Real scenarios with major hotel loyalty programs to help you spot good and bad redemptions
Hotel points can offer tremendous value, but they can also be traps if you're not careful. Unlike airline miles, hotel points are often given out generously by credit cards, which means programs may devalue them or require more points for desirable properties.
Key principles for hotel redemptions:
The examples below illustrate these principles with real hotel chains and actual scenarios you might encounter when booking.
Scenario: Weekend stay at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Analysis: At 1.8 CPP, this is a good redemption for hotel points. You're getting nearly 2x the value compared to cashing out Chase points at 1 cent each through the portal. This redemption makes sense.
Alternative consideration: If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could book through the Chase portal at 1.5 CPP, meaning $900 would cost 60,000 points. The direct Hyatt transfer is better in this case, saving you 10,000 points.
World of Hyatt is often considered one of the best hotel loyalty programs because:
Scenario: Booking a Courtyard by Marriott on an off-peak Tuesday night
Analysis: This is a terrible redemption at just 0.38 CPP. Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued at 0.7-0.8 CPP, so you're getting less than half their normal value. In this case, paying the $95 cash and saving your 25,000 points for a better redemption makes much more sense.
Better alternative: Save those 25,000 points for a weekend night when the same hotel costs $180-220, which would give you 0.7-0.9 CPP. Or use them at a higher-category Marriott property where you'll get better value.
The lesson: Low cash prices at budget properties are terrible for points redemptions. The points cost is often fixed or only slightly discounted, meaning you get poor value. Always run the calculation!
Despite the poor value in the example above, Marriott Bonvoy can deliver good value when:
Scenario: Booking a Hilton Garden Inn for a business trip
Analysis: At 0.36 CPP, this appears low, but it's actually typical for Hilton Honors. Hilton points are generally valued at 0.4-0.5 CPP because the program gives out points generously (10x points per dollar at hotels, huge credit card bonuses). The question isn't whether you're getting 1+ CPP, but whether this beats your other options.
Decision framework: If you have 500,000 Hilton points from credit card bonuses but limited transferable points like Chase or Amex, this redemption makes sense. Save your more valuable transferable points for flights. Context matters!
When Hilton shines: Using points for premium properties like Conrad Hotels or Waldorf Astoria properties can sometimes deliver 0.6-0.8 CPP, which is excellent value in the Hilton ecosystem. The Hilton Aspire card's free weekend night certificate (worth 95,000 points) can be particularly valuable at luxury properties.
Not all hotel points should be measured by the same CPP standards:
These targets reflect the relative scarcity of points in each program. Hilton gives out 10x more points per dollar spent than Hyatt, so naturally each point is worth less.
Scenario: Trying to book a Holiday Inn Express on a Saturday night
Analysis: At 0.32 CPP, this is poor value even for IHG points (typically 0.5 CPP). Many IHG properties jack up their points requirements on weekends while cash rates stay moderate. This is a common trap across multiple hotel programs.
What to do: Check the same hotel for Sunday-Thursday nights. Often you'll find the same room for 30,000 points, giving you 0.53 CPP - much better. Or simply pay the $159 cash and save your points.
The pattern: Weekend demand means hotels can charge more. But many hotels increase their points requirements MORE than their cash rates increase, giving you worse value on weekends. Always calculate before booking!
IHG One Rewards has some unique characteristics:
Always calculate CPP before booking: Don't assume points are always the better deal. A $95 hotel that costs 25,000 points is a terrible redemption.
Save points for premium properties: Your points deliver better value at nicer hotels. Budget properties often give you less than 0.5 CPP.
Be aware of weekend pricing: Many hotels increase points requirements on weekends more than cash prices increase. Check weeknight rates if your travel is flexible.
Know your program's typical value: Hilton points at 0.4 CPP might be good value for that program, while Hyatt points at 0.4 CPP would be terrible. Context matters.
Consider transfer partners: If you have flexible points (Chase, Amex, Citi), you have choices. Run calculations for direct booking through the portal vs. transferring to hotel partners.