Enhancing Your Stay with Points: Tips to Get the Most from Your Rewards

Reaping Rewards with Credit Card Points

Upgrading your hotel using your travel card is an affordable way to have a great stay! Photo by Freepik.

Hotel Upgrades: Travel credit cards are a popular choice for many users. They come with a variety of perks, including major savings, upgrades for flights and hotels, access to exclusive airport lounges, and much more.

This is mainly because those with a travel credit card can concentrate their daily spending on it, continuously earning points. These points can build up and later be exchanged for the various rewards mentioned.

What Is a Hotel Upgrade Using Points?

Understanding Upgrades with Points

Upgrading, whether for flights or hotel stays, means using your earned points to redeem benefits. This is a widely accepted practice and a clever way to save on travel costs.

This method makes it much easier to secure enhanced, and sometimes complimentary, stays. Travel cards typically collaborate with hotel chains, providing added benefits for cardholders.

Advantages of Upgrading with Points

When you use points to upgrade your accommodation, you can enjoy larger and more luxurious rooms, options with bathtubs, breathtaking views, elegant room designs, and much more.

This allows you to elevate your travel experience and create lasting memories.

How Does Upgrading with Points Work?

Loyalty Programs Offering Upgrades

Numerous loyalty programs provide members the option to upgrade rooms using their points. Here are some popular choices:

Marriott Bonvoy: With over 7,000 hotels, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to upgrade with points to suites and premium view rooms. Platinum and higher members have a better chance of getting free upgrades, depending on availability.
Hilton Honors: Provides automatic upgrades for Gold and Diamond members, including larger rooms, better views, and access to executive lounges. Points can also be used to secure upgrades.
World of Hyatt: Members can use points for room upgrades, and Globalist members receive automatic upgrades when available, including suites and higher categories.
IHG One Rewards: You can upgrade to premium rooms using points. Platinum and Diamond members receive priority for free upgrades at check-in, which may include suites.
Accor Live Limitless (ALL): Members can use points to upgrade rooms and may gain access to VIP lounges and other benefits, depending on the hotel.

These programs offer a blend of automatic upgrades and upgrades through point usage, especially for elite members.

Guidelines for Upgrading

When you’re aiming for a hotel upgrade, consider a few essential factors. Always verify availability at check-in, since upgrades often depend on what’s vacant. Also, having a higher loyalty tier can significantly increase your chances of landing an upgrade.

The points needed for an upgrade vary by hotel brand, room type, duration of stay, and whether it’s peak or off-peak season, among other elements. Be cautious of promotional restrictions, as bookings through online travel sites might not qualify for upgrades.

Top Credit Cards for Earning Points and Securing Hotel Upgrades

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Great for transferring points to various hotel chains and offers 2x points on travel.
The Platinum Card from American Express: Transfers points to Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, and grants Gold status automatically.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass: Earns 12x points at Hilton and includes Gold status for free upgrades.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Earns 6x points on Marriott stays and offers Silver Elite status, ensuring potential upgrades.
World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earns up to 9x points at Hyatt properties and includes Discoverist status for upgrade chances.
IHG Rewards Premier: Earns 10x points at IHG hotels and gives Platinum Elite status for complimentary upgrades.