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In my family, we have an expression: “Free is a good price.” Even when your airfare and hotel are booked with credit card rewards, the cost of food and vacation activities can still be expensive. But when you can use your points and miles to stay in an all-inclusive hotel, the price of your trip can shrink toward almost nothing.
Recommended Credit Cards
Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Bonus Offer | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
1x- 5xPoints
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. |
$95 |
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base) |
Apply Now |
|
1x - 2xPoints
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
$69 |
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: |
Apply Now |
|
2%Cashback
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
$0 |
$200Cash Bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
|
1% - 5%Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. |
$0 |
$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Thankfully, several major hotel loyalty programs allow you to redeem their points for stays in all inclusive properties. Here's how I use points and miles to stay at these hotels for free.
Choice Hotels
Don’t look now, but the brand most famous for budget properties in rural locations also happens to operate a few all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the
Hilton
Of the thousands of Hilton properties around the world,
The Hilton Playa Del Carmen and the Hilton La Romana for Adults are for adults only. Those that allow children charge $
The 5 Best Hotel Loyalty Rewards Programs
Hyatt
Hyatt now offers 10 brand names of all-inclusive resorts under their "Inclusive Collection," which includes properties throughout the
You can book an all-inclusive stay for two guests for about
Hyatt also features its upscale Miraval Resorts which costs
I’ve Never Paid a Luggage Fee for Checked Bags, Here’s How
IHG® One Rewards
Marriott
Marriott currently has
Use Credit Card Rewards to Book All-Inclusive Stays
Two credit card providers that offer exceptional value when redeeming your rewards for hotel stays, including all-inclusive resorts that aren’t part of a loyalty program, are Chase and Capital One.
Since you pay for your hotel stay with your card, you can use whichever booking channel offers you the lowest price or the best benefits, which is often the case when you book directly through the hotel.
Here are a couple of our top recommended cards from Chase and Capital One that can help you earn rewards to put toward hotel stays.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Secure application on issuer’s website
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR21.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$550
-
Sign-Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)
This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge network.
Overview
If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a generous sign-up bonus that can be used for travel-related spending booked through Chase Travel℠. Transfer the points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners and they’re potentially worth even more.
Pros
- An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
- Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
- Generous rewards rates for spending
Cons
- High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
- Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$95
-
Sign Up Bonus
75,000Capital One Rewards Miles
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel Dollar Equivalent: $1,350 (75,000 Capital One Rewards Miles * 0.018 base)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to both beginner and expert travelers. The upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making the card a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines is with the flexibility of the redemption process, though. You can redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Overview
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to beginner and expert travelers alike. The card’s big upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making it a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines, though, is with the redemption process. When it comes to travel credit cards, it can be really challenging to find a way to use your rewards in the way you want.
With hotel and airline credit cards, for instance, you’re basically stuck redeeming your points or miles with the co-branded hotel or airline partner. And with some general rewards programs, you might get less value if you use your points or miles to book a flight versus a rental car or hotel.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, though, you’ll get a lot of flexibility. Here are some of the top redemption options that are available: redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Perks
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to premier culinary events, must-see music events and major sporting events
Pros
- Simple rewards and earning structure
- Ability to earn transferable points to use with travel partners
- Relatively modest $95 annual fee
- Includes credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Cons
- Other travel cards offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories
Bottom Line
When you count on food and activities, a lot of award vacations are far from free. But when you use your points and miles to stay at an all-inclusive resort, especially with a great travel rewards credit card, you can have a relaxing trip and return with a total bill of almost nothing.