Hawaii. Tropical paradise. Popular islands. Luxurious accommodations. Shall I go on? What if all of this was possible with miles and points? Well it is! Here are some tips to help craft the ultimate Hawaiian getaway. (A huge thank you to Mixbook for sponsoring this adventure, starting at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, located on the northwest side of Kauai).
Hyatt Options
Begin with options from major brands like Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, then explore alternative accommodations that provide unique and comfortable getaways while earning plenty of points.
Hyatt currently features eight properties across three islands, ranging from category 4 hotels like the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach to the ultra-luxurious category 8 property, the Andaz Maui at Wailea. Hyatt employs a fixed award chart, meaning the number of points required per night is based solely on the hotel's category. Lower-category hotels are more affordable, while higher-category hotels offer greater luxury. Points can be transferred from Chase or earned directly through The World of Hyatt Credit Card, making these points some of the most valuable among major hotel brands.
For example, the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach typically requires 12,000 Hyatt points per night, though current availability shows standard nights available for 15,000 points. Given a cash price of $248 per night for a standard room, this offers a redemption value of 1.6 cents per point. While not exceptional, it’s a solid option for those looking to conserve points.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Grand Hyatt Kauai offers off-peak nights for just 25,000 points. With the same room priced at over $800, this results in a redemption value of 3.2 cents per point, providing excellent value. It's essential to remember that miles and points aren't solely about redemption values; leveraging benefits like free night awards is also key. Hyatt offers category 1 to 4 free night awards, making the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach an excellent way to maximize value.
Marriott Options
Marriott, the largest hospitality brand globally, boasts over 40 properties in Hawaii. The best Marriott redemption found is at the Wailua Beach Resort, requiring 32,000 points per night, with cash prices around $600, leading to a redemption value of approximately 1.9 cents per point. This is also an opportune time to utilize Marriott free night awards, which are relatively easy to earn through co-branded credit cards. Each free night award can be topped up with an additional 15,000 points, enabling a 35,000-point free night award to book the Wailua Beach Resort or other mid-range to luxury resorts.
Marriott also offers a fifth-night free benefit on award bookings. Cards like Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card allow earning up to 17 points per dollar, making it simple to accumulate points for a longer Hawaiian vacation by combining these benefits.
Hilton Options
Hilton features a wide range of Hawaiian properties to accommodate various budgets. On the affordable side, resorts can be found for around 50,000 Hilton points per night, such as the Hilton Garden Inn in Waikiki Beach. Notably, Hilton points transfer from American Express at a 1:2 ratio, making that equivalent to 25,000 cash points per night, with the room priced at nearly $400, resulting in a redemption value of 1.8 cents per point. Similar to Hyatt, Hilton waives resort fees on award bookings and also offers a fifth-night free benefit.
For luxury options, the Hilton Grand Waikikian typically costs around $1,000 per night but maintains a consistent point rate of about 110,000 Hilton points per night. This results in a redemption value of 3.4 cents per point, which is impressive for a Hilton property. If point balances are limited, free night awards are an ideal solution. Unlike Marriott and Hyatt, Hilton's free night awards have no caps, allowing for their use at ultra-luxury properties, provided a standard room is available.
Alternative Accommodations
While standard point redemptions in Hawaii reveal many options, the featured trip leverages some alternative accommodations, which can provide even more value and unique experiences.
Stays at properties like the Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on Kauai, Manalani on the Big Island, and Ka'anapali Alii in Maui prioritize spacious villas over cramped hotel rooms. While vacation rentals may not be bookable using traditional miles and points, cash bookings often provide excellent value. Spacious vacation rentals can be more affordable than luxury hotels, particularly when costs are split among a group. They also include fully equipped kitchens, enabling savings on dining expenses.
In summary, the ultimate Hawaiian vacation can be achieved through careful planning and strategic use of miles and points across various hotel brands and alternative accommodations. Enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii while maximizing value and using miles and points?! Talk about a win-win!
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