7 Things to Know Before Booking an All-Inclusive Hotel With Points, According to The Points Guy
All-inclusive resorts have come a long way from the spring break clichés of the past. Today's top properties offer elevated dining, design-forward suites and amenities tailored to every type of traveler, from couples seeking candlelit dinners on the beach to families chasing waterpark thrills. And increasingly, travelers are using points to unlock these experiences.
'The major hotel brands, Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, are all pushing the envelope in the all-inclusive space,' says Tanner Saunders, senior hotels reporter at The Points Guy. 'If you haven't been to an all-inclusive resort, now's the time to give it a chance.'But before you cash in your points for that beachfront suite, there are a few things you should know. Points programs vary widely. For example, Hyatt uses a fixed award chart for all-inclusives, while Hilton and Marriott rely on dynamic pricing. Flexibility with dates is key, and it's imperative to always double-check guest count before booking to avoid unexpected charges. Whether you're dreaming of the Dominican Republic's newest luxury openings or a laid-back escape in Mexico, these seven tips from seasoned travel pros will help you book smarter and better, with points.
Related:
7 Tips for Booking Hotels Using Loyalty Points
1. Not All Points Programs Work the Same
Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott, the major hotel players, offer all-inclusive properties that can be booked with points. However, their systems differ. According to Tanner, each brand offers different types and levels of point systems.
'Hyatt uses a fixed award chart, often offering the best value,' he said. 'While Hilton and Marriott use dynamic pricing, meaning point costs fluctuate depending on demand.'
2. Flexibility Is Key to Finding the Best Value
Just like you'll often save when booking flights with more flexible dates, the same is true for booking with points. Award availability also frequently shifts: users report that rooms vanish and reappear as cancellations happen, and some have saved up to 30,000 points by canceling and rebooking once rates fell.
'The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the better chance you'll have of scoring a great deal,' Tanner said. 'High-season trips, like summer holidays in Europe or spring break trips in Florida, will typically require more points, especially with Hilton and Marriott.'
3. Always Input the Correct Number of Guests
When booking an all-inclusive, the number of guests in your party directly affects the price, even when using points. Forgetting to include a child or partner can result in unexpected fees upon check-in.
According to Sarah Blevins, a lifestyle blogger at Our Little Lifestyle and points booking pro, this is the number one mistake many travelers make.
"Unlike many standard hotels, all-inclusive properties are often priced based on double occupancy and charge extra for additional guests. When people do not include children in their booking, they are frequently met with additional charges at check-in," she said.
4. You Really Can Leave Your Wallet Behind
According to Saunders, one of the biggest perks of all-inclusives is the peace of mind that comes from knowing what you're spending upfront. Aside from optional extras like excursions or special dinners, most expenses are covered, making points redemptions feel even more rewarding.
"I would just say: If you haven't been to an all-inclusive resort, now's the time to give it a chance. The know-what-you-pay-upfront resorts have been getting better, and when I'm at one, I love the stress-free nature of leaving my wallet behind and not worrying about how much money I'm spending. To me, that's a great vacation," he said.
(And by leave behind, we mean in your room, because you should never travel anywhere without your wallet!)
5. Explore All Your Options—Both Credit Cards & Hotels
For Sarah, getting into points was all about maximizing the ways she and her family (four in total) can travel together most affordably. She's taken more than a dozen international trips on points—something she credits to strategic research and a well-curated lineup of travel credit cards.
"For me, I found it best to focus on credit cards that allow transferable currencies, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You Points, and Capital One Miles," Sarah said. "These allowed me to transfer points directly into my hotel loyalty programs as needed for each trip, as opposed to only earning and redeeming points with one hotel chain. "
She also found that you often get more value for your points this way, rather than redeeming them for travel through the bank's travel portal.
Related:
6. Maximize Your Points for More Amenities
One of the best ways to get more out of your points is by pairing redemptions with elite status or co-branded credit card perks, which can unlock valuable extras like free nights, waived fees or room upgrades."Some hotels offer additional free nights on stays booked with points and/or if you hold a credit card or status," Sarah said. "For example, Marriott offers the 5th night free on award stays. So, when using points for a Marriott stay, you get the best value when booking five nights. On the other hand, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) offers the 4th night free on all stays to certain cardholders. And, Hilton offers the 5th night free on some stays for elite members." So, for Sarah, pairing additional benefits, whether they come from elite status or various co-branded credit cards, can help you stretch your points further. "Also, with some hotel chains, added resort fees and/or parking charges are waived on points stays or for elite members. So, see where those extra benefits would come into play and consider that when making a decision," she said.
7. Don't Overlook the Standout Properties
If you're using points, know which properties are worth the splurge. Saunders recommends the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic: an adults-only beachfront resort you can book with World of Hyatt points, with access to sister property Ziva's waterpark and restaurants. It's a great example of how luxury and loyalty programs can intersect. The W, which is set to open later this summer, is a brand-new member of Marriott's portfolio and sits along a pristine stretch of Uvero Alto beach and boasts amenities abound, including four restaurants, 9 bars, private beach access, a spa, and more.7 Things to Know Before Booking an All-Inclusive Hotel With Points, According to The Points Guy first appeared on Parade on Aug 8, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is Costco Stock an Obvious Buy Right Now?
Key Points Costco's massive scale gives it leverage over its vendors to obtain favorable pricing. The warehouse club operator's membership model drives customer loyalty. Investors are clearly enamored with the stock, as indicated by the current valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale › Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) proves that investors don't need to own businesses at the cutting edge of technology to score huge wins. In the past five years, shares of this warehouse club operator have produced a total return of 216% (as of Aug. 14), beating the market by a wide margin. Despite this strong performance, this top retail stock trades 9% off its record from February of this year. Is Costco an obvious buy right now? Hard to disrupt With fiscal 2025 Q3 (ended May 11) net sales of $62 billion, Costco is the world's third largest retailer. Selling high-quality merchandise at extremely low prices has made it a fan favorite. What's more, operating a membership model helps drive incredibly valued customer loyalty, while at the same time bringing in a recurring revenue source. Costco should still be thriving well into the future. That's because it's a business that's hard to disrupt. The company possesses a tremendous cost advantage, which allows it to purchase its inventory from suppliers at favorable prices. These savings are constantly passed to customers, encouraging them to increase their spending over time, thus reinforcing the cost advantage. Steep valuation However, the market is fully aware of Costco's merits. The stock has performed exceptionally well historically, helping the company get to a $433 billion market capitalization. But the valuation has clearly gotten stretched. Investors can buy shares at a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.3. This is close to the most expensive level in the last 25 years. Costco is a great business that investors should keep on their watch lists. However, the current valuation is expensive, so the stock is far from being an obvious buying opportunity right now. Should you buy stock in Costco Wholesale right now? Before you buy stock in Costco Wholesale, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Costco Wholesale wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Costco Stock an Obvious Buy Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I'm 39, nearly $60,000 in debt and have nothing saved for retirement — and I don't know what to tackle first
Jordan is 39 years old, and despite not having a college degree, he recently started a job earning $75,000 per year. But he also carries a heavy weight. He's $59,000 in debt, with no savings and no assets. He finally has some momentum with his salary, but he's burdened by poor financial decisions from his past. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it For most of Jordan's adult life, money management wasn't a priority. He was financially irresponsible throughout his 20s. But he finally decided to get his act together and take his finances seriously. He's even started budgeting. The big question he has is what should come first: becoming debt-free or building wealth for the long term? Debt rundown Student loans make up about $20,000 of Jordan's overall debt. The rest, about $40,000, is high-interest credit card debt. He's run the numbers: if he is aggressive, he should be able to pay off nearly all of his credit card debt by around mid-2027 if he puts $2,000 per month or more toward it. If he extends that runway, he could be fully debt-free the following year. But remember, Jordan doesn't have any savings. His employer offers a sponsored 401(k) plan with a 5% match, but he can only start contributing next year. So, what's his best course of action? Here are some options to consider. Establishing a small cushion One thing Jordan probably doesn't want to do is fall further into debt. That's where an emergency fund comes into play. Emergency funds are meant to protect us in case of an unexpected expense or job loss. He could start with as little as $1,000 and grow it over time. Experts typically recommend saving up three to six months' worth of expenses. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. Getting that 401(k) match Whether Jordan decides to focus on paying down his debt or start building his nest egg, one thing he should absolutely consider doing is participating in his employer's 401(k) match program once he's eligible. Not only would contributing to a 401(k) put money toward your retirement, but any matching funds you receive from your employer is essentially free money. Matching programs are a great way to build a nest egg. Focus on debt or savings? Should Jordan prioritize paying off his debt or saving for retirement? Part of the problem with saving while paying down debt is any interest accumulated on the debt would eat into any savings. This is why some experts recommend, in this situation, focusing on paying down high-interest debt. Jordan may want to put his efforts toward paying his credit card debt as aggressively as possible, at least until he's eligible for his employer's 401(k) match program. Once he starts contributing 5% of his salary to a 401(k), the remainder he has available can continue to be put toward his credit cards until they're paid off. Depending on the interest rate of his student loan debt, he may then want to consider pulling back on how much he puts toward his debt. If the rate is low, he may want to contribute more to his 401(k) or establish an IRA. But as previously stated, as long as Jordan has debt any interest will reduce his savings. There's also the mental aspect of carrying debt. Jordan may be in a financial hole, but he's in a solid position to dig himself out. He may want to consult a financial advisor, who can help him develop a tailored blueprint to get out of debt and set himself up for the future. But either way, he can rest easy knowing there's a path forward to achieve his goals. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Goldman's Kostin Says S&P 500 Earnings Surge Past Expectations
(Bloomberg) -- S&P 500 companies trounced expectations this earnings season after they found ways to blunt the impact of tariffs and benefitted from a weaker dollar, according to strategists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. As the second-quarter reporting season draws to a close, aggregate S&P 500 earnings per share are up 11% over the previous year, far exceeding the 4% consensus expectation, according to the strategists. With 92% of S&P 500 companies having reported, 60% have beaten earnings per share forecasts by more than a standard deviation of estimates, they added. The US-Canadian Road Safety Gap Is Getting Wider A Photographer's Pipe Dream: Capturing New York's Vast Water System Festivals and Parades Are Canceled Amid US Immigration Anxiety A London Apartment Tower With Echoes of Victorian Rail and Ancient Rome Princeton Plans New Budget Cuts as Pressure From Trump Builds 'The quarter has been marked by one of the greatest frequency of earnings beats on record,' David Kostin, chief US equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, wrote in a note. The profit margins of US firms held up better than expected in the face of tariffs because companies were able to negotiate with suppliers, adjust supply chains, slash costs and pass price hikes to consumers, according to the strategists. Companies also benefitted from low expectations after analysts slashed earnings estimates during the spring as President Donald Trump announced new tariffs. In June, a team led by Kostin warned that margins would be under pressure if companies were forced to 'swallow a larger-than-expected share' of the cost from levies. A weaker dollar helped drive an acceleration in S&P 500 sales growth during the second quarter, according to the Goldman strategists. They warned, however, that sales growth appears more at risk for smaller companies, which enjoy less of a tailwind from dollar weakness. --With assistance from Sagarika Jaisinghani. What Declining Cardboard Box Sales Tell Us About the US Economy Americans Are Getting Priced Out of Homeownership at Record Rates Living With 12 Strangers to Ease a Housing Crunch How Syrian Immigrants Are Boosting Germany's Economy Bessent on Tariffs, Deficits and Embracing Trump's Economic Plan ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
