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Family Success Story: Monterey Bay/San Francisco
Thanks to Deana Howerton for sharing her family’s success story of traveling on points!
I asked my boys where we should go on summer vacation early in 2022. We are huge Detroit City FC supporters, and they immediately said an away game. I was thinking road trip to Pittsburgh or somewhere close. Nope! We settled the furthest away match possible from Detroit…..Monterey, CA. So, I got to booking our first big trip on points.
How They Saved on Flights
The three of us, flew Delta, nonstop to San Francisco for 92,000 points round trip July 16-22. I booked through Chase Travel℠, because it was cheaper than the Delta website.
Monterey
We needed to stay somewhere close to the game in Monterey and I chose the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course. At the time it was a Category 6, and it cost 86,000 for 4 nights. In my opinion, it was too much, and they have since changed it to a Category 5. We really enjoyed going to the soccer match, visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the 17Mile Dr in Pebble Beach. Our son got to put his feet in the ocean for the first time!
Editor’s Note: This hotel is now classified as a Category 5 hotel. They have rooms that sleep anywhere from 1-4 people with points ranging from 17,000-23,000 per night.
San Francisco
Afterwards, we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway, back to San Francisco and stayed 2 nights at the Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf for 118K points and $45 in taxes. On the drive back we stopped at different sightseeing spots. Henry Cowell Redwood State Park, just north of Santa Cruz, is an excellent spot to walk the trail to see redwood trees. It wasn’t crowded and took less than 1 hour. Half Moon Bay for lunch and a little beach along the way. We took our time, and the drive was amazing.
We did all the tourist stuff while in Fisherman’s Wharf. A bus tour around town and the Golden Gate Bridge, a boat tour to see Alcatraz, rented bikes and ate all the seafood. My son had Cioppino for the first time and loved it! Everyone told us how cold and windy it would be even in July, so we came prepared. We had an awesome time!
On our last day we stayed at San Mateo Marriott with a free night certificate, plus $38 in taxes. We had an earlier flight, and it was closer to the airport than Fisherman’s wharf.
This trip would not have been possible without points! We created some great memories, and we can’t wait for our next soccer away game adventure this year.
Cards They Used
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
THE top beginner card I recommend for miles & points. The travel protections it provides are top tier, too!
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Up to $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® / NEXUS Statement Credit Statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement when you pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.
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$100 Annual Chase Travel℠ Hotel Credit Get up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
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One year of Apple TV Get one year of complimentary Apple TV after activation. Must activate by 12/31/2026. Or receive $7.50 per month off AppleOne bundle for 1 year.
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Complimentary DashPass + $10 Monthly DoorDash Credit (Through Dec 31, 2027) Activate your complimentary DashPass subscription for $0 delivery fees on eligible DoorDash and Caviar orders. Plus, receive up to $10 in promo credits each month to use on non-restaurant DoorDash orders.
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Comprehensive Travel & Purchase Protections Includes primary car rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation, purchase protection, and travel and emergency assistance.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $5,000 in 3 months | June 17, 2026 - July 30, 2026 |
| 75,000 Points | $5,000 in 3 months | Standard since June 23, 2025 |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $5,000 in 3 months | Ended May 2025 |
| 60,000 Points + $300 Chase TravelElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Sept - early Nov 2024 |
| 75,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Early May - mid June 2024 |
| 80,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Public online offer March 2023 - May 2023 |
| 80,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Ended Fall 2022 |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Ended Fall 2021 |
| 60,000 Points | $4,000 in 3 months | Long-running historical standard (pre-June 2025) |
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
Long term keeper card for the annual free night certificate alone!
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Annual Free Night at Category 1-4 Hyatt (Cardmember Anniversary) Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary.
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Bonus Free Night at Category 1-4 Hyatt After $15,000 Calendar Year Spend Earn an additional Cat 1-4 free night certificate after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
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World of Hyatt Discoverist Status (For Life of Account) Automatic Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Benefits include: late checkout (when available), preferred rooms, premium internet, 10% bonus on base points earned, waived resort fees on award stays.
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Annual Elite Night Credits Receive 5 Elite Qualifying Night credits each year toward your next World of Hyatt status tier. Plus earn 2 additional credits every time you spend $5,000 on the card.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 60,000 Bonus Points (30K + up to 30K via 2x)Elevated | $3,000 in 3 months + 2x on $15K in 6 months | Ended Spring 2026 |
| 5 Cat 1-4 Free Night Awards (3 + 2 Tier)Elevated | $5K + $15K total in 6 months | Best-ever offer ran early 2026, ended Feb 2026 |
| 65,000 Bonus PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Highest bonus-points offer since 2024 |
| 35,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Small jump in January 2025 |
| 30,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Long-running standard offer |
| 25,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Decreased July 2025 |
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
If you like Marriott, this is a keeper card — we find that the annual free night is easy to redeem at hotels that cost $250+ per night.
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Annual Free Night Award 1 Free Night Award each year after your card account anniversary, valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points per night. Can be 'topped up' with up to 25,000 additional points from your Bonvoy account, allowing redemptions at properties costing up to 60,000 points per night.
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Automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite Status Automatic Silver Elite status as long as the account is open. Benefits include 10% bonus on base points (1x extra at Marriott), late checkout (subject to availability), and exclusive Member Rates.
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15 Elite Night Credits Annually + 1 Elite Night Credit Per $5K Spent 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year automatically toward next status tier. Plus 1 Elite Night Credit per $5,000 spent.
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Up to $100 Airline Statement Credits ($50 Biannually) Earn up to $100 in airline statement credits each year through 6/30/2027 — a $50 credit after spending $250 on eligible airline purchases in the first half of the year, and another $50 after spending $250 in the second half. Eligible spending includes base fares, seat selection, checked bags, and in-flight purchases charged directly by the airline. No enrollment required.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night AwardElevated | $3,000 in 3 months | Current as of June 2026 |
| Up to 4 Free Nights (3 + 1 additional after $4K) + $100 Airline CreditElevated | $3,000 in 3 mo + $4,000 total in 4 mo | Launched March 12, 2026 |
| 5 Free Night Awards (Up to 50K Points Each)Elevated | $3,000 in 3 mo | Best-ever; ENDED March 11, 2026 |
| 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night AwardElevated | Standard spend | ENDED November 2025 |
| 3 Free Night Awards (Up to 50K Each) | $3,000 in 3 mo | Previous standard offer |
| 75,000 Bonus Points | Standard spend | Standard baseline offer |
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