This year marks a big shift for our family—our three kids all have new jobs in NYC, with two starting this summer. Because of their limited time off, our usual long and exotic December vacation is no longer an option. Instead, we have about four days to play with over Christmas weekend.
We don’t love the beach, and while we enjoy skiing, we’re hesitant to commit due to unpredictable conditions and strict cancellation policies. We like cities but don’t want to freeze. So, I found a perfect compromise: a smaller city with nice weather that NONE of the five of us have ever been to—Austin, Texas.
The Best Part? I Saved Over $5,200 on Our Stay
I booked TWO San Jacinto Suites for four nights at the Thompson Austin using Hyatt points. Each suite cost just 23,000 Hyatt points per night, and I applied one of my suite upgrade awards that I receive annually as a Hyatt Globalist.
If I had paid in cash, each suite would have cost $2,622 with taxes and fees, totaling over $5,200 in savings for our holiday stay.
This is exactly why Hyatt is my go-to program when booking on points. Unlike other hotel chains that have shifted to dynamic pricing, Hyatt still uses an award chart, meaning that award nights remain predictable and often provide incredible value.
Selfies are always better-
When Your Vacation is Free!
How I Earn Hyatt Points
I always make sure to keep a steady flow of Hyatt points in my accounts. Here’s how:
- Hyatt Credit Card: I use my Hyatt card strategically, especially now, as I’m taking advantage of a promotion that earns 5x points per $1 on all dining purchases.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfers: I earn a ton of Chase Ultimate Rewards points from our personal and business spending, and I can transfer them 1:1 to Hyatt whenever needed.
- Bilt Rewards Transfers: Since we currently pay two rents (one for my daughter at Cornell and another for my son at USC), we consistently earn Bilt points, which can also be transferred 1:1 to Hyatt. To maximize our Bilt earnings, we always ensure we complete the required five transactions per month to unlock rent rewards.
Now, What Should We Do in Austin?
Since none of us have been to Austin before, I’d love your recommendations! Drop a comment below with your must-do activities, favorite restaurants, or hidden gems we shouldn’t miss.
Next up—my quest for (hopefully free) flights! Stay tuned!
Related posts:
Flying to Italy on Points: A Smart Redemption for a Special Trip
How I Scored $200 Off an Expensive Birthday Dinner at Laser Wolf Using Amex Gold Resy Credits
How I Scored a Luxurious Weekend at the Park Hyatt Chicago Using Points and Miles
The Miraval Berkshires All-Inclusive Steal: A $4,000 Weekend for Just 65,000 Hyatt Points Per Night!
