The Best Ways to Book Independent Hotels

There are many scenarios in which using cash for a hotel stay makes more sense than redeeming points.

In fact, there are many properties around the world at which using points isn’t even an option. These include independent properties, boutique hotels, or hotel chains without a loyalty program that offers its members points.

In these situations, it’s important to know that you can still save money on your hotel bookings instead of just paying full price. Plus, you can also get some elevated perks to enjoy, usually at no extra cost.

Redeem Fixed-Value Points Currencies

Without directly redeeming points from a hotel loyalty program for a hotel stay, you’ll usually be stuck paying cash. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still use points to help offset the cost.

This is because most credit card programs issue points that can be redeemed against travel expenses at a set value.

Indeed, almost all banks in Canada have the option to redeem points for statement credits, which you can use to offset the cost of travel purchases.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that redeeming points against your hotel stay or travel purchases may not be their most valuable use.

With transferable points currencies, such as American Express Membership Rewards, RBC Avion, and HSBC Rewards, you can generally get better value by transferring your points to airline or hotel partners and strategically redeeming them, rather than by redeeming them for statement credits.

On the other hand, with programs such as TD Rewards, BMO Rewards, CIBC Aventura, Scene+, and National Bank À la carte Rewards, redeeming your points against hotel stays or other travel expenses might just be the best, most valuable use of those points.

American Express Membership Rewards

Generally speaking, you’ll get the most value out of your American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points by transferring them to a partnered loyalty program, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, or Marriott Bonvoy, to name a few.

However, if you’re looking to book a hotel stay that can’t otherwise be booked with points directly, you can use a credit card that earns American Express MR points to pay for the hotel, and you can then use your points balance to cover the cost.

You can redeem MR points…