The highly acclaimed *chase sapphire preferred* is currently offering a massive welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first three months. For just a $95 annual fee, you get a well-rounded travel card with some of the best travel protections on the market and a huge bonus to boot.
If you ask me, this is one of the best travel credit cards on the market for beginners and seasoned travelers alike – and one of the best new card offers, period.
The Thrifty Traveler team already dreamed up how we'd put 100,000 points to use. But beyond getting outsized value by booking first and business class flights, one of my favorite ways to burn Chase points is on top-tier hotel stays that I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
From World of Hyatt to Marriott and IHG, Chase has some outstanding hotel partners in its arsenal. And this big bonus is more than enough to book five-star hotels in Japan, luxury resorts in Greece, and even a beachside retreat in Hawaii.
Here's how I would use 100,000 Chase points to make a dent in my hotel bucket list.
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Three Nights at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Let's start in Hawaii, with one of the best points properties on the beaches of Maui. It's at the top of my bucket list, as Maui is one of my favorite destinations, and this resort is among the best domestic properties in Hyatt's entire portfolio.
While many nights would cost you 40,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points apiece, thanks to Hyatt's peak and off-peak award pricing, there are also plenty of off-peak rates of 35,000 points for this prized Hawaii property. That's a solid redemption for a spot that typically charges $1,000 during the peak season.
Free night awards book into either a king or double queen bedroom equipped with a private lanai, a rainfall shower, and a complimentary minibar with snacks and nonalcoholic beverages that are replenished daily.
With one Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus, you could score up to three off-peak nights here, which would otherwise run you upwards of $3,000 if paying cash.
Two Nights at the Alila Ventana Big Sur
With cash prices of $2,000 a night (or more), Hyatt's Alila Ventana Big Sur is one of the most aspirational properties for points and miles aficionados, period. So go figure, it's also one of the hardest to book with points.
Even though it's an all-inclusive resort, it still prices out based on Hyatt's standard category award chart. It's a category 8 property, which means a standard room can cost as few as 35,000 points per night or, more often, as much as 45,000 points per night.
But compared to the cash rates, it's an incredible deal—arguably the best hotel (in terms of value for your points) on this entire list.
Of course, there's a catch: Hyatt doesn't make standard rooms at the property available for booking with points and miles often. Case in point: You can search the entire calendar without finding a single standard night award bookable with points.
But when inventory is available, it's one of the best deals in the points and miles world. And Thrifty Traveler Premium+ subscribers will be the first to know when bookable nights are available. We sent our subscribers a hotel alert earlier this year!
If you're lucky, you'll find nights for 45,000 points, meaning your Sapphire bonus could score you up to two nights here. That's a hotel stay worth over $4,000!
Three Nights at the Park Hyatt Kyoto
The Park Hyatt Kyoto is another favorite of the Thrifty Traveler team. This is one of the hardest properties to book with points in Hyatt’s entire portfolio. Add in the fact that the property only has 70 rooms, and the room inventory that is available to book with points can go in a hurry. It's one we pay extra careful attention to in order to let our customers know when the flood gates (or trickle, rather) open up.
The Park Hyatt Kyoto is a Category 8 Hyatt property, which means if you're using World of Hyatt points, a standard night will cost you 40,000 points.
That may seem steep, but that's as good as it gets for a high-end property like this. And since cash rates are routinely over $1,500 a night, it's an excellent way to use points. Plus, Hyatt's peak- and off-peak award pricing system means you may see rooms bookable for as few as 35,000 points a night, or as much as 45,000 points during busy times.
From its picturesque grounds, traditional architecture, elegant rooms, top-tier service, and excellent dining, you'll truly get five-star treatment with plenty of Japanese flair here.
For my next trip to Japan, this is among the properties I am keen on checking off my bucket list. If you're able to find off-peak nights, you could use your Sapphire bonus to book up to three nights here – a stay valued at $4,500-plus.
Twenty Nights at the Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay Bai Chay
Yes, you heard it right: I would spend 20-plus nights at the brand-new Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay Bai Chay. Located about two hours east of Hanoi, this property just opened earlier this month and is the perfect home base for a relaxing beach vacation, jumping-off point for cruises through the picturesque Ha Long Bay (where they filmed “Kong: Skull Island”), and delicious local seafood.
This is Vietnam's most recent Hyatt property, and a much needed addition after my favorite hotel in Vietnam, the Hyatt Regency Hanoi West, was taken over by Marriott and converted into the Sheraton Hanoi West.
As a Category 1 hotel, standard awards here go for just 5,000 Hyatt points per night. Once again, Hyatt's peak and off-peak pricing means you could score a night for as few as 3,500 points or as high as 6,500 points, depending on your dates.
As the only budget option on this list, 100,000 points are enough for nearly three full weeks here … maybe more. Although cash prices are also cheap, averaging $60 per night, that certainly adds up if you're booking a long stay. Not a bad return from a $95 annual fee card!
Considering this is a brand-new hotel that provides complimentary breakfast every day, it's not a bad way to plan a cheap trip to Asia, where your dollar (and points!) can take you incredibly far.
Two Nights at the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
We love being in the know about new hotel openings and getting these deals to our customers first. I've been tracking the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa for a while now and finally found award space just last week.
Marriott award redemptions can get pricey in a hurry because of the chain's dynamic pricing model. However, we found rates at this highly anticipated property for as low as 44,000 points per night. Considering most nights will run you north of $500, scoring these off-peak dates at this brand new property felt like a steal.
Your points will book you into a king room with a balcony view of the sea – be sure to choose the room with a balcony plunge pool for the same amount of points! Or upgrade to a swim-up room with its own private infinity pool for just a few more points per night.
This five-star, oceanfront resort along Marathi Beach is slated to open in June. The property includes a spa, two infinity pools, a 24-hour gym with daily group fitness sessions, and plenty of dining options – though, the food scene in Crete can't be missed.
It typically won't make sense to transfer Chase points to Marriott, outside of a transfer bonus, but this new property is one of the few times I would consider using my Chase points to book free nights here. At 44,000 points per night, I would have almost 20,000 points left to spare after a two-night stay.
Four Nights at the Kimpton Seafire
Considering Chase is currently offering an 80% transfer bonus to IHG until April 30, there's likely not a better time to use your Chase points to book an IHG property like the Kimpton Seafire in the Cayman Islands!
We recently found wide-open availability (this year and next) at this Caribbean island property for 70,000 points per night! As nights here typically cost $800 or more, that's a solid use of IHG points. But with the transfer bonus, you could transfer just 39,000 Chase points to book a free night here.
Your points put you into a king or double queen room with a balcony view of the water. Complimentary morning coffee and tea service, bike rentals, and yoga mats are available to order.
Located on Seven Mile Beach, this resort is the perfect place to lounge in a cabana, snorkel, or do some water sports among dolphins and stingrays. Kimptons are among the best in IHG's portfolio, and this one gets rave reviews for its picturesque grounds, top-notch service, dining, marine life, and modern rooms.
Thrifty Tip: If you've got one of the IHG co-branded credit cards, a four-night stay here would only cost you 117,000 Chase points (with an 80% transfer bonus), thanks to IHG's fourth-night free benefit.
Bottom Line
The current 100,000-point bonus on the *chase sapphire preferred* is good for more than just flights. With a low, $95 annual fee, you could book some really incredible hotel experiences with your welcome bonus, too.
If you're in need of more inspiration, be sure to add hotel alerts to your current Thrifty Traveler Premium subscription – or sign up for both flight and hotel deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium+.
Lead image courtesy of Hyatt
