Guide: Save On Hotels With Points

Objective: Free Hotel Nights

With so many different ways to earn points, it’s pretty easy to quickly earn lots of points for free hotel nights!

And unlike Airbnb rentals (check out the Airbnb strategy here), which can come with surprises (good or bad), all hotels around the world are carefully reviewed by travellers through comments left on various sites like Tripadvisor.

If you do your homework before you book, you should be confident of the quality of the hotel for your trip!

For families who are used to booking through Airbnb for comfort reasons (especially for access to a kitchen), you should know that some chains, such as Marriott Bonvoy’s Residence Inn / TownePlace Suites, offer real apartments with kitchens!

What Are the Advantages of a Hotel?

Choosing a hotel over an Airbnb can directly impact the quality of your stay. Here are the main advantages to consider when opting for a hotel, especially if you want the best value for money:

• A well-located hotel, close to attractions, restaurants or means of transport, will save you time and money.
• Hotel chains such as Marriott or Hilton offer additional benefits for members, such as upgrades or free nights after a certain number of bookings.
• Breakfast, access to a pool, gym or free Wi-Fi can add real value to your stay.
• A flexible policy is essential, especially if your plans change. Some hotels even allow cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival and have receptions open at all times.
• Loyalty program members can often benefit from free upgrades to superior rooms, depending on their status and availability.

Can You Exchange Hotel Points?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to use your points to book hotel nights, whether in large international chains like Marriott or Hilton, or in independent hotels. This flexibility allows travellers to choose accommodations that suit their style and budget.

In major chains, loyalty programs often offer options to book free nights using your points, sometimes even with promotions that include a free night after a certain number of nights booked. Independent hotels, while not affiliated with chains, can sometimes be accessed through platforms such as Aeroplan HotelSavers or third-party booking portals tied to points programs such as, for example, Expedia for TD.

If you do not have enough points to cover the cost of an entire booking, several programs offer hybrid solutions combining points and cash. This allows you to use your points even with a limited balance. In addition, co-branded credit cards linked to hotel chains can help you quickly accumulate the points you need for your stays.

Before redeeming your points, it is wise to assess their value. If cash rates are very low for a given night, it may be better to save your points for future use when their value will be higher.

The impact of exchange rates on the valuation of points

An often underestimated factor in using points for accommodation is the effect of the exchange rate, especially for Canadians traveling abroad. With the possibility of a drop in the value of the Canadian dollar, it’s even more important to take points into consideration to save money when traveling, especially if you already have your plane tickets.

Loyalty programs such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy generally determine the points cost of hotel nights based on hotel category, local price and/or USD. This means that :

• If the Canadian dollar is weak against the U.S. dollar or local currency, the cash cost of a hotel room increases for a Canadian traveler.
• On the other hand, the number of points required for a free night does not necessarily follow this increase.

Suppose a hotel costs :

• US$200 per night and requires 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
• with an exchange rate of US$1 = C$1.35, this works out at C$270 per night and a valuation of 1.35¢ per point.

If the Canadian dollar falls to US$1 = C$1.50, the same night will cost C$300, but will probably remain at 20,000 points.

This means that the value of the points increases, since the value obtained in exchange for the points is more advantageous with our Canadian dollars, i.e. 1.5¢ per point.

Using hotel points can be an excellent option. This way, you avoid (or minimize) the negative effects of the CAD/USD conversion on your hotel expenses.

Programs to Save On Hotel Nights

In Canada, Marriott Bonvoy is the most advantageous loyalty program for earning free hotel nights at chain properties. Several credit cards allow you to accumulate Marriott Bonvoy points on a daily basis or through welcome bonuses.

Secondly, Hilton Honors is highly accessible, as it’s easy to accumulate points that can be transferred to this program.

Since July 22, 2026, ALL Accor Live Limitless has also been added to this list: American Express Membership Rewards points can now be transferred to this program at a 2:1 ratio, opening access to more than 5,600 hotels in 110 countries, from Fairmont to ibis.

Finally, platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com and others offer their own loyalty programs. Combined with various types of credit card rewards, they offer savings on independent hotels.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy has over 8,000 hotels worldwide. Depending on the hotel’s price range, you can get a free night for as little as 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

You will find the complete map of all these hotels in this article, a Milesopedia exclusive. As well as the version for Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Canada. This allows you to estimate how many points you will need for your next trip.

The rate distribution across their 30 different brands clearly shows that these are not ONLY luxury hotels: they are hotels suitable for all travellers!

For example, we set up a trip to South Africa paid for entirely with Marriott Bonvoy points obtained via the 2 linked credit cards!

The loyalty program has its own special features that you should be aware of, such as the possibility of staying 5 nights for the price of 4 for any stay paid for with points! This results in a 20% saving, which is quite substantial.

The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program is simply one of the best programs available in Canada for free nights anywhere in the world.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors includes more than 7,000 hotels worldwide, offering a wide range of options to suit every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking for a budget or luxury hotel, Hilton Honors allows you to book a free night for as little as 5,000 points, depending on the hotel category.

Just like Marriott Bonvoy, you get the 5th night free when you pay for the first four in points!

Hilton currently has 21 different brands in its portfolio, offering a variety of hotel experiences to meet the diverse needs of travellers.

For example, we stayed at the Capital Hilton DC Hotel in Washington, D.C., an iconic hotel of the chain, which we found both convenient and comfortable. This hotel is close to the city’s main attractions and offers excellent service, while allowing you to use Hilton Honors points to reduce the cost of your stay.

Members are also entitled to a free breakfast as soon as they reach Gold status, and this benefit is offered free of charge with the American Express Platinum Card^®.

ALL Accor Live Limitless

ALL Accor Live Limitless includes more than 5,600 hotels in 110 countries, from Fairmont and Raffles to ibis and ibis Styles. Unlike Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, the program works on a fixed-value basis rather than an award chart: each night is paid in increments of 2,000 points, at €40 (about CA$62) per increment, regardless of the hotel or the date chosen.

Since July 22, 2026, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to ALL Accor Live Limitless at a ratio of 2 Membership Rewards points for 1 Reward point (minimum 1,000 points transferred). American Express Platinum Card^® holders will also receive automatic ALL Gold status later in 2026, which gives access to breakfast and upgrades subject to availability, without having to stay a single night. This is the first time a Canadian credit card has opened a direct door to this program.

Independent hotels

Independent hotels often offer a unique, more personalized experience than the big chains. Whether it’s a boutique hotel in the heart of a big city or a family-run inn in a more remote destination, these establishments can be an excellent option for travellers looking to get off the beaten track.

However, saving money on independent hotels requires a different approach to that used for large chains. Here are some strategies for reducing your costs while enjoying an authentic experience:

• Book direct: Independent hotels often offer discounts or benefits (free breakfast, upgrade) for direct bookings via their website or by phone.
• Use platforms like Booking.com or Agoda: These platforms regularly offer bargains on independent hotels, especially if you book in advance or take advantage of last-minute offers.
• Discount programs: By using portals like Rakuten or other discount platforms, you can save more.

Aeroplan HotelSavers

Aeroplan HotelSavers is a points-based hotel booking platform launched by Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty program. It allows members to access a selection of properties worldwide, with price categories ranging from 10,000 to 105,000 points per night.

• Holders of Aeroplan credit cards can enjoy a fourth night free when booking stays using points.
• Partnerships with hotels enable us to obtain favourable exchange rates and promotions, offering significant savings in points.
• You can combine points and cash to pay for a stay, depending on your points balance.
• Sometimes there are promotions where you can benefit from a points discount when you book.

In general, it is usually more advantageous to use Aeroplan points for flights, but HotelSavers can be a convenient solution for those who also want to use them for hotel stays. In addition, the platform offers a wide variety of properties, including independent hotels not available through other loyalty programs.

Aeroplan HotelSavers therefore offers a flexible and diverse solution for using your points, even if it requires some thought to maximize their value. In fact, Milesopedia values Aeroplan points at 2¢ per point when redeemed for flights, whereas it is more realistic to get between 1¢ and 1.5¢ for hotel bookings.

Here are the best credit card offers Aeroplan:

Credit Cards to Save On Hotel Nights

Now that we’ve had a brief overview of the different loyalty programs, we can turn our attention to credit cards that earn points to save on hotel nights.

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

In Canada, two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards issued by American Express allow you to quickly and directly earn many Marriott Bonvoy points.

When you sign up for either of these credit cards, you can earn a welcome bonus in Marriott Bonvoy points. If you sign up for both credit cards, you can earn both welcome bonuses!

If you are a couple – or with a travel companion – you can earn 4 welcome bonuses in Marriott Bonvoy points!

Membership Rewards Credit Cards

If you need more points, you can get them with American Express Membership Rewards cards:

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is particularly attractive, as it allows you to earn 5 points / dollar (i.e. 6 Marriott Bonvoy points) on many everyday purchases:

• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores(think of gift cards)
• Restaurants
• Food delivery

You can then transfer Membership Rewards points from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy at a rate of 1:1.2 (5:6 if you prefer).

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

In Canada, there are no credit cards that earn Hilton Honors points, but you can easily do so with any American Express credit card that earns privilege points. These transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:1 ratio.

With a American Express Cobalt^® Card you’ll earn 5 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants.

You can also choose to take out an American Hilton Honors credit card if you stay at this chain often enough.

ALL Accor Live Limitless credit cards

As with Hilton Honors, there is no co-branded ALL Accor Live Limitless credit card in Canada. Since July 22, 2026, however, you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to this program at a 2:1 ratio (vs. 1:1 to Hilton Honors and 1:1.2 to Marriott Bonvoy).

With an American Express Cobalt^® Card, you’ll therefore earn about 2.5 ALL Accor Reward points per dollar spent on groceries and dining.

Credit Cards to Save On Independent Hotels

The best credit cards and points programs for saving on independent hotels give cash back or travel points applicable to any travel expense, redeemable as a statement credit.

The following travel points programs can be used:

• CIBC Aventura,
• TD Rewards,
• NBC Rewards,
• Scene+,
• BMO Rewards,
• American Express Membership Rewards Points,
• RBC Avion Rewards,
• MBNA Rewards.

Many credit cards associated with these programs offer generous welcome bonuses. The CIBC Aventura and TD Rewards programs allow you to quickly earn points as soon as you get your card, provided you meet the required spending to unlock the bonuses.

For simple long-term earning and redemption, the Scene+ program stands out. With cards such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card or the Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card, you can book the accommodation of your choice without restrictions tied to specific chains. Points add up quickly and are easy to redeem: 1,000 points equals $10 in statement credit, with a very accessible minimum threshold for redemptions.

Browse our guide to booking independent hotels and our many tutorials to find out how to get the best value for your points on your next trip:

Conclusion

Optimizing the accumulation and use of your loyalty points for hotel stays can turn your trips into memorable experiences while saving you substantial amounts. By applying the strategies presented, such as carefully selecting loyalty programs, planning, and taking advantage of promotions, you will maximize the value of your points.

In this way, you can make the most of your stay while preserving your budget. Don’t forget that each program has its own specifics; a thorough understanding and proactive management of your points are essential to get the most out of them. By adopting these practices, you’ll be able to travel more frequently and comfortably, while keeping your expenses under control.