When we decided to take a 15-day road trip through the Southwest, we knew we wanted to make the most of our travel budget. The good news? We were able to do just that by strategically using points from a variety of loyalty programs like Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, along with leveraging credit card benefits . We could have stayed at hotels from a single hotel chain and worked towards some low-status level. Instead, we spread our points across several, giving us the flexibility to book stays that worked best for our route and budget. Here’s how we did it.
Starting the Journey: Hyatt and Marriott
We started our adventure by staying at a Marriott property, the MOXY Phoenix. Using Marriott Bonvoy points (from a sign-up bonus from a Marriott Credit Card), we could book a night at a nice hotel in a location that worked well for the start of our trip. The Marriott Bonvoy program, with its many hotels across the country, comes in handy to fill in the gaps as we navigated through different cities.
From there, we spent a few nights at Hyatt Vacation Club Sedona. By transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to World of Hyatt, we were able to stay in one of the most scenic parts of Arizona. The combination of beautiful views and comfortable accommodations made it a memorable stop.
Moxy Phoenix
Hyatt Vacation Club Sedona
The Grand Canyon Adventure: Staying Inside a National Park
One of the most exciting parts of our trip was staying inside the Grand Canyon National Park at Thunderbird & Bright Angel Lodge. While the hotels in national parks aren’t part of any loyalty programs, we used our cards to earn 3x points on those purchases. Even without loyalty points, the experience of staying at the Grand Canyon was priceless.
Bright Angel Lodge Cabin
Thunderbird Lodge
Skirting the Las Vegas Strip: Hilton Vacation Club
But here’s where it really got interesting: Our next stop was Las Vegas. As we’ve mentioned before, we’re not really casino people, so we decided to stay at a property without a casino: the Hilton Vacation Club. While this wasn’t a points redemption, it became incredibly valuable thanks to a stacked AMEX Offer. We paid $500 for the stay, but thanks to the offer and the Hilton promotion at the time, we earned over 20,000 Hilton points, which translated to a $100 rebate. It was the perfect way to get the best of both worlds—earning points on a paid stay while enjoying a luxury experience without the casino crowds.
Hilton Vacation Club Las Vegas
Independent Properties: The Candy Cane Inn Near Disneyland
After visiting Las Vegas, we made our way to Disneyland. This time, we opted for an independent gem—the Candy Cane Inn—just outside the park. While it’s not part of a loyalty program, we loved the hotel’s charm and proximity to Disneyland’s entrance.
There are plenty of chain hotels nearby, but not being focused solely on maximizing status allowed us to stay at a unique property. The Candy Cane Inn offered great value, with an atmosphere that made our stay even more enjoyable.
Candy Cane Inn, Anaheim, CA
Final Thoughts: How You Can Do the Same
If you’re planning a road trip or just want to make your next vacation more affordable, diversifying your loyalty points and using your credit card perks strategically is the way to go. Whether you’re using points for hotel stays in national parks, booking through programs like World of Hyatt and Marriott, or taking advantage of AMEX Offers and seasonal promotions, there’s always a way to save.
The most successful travelers don’t just rely on one loyalty program; they build a portfolio of points across several programs. By doing so, they unlock the flexibility to book the best hotels at the best value—whether they’re chain properties or independent gems. Remember, the ultimate goal is to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Diversifying your points and using the right strategies can help you travel smarter, not harder.
Start diversifying your points today, and you’ll see just how easy it can be to book your dream vacation—without breaking the bank.
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