As anybody at TPG will let you know, top-of-the-line methods to maximise your award journey is through the use of bank cards that earn transferable factors. You’ll be able to typically get essentially the most worth out of those factors once you switch them to resort and airline switch companions.
That is what I did in 2022 after I made my first award redemption, utilizing 105,000 Chase Final Rewards factors to spend per week at Hyatt’s Lahaina Shores Seaside Resort on Maui — completely free. This is how I did it and the way you may plan an analogous journey.
Associated: Tips on how to e book flights to Hawaii with factors and miles
Why I selected to open a Chase bank card
Once I initially deliberate this journey in late 2021, I used to be a beginner to the world of factors and miles. I lately acquired my first journey card, the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card, due to its priceless and versatile Chase Final Rewards factors.
On the time, the Sapphire Most popular was providing a welcome bonus, and at the moment, it’s providing an elevated bonus: You’ll be able to earn 75,000 Final Rewards factors after spending $4,000 in your first three months of card opening. After a couple of months with the cardboard, I had accrued roughly 107,000 Chase factors. My associate and I made a decision to make use of them towards a week-long seaside trip to have a good time our anniversary.
So, armed with my brand-new stash of Chase factors and a primary grasp of factors and miles, I set to work on researching find out how to finest maximize my factors to e book my dream trip.
Associated: Greatest bank card welcome affords
Why Hyatt is my favourite resort chain
Whilst you can e book and redeem Final Rewards factors for resort stays by means of Chase Journey℠, my factors would solely be value a set fee of 1.25 cents apiece. Subsequently, utilizing one in every of Chase’s switch companions is the easiest way to maximise factors.
I began by researching Chase’s resort switch companions: Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards and World of Hyatt. I quickly zeroed in on World of Hyatt, which is widespread for its high-value redemptions. Not like its rivals, Hyatt nonetheless operates utilizing an award chart (versus dynamic pricing), which may result in some nice redemption alternatives.
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The one draw back is that Hyatt’s footprint is considerably smaller than that of the competitors (IHG and Marriott) which meant my resort decisions have been restricted.
When researching Hyatt properties in Hawaii, I discovered a couple of inexpensive choices, together with Lahaina Shores Seaside Resort on Maui. Rooms have been going for $330 or 15,000 factors per night time in February, offering a stable worth of two.2 cents per level. (TPG values Chase factors at 2.05 cents every.) Seven nights would price me a grand whole of 105,000 factors — proper in my price range. Plus, since Hyatt waives resort charges on award stays, I did not need to pay a dime.
Effectively, I nonetheless needed to pay for flights, however since I’d simply saved greater than $2,000 on my resort keep, I did not thoughts reserving the flights with money.
Associated: Hyatt’s new partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith
Switch Chase factors to Hyatt
From what I would learn, transferring Final Rewards factors to journey companions appeared simple. Nonetheless, it was slightly nerve-wracking the primary time I did it.
First, I needed to arrange a World of Hyatt account (since I would by no means stayed at a Hyatt) and hyperlink it to my Chase account. Then, I transferred 105,000 Chase factors. I watched with bated breath as they disappeared from my Chase account and waited for them to look in my Hyatt account, worrying that the web would someway swallow my factors within the course of. Plus, level transfers are virtually at all times irreversible.
Fortunately, the factors have been in my Hyatt account inside a couple of minutes, so I booked my seven-night reservation at Lahaina Shores utterly free.
Associated: All the pieces it is advisable to learn about Chase’s switch companions
Was it value it?
A small a part of me nonetheless questioned if it was too good to be true and if my free resort would find yourself being a dump. Nevertheless, Lahaina Shores Seaside Resort didn’t disappoint.
Although you would possibly get extra worth out of your factors at Hyatt’s luxurious resorts, Lahaina Shores was the right match for me and my associate. It was on the sting of downtown Lahaina, Maui’s historic district, inside simple strolling distance of outlets, eating places and Banyan Tree Park. It was proper on the seaside and in an space that was nice for snorkeling (full with pleasant sea turtles). Plus, every room had a full kitchen, so we saved much more cash by shopping for groceries and consuming on our personal balcony.
Associated: 8 nice US seaside resorts you possibly can e book with factors
E-book a Hyatt resort in Hawaii utilizing factors
After my expertise, I might hands-down advocate Lahaina Shores Seaside Resort to different vacationers. Sadly, this gem has since closed as a result of devastating Maui fires in 2023. Lahaina Shores survived the blaze however suffered extreme smoke injury, so it might be months or years earlier than it reopens.
Till then, listed here are another Hyatt properties value contemplating for the same Hawaiian getaway:
- Hyatt Place Waikiki Seaside (Oahu): from $263 or 15,000 factors per night time
- Hyatt Regency Waikiki Seaside (Oahu): from $331 or 20,000 factors per night time
- Hana-Maui Resort: from $674 or 25,000 factors per night time
- Hyatt Trip Membership at Ka’anapali Seaside (Maui): from $723 or 30,000 factors per night time
Associated: Greatest resorts in Hawaii
Tips on how to earn Chase Final Rewards factors
Bank card welcome bonuses are an awesome place to start out if you wish to earn Chase factors. The Chase Sapphire Most popular and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are each providing elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 Final Rewards factors proper now.
There are many different methods to construct your factors stability, like reserving journey by means of Chase Journey℠, purchasing by means of the Chase portal and referring buddies to your Chase playing cards.
Associated: Who’s eligible for the Chase Sapphire Most popular bonus?
Backside line
Chase factors have a status for being probably the most priceless transferable factors currencies, and now I do know why. Chase has 14 switch companions, together with airways and resorts, so you’ll find a redemption that matches your objectives. Different TPG staffers have lately used Chase factors for a last-minute journey to Greece and a Mexican getaway for 2.
There is no want to fret concerning the switch course of — however do not forget that once you switch bank card factors to journey companions, it is irreversible. Be sure to have a redemption lined up earlier than transferring your hard-earned factors.
