How to Book a Luxury All-Inclusive for $0 with Credit Card Points!
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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Lounging in the pool at the dreamiest all-inclusive resort for FREE: Secrets Moxché in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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You’re lounging by an infinity pool, sipping a margarita that’s definitely stronger than expected, while soft waves crash in the background. The best part? You didn’t drop a dime for this luxury all-inclusive vacation. Nope, not even for the guac. This is what happens when you know how to use credit card points to book a dream getaway.
If that sounds too good to be true, stick around — we’re about to spill all the details so you can do the same. Let’s break it down, step by step. ⤵️
🌴 Step 1: Choose Your All-Inclusive
When it comes to all-inclusive luxury resorts, Hyatt is where the value sweet spot lives. Through their properties like Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, and Secrets, you can book gorgeous beachfront properties where everything (yes, even the top-shelf margaritas) included in your stay.
Our Top Hyatt Picks:
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen – Ultra-luxury, Instagram-worthy everything.
Alila Ventana Big Sur – Highly sought-after, adult-only California coastline property.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana – Adults-only bliss with turquoise water & white sand beaches.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya – Picturesque hideaway along the famed white-sand Akumal beach.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun – Family-friendly with a killer beachfront location.
💡 Pro Tip: The Zilara and Secrets properties are adults-only, while Zivas are the perfect go-to for families.
Hyatt vs. Marriott vs. Hilton: Who Wins for Best Value with All-Inclusives?
Let’s put three similar resorts side by side so you can see the point cost difference.
| Brand | Example Resort | Points Per Night (Standard) | Resort Fee on Award Stays? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt | Hyatt Zilara Cancun (Adults Only) | 35,000–45,000 | No | Oceanfront, top-shelf drinks, all meals included |
| Marriott | Royalton Riviera Cancun (Adults Only) | 60,000–100,000 | Yes | Similar luxury level but more than double the points |
| Hilton | Hilton Playa del Carmen (Adults Only) | 80,000–120,000 | Yes | Beautiful property, but point cost is 3x Hyatt |
Why we’re obsessed with Hyatt for beginners (and honestly, for everyone):
Requires significantly fewer points for the same luxury level.
Waives resort fees on award stays (more on that next).
Transfer partners like Chase make earning Hyatt points faster.
The Secret: No Resort Fees on Hyatt Stays
Many all-inclusive resorts (especially Marriott and Hilton) will still hit you with a $30–$50 per night resort fee even when you book with points. Hyatt? Not a penny.
That means on a 5-night stay, you could save $150–$250 in fees—aka enough to cover a spa treatment, a private snorkeling trip, or six extra margaritas (we counted).
💳 Quick Note: How to Earn Hyatt Points
To make this dream a reality, you’ll need points… and lots of them.
The easiest way? Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Hyatt. Chase points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt, which means every 1,000 points you transfer becomes 1,000 Hyatt points.
👉 We’ve rounded up our favorite credit cards that earn Hyatt points right here.
Spoiler: They’re the same cards we personally use for every grocery run, gas stop, and yes, even those spontaneous Target trips where you go in for toothpaste and leave with a cart full of “necessities.”
Step 2: Hyatt’s Award Chart
Hyatt’s award chart is refreshingly straightforward compared to other programs.
Instead of playing guessing games with wildly fluctuating rates, Hyatt prices their all-inclusive hotels into A-F Categories with three levels:
Off-Peak (cheapest)
Standard
Peak (most expensive)
Translation: The same resort can cost fewer points if you book during less busy seasons or midweek instead of weekends.
Here’s what you can expect when booking a Standard Room, per the award chart:
| HOTEL CATEGORY | OFF-PEAK | STANDARD | PEAK |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
| B | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
| C | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
| D | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| E | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
| F | 42,000 | 50,000 | 58,000 |
Point amounts shown are based on one or two guests per room. If you’re bringing extra travel buddies, you’ll need to redeem more points (up to a maximum of four guests per room).
Step 3: Check Availability Before Transferring Points 📅
You’ve got the points—now what? Head to Hyatt’s website and search for award availability. Look for “Standard Room” redemptions because those offer the best value.
Hyatt made it extra easy to find award availability on their website for award bookings. Here’s how you’re going to quickly check out availability:
1. Head to the Hyatt website and click on the “Explore” tab.
2. Click on the “Hotels & Resorts” drop-down item and you’ll be taken to the Hyatt map & search bar.
3. Search a specific all-inclusive of your choosing or a general city or country if you’re flexible!
4. After you’ve chosen your resort, click on the “Points Calendar” button.
5. Scroll through the award availability calendar to pick your preferred dates and find availability!
Transfer your Chase points to Hyatt only after confirming award availability. Transfers are one-way—like a one-way ticket to regret if you don’t plan ahead.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t let these errors ruin your free trip:
❌ Transferring points before checking availability - Again, Hyatt transfers from Chase are one-way and can’t be reversed. Always confirm availability on the Hyatt website first.
❌ Booking premium rooms with points - These can cost 2–3x more points for little added value. We prefer to stick to standard rooms when possible.
Psssssstttt— 👀 👀 You can always use our Free Hotel Upgrade Template to get our EXACT script for asking for complimentary room upgrades. Keeping more points in your pocket!
❌ Forgetting peak/off-peak dates - Book strategically to stretch your points further! If your dates are flexible, it could be worth moving your trip by a day (or a week) to get the same experience for less points!
Need some inspo? ✨ Here’s some pics of a girls trip we took to Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana! ⤵️
Step 4: Transfer and Book
Once you confirmed availability, transfer your points from Chase to Hyatt. This usually happens instantly, but give it a few minutes just in case. Then, go back to Hyatt’s site and book your stay using points.
If all goes smoothly, congrats! 🎉
You just booked a luxury all-inclusive for $0 out of pocket.
Time to start practicing your “Oh, this? I just used points” humble brag.
✨ Real-Life Example: Our $2,227 Stay for $0
Earlier this year, we booked 3 nights at Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen for 120,000 Hyatt points. The cash price at the time? $2,227. That’s almost $750 per night!! 🤯 Covered entirely with points.
And because we’re clearly on a roll, we just locked in our upcoming trip next Spring to the brand-new Secrets Baby Beach in Aruba: 4 nights for 140,000 points.
The resort wasn’t even open yet at the time of booking, but thanks to a Thrifty Traveler Premium alert, we already have our ocean-view room waiting.
Scroll through for a few snapshots 📸 of our stay at Secrets Moxché in Playa del Carmen, Mexico! ⤵️
Step 5: Enjoy Luxury Without the Bill
Once you’re on-property, indulge guilt-free. Your points cover:
✅ Unlimited food and drinks
✅ Entertainment, night life, resort activities, and more
✅ No resort fees (because Hyatt loves us like that)
And if you’re feeling fancy, splurge on a spa treatment or a premium dining experience. You’re already saving a fortune, after all. 😎
FAQs: But What If…?
Q: What if I don’t have enough Chase points yet?
A: Start earning opening a new card that earns points that can be used for Hyatt stays. We’ve got a full round-up of these cards here. Then use your card for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and even that Target run. They all count toward your next all-inclusive escape.
Q: Do I have to pay taxes and fees?
A: Some resorts may charge minimal fees, but they’re peanuts compared to the full cash price.
Q: What if I need to cancel?
A: Hyatt’s cancellation policies are really flexible. Under most circumstances, you’ll get all your points back into your Hyatt account if you need to cancel your booking. Just double-check the terms before you book.
Bottom Line
Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge (and hopefully a few thousand Chase points), it’s time to turn that dream of a $0 luxury getaway into reality.
Hyatt is actually one of the most rewarding hotel programs out there for points & miles travelers. With Hyatt’s lower point requirements, no resort fees, and easy point transfers from Chase, you can turn your that dream all-inclusive vacation into a reality faster than you think.
If you’re ready to start earning Hyatt points, check out our favorite cards for Hyatt stays here and start planning your first (or next) $0 luxury getaway.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.