10 hrs ago

How Credit Card Reward Points Can Unlock Luxury Hotel Stays

Could your credit card pay for a luxury hotel stay? How to maximise reward points · livemint.com

Credit card points can sometimes help pay for expensive hotel stays.

Hotel rewards may be more valuable than ordinary shopping vouchers or statement credits.

Some cards let people move their points into hotel loyalty programmes.

The Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers certain free-night benefits and extra points for eligible spending.

Hotel programmes may require different numbers of points depending on the hotel and season.

It is important to compare the cash price of a room with its points price.

People should check transfer rules before moving their points because transfers may not be reversible.

They should also avoid spending extra money just to reach a reward milestone.

A free night may still come with fees at some hotels.

Key facts

Example transfer partners: Axis Bank lists Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, ITC Hotels, IHG Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts among eligible loyalty partners.
Marriott card free-night benefit: The Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a Free Night Award worth up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome and renewal benefit.
Card status benefits: The card provides Silver Elite status and 10 Elite Night Credits.
Marriott hotel spending: Cardholders earn 8 Marriott Bonvoy points for every ₹150 spent at participating Marriott hotels.
Other earning rates: The card earns 4 points per ₹150 on eligible travel, dining and entertainment spending, and 2 points per ₹150 on other eligible purchases.
Spending milestones: Additional Free Night Awards may be available at eligible annual spending levels of ₹6 lakh, ₹9 lakh and ₹15 lakh, subject to the card’s terms.
Potential extra fees: Some hotels may charge resort fees even when a Free Night Award is used.

livemint.com · 10 hrs ago