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There’s just something special about when you hop off the plane at Reagan National Airport (DCA) or the train at Union Station. You can feel that the air is different in the nation’s capital — a feeling similar to when you get off the train at Penn Station in New York.
Washington, D.C. is loaded with attractions and sites to see. It is also home to a growing culinary scene as seen with the flurry of Michelin-rated restaurants in the last few years.
For travelers interested in sightseeing, the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, the White House, and the Korean War Memorial can not be missed.
Here are 10 of the best value hotels in D.C. that you can book with points. We researched 48 hotels across the 4 major hotel brands of Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott.
The value we are using is cents per point to ensure that you are receiving the best return for the points that you earn. It’s important to also consider what value we assign to each program’s points — this helps determine where you might receive the best bang for your hard-earned redemption.
Now that we’ve highlighted our methodology and goals of the article, let’s dive into the best Washington, D.C. hotels that you can book with points.
Downtown D.C. is flooded with hotel options from all major hotel brands. It makes sense — this area of the city is walkable to places like the White House, the National Mall, the Capitol, and the museums.
The Grant Hyatt Washington provides hotel guests with a bistro/bar, a coffee shop, a deli, and a gym.
15,000 points per night are all you will need to book the Grand Hyatt Washington. Cash rates during peak travel dates average $580 per night, which results in you receiving a whopping 3.9 cents per point in value.
Hot Tip: The Grand Hyatt Washington has a destination fee of $20 plus tax applied to each night of your stay (Courtesy cardholders and Globalists excluded). The resort fee includes a discounted car airport transfer, 10% off Old Town trolley tours, and a $10 daily food and beverage credit.
Category: 4
Hyatt Points Required: 15,000
April-September Rate: $580
Points Value: 3.9 cents per point
West End is a great area to stay in. This area of the city makes it easy to get to Georgetown, Dupont Circle, 14th Street, and all of the downtown sites. It is also a much quieter area than downtown.
Guests staying at this hotel are offered amenities that include complimentary bike rentals, a cafe, a fitness center, a bar, a rooftop terrace, and a heated indoor pool.
The Hyatt Place Washington, D.C. / Georgetown / West End averages $332 per night during peak travel dates. An award night can be booked with 12,000 points per night, netting you 2.8 cents per point in value.
Category: 3
Hyatt Points Required: 12,000
April-September Rate: $332
Points Value: 2.8 cents per point
Hot Tip: Not sure what to do while you’re there? Check out these things to do in Washington, D.C., and our guide to visiting Washington, D.C. with kids.
Another hotel in downtown D.C. to check out is the Hyatt Place Washington, D.C. / White House. For travelers wanting to see the sites in the downtown area, this hotel is within walking distance of most of the places that you will want to see.
Amenities available to hotel guests include a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and a fitness room.
Guests are likely to receive 2.7 cents per point in value as this hotel averages $408 per night during peak travel dates. An award night can be booked with 9,000 to 15,000 points per night.
Hot Tip: Use your Category 1-4 free night certificate that comes with The World of Hyatt Credit Card at the Hyatt Place Washington, D.C. / White House.
Category: 3
Hyatt Points Required: 9,000 to 15,000
April-September Rate: $408
Points Value: Up to 4.5 cents per point
Not far from the U.S. Capitol is where you’ll find the Washington Marriott at Metro Center. For guests who book a stay at this hotel, amenities include a Starbucks, an American restaurant, a gym, and an indoor pool.
The Washington Marriott at Metro Center can be booked starting at 35,000 points per night. Cash rates average $373 per night during peak travel dates, which means your points are worth 1.1 cents per point.
Marriott Points Required: From 35,000
April-September Rate: $373
Points Value: 1.1 cents per point
If you’re after views of the Potomac River and easy access to Georgetown, the Le Méridien Arlington just might be your hotel. Amenities include an Italian restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a gym.
Hotel guests can book this hotel with at least 35,000 points per night or $322 per night during peak travel dates. As a result, 0.9 cents per point is the value you would expect to see with your points.
Marriott Points Required: From 35,000
April-September Rate: $322
Points Value: 0.9 cents per point
In the heart of Georgetown, you’ll find luxury at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown. If you stay at this hotel, you’ll have access to a restaurant, a lounge bar, a garden terrace, a spa, and a gym.
Cash rates during peak travel dates average $519 per night. For those looking to redeem points, you will need at least 60,000 points per night to book a stay. This means your points will be worth 0.9 cents per point.
Marriott Points Required: From 60,000
April-September Rate: $519
Points Value: 0.9 cents per point
Few D.C. hotels offer ease of access to Dupont as the Washington Hilton. Guests who stay at this hotel have amenities that include an American restaurant, sports and lounge bars, a cafe, a gym (fee required), and a seasonal rooftop pool.
The Washington Hilton can be booked with 50,000 points per night. Guests will receive 0.7 cents per point in value as cash rates average $420 per night during peak travel dates.
Hilton Points Required: 50,000-60,000
April-September Rate: $420
Points Value: 0.7 cents per point
Another Georgetown points hotel to put on your radar is the Graham Washington, D.C. Georgetown. This hotel offers its guests a rooftop lounge/bar, a cocktail bar, a restaurant, and a gym.
The Graham Washington, D.C. Georgetown averages $534 per night. An award night can be booked using 80,000 points per night, resulting in a points value of 0.7 cents per point.
Hilton Points Required: 80,000
April-September Rate: $534
Points Value: 0.7
The Wharf is a new development in D.C. that brought in a couple of new hotels including the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf. Amenities available to hotel guests include an African/Caribbean restaurant, a gym, a spa, and a rooftop pool with a bar.
Guests can book the InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf with 60,000 points per night. Peak travel cash rates average $313 per night making your points worth 0.6 to 0.7 cents per point.
IHG Points Required: 45,000 to 53,750
April-September Rate: $313
Points Value: 0.6 to 0.7 cents per point
Smack dab in the middle of downtown is where you’ll be staying if you book a room. On property, there is a seafood restaurant, a cocktail bar, a rooftop bar, and a gym.
Cash rates at the Conrad Washington, D.C. average $374 per night. 60,000 points per night books an award stay so your points return will be 0.6 cents per point.
Hilton Points Required: 60,000
April-September Rate: $374
Points Value: 0.6 cents per point
It’s helpful to highlight how to earn the points that you will need to book these D.C. area hotels. Hyatt properties dominated our list, so let’s start by seeing how best to earn World of Hyatt points.
The annual fee of the World of Hyatt card is a no-brainer for World of Hyatt elite members and road warriors. When Hyatt revamped this card, it’s changes were widely recognized as positive. Benefits and perks are what travelers are looking for and this card blows it out of the park.
The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.
When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.
In addition to a sign-up bonus, the Hyatt Credit Card comes with the following benefits and perks:
The Hyatt Credit Card packs a punch. Just by holding the card, you’ll receive 1 Category 1-4 free night certificate after your cardmember anniversary.
By using this certificate at a hotel that costs at least $95 per night, you can offset the annual fee. In reality, you should be able to receive much more value from this free night.
What makes the Hyatt Credit Card unique is that the card makes sense to put spend on. With every $5,000 that you spend on the card, you will receive 2 elite night credits. This is great for travelers who want to earn higher levels of World of Hyatt elite status, including the coveted Globalist status.
For travelers who can spend $15,000 on the card, you will earn 1 additional Category 1-4 free night certificate. This is in addition to the free night you will earn by being a cardmember. Another way to look at it is that you will earn 2 Category 1-4 free night certificates that you could redeem for a weekend trip. Not bad!
| World of Hyatt Award Chart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Category | Off-Peak Points Per Night | Standard Points Per Night | Peak Points Per Night |
| 1 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,500 |
| 2 | 6,500 | 8,000 | 9,500 |
| 3 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
| 5 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
| 6 | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
| 7 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| 8 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
With the ability to earn 9x points at Hyatt — 5x points as a member plus 4x points from the Hyatt Credit Card — the Hyatt-branded credit card will be the easiest way to earn Hyatt points.
The World of Hyatt program is also a Chase travel partner. This means that you can transfer Chase points directly to Hyatt. This is great news as several Chase credit cards will help you to earn the Hyatt points that you need.
Chase has 3 Ultimate Rewards cards in the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. These cards earn Chase points with your spending that can then be transferred directly to Hyatt.
Marriott has 4 co-branded cards with each card focused on a different type of traveler.
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Marriott uses a dynamic pricing system for its reward redemptions, meaning the price you’ll pay in points will vary according to demand.
Marriott credit card spending will likely be the easiest way to earn Marriott points. Another way to earn points is to stay at Marriott hotels. You’ll earn 10 points per $1 spent as a Marriott member and 10-75% bonus points depending upon your Marriott elite member tier.
Marriott is an American Express transfer partner and a Chase transfer partner. However, we recommend that you transfer American Express and Chase points to their high-value airline (and hotel with Hyatt and Chase) partners instead.
IHG credit cards are issued by Chase and are subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. The 3 credit cards that are available to new applications are as follows:
Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.
If you’re someone who is looking to enhance your IHG stays by earning more points and benefits, without paying an annual fee, then the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card might be the perfect fit for you.
In this guide, we will provide a detailed view of what the card can offer so you can decide if it makes sense to add to your wallet.
The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.
If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.
The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.
The IHG Premier Business card is the perfect option for business travelers who regularly stay at IHG hotels.
IHG Rewards and Chase have teamed up to offer the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card, a compelling option for those who travel often for their business and stay at IHG hotels.
In this review, we will cover all of the benefits of the card, including earning rates, perks, fees, and more to help you determine whether the card is a good fit for your travel goals.
When redeeming IHG points, there will be dynamic award pricing similar to what you’ll see with Hilton Honors. The number of points required for an award night is tied to the cash cost of the room.
Spending on IHG credit cards and staying at IHG Hotels & Resorts are the 2 easy ways to earn IHG One Rewards points. You can also transfer Chase points directly to IHG. However, we do not recommend that you make this transfer. Instead, redeem Chase points with its more valuable airline and hotel partners.
Similar to Marriott, Hilton has an array of credit cards geared towards every type of traveler.
Hilton’s strategy for new credit card signups is to offer free night certificates for a standard room. The cards that offer these certificates have annual fees, however, it’s easy to offset the fee with the certificate.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesComplimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!
You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.
Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.
To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAn excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and Priority Pass lounge access.
If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status, to airport lounge access, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAutomatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.
The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.
So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAn excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.
Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status, complimentary Priority Pass visits, travel protections, and the opportunity to earn free night certificates.
Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.
Hot Tip: We have an article comparing Amex Hilton Honors credit cards that’s great to check out if you want to learn more about these cards.
As previously mentioned, Hilton does not use an award chart. The number of points required is instead tied to the cash cost of the hotel room.
One helpful way to see how many points you’ll need is the Points Explorer tool. Enter your destination in the Where do you want to go? search bar. Then enter the number of points that you have in the How many Points per night are you working with? scroll bar. Last, the search results will show you how many points you will need to book a hotel in that area.
Earning Hilton points from its credit cards that offer 3x and 14x points in spending categories like airfare, grocery stores, Hilton purchases, and restaurants makes it easy to earn Hilton points.
You can also increase your Hilton balance by paying for cash stays at Hilton properties and taking Lyft rides. You can also transfer American Express points to Hilton.
You will not go wrong with using points to book any of the hotels on this list. As you can see, you will receive between 0.6-3.9 cents point per in value.
From a luxury hotel option in the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. to a boutique option in the Graham Washington, D.C. Georgetown to more full-service Hyatt Place properties, you have plenty of hotel options for your next trip to “the District.”
Looking for more cities to book on points? Explore our best hotels to book with points in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
West End is the best area to stay in Washington, D.C. This area is walkable to Georgetown and downtown. You can also catch the Metro at the nearby Metro stops. In addition, we recommend hotels in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. This area of the city will be much quieter than West End and has more of a neighborhood feel.
Dupont Circle to the White House is roughly a 20-minute walk or a 13-minute walk plus Metro ride. We recommend walking down Connecticut Avenue, past Farragut Square, and then through Jackson Square to the White House.
This all depends on where you are in Arlington, VA. The closest part of Arlington to Washington, D.C. is Rosslyn. The Le Méridien Arlington is an awesome place to stay if you want easy access to both Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C.
Cherry Blossom Festival (dates vary from March to April) is a great time to visit, however, the weather makes it extremely difficult to plan your travel around these dates. We recommend late May or early October as the best times to visit Washington, D.C.
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Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.
Michael first caught wind of the points and miles game in 2014 while at a bar in Washington, DC where the conversation amongst friends was quickly derailed because of an alert on a friend’s phone about a mistake fare. That’s where the love affair with points and miles began.
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