How to Snag 5-Star Hotel Upgrades with Points: A Real Person’s Guide
Imagine checking into a swanky 5-star hotel—marble floors, killer views, maybe a butler—and getting bumped up to a suite without dropping extra cash. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s totally doable with points, and I’ve pulled it off more times than I deserve to brag about. If you’re ready to trade cramped rooms for luxury digs, here’s how to make it happen using those credit card points you’ve been stacking up. Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Pick the Right Points Game
First things first—you need the right kind of points. Not all are created equal when it comes to hotels. Focus on cards tied to big hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt. Marriott Bonvoy points, for example, come from cards like the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant—$650 annual fee, but the welcome bonus can hit 95,000 points. Hilton Honors Amex cards are solid too; I grabbed 130,000 points once just for signing up and spending a few grand.
The trick? Go for cards with hefty bonuses—50,000 points or more—and ones that earn extra on everyday stuff like groceries or gas. My wife and I put everything on ours—school supplies, dinner out, you name it—and racked up enough for a week-long upgrade spree. Aim for at least 60,000-100,000 points to start playing in the 5-star sandbox.
Step 2: Know the Loyalty Ladder
Hotels love loyal guests, even if that loyalty’s just points deep. Sign up for their free programs—Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt—and link your points. Here’s the kicker: the higher your status, the better your shot at upgrades. Most cards give you automatic mid-tier status—like Marriott Gold or Hilton Gold—which isn’t top-dog but still scores perks.
I hit Hilton Gold with a card signup, and suddenly free breakfast and room upgrades were on the table. To climb higher—like Marriott Platinum or Hyatt Globalist—book a few cheap stays with points (like 5,000-point nights) to rack up “elite nights.” More status, more upgrades. Simple math.
Step 3: Book Smart, Then Charm
Here’s where it gets fun. Use your points to book a standard room at a 5-star spot—think Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, or Park Hyatt. Check award charts first—Marriott’s off-peak nights might cost 30,000 points, while Hyatt’s can dip to 15,000 for a luxe spot. Pick a place with “suites available” on the site; it’s a hint upgrades are in play.
Once booked, don’t just sit there. Call the hotel a week out—be nice, not pushy—and mention it’s a special trip (anniversary, birthday, whatever). I did this for a Hawaii stay, casually dropped it was our 10-year, and bam—standard room turned into an oceanfront suite. If you’ve got status, mention that too. Worst they say is no.
Step 4: Play the Points-to-Suites Hack
Some programs let you skip the charm and go straight for glory. Hyatt’s a gem here—if you’ve got Globalist status (tough but worth it), suites open up for points when available. Marriott’s “Points Advance” lets you lock in a room now and earn points later—just don’t flake. Hilton’s trickier; upgrades are luck-based unless you’ve got Diamond status, but their points stretch far—50,000 can snag a 5-star night.
Last year, I booked a Park Hyatt with 20,000 points, called ahead, and landed a suite with a balcony bigger than my living room. Timing helps—midweek or off-season ups your odds since they’ve got rooms to spare.
Don’t Screw This Up
Avoid these newbie flubs: don’t waste points on low-tier hotels—go big or go home. Don’t book non-refundable cash rates expecting upgrades; stick to points for flexibility. Check your status perks—free upgrades don’t happen if you’re basic-tier. And don’t sleep on limited-time transfer bonuses—like 40% extra from Amex to Marriott—those juice your stash fast.
My Big Win (and Yours Next)
Last fall, I took 80,000 Marriott points to a St. Regis. Booked a standard room, flashed my Gold status, and threw in a “it’s our anniversary” line. Check-in day, they handed me keys to a corner suite—private terrace, insane views, the works. Felt like a baller for zero extra.
Your Step-By-Step Playbook
- Grab a hotel card with a fat bonus
- Join the loyalty program and flex any status
- Book a 5-star with points, aim for suites availability
- Call ahead, be cool, and ask nicely
- Watch for points deals to stretch further
You’re not far from living large. Start stacking those points, pick your dream hotel, and work the system. Where’s your first 5-star upgrade gonna be? Hit me up—I wanna hear how it goes!
Recommended Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve stands out among luxury travel cards, offering exceptional value despite its high annual price tag. What softens the cost? A generous $300 yearly travel reimbursement that effectively reduces your out-of-pocket expense. When it comes to rewards, this card really shines. After using your annual $300 travel credit, you'll rack up 10 points per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel℠, plus 5 points per dollar on airfare. Everything else travel or dining-related earns 3 points per dollar, while your everyday purchases collect 1 point per dollar spent.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.