Category: Hotels

Evergreen hotel-focused content, including property reviews, hotel brand guides, loyalty program explainers, and hotel-specific reference content.

  • Wyndham Is Selling Rewards Points With up to a 100% Bonus

    Wyndham Is Selling Rewards Points With up to a 100% Bonus

    Buying hotel points might sound like an unnecessary extra step. After all, if a room is available, why not just pay for it?

    Sometimes there’s a good reason. Buying the points needed to book a room can cost less than paying the hotel directly.

    Wyndham Rewards sells points throughout the year and periodically runs promotions that lower their cost. There’s little reason to buy just because a sale is happening. But with a Wyndham stay already in mind, the program makes it easy to see whether buying points could save money.

    That’s because Wyndham prices hotel award nights at one of four tiers: 5,000, 15,000, 30,000, or 45,000 points per room. And with Wyndham Homes & Havens, members can also redeem points for vacation rentals.

    Current Wyndham Buy Points Offer

    Wyndham is offering eligible members a 100% bonus when buying at least 3,000 points in a single transaction, bringing the purchase price down to approximately 0.65 cents per point.

    The promotion also temporarily doubles the annual purchase limit to 200,000 points before the bonus.

    • Current promotion: 100% bonus on purchases of 3,000 or more points
    • Price per point: 0.65 cents
    • Offer ends: December 31, 2026
    • Annual purchase limit: 200,000 points before the bonus

    Note that some members may see different offers, including an 80% bonus that brings the price to approximately 0.72 cents per point or a 90% bonus at roughly 0.68 cents per point.

    Buy Wyndham Rewards points directly from Wyndham

    Wyndham runs points sales periodically, so there’s rarely a reason to buy solely because a promotion is happening now. For reference, click the arrow below to see past offers.

    {{ buy-points-history type=”hotel” program=”Wyndham Rewards” }}

    More on This: Current Buy Points and Miles Offers

    What Wyndham’s Free Night Tiers Cost During This Sale

    Wyndham’s four-tier redemption structure makes the math super simple.

    At the current promotional price of approximately 0.65 cents per point, here’s roughly what it would cost to buy enough points for one night at each tier:

    Points per nightCost to buy points
    5,000 points$32.50
    15,000 points$97.50
    30,000 points$195
    45,000 points$292.50

    These are effective costs based on the promotional rate, not necessarily exact purchase amounts.

    For example, a hotel requiring 15,000 points per night would effectively cost $97.50 in purchased points. If the same room costs $175 in cash, buying points could save you money. But if the cash rate is $90, there’s no reason to buy points instead.

    Aerial pool view of the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort.
    Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort. WYNDHAM

    You Can Also Use Wyndham Points for Vacation Rentals

    Wyndham recently introduced Homes & Havens, a collection of professionally managed vacation rentals that members can book using points.

    Homes & Havens uses a per-bedroom redemption structure rather than a flat rate for the entire property.

    There are currently three redemption tiers:

    • 15,000 points per bedroom, per night
    • 30,000 points per bedroom, per night
    • 45,000 points per bedroom, per night

    At the current sale price, a two-bedroom rental at the lowest tier would cost approximately $195 per night in purchased points. A three-bedroom rental would cost about $292.50.

    That could make buying points worthwhile for families or groups who would otherwise need multiple hotel rooms. Just keep in mind that taxes, cleaning fees, and other charges may still apply.

    When Buying Wyndham Points Makes Sense

    The easiest way to decide whether buying points makes sense is to start with a specific property.

    Check how many points it requires, calculate what those points would cost under the current promotion, and compare that with the cash price for the same room.

    The math is simple:

    Points needed × current price per point = cost to buy the points

    A 30,000-point hotel night, for example, effectively costs about $195 in purchased points with the 100% bonus.

    It’s still worth comparing the same accommodations and dates. Taxes, resort fees, and other charges can differ depending on how a stay is booked, so the headline room rate doesn’t always tell the whole story.

    More on This: How to Search Hotels With Points and Miles Using PointsYeah

    Don’t Buy Points Just Because They’re on Sale

    There’s little reason to stock up on Wyndham points without a stay in mind. Wyndham runs purchase promotions periodically, and another offer will eventually come along.

    Instead, start with the hotel. Check the cash price, check which redemption tier it falls into, and calculate what those points would cost to buy.

    Sometimes cash wins. Sometimes points do.

    And with Wyndham’s four redemption tiers, figuring out which one is cheaper takes very little math.

  • Historic Belize City Waterfront Hotel Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection

    Historic Belize City Waterfront Hotel Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection

    The historic Fort George hotel in Belize City is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This addition gives Marriott Bonvoy members a new waterfront property where they can earn and redeem points.

    It’s just the second Marriott Bonvoy property in the country, joining Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection, on Ambergris Caye. And while both hotels share the same brand, they offer rather different experiences.

    Fort George sits along the waterfront in Belize City’s historic Fort George neighborhood, while Alaia is a beachfront resort in San Pedro (a popular destination for travelers visiting Belize’s Caribbean islands).

    Fort George is also undergoing a major expansion, with new accommodations and amenities on the way.

    A Historic Hotel With a Major Expansion Underway

    Fort George currently features 64 rooms and suites, but that number is set to more than double with the opening of its new Signature Sea View Tower.

    The expansion will add 66 rooms and suites, bringing the property’s total to 130. The new accommodations will feature large windows overlooking Belize City and the Caribbean Sea, with interiors inspired by the country’s coastal landscape.

    The tower is expected to open later this fall, although the hotel hasn’t announced a specific date.

    Pool at the Fort George, Belize, Autograph Collection.
    Fort George, Belize, Autograph Collection. MARRIOTT

    Alongside the additional rooms, Fort George is introducing several new amenities, including:

    • A waterfront swimming pool and retail boutique.
    • Marea, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, joining the hotel’s existing Treehouse restaurant.
    • The George, a new lobby venue serving specialty coffee during the day and cocktails in the evening.
    • Additional meeting and event spaces, including a fourth-floor terrace overlooking the waterfront.

    The hotel also features K’IN Spa, BurnBox Gym, and a courtyard plunge pool.

    Throughout the property, historical imagery and artwork inspired by Belize and the wider Caribbean reflect its longstanding connection to Belize City.

    Suite at the Fort George, Belize, Autograph Collection.
    Fort George, Belize, Autograph Collection. MARRIOTT

    More on This: 4 Marriott Hotels Worth Planning a Fall Trip Around

    What Marriott Bonvoy Members Should Know

    With Fort George joining Autograph Collection, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points for eligible stays at the property.

    However, while cash rates are currently bookable (from now into the end of Marriott’s calendar, points availability isn’t showing yet. It’s unclear exactly when points bookings will become available, though they’re expected to open soon.

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    All told, though, this addition is especially useful for travelers planning to spend time in Belize City, whether before heading to the islands or as part of an extended trip around the country.

  • Wyndham Is Giving Members Free Status Upgrades for the Holidays

    Wyndham Is Giving Members Free Status Upgrades for the Holidays

    Wyndham Rewards is spreading a little holiday cheer with complimentary elite status upgrades for its members. And if you’ve already reached the program’s highest tier, there’s something for you, too.

    Through December 30, 2026, Wyndham Rewards Blue, Gold, and Platinum members worldwide can claim a complimentary one-tier status upgrade, valid through December 31, 2026.

    Here’s what each upgrade maps to:

    • Blue → Gold
    • Gold → Platinum
    • Platinum → Diamond

    Depending on your new tier, benefits can include bonus points on eligible stays, preferred rooms, early check-in, late checkout, and potential suite upgrades.

    What About Existing Diamond Members?

    Wyndham isn’t leaving its top-tier members out of the promotion. Instead, Diamond members can claim one of the following benefits:

    • U.S. Diamond members: Two complimentary months of Wyndham Rewards Insider, a subscription offering savings and perks on hotels, flights, cruises, rental cars, and more.
    • U.S. Diamond members already enrolled in Insider: 3,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points.
    • Diamond members outside the U.S.: 3,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points.

    Wyndham Rewards award nights start at 7,500 points, but members can use as few as 1,500 points plus cash toward eligible stays.

    More on This: Current Wyndham Credit Card Offers

    How to Claim Your Free Upgrade

    To take advantage of the promotion, visit this landing page and claim your complimentary upgrade by December 30, 2026.

    The upgraded status is only valid through the end of the year, so there’s a relatively short window to use the additional perks. But if you’ve got an upcoming Wyndham stay, it’s still an easy way to get a little more out of it without having to meet any additional stay requirements.

  • How (and Why) to Transfer Marriott Points to Dozens of Airline Partners

    How (and Why) to Transfer Marriott Points to Dozens of Airline Partners

    Marriott Bonvoy points are most often used for hotel stays, but that’s not the only way to redeem them. You can also transfer your points to more than three dozen airline loyalty programs, including some that are difficult (or impossible) to access through traditional credit card transfer partners.

    There are a couple of reasons you might want to do this. Maybe you’ve accumulated more Marriott points than you plan to use for hotels, or you’re just a few thousand miles short of booking an award flight.

    Here’s how Marriott Bonvoy airline transfers work, which programs participate, and what to know before moving your points.

    How Marriott Bonvoy Airline Transfers Work

    Marriott Bonvoy partners with more than three dozen airline loyalty programs, and most transfers happen at a 3:1 ratio.

    That means transferring 3,000 Marriott points generally earns you 1,000 airline miles.

    But there’s a useful bonus when you transfer larger amounts. For most participating airlines, Marriott adds 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.

    Here’s how that works for programs eligible for the standard bonus:

    Marriott Points TransferredAirline Miles Received
    3,0001,000
    15,0005,000
    30,00010,000
    60,00025,000
    120,00050,000

    With that bonus, transferring 60,000 Marriott points gets you 25,000 airline miles instead of the usual 20,000.

    There are a few exceptions worth knowing:

    • United MileagePlus: Marriott awards 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, meaning 60,000 Marriott points become 30,000 United miles.
    • American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles: These programs don’t qualify for the standard 5,000-mile bonus. Transferring 60,000 Marriott points earns 20,000 miles.
    • Air New Zealand Koru: Transfers use a different ratio of 200:1, with a separate bonus structure.

    Marriott allows members to transfer between 3,000 and 240,000 points per day.

    Marriott Bonvoy Airline Transfer Partners

    Marriott has one of the largest airline transfer partner lists of any major loyalty program.

    Airline Loyalty ProgramTransfer Ratio
    Aegean Miles+Bonus3:1
    Aer Lingus AerClub3:1
    Aeromexico Rewards3:1
    Air Canada Aeroplan3:1
    Air China PhoenixMiles3:1
    Air France-KLM Flying Blue3:1
    Air New Zealand Koru200:1
    American Airlines AAdvantage3:1
    ANA Mileage Club3:1
    Atmos Rewards3:1
    Avianca LifeMiles3:1
    British Airways Club3:1
    Cathay Pacific Cathay3:1
    China Southern Sky Pearl Club3:1
    Copa ConnectMiles3:1
    Delta SkyMiles3:1
    Emirates Skywards3:1
    Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles3:1
    Etihad Guest3:1
    Frontier Miles3:1
    Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club3:1
    Iberia Plus3:1
    Japan Airlines Mileage Bank3:1
    LATAM Pass / LATAM Pass Brazil3:1
    Qantas Frequent Flyer3:1
    Qatar Airways Privilege Club3:1
    Saudia Alfursan3:1
    Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer3:1
    Southwest Rapid Rewards3:1
    TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go3:1
    Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus3:1
    Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles3:1
    United MileagePlus3:1
    Virgin Atlantic Flying Club3:1
    Virgin Australia Velocity3:1
    Vueling Club3:1

    Why Transfer Marriott Points to Airlines?

    There are two situations where transferring Marriott points to an airline program can be particularly useful.

    Topping off an airline mileage balance

    Suppose you’ve found an award flight but don’t quite have enough miles to book it. If you’ve got Marriott points sitting in your account, transferring a small amount could help you cover the difference.

    You don’t necessarily need to transfer in 60,000-point increments, either. While the bonus makes larger transfers more attractive, smaller transfers can still be useful when you only need a few thousand miles.

    The catch is timing. Marriott transfers aren’t guaranteed to be instant, so this approach works better when you’ve got some flexibility rather than a ticket you need to book immediately.

    An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 900 takes off at dusk from Portland International Airport.
    DAVEALAN / ISTOCK

    Accessing harder-to-reach airline programs

    This is arguably the more interesting use of Marriott’s transfer partnerships.

    Some airline loyalty programs have few, if any, transfer relationships with the major U.S. credit card currencies. Marriott can provide another route into those programs.

    For example, Aegean Miles+Bonus and Saudia Alfursan have limited transfer options (at least for U.S. residents), compared with more widely accessible programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

    Of course, the 3:1 transfer ratio means you’re giving up a significant number of Marriott points to earn airline miles. It’s worth considering what you want to book before making a transfer.

    How to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Airline Miles

    Marriott handles airline transfers directly through your Bonvoy account.

    1. Visit Marriott’s Transfer Points to Miles page and sign in.
    2. Select the airline loyalty program you want to transfer points to.
    3. Enter your frequent flyer membership number and the number of Marriott points you’d like to transfer.
    4. Review the transfer details and confirm your request.

    For most airline partners, the name on your frequent-flyer account must match the first and last name on your Marriott Bonvoy account.

    Just don’t assume your miles will arrive immediately. According to Marriott’s terms, transferred miles will post to the receiving airline account within one week in most cases.

    Some transfers may arrive much faster, but others could take several days. And because award availability can change while you’re waiting, transferring Marriott points to book a specific flight, particularly one departing soon, carries some risk.

    What Else to Know Before Transferring

    Marriott’s airline partnerships are useful, but the transfer ratios mean they won’t always be the best use of your Bonvoy points.

    For example, transferring 60,000 Marriott points to most airlines earns 25,000 miles, including the bonus. Those same points could potentially cover multiple hotel nights, depending on the property.

    But if you’ve got a large Marriott balance, need to top off an airline account, or want miles in a program that’s otherwise difficult to access, it’s a useful option to have.

  • 4 Wyndham Credit Cards Offering up to 120,000 Bonus Points

    4 Wyndham Credit Cards Offering up to 120,000 Bonus Points

    Barclays and Wyndham are running limited-time welcome offers on the Wyndham Rewards credit cards through February 24, 2027.

    Of the four cards, the headliner is the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card, which now comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95), plus the opportunity to earn up to 90,000 bonus points.

    The other three cards have offers of their own, including one worth up to 120,000 points. Here’s a look at each.

    Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: Up to 90,000 Points

    With the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card, you can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. You’ll earn another 45,000 points after spending $500 on Hotels by Wyndham purchases in the first 180 days.

    The annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $95. The card earns 6X points at participating Hotels by Wyndham, 4X on Wyndham Destinations, dining, groceries, and travel, and 1X on everything else.

    You’ll also get Diamond status for the first 12 months, followed by Platinum status. Other benefits include a 10% discount on free-night redemptions and 15,000 bonus points each year after paying the annual fee.

    Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card: Up to 120,000 Points

    The Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card has the largest offer of the four, although it’s split into two parts.

    You’ll earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases and paying the $395 annual fee in full, both within the first 120 days. You’ll earn another 30,000 points after spending $750 on Hotels by Wyndham purchases in the first 180 days.

    The card earns 8X points at participating Hotels by Wyndham, 4X on Wyndham Destinations, dining, groceries, and travel, and 1X on everything else.

    It also comes with Diamond status, a 25% discount on free-night redemptions, and 30,000 bonus points after each card anniversary once the annual fee is paid.

    Wyndham Rewards Earner Card: 45,000 Points

    The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card offers 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

    It earns 5X points at participating Hotels by Wyndham, 3X on Wyndham Destinations, dining, groceries, gas, and EV charging, and 1X on everything else.

    Cardholders also receive Gold status and a 10% discount on free-night redemptions. Plus, spending $15,000 in a card anniversary year earns an additional 7,500 bonus points.

    Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card: 45,000 Points

    With the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, you can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases and paying the $149 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

    The card earns 8X points at participating Hotels by Wyndham and 5X on Wyndham Destinations, gas, EV charging, marketing, advertising, shipping, and office supply stores.

    Other benefits include Diamond status, a 20% discount on free-night redemptions, 15,000 bonus points each anniversary after paying the annual fee, and a $65 annual statement credit after spending $65 on qualifying wholesale purchases.

    What Can You Do With Wyndham Points?

    Wyndham uses four free-night redemption tiers: 5,000, 15,000, 30,000, and 45,000 points per night.

    That makes it relatively easy to figure out how many points you’ll need for a hotel stay, or how many nights you could book with one of these welcome offers. And the redemption discounts offered by the Wyndham credit cards can bring those prices down even further.

    {{ search-widget mode=”hotel” }}

    Vacation rentals are also on the table, too.

    Wyndham ended free-night redemptions with Vacasa on November 2025, but launched Homes & Havens in October 2026. The new platform includes nearly 800 vacation homes and villas, with award nights starting at 15,000 points per bedroom, per night.

    More on This: Wyndham Homes & Havens: A New Way to Redeem Points for Vacation Rentals

    Who Can Apply for the Wyndham Cards?

    Barclays’ terms indicate that welcome bonuses may not be available to current or former cardmembers of the same Wyndham card.

    Barclays also mentions that it reserves the right to revoke an ineligible bonus, deduct the points, or charge the card account for its value.

    More broadly, Barclays notes that an offer may not be available if you currently have or previously had an account with the bank.

    And if you’re interested in the Earner Business, you’ll need a qualifying business to apply. That doesn’t necessarily mean a formal company; activities like freelancing or selling items online may qualify.

  • How to Earn More Miles and Loyalty Points With AAdvantage Hotels

    How to Earn More Miles and Loyalty Points With AAdvantage Hotels

    Before you even get to the fun part of redeeming points and miles, there’s the other half of the equation: earning them.

    You can’t apply for a new credit card every day. And while the cards you already have might offer some pretty rewarding earning rates, everyday spending doesn’t always build your balance quickly enough to book the trip you have in mind.

    That’s why it’s worth keeping a few other ways to earn miles in your back pocket.

    My go-to, when I’m not flying, using a shopping portal, or working on a credit card welcome bonus, is AAdvantage Hotels.

    AAdvantage Hotels (or AA Hotels, for short) is American Airlines’ hotel booking platform. It’s a third-party online travel agency (OTA) powered by Rocket Travel that lets AAdvantage members book hotel stays and earn redeemable miles and status-qualifying Loyalty Points.

    Here’s how it works, plus a few tips for getting more out of the stays you book through AA Hotels.

    How AAdvantage Hotels Works

    When you book a stay through AAdvantage Hotels, you’ll earn American Airlines miles and Loyalty Points instead of the rewards you’d typically earn by booking directly with a hotel.

    Each eligible hotel listing displays how many AAdvantage miles you can earn on the stay. Those miles count toward your Loyalty Points balance, too, so hotel bookings can help you qualify for AAdvantage elite status.

    The number of miles and Loyalty Points you earn varies by property, dates, your AAdvantage status, and whether you have an eligible cobranded credit card.

    According to American, the earning opportunities break dow like this:

    • AAdvantage status members: Earn up to 5 times more miles and Loyalty Points on hotels.
    • AAdvantage credit cardmembers: Earn up to 5 times more miles and Loyalty Points on hotels.
    • AAdvantage credit cardmembers with status: Earn up to 10 times more miles and Loyalty Points on hotels.

    After completing your stay, rewards generally post within a few days, although it can take several weeks.

    The tradeoff of booking through AA Hotels

    The elephant in the room is the tradeoff. Since AAdvantage Hotels is a third-party booking platform, stays won’t qualify for hotel loyalty points, elite-night credits, or elite benefits through the hotel’s own rewards program. Depending on the rate, you might also have less flexibility, which means stricter change and cancellation policies.

    But depending on your goals, that tradeoff might be worth it.

    You also don’t necessarily need to be chasing elite status to find value here. Even if you’re primarily interested in redeemable miles, AA Hotels can be a useful way to build your balance through stays you were already planning to book.

    Young couple talking and walking through hotel
    FG TRADE LATIN / ISTOCK

    Tips to Get More Out of Your AAdvantage Hotels Stays

    There are a few ways to get more out of your AAdvantage Hotels bookings. Some involve which credit card you use, while others come down to how you structure your reservations and where you are on the AAdvantage elite status hamster wheel.

    Pay with an eligible AAdvantage credit card

    If you’re looking to earn the most redeemable miles on AAdvantage Hotels stays, paying with a cobranded American Airlines credit card is worth considering.

    Several Citi / AAdvantage cards offer bonus miles on eligible bookings:

    Credit CardMiles Earned on Eligible AAdvantage Hotels Purchases
    Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard12X miles
    Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard6X miles
    Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard3X miles starting Jan. 24, 2027
    CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard3X miles starting Jan. 24, 2027

    These are credit card earning rates, so they’re separate from the miles and Loyalty Points offered by the hotel booking itself.

    You’ll also generally earn one Loyalty Point per dollar spent on eligible purchases with these cards.

    One important caveat: Hotels booked through American Airlines Vacations or using the “Reserve Now, Pay Later” option aren’t eligible for the additional credit card bonus miles.

    The Globe card is particularly interesting because it offers an annual Splurge Credit of up to $100. AAdvantage Hotels is one of the eligible brands you can select for this benefit, meaning you could potentially save $100 on a hotel booking each year.

    That’s a useful perk if you’re already planning to book through the platform.

    Be aware of the earning cap

    A detail worth knowing is that AAdvantage Hotels has an earning cap.

    Eligible reservations earn a minimum of 100 base AAdvantage miles per night, but there’s also a maximum of 15,000 base miles per reservation.

    That means it’s worth paying attention to how you structure longer stays.

    Say you’re booking a six-night hotel stay, and AAdvantage Hotels shows that you’ll earn 15,000 miles for the reservation. Before booking, try searching the same dates as two separate three-night stays.

    Depending on the property and available rates, splitting the reservation could allow you to earn more miles and Loyalty Points than booking all six nights together.

    Of course, you’ll want to compare the total price, cancellation terms, and any other costs before doing so. Splitting a reservation isn’t automatically the better deal.

    And if you’re finding hotels that offer relatively few miles for the price, consider checking other properties or booking directly instead.

    Sometimes the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.

    Compare the different room rates

    Another tip is to expand the available room rates before booking. The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the worst for earning miles, and the rate offering the most miles isn’t always the best value.

    For example, I found several rates for the same three-night stay in Peru, with some pretty significant differences:

    Total PriceRedeemable MilesLoyalty Points*Rate Details
    $5693,1003,100Free cancellation, pay at hotel
    $56914,60014,600Nonrefundable
    $65317,60014,600Nonrefundable, 3,000 bonus miles
    $67415,00015,000Free cancellation, breakfast included

    Loyalty Points exclude any additional Loyalty Point Rewards bonuses or eligible credit card spending.

    There’s a lot to unpack here, but two things stand out.

    First, for the same $569, you could earn either 3,100 or 14,600 miles and Loyalty Points. The catch is that the higher-earning rate is nonrefundable, so you’d be giving up some flexibility.

    Second, look at the two nonrefundable rates. For $84 more, you could earn an additional 3,000 redeemable miles, but no additional Loyalty Points.

    That’s because AAdvantage Hotels sometimes offers rates labeled “Bonus miles applied.” These bonus miles are redeemable, but they don’t count toward elite status.

    All to say, don’t just look at the mileage total. Compare the price, cancellation policy, included benefits, and how many of those miles actually count as Loyalty Points.

    Woman exploring architecture in culture during experiential trip to  Lima, Peru
    OLEH SLOBODENIUK / ISTOCK

    Take advantage of Loyalty Point Rewards

    Your AAdvantage status can already influence how many miles and Loyalty Points you’re eligible to earn through AAdvantage Hotels.

    But there’s another benefit worth knowing about, and it comes through American’s Loyalty Point Rewards program.

    Once you earn 60,000 Loyalty Points in a qualification year, you’ll unlock a 25% Loyalty Point bonus on eligible spending with select partners, including AAdvantage Hotels.

    The benefit lasts for six months after you unlock and activate it, so timing matters.

    Here’s an example of how that works.

    Say you have the 25% bonus active and book an AAdvantage Hotels stay offering 10,000 redeemable miles and Loyalty Points.

    Once the stay posts to your account, you’d earn:

    • 10,000 redeemable AAdvantage miles
    • 12,500 Loyalty Points, including the 25% bonus

    That’s an additional 2,500 Loyalty Points toward your next AAdvantage status threshold or Loyalty Point Reward, without needing to spend more on the hotel itself.

    The important distinction is that the bonus applies to Loyalty Points, not redeemable miles. Your redeemable mileage earnings stay the same.

    More on This: When Do Airline Miles Expire? Rules for 7 U.S. Airlines

    Is Booking Through AAdvantage Hotels Worth It?

    It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

    If you’re working toward AAdvantage elite status or trying to build up your mileage balance for an upcoming redemption, AA Hotels can be an excellent way to earn a substantial number of miles and Loyalty Points without getting on a plane.

    But I wouldn’t automatically book every hotel stay through the platform.

    If you have elite status with a hotel chain, booking directly might offer more value through points, elite-night credits, upgrades, and other benefits. And even if you don’t have hotel status, it’s worth comparing prices and cancellation policies before committing.

    The way I look at it, AAdvantage Hotels is another tool in the toolbox. It won’t make sense for every stay, but when the price is competitive and the mileage earnings are generous, it can be one of the more useful ways to work toward your next award flight or AAdvantage status goal.

  • Wyndham Homes & Havens: A New Way to Redeem Points for Vacation Rentals

    Wyndham Homes & Havens: A New Way to Redeem Points for Vacation Rentals

    Wyndham Rewards is getting back into vacation rentals in a big way.

    On October 29, the program launched Homes & Havens, which is a new platform where members can earn and redeem points at nearly 800 homes, villas, and other properties around the world.

    The launch comes nearly a year after Wyndham ended its popular partnership with Vacasa in December 2025. Members could (and still can) redeem points for vacation rentals through Cottages.com, but those properties are limited to the United Kingdom.

    Here’s what to know about Homes & Havens and how to earn and redeem points for stays.

    A Look at Wyndham’s New Homes & Havens

    The new Homes & Havens platform launches with nearly 800 professionally managed rentals across the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe.

    The collection includes everything from villas in St. Barts to ski-in/ski-out properties in Colorado. Wyndham also plans to add hundreds more accommodations in the coming months, including cabins, yurts, and tiny homes.

    Members earn 5 Wyndham Rewards points per dollar on qualifying paid stays, and eligible nights count toward Wyndham Rewards status.

    Paid stays can be booked online, although some properties require a reservation request and follow-up from a specialist.

    Redeeming Wyndham Points for Vacation Rentals

    Like Wyndham’s former Vacasa partnership, Homes & Havens uses a per-bedroom redemption structure rather than a flat rate for the entire property.

    There are currently three redemption tiers:

    • 15,000 points per bedroom, per night
    • 30,000 points per bedroom, per night
    • 45,000 points per bedroom, per night

    A fourth tier, starting at 5,000 points per bedroom, per night, is expected as the collection grows.

    Which tier a property falls into depends on its nightly cash rate per bedroom. Wyndham confirmed to Points Insider that it doesn’t disclose the specific dollar thresholds separating the tiers, although members can find out exactly how many points they’ll need before booking.

    For now, that means calling Wyndham Rewards Member Services at 866-996-7937 to confirm availability, the applicable redemption tier, and the total points required for a stay.

    Wyndham says it expects to introduce online redemptions in the coming weeks, allowing members to check availability and see redemption prices directly through the platform.

    There are a few other things to remember:

    • Book ahead. Members must contact Wyndham Rewards Member Services at least 60 days before arrival to redeem points.
    • Points don’t cover everything. Taxes, cleaning fees, and other mandatory charges are still payable in cash.
    • Not every property will participate. Wyndham expects most rentals to be available for redemption, but some won’t qualify.

    For Wyndham Rewards members who lost a useful redemption option when Vacasa exited the program, Homes & Havens is great to see. But how valuable these new redemptions will be remains to be seen, especially without published pricing thresholds and with additional cash charges to consider.

  • When Do Hotel Points Expire? Rules for 7 Programs

    When Do Hotel Points Expire? Rules for 7 Programs

    Hotel points can be incredibly valuable, but unlike miles in many major U.S. airline loyalty programs, most hotel points expire if you go a while without using your account.

    And the rules vary quite a bit. Some programs give you two years of inactivity before your points expire, while others have shorter windows or additional restrictions.

    Here’s how long points last with seven major hotel loyalty programs, what you can do to keep them active, and a few exceptions worth knowing.

    Hilton Honors

    Hilton Honors points expire after 24 months without qualifying activity.

    You can reset the clock by staying at a participating hotel, earning points (including with a Hilton Honors credit card), buying points, or even donating points to a charitable cause.

    If your points expire, Hilton lets you pay to reinstate eligible points.

    IHG One Rewards

    IHG One Rewards points expire after 12 months without earning or redeeming points. That’s the shortest expiration window on this list.

    However, IHG One Rewards elite members are exempt from expiration as long as they maintain their status.

    Using an annual free night certificate from an IHG credit card doesn’t count as earning or redeeming points. If you’re a Club member (meaning you don’t have elite status), you’ll still need qualifying activity at least once every 12 months.

    World of Hyatt

    World of Hyatt points expire after 24 months of inactivity.

    There are several ways to keep your points active, including earning or redeeming points, gifting an award, converting points to a partner program, buying or combining points, or holding an eligible Hyatt credit card linked to your account.

    If your points expire, they can’t be reinstated.

    Marriott Bonvoy

    Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months without qualifying activity.

    You can keep your balance active by earning or redeeming points, completing a qualifying hotel stay, buying points, converting points with partners, or making qualifying purchases with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.

    However, gifting, transferring, or receiving points doesn’t reset the expiration clock.

    Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite members are exempt from points expiration. For everyone else, forfeited points can’t be reinstated.

    Choice Privileges

    Choice Privileges points expire after 18 calendar months without qualifying earning or redemption activity.

    You can reset the clock through an eligible hotel stay, redeeming points, earning points with a co-branded Choice credit card, or purchasing points.

    Choice Privileges Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Titanium members are exempt from expiration as long as they maintain their status. If you lose elite status, the 18-month clock begins when your status ends.

    If your points expire, Choice offers a paid reinstatement option within 180 days of expiration.

    Wyndham Rewards

    Wyndham Rewards has two separate expiration rules. This makes it a little more complicated than other hotel programs.

    First, individual points generally expire four years after they’re earned, regardless of account activity.

    Second, your points can expire after approximately 18 months without qualifying account activity, such as earning, redeeming, or transferring points.

    Holding a Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card can protect against inactivity-based expiration. Points earned while you’re an eligible Earner Premier cardholder are also exempt from the four-year expiration rule while the card remains open and in good standing.

    Leading Hotels of the World (Leaders Club)

    Leaders Club points expire after 24 months without qualifying activity.

    Earning, purchasing, transferring, or redeeming points resets the expiration clock.

    If your points expire, they can’t be reinstated. However, you can start earning points again after completing another qualifying stay, which begins a new 24-month period.

    Your Leaders Club membership itself doesn’t expire, although the program may deactivate accounts after three consecutive years without activity.

  • IHG Is Selling One Rewards Points With up to a 100% Bonus

    IHG Is Selling One Rewards Points With up to a 100% Bonus

    You don’t necessarily need to earn hotel points to save money on a hotel stay. Sometimes, buying them outright can be cheaper than paying the cash rate.

    That’s the opportunity with IHG One Rewards’ latest points sale, which offers up to a 100% bonus on purchased points. At the highest bonus tier, you’ll pay just 0.50 cents per point.

    Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone should buy. The trick is finding a hotel where the numbers work in your favor.

    Current IHG Buy Points Offer

    IHG is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased One Rewards points through November 10, 2026.

    • Current promotion: Up to 100% bonus
    • Lowest price per point: 0.50 cents
    • Offer ends: November 10, 2026
    • Offer purchase limit: 200,000 points before the bonus
    • Annual purchase limit: 200,000 points before any bonus

    Buy IHG One Rewards points directly from IHG

    IHG runs these promotions regularly, so there’s rarely a reason to buy points simply because there’s a sale. You can compare the current offer with previous promotions in the table below.

    {{ buy-points-history program=”IHG One Rewards” }}

    More on This: Current Buy Points and Miles Offers

    When Buying IHG Points Makes Sense

    Say you’re looking at an IHG hotel that costs $600 per night or 100,000 points.

    At 0.50 cents per point, buying the 100,000 points would cost $500. That’s $100 worth of savings on the same room.

    But if the cash rate were $400, buying points would actually cost you more.

    The math behind this is pretty straightforward.

    Points needed × price per point = cost to buy the points

    There’s another consideration for eligible IHG credit cardholders. The fourth Reward Night free benefit lets you book four consecutive award nights while paying the points price for just three. That can make purchasing points even more attractive for stays of at least four nights.

    Just be sure to compare the same room, dates, and cancellation terms. Taxes, hotel fees, and the rewards you’d earn on a paid stay can also affect the calculation.

    Exterior of the Six Senses Kyoto at night.
    Six Senses Kyoto. IHG

    More on This: How to Search Hotels With Points and Miles Using PointsYeah

    Don’t Buy Points Just Because They’re on Sale

    I’d approach this promotion backward. Find the hotel you want first, then check whether buying the points needed to book it costs less than paying cash.

    Sometimes it will. Other times, it won’t.

    And with IHG running points sales fairly regularly, there’s little reason to stock up without a specific redemption in mind.

  • Earn 70,000 Bonus Points With the World of Hyatt Business Card

    Earn 70,000 Bonus Points With the World of Hyatt Business Card

    The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card has a welcome offer worth considering for business owners who regularly stay at Hyatt hotels, whether they’re traveling themselves or sending employees on the road.

    New cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

    The card carries a $199 annual fee and offers several Hyatt-related benefits, including statement credits, automatic elite status, and opportunities to earn additional elite night credits through spending.

    {{ credit-card-widget uri=”hyattbusiness” }}

    What Can You Do With Hyatt Points?

    World of Hyatt points can be redeemed for stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide. These range from budget-friendly properties to luxury hotels.

    Unlike some hotel loyalty programs, Hyatt still publishes an award chart, although the number of points required varies by hotel category and demand.

    Standard room free nights start at 3,500 points but can run as high as 75,000 points. This depends on the property category and which of Hyatt’s five pricing tiers applies to the night you want to stay.

    What Else Does the Hyatt Business Card Offer?

    Beyond the welcome bonus, the Hyatt Business Card comes with several benefits, including:

    • Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits: Receive a $50 statement credit when you spend $50 or more at a Hyatt property, up to twice each cardmember anniversary year.
    • Automatic Discoverist status: Cardholders receive World of Hyatt Discoverist status and can gift the same status to up to five employees. This is Hyatt’s entry-level elite status, below Explorist and Globalist.
    • Elite night credits through spending: Earn five tier-qualifying night credits for every $10,000 spent on the card in a calendar year.
    • Up to 9X points on Hyatt stays: Earn 4X points through the card, plus up to 5X Base Points as a World of Hyatt member.
    • 2X points in select business categories: Earn 2X points in your three highest eligible spending categories each quarter, including dining, shipping, airfare purchased directly from airlines, and advertising.
    • 2X points on gym memberships: Fitness clubs and gym memberships also qualify for bonus points.
    • Complimentary Hyatt Leverage membership: The business owner can enroll in Hyatt Leverage, which offers access to discounted rates at participating properties. Employee cardholders don’t automatically receive membership.
    • 10% of redeemed points back: After spending $50,000 on the card in a calendar year, receive 10% of your redeemed Hyatt points back for the remainder of that year, on up to 200,000 points redeemed. Eligible redemptions include hotel stays, room upgrades, dining, spa services, and World of Hyatt Experiences.

    Just note that World of Hyatt points expire after 24 consecutive months of account inactivity.

    Lobby of the Andaz London Liverpool Street.
    Andaz London Liverpool Street. HYATT

    Who Can Apply for the Hyatt Business Card?

    A business credit card does require a business. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a company with employees, an office, or a huge amount of revenue.

    Traditional businesses can qualify, but so can many sole proprietors, freelancers, independent contractors, and people earning money from a side business.

    There are also restrictions on who can qualify for the welcome bonus.

    According to Chase’s terms, the offer isn’t available to current World of Hyatt Business Credit Card holders or previous cardholders who received a welcome bonus on this card within the past 24 months.