If you want to redeem your credit card points or airline miles for maximum value, you almost always need to think big: Long-haul international flights and luxury resorts somewhere overseas. But that doesn't mean you can't get some good bang for your buck by booking a top-tier hotel right here in the U.S. – far from it.
While all-inclusive resorts and overwater villas in the Maldives or Bora Bora may get all the hype, there's no shortage of five-star properties close to home. And that's where hotel and credit card points come in: If you know where to look (and we do), you can book a stay at some amazing hotels … without breaking the bank.
If you want to maximize your points without leaving the states, we've compiled a (by no means exhaustive) list of some of the best domestic properties that can be booked with points.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (Hyatt)
Let's start in Hawaii, with one of the best points properties on the beaches of Maui. Andaz is one of Hyatt’s best luxury brands, and this Maui location gets rave reviews for its beachside location, elegant rooms, service, and dining.
Free night awards book you into either a king or double queen bedroom equipped with a private lanai patio space leading into the tropical garden.
While many nights would cost you 40,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points apiece, thanks to Hyatt's peak and off-peak award pricing, there are also plenty of off-peak rates of 35,000 points for this prized Hawaii property. That's a solid redemption for a spot that typically charges $1,000 during the peak season.
The catch is finding nights that are available to book with Hyatt points at these rates, and that can be a bit of a challenge here – especially lately. But by using Bilt Rewards' free hotel award search tool, you can more easily zero in on available nights.
Waldorf Astoria New York (Hilton)
If you're really looking to splurge, the wait is over: The Waldorf Astoria New York is now accepting reservations for this spring after nearly a decade of renovations. And while it will cost you a small fortune – think $1,600 or more a night – you can also book it with Hilton Honors points.
While it's steep at 150,000 points a night, that's still an excellent use of Hilton Honors points … or a Hilton free night certificate! While it hasn't re-opened yet, we'd be foolish to leave it off this list.
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Park Avenue, you're just a walk away from upscale dining, luxury shopping, and local attractions like Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Museum of Modern Art. It's truly the perfect home base for exploring the country's most electric city.
Free night awards will book into a king bedroom – and at 475 square feet, it's massive for New York City standards. Each room is equipped with a seating area, views of the city, and a “spa-like” bathroom with a separate shower and large soaking tub.
Park Hyatt New York (Hyatt)
Another New York luxury hotel staple is the Park Hyatt New York. It's easily one of the best hotels in the city, and its amazing location even closer to Central Park makes it great for any trip to the Big Apple.
It's a category 8 hotel on Hyatt's award chart, which means free nights typically cost 40,000 points per night. That can get as cheap as 35,000 points per night during off-peak times or as much as 45,000 points per night during peak times.
While that's as pricey as Hyatt properties get, it's still an amazing use of points considering cash nights here typically start at $1,500 per night … or even spendier.
Your points will book you into a single king or two double bed room equipped with a heated bathroom floor, marble soaking tub, and floor-to-ceiling views of midtown Manhattan.
Unlike other Hyatt properties on this list, finding nights with award availability to book with points should be pretty easy – as long as you have the points, of course.
Alila Ventana Big Sur (Hyatt)
With cash prices of $2,000 a night or more, Hyatt's Alila Ventana Big Sur is one of the most aspirational properties for points and miles aficionados, period. So go figure it's one of the hardest to book.
The resort gets rave reviews for its serene location on California's coast and excellent amenities. And it's an all-inclusive, so everything (except alcohol) is included in your stay, even when booking with points.
Even though it's an all-inclusive resort, it still prices out based on Hyatt's standard category award chart. It's a category 8 property, which means a standard room can cost as few as 35,000 points per night … or more often, as much as 45,000 points per night. But compared to cash rates that can easily run $2,000-plus per night, it ‘s an incredible deal – arguably, the best on this entire list.
There's a catch: Hyatt doesn't make standard rooms at the property available for booking with points and miles often. Case in point: You can search the entire calendar without finding a single standard night award bookable with points.
But when inventory is available, it's one of the best deals in the points and miles world. And Thrifty Traveler Premium hotel alerts subscribers will be the first to know when bookable nights are available.
Alila Ventana Napa Valley (Hyatt)
Heading to California wine country? Don't miss The Alila Napa Valley! Luxury hotels you can book with points in Napa Valley are few and far between, which makes this one stand out.
Located in the quaint town of St. Helena, California, the property is right next to to Beringer Vineyards, creating some incredible views from many of the rooms – plus, it's also just a short drive from hundreds of other iconic Napa Valley wineries. With just 64 guest rooms, it has a very boutique feel.
Hyatt has the property listed as a category 8 on their award chart, meaning nights are bookable from 35,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points a night, depending on the time of year. One thing to note: The otherwise nightly $65 nightly resort fee is waived on Hyatt award bookings.
It's a great way to redeem Hyatt points, considering peak season nights often cost $1,000 or more. Award availability is usually solid. But with just 64 guestrooms, you'll want to plan and book your stay as early as possible.
Free night awards book you into a single king room with an estate view or a double queen room with a vineyard view. Each room has a private balcony with your very own fire pit – the perfect place for a nightcap.
Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (Hyatt)
Looking to stay at a ski resort during the winter? Book a stay at the brand-new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah.
Grand Hyatt is one of the hotel chain's top brands, and the new Deer Valley location opened its doors in November. It's located slopeside, just 40 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). Walk from the hotel to ski lifts within minutes or head over to Deer Valley East Village for upscale retail and ski rentals.
It's a category six property on Hyatt's award chart, which means nights can be booked for as few as 21,000 points per night or as many as 29,000 points per night. Even at the peak rate of 29,000 points per night, it's an amazing deal with cash rates during the peak ski season going for $1,200 or more.
Your points book you into a single king, two queen room, which is ideal for families! Better yet, award nights are pretty wide open – even during the peak ski season.
Miraval Resorts in Arizona, Texas & Massachusetts (Hyatt)
Spanning three U.S. locations in Arizona, Texas, and Massachusetts, Miraval properties are all-inclusive, adults-only resorts that are among the most luxurious you'll find.
Back in 2017, Miraval was acquired by Hyatt, making the resorts bookable with Hyatt points. Today, nights here can easily run a few thousand dollars a night, depending on the location.
Fortunately, you can book these properties with points … but consider yourself warned: It won't come cheap! The Miraval resorts don't fit into Hyatt's regular award charts, so free nights range from 58,000 Hyatt points to as much as 72,000 points (for two people).
That makes them the most expensive you'll find in Hyatt's portfolio. That said, you're still getting outsized value out of your points since a night at any of these properties could easily cover someone's rent or mortgage payment.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort (Marriott)
Lounge under the Florida sun with a stay at the St. Regis Longboat Key using your Marriott points.
The resort, located about an hour outside of Tampa, opened this past summer and has quickly become one of the best domestic hotels in Marriott's portfolio.
Award nights can be booked for around 120,000 points a night during the peak spring break season, with off-peak nights routinely available for under 90,000 to 100,000 points during the fall and winter seasons.
While that may sound like a lot, Marriott Bonvoy points don't go nearly as far as Hyatt or even Hilton. And it's a solid use of Marriott points, as peak season nights typically cost $1,400 or more if you're paying cash.
Just be sure to select the rooms with a bay view and take advantage of the butler service!
Conrad Orlando (Hilton)
Opening just this past year, the Conrad Orlando is a great spot to relax in style during your next trip to Disney World.
Located within the 1,100-acre Evermore Orlando Resort, the property is close to Disney and has an eight-acre blue lagoon. If using points, standard rooms start at 90,000 points and up per night. Whether you redeem points or a Hilton free night certificate, you won't have to worry about paying the $50 daily resort fee.
Rooms easily run upwards of $600 a night throughout the year – or, over spring break, as much as $1,500! Standard room awards typically book you into nature view guestrooms overlooking the golf course and nature preserve, equipped with an elegant spa-like bathroom.
The Wentworth Mansion (Hilton)
Book a stay at a 19th-century mansion in Charleston, South Carolina, using your Hilton points at the Wentworth Mansion!
The Wentworth Mansion recently joined the Hilton portfolio as part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and, after a recent increase, are now bookable from 105,000 points a night. That's a solid use of Hilton points considering rooms can sell for up to $700.
This historic property has just 21 rooms. Better yet, it's right where you want to be to explore Charleston, near Rainbow Row. Every guest gets a complimentary breakfast each morning – and an evening reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine each night.
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection (Hilton)
Just off the coast of San Diego, you'll find one of the oldest and most iconic hotels in the U.S.: The Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Originally constructed in 1888, the Hotel del Coronado is located on San Diego's Coronado Island, a long strip of beach in San Diego's bay – and some of the most prized real estate in the area. So go figure, staying at this Hilton property can be extremely expensive. Back in 2021, our co-founder Nick cashed in a few Hilton free night certificates to book a stay here.
Depending on dates and the time of year of your stay, expect to pay between $300 and $600 a night for a standard room. If you plan to use Hilton Honors points, a standard room award night will generally start at 110,000 points now.
Standard Hotel del Coronado rooms, dubbed the “Victorian rooms,” are located in the original building. These rooms were originally constructed in the late 1800s, so they are small by today's standards and not the nicest you'll find. But it's a piece of American history, and every room is unique.
Bottom Line
Forget about flying eight-plus hours away just for a solid hotel deal: A luxury vacation at a top-tier hotel is just a short domestic flight away.
Need some guidance finding your next premium hotel stay? Thrifty Traveler Premium Hotel Alerts officially launched earlier this year. For an additional $24.99 a year, Thrifty Traveler Premium members can opt-in and start getting alerts to book some of the best properties in the U.S. and across the globe using their Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, or Marriott points – or transferable credit card points. You'll also get hotel deals in each flight deal alert – including discounted paid rates!
Lead photo courtesy of Hyatt