If you’re already booking hotels for vacations, work trips, or weekend getaways, there’s no reason not to earn the most rewards possible. Credit card points can be a powerful tool—especially when paired with hotel loyalty programs, strategic booking platforms, and prepaid gift cards.

Here’s how to maximize your credit card points every time you check in.

Use cards that offer travel category bonuses

Many travel-focused credit cards offer higher reward rates for hotel bookings. For example:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred: 2x points on travel
  
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3x points on travel
  
• American Express Gold: 3x points on flights and hotels (via Amex Travel)
  
• Capital One Venture: 2x miles on all purchases
  

These cards allow you to redeem points for travel, transfer them to hotel partners, or use them to erase travel charges. Make sure you’re booking through the channels that qualify—Amex Travel for Amex bonuses, or directly through Marriott or Hyatt for transfer-eligible points.

Pay through portals when the math works

Travel portals like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Travel often let you book hotels directly with points. This can be a good deal during promotions or when booking boutique properties not covered by standard loyalty programs.

However, portal bookings often don’t earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits. If elite benefits matter to you (like upgrades, late checkout, or free breakfast), booking direct is usually the better move.

Stack with hotel loyalty programs for extra value

Make sure your hotel loyalty number is included when booking—even if you’re using points. Hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt allow you to earn loyalty points even when paying with a rewards-earning credit card.

Some cards offer automatic elite status with these programs. For example:

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass: Gold status
  
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Silver status
  
• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Discoverist status
  

This means you can earn points on top of points—credit card rewards + hotel loyalty rewards—while unlocking perks like free upgrades.

Buy hotel gift cards through rewards platforms

To get even more value out of your stay, consider purchasing hotel gift cards through rewards apps before you book. For example, you can:

• Earn cashback with a Marriott gift card
• Get rewards with a Hilton gift card
• Earn cashback with a Hyatt gift card

Pay for the gift card using your rewards credit card to earn bonus points, then use the gift card to pay for your stay. This two-layer rewards strategy is a favorite among savvy travelers.

Gift cards can be applied at checkout—both online and in person—and still count toward loyalty points in most cases.

To find hotel gift cards with cashback, browse the Fluz store directory.

Book refundable rates and track for price drops

If you’ve prepaid with a gift card but booked a refundable rate, you can rebook if prices drop and use the same gift card at checkout. Tools like Pruvo or Hopper can monitor rates and alert you to cheaper options.

Combine that with a high-earning card and cashback rewards, and you’re getting maximum return on the same reservation.

Final thoughts

Maximizing credit card points on hotel stays is all about layering: use a card that earns bonuses, book in a way that also earns loyalty points, and pay with a discounted gift card when possible. With a little planning, every hotel night becomes a step closer to your next free trip—or at least a better one.