10 incredible hotels worldwide where you can redeem points in 2024

This collection of articles on credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

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If you’ve ever seen Instagram posts of overwater bungalows or breathtaking hotel rooms with ocean vistas, you might have thought, “That’s out of my budget!” While many top hotels charge $1,000 or more nightly, you can actually access these properties more easily than you think. By utilizing points, you can enjoy stays at these luxury hotels for just a fraction of the price.

While it won’t be completely free due to resort fees and the cost of earning points (like annual fees), with the right rewards programs, you can experience these hotels for the same price as a budget stay. Here are ten fantastic hotels around the globe that you can book using points.

Getting started with travel points and airline miles

Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, Maldives

While there are numerous fantastic Maldives hotels you can book with points, we recommend the Hilton Amingiri for its attractive redemption rate and reliable saver award availability. For only 110,000 Hilton points per night, you can secure a beach villa with a private pool, which usually costs over $1,000 per night. This spacious 1,485 sq ft room accommodates up to three guests and has reasonable boat transfer fees: $300 per adult and $150 for children aged 6-11. This is a great deal, especially when compared to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, which charges over $700 per person for transfers.

You can enjoy up to two complimentary nights at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri using one or more of the following Hilton credit cards:

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 1/8/2025.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of Card Membership. Offer expires 1/8/2025.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card*: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 1/8/2025.

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Calala Island, Nicaragua

Calala Island in Nicaragua is one of the most extraordinary Hyatt hotels you can book with points. This exclusive Caribbean island offers an all-inclusive experience. Award nights can be rare due to the hotel’s limited four rooms, but at 35,000-45,000 points per night, it represents great value, especially since transportation is included. 

Hyatt points are relatively easy to accumulate, thanks to partnerships with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards. Points from these programs transfer at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to quickly boost your balance if you have a card like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Currently, Hyatt offers two co-branded credit cards that can help you earn a total of three nights at Calala Island: 

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Receive 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to 30,000 additional Bonus Points by collecting 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that typically earn 1 Bonus Point, up to $15,000.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening, plus 15,000 more Bonus Points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months. 

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Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE

Nestled in the desert outside Dubai, the Al Maha Resort offers an idyllic setting for both adventure seekers and luxury lovers looking for a bucket list all-inclusive experience. While Marriott no longer publishes an award chart, free nights typically start at 85,000 points. A standard award night includes a luxury suite with a private pool, meals, and two activities. It's a fantastic use of Marriott points, as paid nights often exceed $1,000. You can further reduce your overall cost by booking five consecutive nights, which grants you the fifth night free.

Marriott offers four credit cards with generous sign-up bonuses that you can combine for a multi-night stay at Al Maha:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after making $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to 14X total points for every $1 spent at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

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Hotel Indigo Galápagos, San Cristobal, Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are renowned for their biodiversity and played a key role in the development of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. With few luxury accommodations available, the Hotel Indigo stands out as a unique choice. While IHG One no longer publishes an award chart, you can usually book the Hotel Indigo Galápagos for 95,000 points per night. Paid rates often exceed $500 per night, making this a valuable redemption. You can earn IHG points through their co-branded credit cards or transfer them from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards. 

If you still don’t have enough points for a free night, IHG One Rewards and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card holders can enjoy the fourth night free on consecutive award night bookings. Additionally, you can choose a Cash + Points award, which offers significant savings.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

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Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia

The Park Hyatt Sydney stands out as one of the most distinctive hotels globally, thanks to its prime location on Sydney Harbour with views of the iconic Opera House. As a Category 8 Hyatt property, you can reserve a free night at the Park Hyatt Sydney for 35,000-45,000 points. Although a standard room may not offer direct Opera House views, you'll still enjoy a tastefully decorated room with luxury amenities and an enviable position on Sydney Harbour. Iconic views are accessible from various areas within the hotel, including the Dining Room.

You can accumulate enough points for a free night at the Park Hyatt Sydney through the Hyatt credit card or by enrolling in a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Receive 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by collecting 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that typically earn 1 Bonus Point, up to $15,000.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening, plus 15,000 more Bonus Points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This equates to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This translates to $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

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Mango House Seychelles, Mahe, Seychelles

Hilton’s Mango House Seychelles is a luxurious resort with only 41 rooms and villas located along a pristine white sand beach. Although Hilton does not provide an award chart, you can usually reserve a deluxe room for 110,000 points per night. These rooms offer 463 sq ft of space and a balcony with ocean views. Given that these rooms can exceed $1,000 per night during peak season, it’s a worthwhile indulgence. 

As mentioned earlier, you can gather enough points for one or more nights at Mango House Seychelles by applying for a Hilton credit card. Keep in mind that Hilton cards are issued by American Express, which has a once-per-lifetime policy on welcome bonuses. If you've previously held one of these cards, you may not qualify for the bonus again in most instances.

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The Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy

For those in search of historic luxury, the Gritti Palace Venice offers an exquisite experience. This renowned 15th-century palazzo sits along Venice’s celebrated Grand Canal and is part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. While summer rates often exceed $1,500 per night, you can book award nights starting at just 92,000 Marriott points. Given the ease of earning Marriott points through various credit cards and partnerships, this presents a fantastic redemption opportunity—especially when you include the benefit of the fifth night free.

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voco Ma Belle Danang, Vietnam

For those looking to spend IHG points on Vietnam’s stunning Son Tra Peninsula, voco Ma Belle Danang resort is the ideal choice. This resort not only offers luxurious accommodations but also features very affordable free night rates starting at just 13,500 points. It’s a fantastic way to maximize the welcome bonus from the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. With a bonus of up to 140,000 points (valuing each night at up to 60,000 points) after spending $3,000 within the first three months, you could cover up to two complimentary nights.

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St. Regis Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is famously an expensive destination, making the St. Regis an ideal spot to utilize your Marriott points effectively. You can secure a reef-side garden villa with ocean views starting at just 96,000 points per night. This expense can be further minimized by taking advantage of Marriott’s fifth-night-free benefit and utilizing the credit cards mentioned earlier.

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Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay, Greece

Situated on the picturesque Mirabello Bay in Crete, the Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay offers stunning accommodations. With off-season rates sometimes exceeding $500 per night, redeeming 30,000 Wyndham points for a beautiful Sea View room with a marble bathroom and balcony is an excellent choice. The resort features both indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and laundry facilities—ideal for families or long-term travelers. Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast and parking, adding convenience and savings, especially in a costly destination like Crete.

Earning Wyndham points is straightforward through co-branded credit cards and transfers from Capital One and the Citi ThankYou program.

• Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Card: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
• Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Plus Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
• Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, plus an additional 25,000 after spending $10,000 within the first 12 months.

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*Conditions apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be necessary for specific benefits. Visit americanexpress.com for more details.

Editorial note: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, nor have they been reviewed or endorsed by these entities.