If you’re like me, you probably don’t spend a lot of time in fancy, all-inclusive resorts. It’s just not my style.
But that’s starting to change a bit, mainly because Hyatt has made all-inclusive properties a major part of its hotel program… and their points program.
And they look pretty sweet… 👇
First, let’s look at which brands from Hyatt are all-inclusive. Here’s a list:
Hyatt Ziva
Hyatt Zilara
Breathless Resorts and Spas
Dreams Resorts and Spas
Secrets
Sunscape Resorts and Spas
Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts
Alua Hotels and Resorts
So yeah, that’s quite a few brands!
These properties also have their own dedicated award chart with Hyatt. Unlike their standard hotel chart (which groups hotels in categories ranging from one to seven), these all-inclusives are grouped in categories ranging from A to F.
The chart determines the fixed price (in points) of a given hotel, based on the category it’s in.
That means that no matter how expensive the hotel costs with cash, it will always stay at the same price when using points.
Spotting all-inclusive properties is also quite easy. When running a search on Hyatt’s website, look for results with hotels from the brands pictured below, which are part of Hyatt’s “Inclusive Collection.”
As you’ll see in some screenshots below, many of these hotels will show up with a prominent “All-Inclusive Property” banner in the search as well.
The amazing part about this is that these properties all come with free meals, drinks, and sometimes even activities.
So when you use points to book them, you’re getting a TON of value.
Let’s look at a quick example:
Right now, Kara and Nate (of Kara and Nate fame) are staying at one of these properties; the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Jamaica.
Ugh. I’m so jealous.
This place would normally run you over $700 per night after tax, but these savvy travelers booked it for just 28,000 Hyatt points per night.
Now you might be thinking, “Ummmm is that a good deal? Is that a lot of points? Not a lot? I have no frame of reference. Please help.”
While top-notch hotels with chains like Marriott and Hilton can cost as much as 150,000 points per night (or more), Hyatt hotels rarely go above 40,000 or 50,000 points per night, even at some of the nicest hotels in the world.
So yeah, 28,000 points for an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica is pretty darn good.
Which brings us to our next point…
How to earn Hyatt points
Hyatt points are not as easy to come by as Marriott or Hilton points, but there is one super simple way to get them; transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly easy to earn on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Right now, the current offer is: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
That’s enough points to book two nights at a property like the one above.
OR…
You could book FIVE nights at a different all-inclusive property, like this one in the Dominican Republic which only costs 12,000 points per night:
Because the Sapphire Preferred earns so many points from everyday purchases like travel and dining, you could be booking even more stays in no time.
Of course, if all-inclusive resorts aren’t your thing, you can book plenty of other hotels all around the world for as little as 3,500 points per night.
For example, a welcome bonus of 60,000 Bonus Points could get you at least 17 nights (no, that’s not a typo), at a luxurious hotel like this one in Jaipur, India:
17 nights at a luxury property in a bucket list destination all for signing up for a $95 per year credit card… not too shabby, eh?
But I digress. Let’s un-digress and get back to business.
What if I don’t have points but still want to enjoy some Hyatt all-inclusive hotels?
You’re in luck, my friends, because some of Hyatt’s best all-inclusive resorts are so cheap that it would be a waste to use points on them anyway.
For example, some of the Alua brand hotels in Europe cost as little as $50 or $60 per night…
… this is the part where you freak out. Please, go ahead and freak out.
This lovely beach resort in Bulgaria (which I recently booked a 6-night stay at) frequently dips below $50 per night and includes three meals a day.
Sure, you have to go a little out of your way to get there, but who wouldn’t want to explore a new, unique place that isn’t overrun by tourists all while enjoying the same luxurious beach vibes?
If you want to hit a European all-inclusive hotel that’s a little closer to home, there are a number of properties located throughout the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Menorca, and other regions in sunny Spain.
This hotel is actually in Spain, not Trinidad…
So whether you want to maximize credit card points for the best-value hotel brand in the biz or you just want a taste of the all-inclusive life on a budget, you really don’t need to look any further than Hyatt.
Oh, and if you need a traveling companion to sip on mimosas with while watching the sunset, give me a call. 😉
