Top hotels in the 2026 must‑visit destinations — best options for points and miles redemptions

Stop hoarding points — use them where they stretch in 2026

Travelers and points collectors: your biggest headache in 2026 is no longer “how many points do I have?” but “where will those points actually get me a suite, a beachfront room, or a ski‑in location without paying an arm and a leg?” Dynamic pricing, program tweaks and surging demand for the destinations The Points Guy crowned “must‑visit” this year mean the old playbook won’t cut it. This guide turns TPG’s Where to go in 2026 picks into a practical, tactical list of hotels where points deliver the best value, with recommended room types, concrete upgrade strategies and seasonal pricing insights you can act on today.

The Points Guy: “Make 2026 the year you stop hoarding points for ‘someday’ and book that trip.” — TPG, Jan 16, 2026

Executive summary — the most important moves (read first)

• Target Hyatt and selective Hilton properties for aspirational redemptions — they still offer consistent value pockets in 2026.
• Book shoulder season dates (spring and autumn for Europe, late spring for Japan) — award rates and upgrade availability improve dramatically.
• Use Points+Cash, free‑night certificates and elite upgrade certificates as your primary upgrade levers — confirm by phone 7–3 days out, and again at check‑in.
• Monitor bank transfer bonuses and award sales — late 2025/early 2026 saw multiple 20–40% transfer bonuses; when they pop, move quickly.

Why 2026 is different (trends that matter for award bookers)

Late 2025 and early 2026 reinforced several trends that directly affect how and where points buy you value:

• Dynamic award pricing is now the baseline for most major chains. That means flat award charts are getting rarer — but smart date, room‑type and program choices still produce outsized value.
• Greater emphasis on experiential redemptions. Hotels are packaging excursions, private dinners and transfers into awardable experiences; sometimes buying those packages with cash and using points for nights is the best split. See our notes on how experiential, local offers and pop‑ups change value calculation.
• Transfer partner promos are back. Banks are running more frequent transfer bonuses after slowing in 2023–24 — watch for short windows when Hyatt, Virgin Voyages partners or Hilton offer better yield.
• Ski and island travel demand remains concentrated. For the ski and island destinations on TPG’s list, award availability tightens quickly for winter and high summer; plan earlier and be flexible with room types.

How to use this guide

Below you’ll find a curated list of practical hotel recommendations tied to TPG’s must‑visit destinations, plus exact booking and upgrade playbooks you can use right away. For each property we cover:

• Why it’s a points sweet spot in 2026
• Recommended room type to book with points
• Upgrade strategies (step‑by‑step)
• Seasonal pricing and timing tips

Top hotels where points deliver the best value (TPG‑aligned picks)

1) Park Hyatt Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan (World of Hyatt)

Why it’s a sweet spot: Kyoto is high on TPG’s list for 2026, and the Park Hyatt Kyoto remains one of the best ways to turn Hyatt points into a premium Japanese experience without the unpredictability of private ryokan pricing.

• Room to book: Deluxe or Corner Room on points — these offer the best balance of price and view. Save suites for cash or an elite confirmed upgrade because suite award availability is limited.
• Upgrade strategy: Use Hyatt free night certificates for mid‑week and points for higher nights. If you hold Globalist status, submit a suite upgrade request via phone 14–7 days before arrival and again 48 hours prior. Consider a Points+Cash booking to maintain flexibility while lowering out‑of‑pocket cost for upgrades at check‑in.
• Seasonal tip: Shoulder seasons (late March for late‑bloom, mid‑November for fall color) yield the best award availability. Avoid peak cherry blossom week unless you book 6+ months out.

2) Andaz Lisbon — Lisbon, Portugal (World of Hyatt)

Why it’s a sweet spot: Lisbon is a perennial TPG favorite and Andaz hotels often present excellent suite availability and reasonable award pricing compared with other European capitals.

• Room to book: City View King — solid value when booking with points; suites deliver big tangible benefits (breakfast, lounge access) if you can secure one.
• Upgrade strategy: Book a refundable points or Points+Cash rate then call the hotel to ask about paid upgrades (hotels often prefer to upsell cash to preserve suites). Use any Hyatt upgrade certificates and your Globalist status to push for complimentary upgrades on arrival.
• Seasonal tip: Lisbon’s vibrant shoulder seasons (April–May, Sept–Oct) reduce award pricing and increase upgrade odds compared with July–August.

3) Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre — Reykjavik, Iceland (Hilton Honors)

Why it’s a sweet spot: Reykjavik’s hotels surge in winter for Northern Lights and in summer for hiking. The Canopy Reykjavik is frequently a Hilton sweet spot because off‑peak nights and mid‑week dates can be booked with a sensible number of Honors points.

• Room to book: Standard City Room. If you have Hilton Honors room upgrade certificates (from co‑brand cards), save them for weekend nights when rates spike.
• Upgrade strategy: Hilton’s dynamic pricing makes Points+Cash flexible. Book a refundable cash rate with a plan to convert to points within the cancellation window if a transfer bonus improves your balance. Call 7–3 days out to request a high‑floor/Northern Lights‑facing room.
• Seasonal tip: For Northern Lights, prioritize January–March mid‑week windows; for accessible hiking in summer, book early and aim for May/June or September to avoid price spikes.

4) Hyatt Centric Cartagena — Cartagena, Colombia (World of Hyatt)

Why it’s a sweet spot: Cartagena keeps showing up on TPG lists for culture and beachside charm. Hyatt Centric properties in Latin America often offer very good award availability and lower redemption thresholds versus Caribbean resorts.

• Room to book: Balcony Room or Ocean‑View King if available on points — the balcony upgrade is where you see real value.
• Upgrade strategy: Use Points+Cash to land an ocean‑view when points alone are tight. Contact the property 14 days before travel to add a paid upgrade; hotels prefer cash upgrades to preserving suite inventory for cash guests.
• Seasonal tip: Dry season (Dec–Apr) is busy — target shoulder months (Nov or May) for the best award pricing and upgrade chances.

5) Conrad Maldives Rangali Island — Maldives (Hilton Honors)

Why it’s a sweet spot: The Maldives is a highlight on TPG’s 2026 list for luxury island travel. Conrad Maldives delivers one of the better high‑end redemptions when you combine Honors points, PointSavers and seasonal promotional transfers.

• Room to book: Water Villa on points — if points availability is limited, book a beach villa with Points+Cash and upgrade at the desk or by bidding in the Conrad upgrade program.
• Upgrade strategy: Hilton occasionally lists upgrade offers (paid) in your reservation email; use those for confirmed water villa nights. If you have Hilton elite status, ask for a complimentary late check‑out and a villa upgrade on arrival — it does happen in shoulder season.
• Seasonal tip: Wet season (May–Oct) can bring significant cash discounts — that’s when Award availability opens and your points stretch further. Also worth exploring local food and micro‑dining pop‑ups near resorts; the rise of micro‑feasts and local dining has changed how island packages are valued.

6) Hyatt Ziva/Zilara Cancun or Playa del Carmen — Mexico (World of Hyatt)

Why it’s a sweet spot: All‑inclusive redemptions are one of the most tangible points wins in 2026. Hyatt’s Ziva (family) and Zilara (adults‑only) resorts often price competitively for award nights compared with paying cash for all‑inclusive packages.

• Room to book: Junior Suite — includes more space and often includes resort credits or amenities that elevate the point value.
• Upgrade strategy: Use a combination of points for the base room and cash to secure higher room categories or guaranteed club access. If you have co‑brand credit card certificates that cover resort fees or nights, stack them to reduce out‑of‑pocket.
• Seasonal tip: Low season (Sept–Nov) brings the best award opportunities and paid upgrade offers; aim for late November or early December for the optimal balance of weather and value.

7) Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa — Queenstown, New Zealand (Hilton Honors)

Why it’s a sweet spot: Queenstown is frequently on wish lists for adventure travel. Hilton’s lakefront property offers great value when booked with points outside peak Southern Hemisphere winter weeks.

• Room to book: Lake View Room on points; suites on points are rare but possible in shoulder seasons.
• Upgrade strategy: Book a refundable points or Points+Cash rate and call the property 10–7 days ahead to request a lake view. If you have Honors elite status, leverage the guaranteed room type benefit if applicable for confirmed upgrades.
• Seasonal tip: Ski season (June–August) fills fast — target late autumn (April–May) or spring (Sept–Oct) for award availability and better upgrade odds.

8) Conrad Algarve — Algarve, Portugal (Hilton Honors)

Why it’s a sweet spot: For travelers combining Lisbon (TPG pick) with coast time, the Conrad Algarve often undercuts other luxury hotels on award nights, especially in shoulder season.

• Room to book: Deluxe or Terrace Room — these rooms are often available on points and include extras that make points redemptions feel premium.
• Upgrade strategy: Use Points+Cash for flexibility, and call the property to request a room near the spa/pool complex if that is your objective — it’s a common, successful ask.
• Seasonal tip: High summer is expensive; May, September and October are the sweet spots for award availability and quiet beach conditions. If you plan to pair city time with coast time, consider how neighborhood pop‑ups and local dining can make short stays feel richer without spending on suite nights.

Cross‑property upgrade playbook — a repeatable 6‑step method

1. Lock a refundable or Points+Cash booking as soon as award availability appears; refundable flexibility lets you pivot if a transfer bonus improves balances.
2. Stack certificates and elite benefits: free-night certificates, resort credits from cards, and upgrade certificates should be planned into the reservation before calling for an upgrade.
3. Call the hotel 14–7 days out: politely request upgrade options and note any special occasions — hotels often prioritize requests this far out.
4. Check daily 72–24 hours before arrival: cancellations open suite inventory; this is the best window for confirmed upgrades without extra cost.
5. At check‑in, confirm again: ask about available paid upgrade rates and whether the hotel will match a lower rate you found online (negotiation can work frequently).
6. If denied, use Plan B: book a one‑night paid upgrade (if the price is reasonable) and ask for a complimentary upgrade for subsequent nights — hotels often accommodate this to keep longer stays satisfied.

Advanced strategies (2026): squeeze more value from the system

• Watch transfer bonus timing: Banks now run targeted and public bonuses more often. When they appear, move transferable points (Amex, Chase, Capital One) to programs with the best current yield rather than holding them indefinitely.
• Use split bookings: Book part of your stay on points (low‑demand nights) and part on cash to access better rooms for the nights that matter (honeymoon, event night).
• Hunt for “award arbitrage”: If a cash rate is low and the points rate is high, buy the cash and bank your points — sometimes a paid night during a promo plus a few strategically chosen award nights nets the highest overall value.
• Bundle experiences: Reserve experiences with cash that the hotel bundles, then apply points to nights — often the bundled experience is cheaper as part of the package than purchasing individually. For ideas on how hotels and local operators are packaging food and micro‑events, see this roundup on micro‑feasts.
• Leverage AI fare and award trackers: Set up alerts (many tools now support award tracking) to flag dips in dynamic award pricing; award prices can swing day to day in 2026.

Seasonal pricing cheat sheet — timing matters

• Europe (Lisbon, Amalfi): shoulder seasons (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct) are ideal for awards and upgrades.
• Japan (Kyoto): book 6+ months ahead for cherry blossom; otherwise target late March for low inventory or mid‑Nov for fall color with flexible dates.
• Caribbean & Mexico: look for awards in late spring and fall; high summer sees inflated cash rates but often better award availability in September.
• Maldives: wet season redemptions (May–Oct) can yield big points discounts but weigh weather risk.
• Ski destinations: book at least 120 days out for peak weeks; midweek awards are much easier than weekend awards.

What to avoid — common award booking mistakes in 2026

• Don’t assume an award chart will continue to hold — check dates before transferring points.
• Avoid booking the only available suite award months in advance if you don’t have a confirmed suite upgrade — the hotel may prioritize cash guests.
• Don’t forget ancillary costs — resort fees, transfers and taxes can turn a “cheap” award into a costly trip.

Quick checklist before you hit “confirm”

• Have you checked for a current bank transfer bonus?
• Is your booking refundable or Points+Cash?
• Have you stacked certificates and credit‑card benefits?
• Did you call the hotel to log an upgrade request 14–7 days out?
• Do you have a backup plan if award availability changes?

Final takeaways — use points smarter in 2026

TPG’s 2026 destination picks are a call to action: don’t let program changes and dynamic pricing scare you into inertia. Instead, target the properties above, book shoulder season dates, stack certificates and use Points+Cash as your safety net. When you combine these tactics with an early call to the hotel and daily award checks 72–24 hours before arrival, you’ll unlock real, bookable value from your points.

Ready to act? Start by checking award availability for one of the hotels above, set transfer alerts for your bank program, and lock a refundable Points+Cash night today — then follow the 6‑step upgrade playbook above.

Call to action

Want a tailored list based on your point balances and travel windows? Sign up for our free points optimisation checklist and one‑hour planning session. We’ll map your points to the best 2026 hotel redemptions and show the exact dates where upgrades are most likely to clear. Also see how local pop‑ups and curated experiences are changing short‑stay value propositions and why bringing in nearby food creators can make short stays feel like a longer vacation (local food listings and packaging).

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