As we approach the end of 2023, many travelers are already looking ahead to their vacations for the following year. With the uncertainty of the past couple of years, planning ahead and saving money has become a priority for savvy travelers. One way to do that is by leveraging points and miles to book hotel stays. In this article, we will explore six extraordinary hotel redemptions that may seem impossible to book but are actually available on many dates in 2024.
Before we dive into the specific properties, let’s discuss why using hotel points can be advantageous. First and foremost, flexibility is key. Hotel award bookings often offer greater flexibility compared to cash bookings. If you need to cancel your award reservation, your points are typically returned to your account without penalty, as long as you cancel within the specified cancellation window. Nonrefundable award reservations are rare, giving travelers peace of mind and the ability to modify or cancel their plans without significant consequences.
Another advantage of using hotel points is the high cash rates. Cash rates for hotels have increased over the past few years, making it harder for travelers to find affordable accommodations. By using points, you can bypass these high prices and save a significant amount of money on your stay. Some hotel loyalty programs also offer additional perks, such as a free night on award stays or waived resort fees, further increasing the value of your points.
Furthermore, there is always the risk of future devaluations in the travel industry. Airlines and hotels have been known to devalue their loyalty programs, making it harder to redeem points for desirable properties. By redeeming your points sooner rather than later, you can ensure that you get the most value out of them before any potential devaluations occur.
Now let’s take a closer look at the six (almost) impossible hotel redemptions you can book now for your 2024 vacations:
1. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: This luxury resort in the Maldives offers unparalleled experiences and is one of the newest hotels in the area. Cash rates for this property can reach up to $2,500 per night, but with points, you can stay for as low as 390,000 points for five nights, thanks to the “free” fifth night benefit.
2. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa: Located in Colorado, this ski resort offers excellent value for your points, even during peak times. Cash rates can exceed $1,000 per night, but points rates range between 35,000 and 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
3. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills: This iconic hotel in Los Angeles offers ample standard room availability for award bookings. Standard rooms can be booked for 120,000 Hilton points per night, while cash rates start at around $1,188 per night. By redeeming Hilton points, you’ll likely get around 1 cent per point, which is 60% higher than the valuation.
4. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa: This stunning resort in Bora Bora is a dream destination for many travelers. While availability for four consecutive nights might be rare, if you check regularly, you might be able to find award space. A four-night stay would require around 530,000 IHG points, with the fourth night being free for select IHG credit cardholders.
5. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort: Considered one of the best hotels in Bora Bora, this property offers luxury accommodations and breathtaking views. Cash rates are very high, but you can book with Marriott points if you can find availability. Without points, the total cost for a stay at this property would be around $8,735.
6. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Located in Baja California, this deluxe points hotel offers stunning views and a luxurious experience. Cash rates start around $1,500 per night, but if you find availability, it will be one of the best redemptions of Hilton points across its network. You can expect to spend 480,000 Hilton points with standard room rewards, thanks to the fifth-night-free benefit.
When booking these award stays, it’s important to keep in mind that incidentals like food, spa treatments, transportation expenses, taxes, and resort fees will still need to be paid for. However, you can use a credit card that offers additional perks to cover these costs.
In conclusion, as we plan for future adventures and book trips for 2024, leveraging hotel points can be a smart strategy to save money. These six extraordinary hotel redemptions offer unparalleled experiences and are surprisingly available on many dates next year. With added flexibility, high cash rates, the ability to score a free night, and the risk of future devaluations, now is an excellent opportunity to redeem your hotel points for these incredible properties. Happy travels!