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.
Alternate offer: Some people are finding up to 175,000 point offers at this link when they open in incognito.
All information about The Business Platinum Card® has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks. The Business Platinum Card® is no longer available through Katie’s Travel Tricks.
$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.
Lounge access to Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges and more, enrollment required
Hilton Gold Status, enrollment required
Marriott Gold Status, 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.
This has a high spend as well as 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. If you qualify for this CardMatch offer, it’s a huge offer for not too much spend.
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 points through Capital One Travel
If you have a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you will earn 10 points 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 points to “erase” your hotel purchase. Every 10,000 points you use will give you a statement credit of $100.
If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you will earn 5 points per dollar and can also erase your purchase with your points.
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.
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.
If you really can’t stomach the annual fee of the Venture X, the Venture has a similar offer and a lower $95 fee! Points have the same uses as the Venture X.
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.
Book with points through Chase Travel
The Chase Travel portal 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® Card 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.
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 will be 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! The travel credit is very easy to use and if you use Instacart, the annual fee is easily made up. I also like to use this card to book via Chase’s travel portal. 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.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
This offer is not very exciting but we haven’t seen much difference on this since 2019. I love keeping this card for the annual hotel night certificate. Personally, I’d only plan to complete the first half of this offer and not spend the full $18,000 — just the first $3,000. I keep it on my best offer page because I still think the card is worth getting.
We haven’t seen a better offer since 2019 when it offered 40K after $3K in 3 months + 20K after $6K total in 6 months. From 2019-January 2024, the offer was 30k. This offer is just 5,000 points higher.
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, 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.
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend a total of $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer the Ink points to the Sapphire card to get all the airline and hotel transfer benefits!
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services eacInh account anniversary year.
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, 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.)
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 and ended in March 2023. From September 2023-January 2024, the $900 offer returned.
The tiered offer which gives you a total of 6 months to spend the $6000 needed to earn $750 debuted in March 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® 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® 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® 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® 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 is a great way to earn some IHG points! 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.
New Limited Time offer! Earn up to 175,000 Bonus Points. Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 Bonus Points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first 6 months from account opening.
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 or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit of up to $100 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
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.
Go > Limited Time Offer: Earn three Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer
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.
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 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 3/21/24). Note that personal referral offers often don’t match the best available offer.
$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.
Complimentary Platinum Elite status
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 50k)
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. This bonus does have huge potential but you’d need to have paid Marriott nights to get the full bonus. I personally am skipping this one but that’s due to not being focused on Marriott at this time.
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
Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
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.
New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required.
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.
Though lower in points than previous Hilton offers, the Free Night Reward can be very valuable as you can use it at almost any Hilton property with standard award availability — making it worth up to 95,000 points.
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.
Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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 (enrollment required)
10 Priority Pass visits per year (enrollment required)
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
Though lower in points than previous Hilton offers, the Free Night Reward can be very valuable as you can use it at almost any Hilton property with standard award availability — making it worth up to 95,000 points.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel and car rentals bookings on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024
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. 60,000 points = $600
Citi has been very stingy with approvals for this card so this is a good one to get early on. The extended warranty is the best of all the starter cards and offers an additional 2 years of protection on items you purchase. This card often raises the bonus to 80,000 points so if you’re not in a rush for the points, it can be worth waiting for a higher offer.
If you really can’t stomach the annual fee of the Venture X, the Venture has a similar offer and a lower $95 fee! Points have the same uses as the Venture X.
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.
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