same household with someone you don’t have to bother with adding them as an authorized user in order to get points to their account and/or loyalty programs.

Therefore Chase gets a nice bump here.

Final word

Overall, both of these programs have their advantages and disadvantages.

Chase allows you to have better overall redemption possibilities (cash back, travel portal), better earning potential (with lower fees), and they allow you to transfer points efficiently between members.

American Express has better opportunities to earn points with welcome bonuses and they also have a better list of travel partners especially if you are geared more towards airline redemptions.

Best Hilton Free Weekend Night Certificate Uses and How to Redeem [2021]

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

Out of all the free night certificates out there, the Hilton free weekend night certificate is by far the best. It’s valuable in terms of being uncapped with restrictions that aren’t too inconvenient compared to other capped free night certificates.

Imagine a free weekend night certificate usable for a property that costs $2,000 a night.

In this article, I will talk about the Hilton free weekend night certificate, how to obtain it, how cancellation works, and where the best places to use the free weekend night certificate are found.

Hilton free weekend night certificate

The Hilton free weekend night certificate is a complimentary night at almost any Hilton property in the world but redeemable only on weekend nights. Weekend nights are defined by Hilton as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The great thing about the certificate is how it isn’t capped at a point value. So, you could redeem the certificate at a property that is worth 5,000 Hilton points or 120,000 Hilton points a night.

However, there are some properties that aren’t redeemable using the certificate: all-inclusive properties, vacation clubs, Hampton Inns in China, and a few other properties. You can see the small list of properties here. (In the scope of things, the list is so small that it shouldn’t limit your search for a property.)

Some of the properties you can redeem your free weekend night certificate could cost up to $2,000. This makes the certificate super valuable in that it has no cap for its value.

It’s actually one of the few free night certificates that is super flexible in regard of the property it can be redeemed for, especially when you compare it with IHG or Marriott free night certificates.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How to get a Hilton free weekend night certificate

There are three cards that offer the Hilton free weekend night certificate automatically each year or by hitting the spend requirement.

One of the cards automatically gives you the free weekend night certificate upon opening the account and on account anniversary every year. While the other two of the cards require you to hit a spend requirement to obtain the free weekend night certificate.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Aspire Bonus
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
  • One weekend night at any hotel or resort in the Hilton portfolio (upon opening the account and on account anniversary every year)
  • Weekend night after spending $60,000 on the card within a calendar year
  • $250 airline incidental fee statement credit
  • $250 Hilton resort statement credit
  • $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
  • Unlimited Priority Pass membership
  • 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
  • 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants
  • 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases
  • $450 Annual Fee

The Hilton Aspire credit card gives you one free weekend night every year, at the time of application signup and every anniversary year as long as you have the card open. Then, if you spend $60,000 in one calendar year, you get another free weekend night certificate. 

The card also comes with many other benefits like Hilton Diamond status. Diamond status is Hilton’s best elite status which offers upgrades up to suites, executive lounge access, free breakfast, late check-out, and 100% bonus points on paid stays.

This card is not only handing out elite status and a free weekend night certificate, but it’s also handing out an uncapped $250 resort credit, $250 airline incidental credit, and Priority Pass membership. This is why it’s one of the top hotel credit cards in my opinion.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass

  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Spend $40,000 on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status
  • Free Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year
  • 10 Priority Pass lounge passes a calendar year
  • 12X at hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
  • 6X at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
  • 3X on all other eligible purchases
  • $95 annual fee

If you think you aren’t going to use those airline credits, resort credits, and Hilton Diamond status that is given to you by the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, then the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass is the second best Hilton card out there. (Full review here.) 

You have the ability to gain one free weekend night when you spend $15,000 on the card in one calendar year.  Also, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass comes with Hilton Gold status and those benefits include free breakfast, room upgrades, free wifi, late check-out, and free bottle of water.

The card also comes with 10 Priority Pass lounge passes a year. These lounge passes can be used at any Priority Pass lounge in the world for anyone, even if you aren’t traveling. 

If you wish for a business card, Hilton does offer a business card called the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Most of the benefits are the same as the Surpass card, but it’s a great card if you want to watch your 5/24 status.

How to redeem a free weekend night certificate

It’s very easy to redeem your Hilton free weekend night certificate. You will first get an email from Hilton containing your certificate ID named “reward ID”.

Once you have your ID number, all you have to do is call Hilton customer service saying you want to redeem your Hilton free weekend night. The agent will then ask for the ID number. If you forgot your rewards ID number, the agent can manually check your Hilton Honors account for any linked weekend night certificates.

Then you go through the reservation process with the customer service agent. It takes no more than 10 minutes for the reservation to be booked and confirmed. Once the reservation is booked and confirmed, you will get a confirmation email and the reservation will also show in your Hilton Honors account online and in the app.

When does the free weekend night certificate expire?

The Hilton free weekend night certificate expires one year after it is issued. I should also note that the free weekend night must be redeemed for a stay before the expiration of the certificate. That means, you can only redeem for nights before the expiration date and cannot redeem for nights after the expiration date. 

Coronavirus extension: All 2021-issued Free Weekend Night Reward certificates can be used any night of the week and expiration will be extended to December 31, 2022. 

What is the cancellation policy for the free weekend night?

The Hilton free weekend night certificate cancellation policy will differ at every property. Some properties will allow free cancellations up to a couple of days before check-in and some might allow free cancellations the same day, but if you want to check the cancellation policy of the property, it’s easy.

To check the cancellation policy for a Hilton property, you can ask the Hilton customer service representative the cancellation policy for the property you want to redeem for. Or, you can check the property’s cancellation policy by doing a test booking using points. When doing the test booking, it will show the cancellation policy of the property without even booking the property.

Best Hilton hotels and resorts for using your free weekend night certificate

Below are some of the best Hilton properties to use your free weekend night certificate. As you can see, some cost a good amount of cash or points, so you can save a huge amount when using your certificate!

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Location: South Male Atoll, Maldives
Average price: $1916 USD
Points cost: 120,000+
Opening: 2019
Number of rooms: 122
Hotel website

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi aerial view

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is the newest Waldorf property that opened up in July 2019. It offers beach and overwaters villas, 11 restaurants, a private island, and an in-house reef. For the younger ones, there is a discovery park that allows kids to enjoy a safe play area.

This resort makes for a great use for the Hilton free weekend night certificate with a combination of points for a long six-night stay. Five nights would be on points, 5th night would be free, while the 6th night would be the free night certificate redemption. That means, the 6th night would save you 120,000 points or about $2000.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi guest room

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Location: Southern Ari Atoll, Maldives
Average price: $711 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 1997
Number of rooms: 151
Hotel website

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underwater restaurant Ithaa

If Waldorf isn’t your style and prefer Conrad, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is still a great choice. While the resort is now 23 years old, it has undergone multiple renovations and new additions to the property since its opening. 

The most famous aspect to the resort is its underwater restaurant at Ithaa. No matter if you have a beach villa or a overwater villa, both will provide a spectacular experience with less pricey dining and activity expenses than the Waldorf. 

Plus, when you use the certificate or points at the Conrad Maldives, you can actually select overwater or beach villa. That means you can have an overwater villa without paying extra.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island aerial

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Location: Bora Bora, French Polynesia 
Average price: $512 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2017
Number of rooms: 114
Hotel website

Conrad Bora Bora Nui aerial

Bora Bora vs Maldives — some will prefer the Maldives while others will prefer Bora Bora. In reality, both are very different in terms of the experience you have. Bora Bora is known to have beautiful landscapes with many activities on the islands and spectacular views of the volcano and lagoons. Plus, you can easily walk around the island seeing things off the resort grounds, unlike the Maldives you are trapped at the resort unless you pay an expensive private transfer. 

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is well worth it. The islands of French Polynesia are spectacular and Bora Bora is claimed to be the best destination in French Polynesia. The resort is only three years old with 114 rooms, making it still fresh enough for a visit and intimate enough unlike other bigger resorts. The price is normally above $500 making it a great place to redeem your free weekend night certificate. 

Conrad Bora Bora Nui overwater villa

Conrad Koh Samui

Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Average price: $589 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2011
Number of rooms: 81
Hotel website

Conrad Koh Samui

The beautiful Koh Samui shouldn’t be missed if you visit Thailand. Koh Samui is a perfect destination to use your free weekend night certificate as the price is high at many properties in Koh Samui. Luckily, the Conrad Koh Samui is an intimate 81 room resort in Koh Samui with breathtaking views throughout the resort. The beaches in Koh Samui are spectacular.

Plus, all the rooms here are villas. So, your certificate here can get the base room which is a villa with your own private plunge pool.

Conrad Koh Samui

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Location: Los Angeles, California
Average price: $744 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2017
Number of rooms: 170
Hotel website

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a great city hotel in upscale Beverly Hills. Offering rooftop pool, paid private cabanas, and a free neighborhood ride in their Rolls-Royce house car. Yes, you heard that right, a free ride in a Rolls-Royce to or from destinations in the neighborhood.

Inside the hotel, you will find Michelin Starred dining, which is famed for its quality and taste. The rooms are also top quality rooms that offers many luxury amenities that would you would see in the movies. All these reasons makes this a special property for redeeming your free weekend night certificate.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Waldorf Astoria Park City

Location: Park City, Utah
Average price: $545 USD
Points cost: 80,000
Opening: 2009
Number of rooms: 160
Hotel website

Waldorf Astoria Park City

If you love to ski or snowboard during the winter or enjoy a nice camp fire in Park City during the summer, the Waldorf Astoria Park City won’t disappoint. It underwent renovations in 2019 making 2020 a good time to stay since the refresh. 

The property is on the pricey side, but using the certificate will go along way because of the amount of money you can save by redeeming for this property, even in the low season.

Waldorf Astoria Park City

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Average price: $760 USD
Points cost: 120,000
Opening: 2019
Number of rooms: 115
Hotel website

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Hilton has been opening up Waldorf Astoria properties left and right. One of their newest properties is the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabo Pedregal. It’s the second Hilton property that is 120,000 points per night. On top of that, the price per night is high. That means, this is a great property to use your free weekend night certificate as you can save the points for an extra night or other property of your choosing to get max value. 

As the property is so new, you will enjoy the modern rooms and enthusiastic staff that is willing to go the extra mile. Plus, being in Los Cabo, you can enjoy whale watching from your hotel or via approved tours. When I return to Los Cabos, I would love to try out this beautiful intimate 115 room property. 

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Average price: $680 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2014
Number of rooms: 93
Hotel website

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Another fan favorite is the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. It’s an intimate 93 room property that is located in Amsterdam’s famous Dutch buildings. It almost blends into all the other buildings with very little to distinguish it, a design quality that I love. 

Being rated the second best hotel on TripAdvisor in Amsterdam, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam shouldn’t be missed. If you have an opportunity to stay here, you will get great value redeeming your your free weekend night certificate.  

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

Conrad Tokyo

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Average price: $497 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2005
Number of rooms: 290
Hotel website

Conrad Tokyo

The only property that has a club lounge on this list is the Conrad Tokyo. The Conrad Tokyo is loved by many because of the modern Japanese inspired rooms that are beautiful and well maintained. The club lounge offers a great selection of drinks and canapes to please anyone to get your night started off on the right foot, before heading out to clubs or late night dining at midnight diners.  

The property has spectacular views of the bay and the neighboring park. It’s super close to many metro lines making it easy to get around or even to go to the airports. If you are interested in visiting Tokyo, I highly recommend you read my guide here. 

Conrad Tokyo

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Location: Glacis, Seychelles
Average price: $496 USD
Points cost: 95,000
Opening: 2015
Number of rooms: 40
Hotel website

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

The all-villa Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is a one of a kind resort located in the beautiful Seychelles. It’s an all-villa property, making it great for redeeming points and your free weekend night certificate. It’s one of the few properties that has an age requirement, you must be 13 years or older to stay. It’s also really intimate with 40 villas. Having only 40 villas makes the property feel less like a factory resort and more like a boutique resort. 

Seychelles is one of the few less touristy islands in the world that offers luxury accommodation. I would highly recommend making your way to Seychelles, it shouldn’t be missed if you love a secluded island life while not being trapped at the resort. 

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Final word

I hope you got some inspiration from this article for using your Hilton free weekend night certificate. If you end up visiting one of these properties, drop a comment down below telling us about your experience! 

When Should I Buy Hilton Points? (80% or 100% Bonus) [2021]

When should I buy Hilton points is a common question I see. It usually comes up when Hilton offers 80% or 100% bonuses on Hilton points and people are tempted to not miss out on a “deal.” For the most part you don’t need to feel pressure to jump on these deals but this article will walk you through when you might want to buy Hilton Honors points.

Update: Some offers are no longer available — click here for the latest deals!

Where can I buy Hilton points?

You can buy Hilton points from the official Hilton website or via written request, phone or e-mail to Hilton Reservations and Customer Care.

For online purchases, you’ll need to log-in and then you’ll see a drop down window for selecting the amount of points to purchase. If there is a special promotion going on, you should see that bonus rate in the drop down menu.

Buy Hilton Points

How many Hilton points can I buy?

According to the official Hilton Honors terms and conditions, Hilton allows you to purchase up to 80,000 points per calendar year and the points must be purchased in 1,000 point increments.

These 80,000 points do not include the additional bonus points you’re given with promotional offers. So if there’s a 100% bonus for buying 80,000 points, you can receive a total of 160,000 Hilton points from your purchase.

Also, Hilton might raise this 80,000 point cap, such as when they offer Daily Getaway packages that don’t count against that limit.

Keep in mind that you can pool your points with others so you can get around this limitation very easily by having others purchase points and just pool them with you.

When you purchase points, they should instantly show up in your Hilton account.

It’s also worth noting that new members have restrictions on purchasing points.

New members may purchase points 30 days after enrollment if the account reflects activity including a stay or earning Hilton Honors Points through a Hilton Hilton Honors Marketing Partner. After 90 days of enrollment, a new Member can purchase points regardless of their account activity.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How much do Hilton points cost?

The cost of Hilton points will vary based on whether or not there’s an ongoing promotion.

Typically, you can purchase Hilton points at a standard rate of 1 cent per point but with promotional offers these rates vary from about .5 to .6 cent per point. 

Keep in mind the value of Hilton points is usually around .5 cent per point.

Hilton Aspire Card
Hilton Cabana Miami Beach.

When should I buy Hilton points?

Like most situations, you generally don’t want to purchase points unless you need to top-off your points for a specific redemption or there is a fantastic promotion going on. And even when there’s a promotion going on, you still want to have redemption plans.

Hilton point promotions

Hilton constantly runs promotions on purchased points throughout the year. So unless you have to receive your points ASAP, you should consider holding off until there is a promotion.

I regularly see Hilton promotions for 80% or 100% bonuses throughout the year so you should try to time your purchases with those promos if possible. With a 100% bonus, you’ll likely be purchasing points for about .5 cents per point which isn’t bad in many cases.

Know how much Hilton points are worth

You need to have a good sense of how much you value Hilton Honors points so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to decide if you want to purchase.

Many people value Hilton Honors points at around .4 cents per point. But if you use your Hilton points for more upscale properties like the Conrad, Waldorf, Curio, etc., you’ll find that the average value is closer to .5 or .6 cents per point.

I personally don’t like to purchase points unless I’m paying for about the same or better value that I’m using points for and have a plan to use them. For example, if I purchase Hilton points for .5 cents per point and then plan to use those points at a property where I’m getting .6 or .7 cents per point in value then I’m generally a happy camper.

Topping off balances

When you need to top off your Hilton points balance it could make a lot of sense to purchase points even when the purchase rate is not ideal. For example, if you only needed 10,000 points to complete a booking for a 5 night stay and you’re paying 1 cent per point for those 10,000 points, that purchase rate is bad but it’s like paying $100 to cover your award stay and get the 5th night free so it would often be worth it in that case.

The cents per point value on the purchase is not always the deciding factor when purchasing points. Sometimes it comes down to the practical need for those points.

Of course, the alternative to purchasing points is also transferring points to Hilton. Amex recently improved the transfer ratio for Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors to 2:1. This is still not a great transfer ratio in most cases and I’d only recommend when getting decent value from topping off an account.

How long does it take to transfer points to Hilton?

The transfer time to Hilton should be instant from American Express Membership Rewards.

The Hilton Auckland.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Buying points for redemptions

If you’re thinking about staying at a top Hilton property, it can sometimes make sense to purchase points to cover 100% of that stay due to the fact that you’ll be receiving outsized value from your points.

For example, take a look at the below cost to stay at the Hilton Conrad for one night during peak season. It’s $3,283 per night for a water villa but that can be booked with 95,000 Hilton Honors points.

Conrad Maldives prices for a water villa in January.
Conrad Maldives prices for a water villa in January.

Let’s say you wanted to cover a 5 night stay at the Conrad Maldives. You would need 380,000 points which could be purchased with three people pooling accounts. If you could purchase those for .5 cents per point, you’d be paying $1,900 for a 5 night stay that would normally cost over $16,000. 

So in some instances, it actually could make sense to purchase all of the points needed for a hotel stay when the hotel cash price is high and there’s a good promo on purchased points.

The Conrad Maldives underwater restaurant.

Final word

You generally don’t want buy Hilton points unless you have a specific redemption in mind that you need to top off points for or there is a promo going on for purchased points that allows you to maximize value on those purchased points. These promos come around all the time so if you can be patient and wait for the right time to jump on one of these deals.

Southwest Shopping Portal: Maximize Earnings (Shopping Button) [2021]

The Southwest shopping portal is one of the best ways to rack up Southwest Rapid Rewards. In fact, at certain times, you could earn up to 20 Southwest Rapid Rewards for every per dollar you spend through the portal! But there are a few things that you should know about the portal to make sure that you’re maximizing your earnings and not missing out on any points.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about earning Southwest Rapid Rewards when shopping through the portal, including things like special bonuses and using the shopping button.

What is the Southwest shopping portal?

The Southwest shopping portal is an online portal that allows you to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards when you make online purchases of all sorts.

There are over 800 stores to choose from, and here are only a few examples:

  • Macy’s
  • WalMart
  • Sam’s Club
  • Apple
  • Samsung
  • Nike
  • Under Armour
  • Neiman Marcus
  • Kohl’s
  • Walgreens
  • Staples
  • And many, many more…

You simply log-in to the portal, click through to your relevant store on the portal, and then check out as you usually would. You’re able to shop for the same products and the same prices as you normally would, but the only difference is that you’ll earn bonus Rapid Rewards from your purchase.

The amount earned depends on the rate (discussed more below), but this is an easy way to build up those Rapid Rewards in a hurry.

How do you sign-up for the Southwest shopping portal?

You’ll need a valid Rapid Rewards account number to shop and earn Rapid Rewards points with Rapid Rewards Shopping.

You can click here to enroll in the Rapid Rewards Program.

Make sure you know your Rapid Rewards account number so that you’ll be able to log-in.

How do you use the shopping portal?

Once you have a Rapid Rewards account, simply sign in to the portal. Then, you will have different options for browsing through the stores and different offers. Below is a breakdown of the different types of ways you can use the portal to find deals.

Top Stores

On the front page, you should see “Top Stores” which are some of the top-earning stores at the moment. These will change with the trend and bonuses being offered.

You’ll also see “Featured Offers” which are a number of offers that, in addition to points, will grant you discounts like an extra 20% off, free shipping, etc.

These could save you real money while also earning you points. Some will be in the form of a promo codes, so take note of these offers before leaving the Southwest portal.

Last minute deals

You can also search by last minute deals. Some of these will be expiring on the same day so you might have to act very quickly to take it advantage of them.

Search by categories

You can also use the toolbar to search the stores by category.

Some of the categories include:

  • Apparel and accessories
  • Babies, kids and toys
  • Beauty and Health
  • Books, music, and movies
  • Computers and electronics
  • Department stores
  • Entertainment
  • Flowers, foods, and gifts
  • Home, garden, and auto
  • Office and school
  • And others

The great thing about these shopping portals is that you can find just about anything you’d need, so you rarely have to ever go out of your way to earn points.

Click on the retailer

Once you’ve located your store you want to shop at, then you simply click on the button to take you to the store.

You should see a screen notifying you that you’re being taken to the online retailer. You can disable this screen but I like to keep it active since it allows me to confirm the earning rate at that store and also gives me a little added assurance that the portal is working properly.

Southwest Shopping Portal

Make sure that you’re aware that you won’t earn points for shopping in-store at these retailers. You must utilize the online shopping portal in order to earn the points.

The Rapid Rewards Shopping Button

If you have Google Chrome, then you can activate the Rapid Rewards Shopping Button, which will allow you to instantly activate point earnings at some stores. It will enable you to see what the current earning rates are for the website store you’re on.

I highly recommend the Button for those serious about earning Rapid Rewards.

Do take note that this is a browser extension. Sometimes those can cause privacy and/or functionality concerns for some people, so that’s something to consider.

Preparing to use the portal

Before you access the shopping portal, there are a few things you should consider doing to decrease the odds of your purchase not tracking properly.

Clear your shopping cart

If you’ve already been browsing online with the merchant and dropping items into your shopping cart here and there, you might want to remove those items first. (After you click through the portal and get back on the merchant’s website, you can add those items again.)

Turn ad blockers off

Make sure your ad blocker is off before you access the Southwest shopping portal. This could prevent necessary pop-ups and cookies from being used to track your purchase.

Enable cookies and javascript

Make sure you have enabled cookies and javascript. Some people also like to clear their cookies before they access the portal, but you could also just use an incognito browser to do the trick.

Also, you might want to disable your browser toolbars so that they don’t interfere with your tracking.

Other coupon codes don’t work

If you received coupon codes from different sources and you use them with your purchase, you will most likely forfeit your Rapid Rewards earnings. So, only use those other coupons if it’s a better deal.

How many points do you earn with the Southwest shopping portal?

The number of points that you’ll earn for your shopping will depend on the current rate being offered. These earning rates often fluctuate depending on the season and whether or not special promos and deals are being offered.

For example, right now in December 2019, there’s a “Holiday Shopping” promo. You can see the increased earning rates below:

Note that you won’t earn points on taxes, special handling charges, returns, freight, or shipping costs.

Comparing the best rates

Something that you should always do is compare Southwest earning rates to other online shopping portals for each particular store you want to shop at.

My number one website for doing this is Cash Back Monitor. Simply go that website and enter the online store you’re planning on shopping at, and you’ll be able to see the rates offered for various portals, as shown below.

If you have a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards, then be sure to consider going through the Chase shopping portal just in case the earnings are better since you can always transfer your Ultimate Rewards to Southwest.

Sign-up bonuses & spend bonuses

Before you sign-up for the shopping portal, you might want to hold off until a lucrative sign-up offer rolls around.

At various times in the year, Southwest will offer special spending incentives targeted at new members, so sometimes it’s a good idea to hold off until one of those come around.

If you miss out on such an offer, don’t worry, other spending incentives will come back around usually for back-to-school, Christmas, and other times of the year.

For example, one of the previous bonuses offered the following tiered bonus.

  • Spend $150 earn 500 bonus miles
  • Spend $500 earn 1,000 bonus miles
  • Spend $1,000 earn 3,000 bonus miles

Get notifications

The Rapid Rewards portal allows you to sign-up to receive emails when your favorite stores offer extra points. This is an easy way to save you time and allow you to maximize your Rapid Rewards earnings.

One of the easiest ways to favorite your stores is to go to this link and then find a group of stores you are interested in like department stores and select “favorite all.” Just make sure that you have activated alerts in order to receive the notifications.

The Southwest Companion Pass

Points earned from the Southwest shopping portal count towards the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a partner to fly for free with you for up to two calendar years!

This is excellent news because so many people find themselves only a few hundred points short of the Companion Pass.

However, it’s worth noting that the points earned through special spending offers don’t typically count towards the Companion Pass. 

When do the Southwest miles show up?

Rapid Rewards points will typically be posted to your account within six to eight weeks from the purchase date. 

Be sure to track your purchases and follow up if your points have been delivered or not. It’s always a great idea to keep track of details like the purchase date, purchase amount, order number, etc., so that if and when anything goes wrong, you are ready to handle it.

If you click on “My Account” on the shopping portal’s homepage, you’ll be able to view for your prior store visits and transactions so you can always check that your clicks are tracking properly.

If the points don’t show up, then use the automated customer service tools located in the Contact Us section of their website.

Keep Southwest miles from expiring

One of the best uses for the shopping portal is that it’s a great way to keep your Southwest points from expiring. Simply make a purchase and wait for your points to hit, and the clock should be reset for an additional 24 months.

Can I redeem Rapid Rewards for shopping?

No, Rapid Rewards points can only be redeemed at southwest.com for flights; you can’t redeem your Rapid Rewards for shopping through the portal.

Is there a limit to the points earned?

No, there is no limit to the number of Rapid Rewards that you can earn through the shopping portal.

The Southwest Dining portal

Don’t forget that Southwest also has the Dining portal where you can earn additional points at local restaurants. You absolutely want to take advantage of that portal too, if you’re trying to maximize your point earnings.

Additional tips for Southwest

If you’re looking for more tips on flying Southwest then I recommend you read my article here.

Final word

The Southwest shopping portal is a great way for anybody who likes flying on Southwest to earn extra Rapid Rewards. It can also be very useful in earning the Southwest Companion Pass or resetting the clock on your points’ expiration. With the new Google Chrome extension, it’s also more accessible than ever to utilize the portal and compare earnings between online merchants.

17 Best Luxury Marriott Bonvoy Properties for 50,000 points

There are lots of great Marriott Bonvoy properties that will only cost you 50,000 points per night at their standard rate. In this article, we focus on some of the best luxury properties that you can get for 50,000 points per night. These properties are located all around the US and have a wide variety of amenities and other features to offer.

The Amex Marriott Brilliant intro

One of the easiest ways to get a free night for a 50,000 point property is to get approved for the Amex Marriott Brilliant. Every year, you will be given a free anniversary night that can be used on Marriott properties costing up to 50,000 points/night.

In addition, you’ll also be giving elite status, $400 worth of credits, and some pretty good bonus point earning potential. Here’s a look at what the card offers:

  • 6X Bonvoy points on Marriott
  • 3X at U.S. restaurants
  • 3X on flights booked directly with airlines
  • 2X Bonvoy points on all other purchases
  • Marriott Gold status
  • Free night award
  • $300 credit
  • $100 property credit
  • $450 annual fee

If you want to go with a Marriott card that has a lower annual fee you may consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, which comes with the following perks:

  • 6X Bonvoy points on Marriott
  • 2X Bonvoy points on all other purchases
  • Annual Free Night Award
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status
  • Get Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year
  • $95 annual fee

Related: Top Hotel Credit Cards for Optimal Rewards

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Marriott Bonvoy award chart

As of August 2020, all of the properties below fall into the category six classification which means that the standard rate is 50,000 points per night. But Marriott also has off peak and peak pricing which can change the price so you can take a look at the award chart below to see your redemption possibilities.

CategoryOff PeakStandardPeak
15,0007,50010,000
210,00012,50015,000
315,00017,50020,000
420,00025,00030,000
530,00035,00040,000
640,00050,00060,000
750,00060,00070,000
870,00085,000100,000
Marriott’s award chart.

You might also be interested in other Marriott Bonvoy redemption possibilities like the following:

17 Best Marriott Properties for 50,000 points

1. W Bellevue

Location: Bellevue, WA

If you ever find yourself in Bellevue, WA, whether for vacation or business, look no further than the W Bellevue for the perfect stay. Located in the Pacific Northwest’s tech playground, the hotel pays homage to its lakeside culture with cabin-like architecture, yet boasts a “thoughtfully reimagined traditional décor.”

The W Bellevue is ideally located with no shortage of activities nearby. From SoulCycle and Orangetheory classes to water sports and activities, travelers will have the ability to stay fit and active during their stay. If staying active isn’t your cup of tea while on vacation, look no further than the local spas which combine rest and relaxation with luxe amenities.

2. W Hollywood

Location: Los Angeles, California (Hollywood)

The W Hollywood is located in the middle of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is quintessentially “Hollywood” from the high rise ceilings to the swanky interior. The W Hollywood offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle on the streets. However, when you’re ready to take on the crowds, this hotel is central to a plethora of landmarks such as the famous Capitol Records building, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, and the Magic Castle.

The W Hollywood offers modern vibes. With bold and colorful interiors and the famous rooftop pool and bar, this hotel takes trendy to a whole new level. Tasty dining options and a pool and bar on the property allow guests to enjoy their stay without ever leaving the hotel. Or, for those who want some adventure, a genuine Hollywood experience is just a step outside.

3. JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE

Location: Los Angeles, CA

The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE is perfectly located in the middle of Downtown Los Angeles. It’s blend of high end comfort mixed with trendy vibes embodies what it means to experience Downtown Los Angeles. The hotel shares space with The Ritz Carlton Hotel and The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. Live.

Whether you are a business traveler, or on vacation, the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE offers everything you need for the perfect stay. From a state of the art gym and staffed business center to the trendy lobby bar and top of the line dining options, guests can’t go wrong with their stay at this hotel.

Guests staying at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE have a plethora of entertainment options at the tips of their fingers. From sporting events and concerts at the Staples Center to every kind of cuisine imaginable, Downtown LA offers no shortage of enriching experiences.

Related: Which Hotel Credit Card Has the Best Free Night Certificate?

4. THE US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Location: San Diego, California

THE US GRANT is a historic five-star destination in the heart of downtown San Diego. Built by Ulysses S. Grant, Jr., son of President Ulysses S. Grant, who named the hotel after his father. Opulent, sophisticated, and luxurious are just a few of the words previous travelers have used to describe the hotel.

THE US GRANT is home to a quality fitness center, relaxing spa, and large venue for conferences and meetings. Whether on vacation or traveling for business, there is no shortage of restaurants just steps outside of the hotel. If you’re tired from exploring beautiful San Diego all day, there is no need to leave the hotel. Be sure to check out the hotel’s signature restaurant: the Grant Grill, which opened back in 1952. 

5. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Location: Marana, AZ

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is nothing short of a dream. From the secluded swimming pool with lounge chairs and private cabanas to 27 championship holes of golf, vacationers cannot go wrong at this resort.

Whether guests are looking to stay active with 26 miles of scenic hiking trails or relax and decompress at the holistic and natural spa, they will feel like they just awoke from a dream by the time they depart. Live music and desert surroundings help to elevate every meal and leave guests feeling nothing short of satisfied.

In addition to a beautiful resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain provides guests with no shortage of activities. The surroundings are rich in Native American culture for guests to explore. Hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, jeep tours, and nighttime cookouts are only a few of the many activities available for guests to choose from during their stay.

6. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Location: Phoenix, AZ

If you are looking for a property that combines luxury and elegance with warmth and comfort, look no further than JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. This family-friendly resort offers everything from championship golf, five pools, a lazy river, and top of the line dining.

This resort is perfect for business and vacation travelers alike. A large number of pools ensure no one pool is ever too crowded, and close proximity to local restaurants gives travelers the option of dining on the property or trying out the local cuisine.

The Kids Club offers parents a way to keep their children entertained throughout their stay. Travelers can visit Cave Creek, which fully embraces the Western lifestyle, or Kierland Commons, an upscale and outdoor center with access to art, food, and shopping.

7. JW Marriott Austin

Location: Austin, TX

Austin, TX is a city full of life and the JW Marriott Austin puts you right in the middle of all the action. Situated right in the middle of downtown, the JW Marriott Austin is in walking distance to a number of shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

From the stunning and historic State Capitol building to entertainment on 2nd street and nightlife on 6th street, there is no lack of adventure to be had in Austin. The JW Marriott Austin offers the perfect home base for those looking to explore the city.

In addition, when guests are too tired to take advantage of all the entertainment Downtown Austin offers, the JW Marriott Austin provides the perfect relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. The luxurious hotel offers an urban resort for those looking to experience quintessential Austin, TX.

8. The St. Regis Houston

Location: Houston, TX

If you find yourself traveling to Houston and looking for a luxurious stay, look no further than The St. Regis Houston. While not the most impressive hotel in terms of stunning architecture, the service is second to none.

Large guest rooms, complimentary fitness classes, and a tranquil spa keep guests feeling refreshed in the middle of energetic Houston. The St. Regis Houston is conveniently located next to multiple golf clubs. In addition, guests can enjoy hiking trails, horseback riding, kayaking, and sailing a short drive away.

The St. Regis Hotel also caters to children and families. From the waterpark Typhoon Texas to the Houston Museum of Natural History, there is no shortage of activities for parents and their children. The St. Regis offers nothing short of an exceptional stay for business and vacation travelers alike.

Chocolate cake with mint and raspberry garnish at The St. Regis Houston.
Free room service at the St. Regis.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

9. JW Marriott New Orleans

Location: New Orleans, LA

Formerly the Le Meridien New Orleans, the JW Marriott New Orleans is located in the heart of New Orleans. This puts it within walking distance of major attractions like the French Quarter. Cast-iron balconies, jazz clubs on Bourbon Street, and Cajun food galore are just a short walk from the hotel.

The JW Marriott New Orleans provides guests with unparalleled service, upscale amenities, and modern luxury with a historic twist. From the saltwater rooftop pool to the bustling lobby lounge, there is almost no need to ever leave the property.

However, for those who are looking to explore New Orleans, there is no better place to stay. Removed enough from the action for a good nights sleep, yet close enough to walk home, guests cannot go wrong with a stay at the JW Marriott New Orleans.

10. The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

Location: Atlanta, GA

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta boasts old school charm with top of the line service. Conveniently located near the heart of downtown, The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta is the epitome of Southern luxury. Whether you are looking to enjoy leisurely brunches on the property or experience a tasty steakhouse, this hotel offers guests a full experience.

Atlanta perfectly blends the modern world with the charm of the Old South. The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta is ideally situated to allow guests this full experience. From The Center for Civil and Human Rights to the expansive Centennial Olympic Park, there is no shortage of rich history.

Less than two miles away, guests can experience Peachtree Street, home to the Georgia Aquarium and College Football Hall of Fame. If this isn’t enough, exceptional staff at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta are ready to craft full itineraries for guests at their request.

11. JW Marriott Marquis Miami

Location: Miami, FL

The JW Marriott Marquis Miami is located right smack dab in the middle of downtown Miami. If you are looking for the quintessential Miami experience, this is the hotel for you. The JW Marriott Marquis Miami oozes sophistication, luxury, design, art, and fashion all in one place.

This hotel offers guests the ability to experience various museums and beaches by day, and the posh Brickell district by night. Multiple nearby golf courses and a plethora of sightseeing will make any guest want to come back for another stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami.

If guests are looking for rest and relaxation, there is no need to leave the hotel. The fitness center is open 24/7 and the heated outdoor pool overlooks the cityscape and water. A luxurious day at the hotel spa is made better only by a trip to one of the restaurants on the grounds.

12. The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami

Location: Miami, FL

If you find yourself in Miami looking for a luxurious and classic experience, look no further than The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami. The hotel is perfectly situated between the bay and downtown cityscape. Live music at The Commodore Cocktail Club and organic honey from the Florida Keys at the on-site spa make the hotel feel like paradise.

Guests will enjoy balconies overlooking the crisp Miami water. In addition, Brickell Avenue and South Beach are just a short drive away. Between luxury experiences for adults, and the Ritz Kids program, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami is an oasis for families or a romantic getaway. Outstanding service and a stellar location make this hotel an experience to remember.

13. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

Location: St. Louis, MO

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis offers the optimal blend of tradition and modernity. It’s opulent elegance makes this hotel one of the premier destinations in St. Louis.

St. Louis is where historic architecture meets modern restaurants and stores. Located in the middle of affluent Clayton, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis puts guests in the center of all the action. Whether you are traveling with kids or experiencing the city with your significant other, you cannot go wrong at this hotel. The Science Center and City Museum is the perfect educational experience for kids. And, the Anheuser-Busch brewery is the perfect mid-day stop for adults while their kids ride the Clydesdale horses.

After your busy day out, take a second to relax at the Lobby Bar and enjoy live music and a Sushi Bar all from the comfort of the hotel. Don’t forget to stop by the hotel’s spa featuring locally sourced ingredients and a steam and sauna room.

14. The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

The Ballantyne boasts new re-designed rooms, luxurious amenities, and Southern hospitality right in the middle of Charlotte. Guests at the hotel have access to both indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and salon, fitness center, golf courses and tennis courts. Paired with the on-property restaurant, bar, and private dining options, there is almost no need to ever leave the hotel.

However, for guests who are looking to do some exploring while in Charlotte, The Ballantyne offers bike rentals and a complimentary shuttle to take guests to nearby restaurants and entertainment options. Don’t forget to explore Ballantyne Village, complete with an independent film theater, shopping, and dining options.

15. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester Converted to The Opus, Westchester (Now category 5)

Location: White Plains, NY

Have you ever planned a trip to New York and dreamed of staying somewhere far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city so you can relax, but close enough so you can still enjoy the energy? If so, look no further than The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester.

This hotel is a sanctuary just 30 minutes away from Grand Central Station. Home to one of the country’s largest spas, these 5 star luxury accommodations will leave you feeling like you have just arrived in paradise. Whether you are looking for fine dining or a swim beneath the stars on the property’s rooftop pool, you will find it all without ever leaving The Ritz Carlton New York, Westchester.

Westchester County offers guests the opportunity to view the Rockefeller Estate and the Van Cortland Manner. Bear Mountain State Park is only a short ways away. The surrounding vineyards and breweries are a perfect way to finish up your trip and enjoy the beautiful city. You cannot go wrong with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester.

16. The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL

The Gwen is perfectly situated in the middle of Michigan Avenue, arguably the most famous street in Chicago. Blending the glamour from 1930s Chicago with modern luxury, The Gwen offers guests an unrivaled experience.

Between top of the line service and opulent decor, guests will never want to leave the hotel. However, if you are ready to venture out, The Gwen sits less than a few miles away from all of Chicago’s major landmarks, from Millennium Park and Navy Pier to the Chicago Theater District and Lake Michigan.

Be sure to check out the unique Gwen Luxury Glamping Experience being offered from May 28th to September 30th. Guests will have the ability to experience “urban glamping” including 1,000 square feet of open-air picturesque views of the city. Lavish furnishings like drum side tables and a braided Indian jute rug add to the aesthetic. Guests have access to the two-bedroom Gwen Lux Suite, complete with wet bar, airport transfer, and private welcome bites from the chef. The Gwen holds no reservations when it comes to providing guests with a unique trip of a lifetime.

17. JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

Location: Orlando, FL

The JW Marriott Orlando offers the perfect accommodations for any trip to Florida. Whether you are looking to explore the Orlando area or soak up the Floridian sun, you have come to the right place.

Outdoor activities include a lazy river and an 18-hole golf course. When you’re ready to escape the heat, experience the luxury spa offerings and tasty dining options. The JW Marriott Orlando is the perfect home base for exploring local Orlando landmarks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

The JW Marriott Orlando concierge is always ready to help guests organize transportation to local experiences such as the Kennedy Space Center and the Everglades. Whether you are looking to spend your vacation relaxing or exploring, there is no better resort than the JW Marriott Orlando.

Final word

As you can probably tell by this list, there are a ton of solid luxury properties that you can stay at for only 50,000 points per night. If you get the Marriott Brilliant card, I would suggest looking into some of these properties in order to maximize the value of your annual free night. You could easily walk away with several hundred dollars in value and help offset the high annual fee of that card.

1 2 3 … 9