One of the biggest advantages of travel rewards isn’t free flights, it’s the ability to greatly reduce hotel costs. During my trip to Japan, I stayed at Caption by Hyatt in Osaka for six nights from August 5–11. Thanks to a strategic points transfer, I was able to save nearly $1,000 on my stay.
The Numbers
Cash Price: $1,259 total (about $209 per night)
Points Price: 30,000 Hyatt points total (5,000 points per night)
How I Booked It
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. After comparing Hyatt properties in Osaka, I chose Caption by Hyatt because of its central location and strong reviews. Instead of paying the $1,259 cash rate, I transferred 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and booked the stay entirely with points.
Those 30,000 Chase points are generally worth about $300 in cash back, making this a significantly better redemption than simply taking cash or booking through the Chase Travel portal.
The Savings
- Cash Cost: $1,259
- Value of Points Used: Approximately $300
- Total Savings: $959
I also received free cancellation and avoided any resort fees, making the redemption even more better.
The Takeaway
Before paying cash for a hotel, always check whether your credit card points can be transferred to a hotel loyalty program. In many cases, transferring points can provide significantly more value than redeeming them for cash back or booking through a travel portal. This single transfer saved me $959 on one hotel stay and it’s a perfect example of why I prefer earning points over cash back.
