How to Accumulate and Utilize Hotel Points This Summer

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While 2023 has been challenging for securing affordable airfare, both cash and miles, there are still solid opportunities to redeem points for hotels and resorts. Fortunately, you can earn hotel points through loyalty programs without needing to stay at a hotel or resort, particularly via welcome bonuses on cobranded credit cards and transfer options with general travel cards like the Chase Sapphire and Amex Gold and Platinum cards.

With summer approaching, excellent opportunities still exist to maximize the value of hotel points across the four largest hotel loyalty programs: Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. Here are top examples for making the most of each program.

Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton

• Location: Paris, France
• Loyalty program: Hilton Honors

Paris is always a delightful choice, but experiencing it with points makes it even better. If you’re aiming for an authentic Parisian adventure filled with walking, enjoying café life, visiting museums, and browsing boutiques — rather than lounging in your room all day — you can find a charming boutique hotel to rest stylishly between your daily explorations. One of our top picks is Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton, a historic hôtel particulier (freestanding mansion) established in 1907 by American businessman John Jacob Astor IV, ideally situated in the heart of the eighth arrondissement.

Astor tragically perished on the RMS Titanic in 1912, yet his legacy endures within this seven-story maison, now a 131-room hotel featuring thoughtful design elements that celebrate his life. Picture screen prints inspired by his book A Journey in Other Worlds, a library dedicated to his beloved dog, Kitty, and a lobby styled like a cozy living room adorned in rich reds and golds that reflect Astor’s bold and eclectic taste. While the entry-level guest rooms are somewhat compact (starting under 200 square feet), they are elegantly furnished, and guests with Hilton Honors Gold status can enjoy potential complimentary upgrades based on availability, along with daily complimentary breakfast for two.

Book with points: As part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, Maison Astor Paris can be booked starting at 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Don’t have enough Hilton points? Hilton cobranded credit cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses. The current offer for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is 130,000 points after spending $3,000 within six months, along with a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees). Moreover, American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to Hilton Honors at a 2:1 ratio.

Additionally, you can combine Hilton points with friends and family to benefit from the Hilton Honors fifth night free perk when booking with points. Cardholders of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees) can enjoy potential complimentary room upgrades and daily free breakfast, as these cards offer complimentary Gold status (enrollment required).

Hotel La Compañia

• Location: Panama City, Panama
• Loyalty program: World of Hyatt

Casco Antiguo, the historic district of Panama City, is experiencing a vibrant cultural and design revival, highlighted by remarkable adaptive reuse projects that seamlessly blend the past with the present. At the heart of this transformation is Hotel La Compañia, a three-wing establishment that has evolved over three centuries. It features the c. 1688 Spanish colonial section, which once served as a Jesuit convent, the c. 1739 French colonial wing, and the c. 1905 American wing, an American Beaux-Arts structure constructed during the Panama Canal's development. Inside these historically rich walls, you'll find 88 beautifully designed guest rooms, museum-like displays, and seven dining and drinking venues. Savor Panamanian dishes beneath the soaring stone arches and exposed brick of El Santuario restaurant, or indulge in French-inspired fare at restaurant 1739, where meals are served in a 200-year-old underground wine cellar. Don’t miss the cutting-edge rooftop pool and sky lounge, offering views of 17th-century church ruins and charming Spanish-style courtyards.

Book with points: As part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, you can book a stay at Hotel La Compañia starting at just 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. If you lack World of Hyatt points, you can acquire them through Chase Ultimate Rewards, which transfer at a 1:1 ratio. With the current 60,000-point sign-up bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (after a $4,000 spend in three months), you can secure three complimentary nights at the hotel.

The Ivens, Autograph Collection

• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy

Nestled in the vibrant Chiado district, the Ivens exemplifies the creativity and charm that have made Lisbon a must-visit destination. Once the site of Portugal's first public radio station, this 87-room hotel honors the legendary 19th-century explorers Roberto Ivens and Hermenegildo Capelo, who were the first Europeans to traverse Africa from coast to coast (from Angola to Mozambique). Design duo Lázaro Rosa-Violán and Cristina Matos infuse the hotel with elements reflecting the explorers’ African journeys, featuring tasteful jungle-inspired carpets, lush clusters of tropical plants, and stylish khaki uniforms for the staff. The signature restaurant, Rocco, has become one of the most sought-after dining spots in the city, known for its authentic modern Italian cuisine, a stunning cocktail bar, and what is arguably the most impressive restroom in Portugal.

Book with points: As part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, stays at the Ivens start at 55,000 points per night. Both American Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. To accumulate points, check out the current welcome bonus of 60,000 points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Additionally, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card ($250 annual fee, see rates and fees) offers a lucrative 125,000 points after spending $5,000 within six months, along with Gold elite status for cardholders.

Kimpton Hotel Arras

• Location: Asheville, North Carolina
• Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards

Once the BB&T Bank building, this towering structure in western North Carolina was transformed in 2019 into a vibrant mixed-use condo complex featuring a 128-room Kimpton hotel. Situated in the heart of downtown Asheville, Hotel Arras is just a stroll away from the city's best dining spots (don’t miss Cúrate) and a quick drive to numerous mountain hiking trails. This hotel is particularly perfect for travelers with pets, as all Kimpton properties are tailored for a pet-friendly getaway. Furry guests can join their humans during the daily early evening social hour in the lobby and relax together on the terrace of the Bargello restaurant. Plus, there are no hidden fees for pets.

Book with points: Within the IHG One Rewards program, a stay at the Kimpton Hotel Arras can be secured for as few as 30,000 points per night. Currently, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 5 free nights at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

This article was published in April 2023 and updated on October 20, 2023, to include the latest information. While the details provided here are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change and may no longer be available.