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Best Universal Orlando Hotel Deals: 16 Hotels Families Can Book with Points
Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Stay With Points
Covering your hotel stay when you visit Universal Orlando is a great way to start saving on your vacation. To create this guide, I looked for hotels that had family friendly options like free breakfast, free shuttles, or proximity to the parks. These are the best Universal Orlando hotel deals for families to book with points.
Universal Properties with Free Express Passes
There are other Universal Resort properties that you can book with points, but I’m focusing on these three because they are ones the provide free Express Passes to everyone in your room.
Your Express Passes are valid the day you check in and the day you check out. Because of this policy, even a one night hotel stay can get you two days of Express Passes. You’ll also be able to get into the park an hour early.
Once on a page for a hotel, click the dates and you’ll see a calendar with nightly rates drop down. You can see in May and June 2023, for instance, rates at Loews Royal Pacific Resort fluctuate from $309-$606 a night.
Book with points through Amex Travel
If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can use your $200 annual Fine Hotel and Resort credit at Loews Portofino Bay. You’ll also get daily breakfast for two, late check out, and a $100 Food and Beverage credit. Rooms sleep up to 2 adults and 3 kids.
All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express®has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks. The Platinum Card® from American Express® is no longer available through Katie’s Travel Tricks.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com
Up to $200 annual airline incidental statement credit, enrollment required
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Lounge access to Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges and more, enrollment required
Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Benefit renews annually. Enrollment required. Terms Apply. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Platinum Card from American Express must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
This has a high annual fee. BUT may be worth it for some people, especially if you can leverage the airline, digital entertainment, and Uber credits. The airline incidental statement credit is per calendar year. That means most people can actually get the $200 airline credit twice in the first year of holding the card.
Just note that if you get this offer, you’ll become ineligible to earn a welcome offer on the Gold or Green cards. To maximize your points earned, start with the Green card, then get the Gold, then this one.
The offers on this card fluctuate greatly. It has been as low as 80,000 points. Typically personal referral links show higher offers than affiliate links and I always try to keep my pages updates with these.
Book with miles through Capital One Travel
If you have a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you will earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels you book through the Capital One Travel website. They will also price match the best available price if you find another rate within 24 hours.
Booking one of these hotels will also trigger your $300 travel credit. You can also use miles to cover your hotel purchase. Every 10,000 miles you use will give you a statement credit of $100.
If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you will earn 5 miles per dollar and can also cover your purchase with your miles.
Don’t let the annual fee of $395 scare you. The $300 annual travel credit and a slew of other benefits make this card a keeper. Plus you’ll immediately up your travel game with airport lounge access and Hertz Presidents’ Club status. Read my complete guide here.
This is the second card in my Three Year Plan despite the annual fee because I really think it is the easiest premium card to get your value back. Between the $300 annual travel credit and the 10,000 miles every year on account anniversary (redeemable for a minimum of $100 in travel), that’s huge value right there.
When this card was released in November 2021, it had a 100,000 miles bonus offered (with a $10,000 spend requirement over 6 months). Since March 2022, it has had the same 75,000 mile bonus offer.
Starting October 6, 2023 – a new 90k offer was available exclusively through select referral links. This ended early in December 2023.
Targeted 100k Offer: Some people receive a targeted offer for 100,000 miles after spending $5000 when going through preapproval at certain links (like the one below) Just be careful because many people see a 75k offer and other people are only pre-approved for a different card with low offer. (Community Referral below)
This card often has a very comparable welcome offer to the higher annual fee Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — but with a lower annual fee.
The miles you earn are worth a minimum of 1 cent per mile so 75,000 miles at minimum can be redeemed to offset $750 of any travel expense. You also have the option to transfer miles to airline partners or hotel partners just like you can with the Venture X.
This card also includes a credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry!
An offer expired in July 2021 for a total of 100K: 50K after $3K in the first 3 months + 20K after $20K in the first 6 months.
An offer ended September 2024 for 75k miles + a $250 travel credit to be used in the Capital One travel portal.
Book with points through Chase Travel℠
Chase Travel℠ sometimes has poor pricing and has no guarantees of good rates, but worth checking as an option. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you will get a $50 hotel credit per year and this might help offset the cost. You will earn 5 points per dollar spent. Or you could use points to pay for the hotel. For every 10,000 points you use, it will lower the purchase price by $125.
If you hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve® you don’t have the $50 hotel credit but your points will go further — you will get $150 of value for every 10,000 points you use.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Great transfer options to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and more
TSA Precheck, NEXUS, or Global Entry credit up to $120 every 4 years
This card stands out over other premium cards for two main reasons. First, it is one of the few cards that still gives you access to Priority Pass experiences (restaurants were discontinued as of July 1, 2024). Most other cards just give access to the lounges but if you frequent an airport with a Priority pass experience, this benefit can be worth a lot to you! Second, the travel credit is very easy to use. I also like to use this card to book via Chase Travel℠. When you use 10,000 points, you’ll get $150 worth of travel.
9,000-15,000 points per night depending on the season [Hyatt Category 3]
Rooms sleep 4 in the 2 queen standard room.
Parking: $30/night
Shuttle: None
Notes: Hyatt Globalists (or those with a Club Lounge Upgrade) will enjoy the Club Lounge for breakfast and appetizers.
This is the first new offer we’ve seen on this card since 2019. I love keeping this card for the annual hotel night certificate. This is a great offer if you are planning to stay at a Category 1-4 Hyatt in the next year! Standard pricing for Category 4 hotels is 15,000 points per night!
But a few things to note:
The free nights can not be combined with Club Access Awards, so this won’t work to use these nights and also trying to upgrade those nights to Club Lounge Access (unless you already have Globalist status). You also can’t use a Suite Upgrade award with these.
These free nights will expire a year after you earn them.
We consider this card a long term keeping. You’ll get a Free Night Award every year on your account anniversary (for a Category 1-4 hotel) and instant Discoverist status (which is helpful for guaranteeing breakfast at Hyatt Places not that it’s not a guarantee).For anyone trying to earn Globalist or trying to earn 20 Elite Night credits to get Club Lounge Access, this card is a also must! You’ll get 5 elite night credits added to your tracker just for holding the card.
Chase Ink cards are our favorite option when we have larger expenses coming that help us to meet the higher minimum spend. The bonus for this card is listed as cash back.But if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can actually combine the “cash back” points with your Sapphire card. (If you have a Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card you cannot combine the points.)
You can get a Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card . You can also get multiple if you have multiple businesses. Don’t forget to refer your spouse to this one!
For many years, the bonus on this card offered $500 after you spent $3000 in 3 months. The offer changed to $750 after spending $7500 in 3 months during the pandemic. In fall 2022, the offer went to $900 after spending $6,000 in 3 months. In fall 2023, we saw the $900 offer return from September to mid-January 2024.
This offer is a lot easier to earn than other cards in the Ink family due to the longer time you have to do the full amount of spending.
The bonus for this card is listed as cash back. But if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can actually combine the “cash back” points with your Sapphire card. (If you have a Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card you cannot combine the points.)
You can get a Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card . You can also get multiple if you have multiple businesses. Don’t forget to refer your spouse to this one! Full guide here
For many years, the bonus on this card offered $500 after you spent $3000 in 3 months. The offer changed to $750 after spending $7500 in 3 months during the pandemic. In fall 2022, the offer went to $900 after spending $6,000 in 3 months. In fall 2023, we saw the $900 offer return from September to mid-January 2024.
When booking with IHG One Rewards points, room prices are dynamic and can vary. I saw this hotel priced anywhere between 21,000 and 41,000 points per night. If you hold an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card you’ll get the 4th night free on award bookings.
Standard rooms sleep 4. There are some suites that sleep 6 — if you have IHG Platinum Elite status (free if you have an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card), you may get upgraded to a larger room. Free Breakfast Parking: $0
Shuttle to Universal: Free
Rooms also include a fridge and microwave.
When booking with IHG One Rewards points, room prices are dynamic and can vary. I saw this hotel priced anywhere between 21,000 and 41,000 points per night. If you hold an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card you’ll get the 4th night free on award bookings.
Standard rooms sleep 4. There are some suites that sleep 6-8 — if you have IHG Platinum Elite status (free if you have an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card), you may get upgraded to a larger room. Kids under 12 eat free with adult entree. Parking: $24
Shuttle to Universal: Free
Earn IHG Points with These Cards
Plus when you hold them, you’ll get your 4th night free when you book 4 consecutive nights with points!
This card is a great way to earn some IHG free nights! You will get a Trusted Traveler program benefit (use for TSA Precheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS), Platinum Elite status (which can give you room upgrades), and 4th night free when you book with points.
IHG has a large footprint and it’s useful to have a stash of IHG points for lots of kinds of trips! IGH has a large number of hotels in Europe that sleep 4 (which is rare!). You can also check out my map of Holiday Inn Vacation Clubs — they have villas with kitchens and some sleep 6. We often use IHG points everywhere from Holiday Inn Express, avid, or Staybridge Suites on road trips. And for a little upgraded stay, we love the Kimpton brand.
This card is a keeper for the annual free night certificate you’ll get on your cardmember anniversary each year. We often redeem ours for a staycation in Chicago!
140,000 points is the standard offer. A 175,000 point offer ended in Spring 2023. A 165,000 point offer ended on April 3, 2024. An offer for 5 free nights (up to 60k per night) ended in September 2024.
Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
This is a great way to earn some IHG points! I prefer this to the personal version of this card since it has less of an impact to your credit score and 5/24 status. You will get TSA Precheck or Global Entry, Platinum Elite status (which can give you room upgrades), and 4th night free when you book with points.
IHG has a large footprint in Europe of hotels that sleep 4. You can also check out my map of Holiday Inn Vacation Clubs — they have villas with kitchens and some sleep 6. We often use IHG points at Holiday Inn Express, avid, or Staybridge Suites on road trips. Or love a stay at a Kimpton.
Pricing is dynamic. I saw prices from 33,000-42,000 points per night. With Marriott your 5th night is free with award stays.
Standard rooms sleep officially 4 but have 2 queens and a sofa bed.
Rooms also include a kitchen
Free breakfast Parking: Free Shuttle to Universal: Free
Pricing is dynamic. I saw prices from 21,000-30,000 points per night. With Marriott your 5th night is free with award stays.
Standard rooms sleep officially 4 but have 2 queens and a sofa bed.
Rooms also include a kitchen
Free breakfast Parking: $24 Shuttle to Universal: None
Earn 3 Free Nights valued up to 150,000 points (up to 50,000 per night) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was collected by Katie’s Travel Tricks and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer website for current information. Katie’s Travel Tricks does not receive commission for this product.
Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
Earn 3X Bonvoy points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
1 Free Night Award annually after your Card account anniversary (up to 35k)
After holding this card for 1 year, you can upgrade to the Ritz Carlton card, which is one option for families to get airport lounge access.
The information related to the Ritz Carlton Credit Card was collected by Katie’s Travel Tricks and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see the issuer website for current information. Katie’s Travel Tricks does not receive commission for this product.
If you like Marriott, this is a solid card to get and then hold on to — we find that the annual free night is easy to redeem at hotels that cost $250+ per night. That’s a half price hotel! Some people prefer the welcome bonus that includes certificates for up to 50k per night, but keep in mind these expire within a year of earning so you need to have a redemption in mind. Check out my map of family friendly Marriotts for inspiration.
Bonus fluctuates from 75,000 bonus points and up. Sometimes the bonus is 3 or 5 free night certificates for up to 50k per night. Note that personal referral offers often don’t match the best available offer.
after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.† Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
(Personal Referral) All information about this card has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks. This card is no longer available through Katie’s Travel Tricks.
6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card
Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
Opening this business card versus one of the personal Marriott cards will help you stay under 5/24 longer and that’s the main benefit of this card. I do like the annual free night certificate, too — and that you can top it off with up to 15k points.
Be sure to pay close attention to all the eligibility rules when applying for any Marriott card as they are pretty convoluted!
Bonus fluctuates from 75,000 bonus points to 125,000 points. Sometimes the bonus is 3 free night certificates for up to 50k per night – highest ever was 5 free nights (up to 50k and ended March 2024, was offered again and ended July 2024). Note that personal referral offers often don’t match the best available offer.
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Ends 5/14/2025
All information about this card has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks. This card is no longer available through Katie’s Travel Tricks.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
1 Free Night Award annually after your Card account anniversary (up to 85k)
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Benefit options include: Five (5) Suite Night Awards, 85K Free Night Award, and mattress and box spring $1,000 discount from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. Certain hotels have resort fees.
$100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply
High annual fee on this card but you have a potential to get some great benefits, too. The automatic Platinum status makes you eligible for upgrades (if available) and the monthly restaurant credits are easy to use if you remember to use them.
The free night certificate offers a lot of potential value each year, too.
But that’s still a high annual fee, so you need to make sure you’re really using the benefits well.
Read the terms carefully to determine if you are eligible for this welcome offer as Marriott cards have complicated eligibility.
Offer fluctuates from 75,000 bonus points and up. Welcome offer of 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 3 months ended August 2023. Welcome offer of 185,000 points ended in May 2024.
Pricing is dynamic. I saw rates from 38,000-50,000 points per night. With Hilton, your 5th night is free on award bookings.
Standard rooms sleep 4-6 with 2 queens and a sofa bed and a separate bedroom.
Rooms also include a kitchen
Free breakfast Parking: Free Shuttle to Universal: Free
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases with your Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership
(Reader Referral) All information about The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks. This card is no longer available through Katie’s Travel Tricks.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
As a Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
This is a great way to earn a Hilton points and not affect your 5/24 score! Hilton points are especially valuable when you can stay 5 nights — the 5th night will be free. You can also use them to stay at a lot of Small Luxury Hotels, independent hotels around the world.
70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + Free night certificate
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Hilton generally requires more points for a redemption (up to 95,000 points for a standard rate) but you do get the 5th night free with award bookings.
This is a good offer on a no annual fee card — some people may prefer an offer we’ve seen before that includes a free night certificate.
130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + Free night certificate
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025.
Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
Complimentary Gold status
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel and car rentals, and attraction bookings on the Citi Travel℠ portal
Thank You Points can be transferred to a variety of partners like Jet Blue, Avianca, Turkish Airways, Choice and more. Points double when transferred to Choice!
You can also cash out your points. 70,000 points = $700
This card is a new card and existing Citi Premier customers have been converted to this one. Citi was very stingy with approvals for the Citi Premier so we don’t know yet how stingy they will be with the Strata Premier. The extended warranty is the best of all the starter cards and offers an additional 2 years of protection on items you purchase.
An offer of 75,000 points ended in April 2025. The previous version (Citi Premier) had a standard offer of 60,000 points. We saw some 80,000 point offers as well — the last one expired in January 2023.
Targeted 100k Offer: Some people receive a targeted offer for 100,000 miles after spending $5000 when going through preapproval at certain links (like the one below) Just be careful because many people see a 75k offer and other people are only pre-approved for a different card with low offer. (Community Referral below)
This card often has a very comparable welcome offer to the higher annual fee Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — but with a lower annual fee.
The miles you earn are worth a minimum of 1 cent per mile so 75,000 miles at minimum can be redeemed to offset $750 of any travel expense. You also have the option to transfer miles to airline partners or hotel partners just like you can with the Venture X.
This card also includes a credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry!
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
