If you’ve been earning points with American Express, Chase, or Capital One, you’re sitting on serious hotel value. All three programs let you transfer points to hotel partners or use their own portals to book rooms—sometimes unlocking luxury stays at half the cost or even free.
But not all redemptions are equal. Some options deliver 2–3 cents per point, while others barely break 0.5. In this guide, we highlight the best hotels you can book with each issuer’s points and show you where to get the most value, whether you’re after five-star luxury or maximum nights per point.
Understanding Hotel Redemptions by Issuer
Before diving into specific hotels, here’s how each issuer handles hotel redemptions:
| Issuer | Portal Redemption Value | Hotel Transfer Partners | Point Transfer Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex (MR) | ~0.7¢–1¢ per point | Hilton, Marriott, Choice | Varies (usually 1:1) |
| Chase (UR) | 1.25¢ (Preferred), 1.5¢ (Reserve) | Hyatt, Marriott, IHG | 1:1 |
| Capital One | 1¢ in portal, ~0.8¢–2¢ via transfers | Wyndham, Choice, Accor | 1:1 |
Now let’s get into where those points go the furthest.
Best Hotels to Book with Amex Membership Rewards
Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and Choice Privileges. They can also be redeemed in the Amex Travel portal, but you’ll often get lower value.
1. Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas (Hilton)
- Typical Rate: 80,000 Hilton points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1 Amex MR = 2 Hilton points
- Cash Price: ~$600/night
- Value: ~1.5 cents per MR point (above average for Amex)
For a luxury stay on the Strip with no resort fees, Waldorf Astoria is a strong Hilton redemption via Amex points.
2. Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysées (Paris)
- Typical Rate: 60,000–80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: ~$550/night
- Value: ~0.7 cents per point (average)
This is a prestige redemption for Amex travelers who value location and branding over raw cents-per-point. Not the best deal mathematically, but ideal for once-in-a-lifetime trips.
3. Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown (Choice)
- Typical Rate: 30,000 Choice points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: ~$350/night
- Value: ~1.1–1.2 cents per point
If you’re flexible with dates, Choice hotels via Amex can deliver surprisingly high value—especially in cities with inflated hotel rates like Nashville or New York.
Best Hotels to Book with Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase’s sweet spot is Hyatt. These redemptions often deliver 2 cents or more per point, far outpacing Marriott or IHG.
1. Park Hyatt New York
- Points: 40,000–45,000 Hyatt points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: $900–$1,200/night
- Value: 2–2.5 cents per point
One of the highest-value hotel redemptions out there. Ideal for travelers looking for a luxury experience without paying cash rates in NYC.
2. Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht
- Points: 25,000–29,000 Hyatt points/night
- Cash Price: $500–$600
- Value: ~2 cents per point
This boutique Hyatt property offers excellent point value in a city where hotels can be pricey year-round.
3. Hotel Indigo Rome (IHG)
- Points: 40,000 IHG points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: ~$350
- Value: ~0.9 cents per point
Not as impressive as Hyatt, but IHG redemptions in Europe can still deliver above-average value for Ultimate Rewards holders.
Best Hotels to Book with Capital One Miles
Capital One miles can be used in the Capital One Travel portal (1 cent per mile) or transferred to hotel programs like Wyndham, Choice, or Accor.
1. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (Florida)
- Points: 30,000 Wyndham points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: ~$375
- Value: ~1.2–1.3 cents per mile
For a family vacation or business trip with a beach backdrop, this Wyndham property offers good value when using Capital One miles.
2. The Lincoln Hotel, SureStay Collection (Portland, Maine)
- Points: 20,000 Choice points/night
- Transfer Ratio: 1:1
- Cash Price: ~$200
- Value: ~1 cent per point
Choice hotels aren’t flashy, but they can stretch your miles for longer stays—especially in mid-tier cities or for work travel.
3. Sofitel Mexico City Reforma (Accor)
- Points: ~30,000–40,000 Accor Live Limitless points (via transfer)
- Cash Price: ~$350–$450
- Value: ~1 cent per mile
One of the rare premium hotel options available through Accor’s partnership. Good if you want a five-star stay in Latin America or Europe.
When to Use the Travel Portals Instead
Each issuer has a travel portal that allows you to book hotels directly with points. Here’s when that’s better:
Use Amex Travel if:
- You’re booking a Fine Hotels & Resorts stay
- You have Amex Platinum and want extra perks
- You’re booking a chain that doesn’t participate in point transfers
Use Chase Travel if:
- You have Sapphire Preferred (1.25x value) or Reserve (1.5x value)
- You don’t want to deal with transfers
- The portal offers better pricing than the hotel site
Example: A $500 hotel booked with Chase Sapphire Preferred only costs 40,000 points at 1.25x value.
Use Capital One Travel if:
- You want price protection and automated rebooking
- You don’t use Wyndham or Choice often
- You need rental car or flight + hotel bundles
Quick Comparison: Best Redemptions by Travel Style
| Travel Style | Best Card/Issuer | Best Partner | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury City Hotels | Chase UR | Hyatt | Consistent 2¢+ value |
| Budget & Road Trips | Capital One | Choice Hotels | Low point cost, solid value |
| European Getaways | Amex MR or Chase UR | Marriott / Hyatt | Good partner availability |
| Beach Resorts | Capital One | Wyndham | Strong family-friendly options |
| Mixed Portfolios | Chase UR | Portal + Hyatt | Combines value + flexibility |
Final Thoughts
If you want maximum value from your points, here’s the short version:
- Use Chase points for Hyatt hotels—the best value per point, period.
- Use Capital One miles for Wyndham or in the portal at 1¢ value if simplicity matters.
- Use Amex points for Hilton luxury properties, especially when you get a transfer bonus or want elite perks with the Amex Platinum.
All three programs offer excellent hotel booking power—if you know where to look. With a little planning and smart transfers, your points can stretch much further than you’d expect.