Award Travel enthusiasts know the thrill of booking a luxurious hotel stay using points. It’s like unlocking a hidden treasure that transforms your travel experiences without the huge price tag, and unlike award flights, where you still are responsible for any taxes and fees, there are some loyalty programs that can make your stay COMPLETELY FREE.

However, not all points redemptions are created equal. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make the most of your points, highlight which programs still charge taxes and resort fees, and provide tips on running award searches effectively.

Understanding Hotel Loyalty Programs

When it comes to redeeming points for hotel stays, different loyalty programs have different rules. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular programs and what you need to know about each:

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is one of the most extensive hotel loyalty programs, offering a wide range of properties from budget-friendly to ultra-luxurious. However, one key point to remember is that Marriott still charges resort fees and taxes on award stays. This can add a significant cost to what you might initially think is a “free” stay. Always check the final cost breakdown before booking to avoid surprises.

Pro Tip: Marriott Bonvoy offers the fifth night free when you redeem points for five consecutive nights. This can be a great way to extend your stay and save points.

Notable Brands: St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels

How to Run an Award Search:

1. Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
2. Enter your destination and travel dates.
3. Select “Use Points/Awards.“
4. Review the available properties and their points requirements.
5. Use the flexible dates option to find the best deals if your dates are flexible.

World of Hyatt

As a World of Hyatt Elite Globalist, I can attest to the value this program offers. Hyatt does not charge resort fees on award stays, which is a significant advantage. This perk alone can save you a lot of money, especially at resort properties where these fees can be quite high. Taxes are typically included in the points redemption as well, making your stay truly free.

Pro Tip: World of Hyatt includes some fantastic all-inclusive resorts under brands like Secrets, Breathless, and Dreams.

How to Run an Award Search:

1. Log in to your World of Hyatt account.
2. Enter your destination and travel dates.
3. Select “Use Points.”
4. Browse the available properties and their points requirements.
5. Use the “Find Dates” feature to check for points availability across a range of dates.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is another popular program, especially for those who frequently travel for business. Hilton typically does not charge resort fees for its elite members on award stays. However, it’s always good to double-check, as there can be exceptions, especially at their resort properties.

Pro Tip: Hilton Honors offers the fifth night free on award stays for its members, but it must be for STANDARD ROOM AWARD STAY ONLY (premium rooms excluded)

Notable Brands: LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria

How to Run an Award Search:

1. Log in to your Hilton Honors account.
2. Enter your destination and travel dates under ‘Where to?’
3. Select “Use Points” under ‘Special Rates’
4. Filter the search results to show only standard rooms to ensure eligibility for the fifth-night free perk.
5. If your desired dates are not fully available, consider splitting your stay across multiple properties to take advantage of the fifth night free at each.

IHG Rewards Club

IHG Rewards Club offers a wide range of hotels and often runs generous promotions. Resort fees and taxes are usually included in the points redemption, but it’s best to confirm this at the time of booking, as policies can vary by property.

Notable Brands: IHG includes some lovely properties under brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn. They are also exclusive partners of Iberostar Beachfront Resorts.

How to Run an Award Search:

1.  Log in to your IHG Rewards Club account.
2.  Enter your destination and travel dates.
3. Select “Reward Nights.” under the ‘Rate Preference’ drop-down
4. Browse the available properties and their points requirements.
5. Use the flexible dates option to find the best deals.

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards has a straightforward loyalty program where you can redeem your points with three simple free night tiers—7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points per bedroom at thousands of properties worldwide, even some upscale resorts. If you have a Wyndham Earner card, you’ll get an additional 10% discount on award redemptions. Keep in mind that some properties may have resort fees and taxes (such as Caesars Entertainment properties), so make sure to review all the details before you confirm your booking.

Pro Tip: Wyndham Rewards often runs promotions where you can earn bonus points or receive discounts on award stays, maximizing the value of your points. Wyndham Rewards also has a relationship with Vacasa, a vacation rental management platform similar to Airbnb. With this partnership, you can use 15,000 points per night per bedroom for Vacasa stays and the 10% redemption discount is still applicable!

Notable Brands: Wyndham Grand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, La Quinta

How to Run an Award Search:

1. Log in to your Wyndham Rewards account.
2. Enter your destination and travel dates.
3. Select “Use Points.”
4. Browse available properties and their points requirements.
5. Check for any additional charges like resort fees and taxes during the booking process.

Booking Vacasa Stays:

To book Vacasa stays using Wyndham Rewards points:

1. Find availability on the Vacasa website.
2. Call 1-800-441-1034 to book your stay using Wyndham Rewards points.
3. Note that terms and conditions apply, including limits on the cost per night; you can make reservations through this program.

My Experience with Vacasa

Last year, I used 67,500 Wyndham points for a 5-night stay at Konua Kai Resort in Maui through Vacasa. This booking was for a one-bedroom condo, which would have cost $2,500 if paid in cash. There was free parking and no resort fees or taxes required for this booking, making it completely FREE!

Choice Privileges (Choice Hotels)

Choice Hotels’ Choice Privileges program offers a range of properties catering to different travel needs, from economy to mid-scale hotels. While Choice Hotels generally includes taxes in award bookings, some properties may charge resort fees. It’s advisable to check the specifics for each hotel before booking.

Notable Brands:  Cambria Hotels, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn,

How to Run an Award Search:

1. Log in to your Choice Privileges account.
2. Enter your destination and travel dates.
3. Select “Use Choice Privileges Points instead” under the ‘Special Rates’ drop-down
4. Explore available properties and their points requirements.
5. Verify if taxes and resort fees apply to your selected hotel.

Running Award Searches Effectively

Knowing how to run award searches effectively is crucial to making the most of your points. Here are some tips to help you find the best deals:

1. Know Thy Transfer partners: Be sure to check out our Award Transfer Partner page to learn which credit card points transfer to these programs. This can help you boost your points balance and enjoy more award stays.
2. Flexibility is Key: Being flexible with your travel dates can open up more availability for award nights. If the hotel’s website or app offers a flexible date option, use it.
3. Use Award Calendars: Many hotel loyalty programs offer award calendars that show you the dates with the lowest points requirements. Take advantage of these tools to plan your stay.
4. Check Multiple Properties: Don’t just settle for the first property you find. Check multiple hotels in the area you’re traveling to, as point requirements can vary significantly.
5. Monitor Promotions: Keep an eye out for promotions that can enhance your redemptions, such as points discounts or free fifth-night offers.
6. Book Early: Award availability can be limited, especially during peak travel times. Booking early increases your chances of snagging the stay you want.
7. Consider Hotel Hopping: If your desired dates are not fully available at one property, consider splitting your stay across multiple properties. This is a great opportunity to experience different resorts or hotels within the same destination and can add one more brand towards a Free Night with WOH Brand Explorer awards.

*Some programs, such as WOH, only allow you to search for one award room at a time. If you are getting an error or it says unavailable, this could be the issue.

Final Thoughts

Using points for hotel stays can be a game-changer, offering you the chance to experience luxury without the high cost. However, understanding the nuances of each loyalty program and running thorough award searches are essential to maximize your points. Keep in mind the extra charges like taxes and resort fees that some programs impose, and always confirm the final cost before booking.

By following these tips and leveraging your points wisely, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying incredible stays around the world. Happy travels!

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Feel free to share your own tips and experiences in the comments below. And if you’re not yet a member of any of these loyalty programs, now is a great time to sign up and start earning points for your future travels.

Happy travels!
Reese J