25 Ways to Redeem Points for Rome Hotels

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If you haven’t read our posts about how we flew to Italy and stayed in hotels there for free, you should catch up! In this post, I will list some options for Rome hotels on points.

Here are links to other posts from this trip to Italy:

Rome hotels on points

There are several ways to book hotels on points. I’ll list properties in Rome that you can book with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, World of Hyatt points, Marriott Bonvoy Points, or Hilton Honors points.

The quickest way to earn hotel points is to earn a welcome bonus from opening a credit card. Hotel co-branded cards are great for benefits, but if you haven’t already opened a Chase Ultimate Rewards earning card, I suggest opening one before opening any other cards.

Earn 60,000 points (worth at least $750) when you open a card_name

Current offer: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

card_name is a great card for anyone, but especially beginners. The welcome bonus is worth at least $750 when you redeem through Chase’s redemption portal, but they can be even more valuable when you transfer to partners. Check out our list of 36 redemption ideas!

Bonus categories and benefits have been recently added and/or improved!

Earn 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases
Instead of the old earn rate of 2, you can now earn 3 points per dollar on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout)
3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (this excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
3 points per dollar on select streaming services
Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

Also, receive credit of up to $50 annually on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards. New cardmembers will receive this credit immediately and existing cardmembers will start earning after the next anniversary.

Each anniversary, you’ll receive bonus points equal to 10% of total purchases made the previous year. This excludes any sign up bonus points, so it’s only on points earned from spending.

The annual fee is $95, but the welcome offer alone is worth a lot more than that.

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to 11 different airline frequent flyer programs or 3 different hotel loyalty programs. You can also redeem the points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards redemption portal. Each point can be redeemed for 1.25 cents. That makes the welcome bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points worth $750!

Option #1: Use the Chase Ultimate Rewards booking portal to book Rome hotels

Chase Ultimate Rewards can be redeemed for travel two different ways. First, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards to airline and hotel partners such as United and Hyatt. The other option is to book travel on the Chase Ultimate Rewards website and essentially use your points as cash. Click here for more information about when I would and would not use each option.

As I stated in my post about our hotels in Italy, I ended up using the Chase Ultimate Rewards booking portal to book all of our hotels in Italy.

Transferring points to airline and hotel partners is usually my preferred way of using UR, but if there aren’t good options with their transfer partners, you can use your points to book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards booking portal.

While booking through the portal is not the highest redemption value for your points, it definitely gives you more options than if you only have hotel points such as Hilton or Marriott.

Cost: 1 point per 1.5 cents of the price listed on the Ultimate Rewards booking portal if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve. For Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Ink Business Preferred cardholders, it’s 1 point per 1.25 cents.
For example, if a room is $150, it will require 10,000 UR points if you have the CSR. With the CSP or CIBP, a $150 room would require 12,000 points.

If you do not have Chase Ultimate Rewards points or if you have points with Hyatt, Marriott, or Hilton that you would like to use, here are your options:

World of Hyatt in Rome

While there are no Hyatt properties in Rome, you can redeem World of Hyatt points for Small Luxury Hotel properties.

How to earn World of Hyatt points

World of Hyatt credit card welcome bonus
WOH credit card spend
Paid stays at Hyatt properties
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Don’t forget about the Chase Ultimate Rewards shopping portal since UR transfer to Hyatt!

The quickest way to earn lots of points is to earn a welcome bonus from opening a new credit card

There is a Hyatt co-branded credit card, and this card is almost always on the list of our favorite offers, but I suggest opening a Chase Ultimate Rewards earning card first.

Transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the currency earned from certain Chase cards:

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I suggest opening one of these first for 2 main reasons: First of all, the welcome offers are better than that of the World of Hyatt card. Also, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to 11 airline programs or 3 hotel programs, so you have more redemption options. Hyatt is a transfer partner, so you have the option to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt.

World of Hyatt is a hotel transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards

The card_name card has a welcome bonus of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

If you qualify for business cards, the bonus on the Chase Ink Business Preferred is currently 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points! The minimum spending requirement is $15k in the first 3 months and the annual fee is $95.

You can find 36 great ways to redeem some of the CSP bonus here.

I suggest opening one of these cards before opening the Hyatt card due to the transferability of the points. With the World of Hyatt credit card, you’ll only accumulate World of Hyatt points and you are limited to redemptions with Hyatt.

Once you have a transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards earning card, the World of Hyatt card would be a great one to open. We keep this card open year after year for the benefits.

World of Hyatt credit card from Chase

There is only 1 Hyatt co-branded credit card. The World of Hyatt credit card is the only Hyatt-co-branded credit card and Chase is the issuer.

Welcome bonus: The welcome offer on the World of Hyatt credit card from Chase is 30,000 Hyatt points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus 2 bonus points per dollar on purchases that normally earn up to 1 point per dollar for the first 6 month on up to $15,000.

Earn rate: The earn rate is 4 World of Hyatt points per dollar at Hyatt, 2 points per dollar at restaurants, 2 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines, 2 points per dollar on local transit, and 2 points per dollar on gym memberships.

Other benefits: There is a great benefit that may make this card worth keeping year after year. At your first cardmember anniversary and each anniversary thereafter, you will receive an annual free night certificate which is good for any Hyatt property that is category 1-4.

This card also comes with Discoverist status, which is mid-tier at best, but Discoverist status will get you free premium internet and late checkout. In our experience, Hyatt is generous with room upgrades, even for lower status!

The annual fee is $95, but there are so many properties for which you can use the annual free night with rates significantly higher than $95. This is a 5/24 card, so it’s a card you will want to open before opening cards from other banks. Click here for the top cards for beginners.

Hyatt’s award chart is favorable to transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards

As you’ll see with Marriott, some programs have inflated award charts that may mean a low cents per point value when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I try to save my Ultimate Rewards points for redemptions that result in a value of 2 or more cents per point. In order for me to transfer Chase UR to Hyatt to book an award stay, I want to make sure the value of using points is going to be somewhere around 2 cents per point.

Getting 2 cpp value is often possile with Hyatt’s redemption chart.

In March, Hyatt will be rolling out off-peak/standard/peak pricing. This is good and bad. The good news is that standard pricing remains the same and off peak is lower. The bad news is that if your plans involve peak dates, more points are required. Even at peak pricing, Hyatt points still have the potential for great value.

World of Hyatt Peak and Off peak redemptions

Redeem World of Hyatt points at 7 properties in Rome

The prices in this list are for random dates in 2020. Depending on your travel dates, prices could go up or down.

1. Villa Spalletti Trivelli (Hyatt category 7)

30,000 World of Hyatt points per night
435 Euros per night

2. Hotel Splendide Royal (Hyatt category 7)

30,000 World of Hyatt points per night
435 Euros per night

3. Hotel D’Inghilterra (Hyatt category 6)

25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
560 Euros per night

4. Margutta 19 (Hyatt category 7)

30,000 World of Hyatt points per night
450 Euros per night

5. Babuino 181 (Hyatt category 6)

25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
380 Euros per night

6. Hotel Lord Byron (Hyatt category 5)

20,000 World of Hyatt points per night
293 Euros per night

7. Hotel De’Ricci (Hyatt category 6)

25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
404 Euros per night

Marriott Bonvoy options in Rome:

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points:

Welcome bonuses and everyday spending with Marriott co-branded credit cards from American Express and Chase
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless from Chase
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold from Chase
- Marriott Bonvoy Business card from American Express
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card
If you have a Chase Sapphire credit card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. I do not recommend this, though. Ultimate Rewards points are more valuable than Marriott points, therefore, a 1:1 ratio is not ideal. Usually, the best way to book Marriott hotels with Chase points is to redeem through the redemption portal. Click here for more information. There are 3 Chase cards that earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points
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American Express Membership Rewards points also transfer to Marriott, but again, it’s not a good value.
Paid hotel stays at Marriott properties.

The quickest way to earn lots of points is to earn a welcome bonus on a new credit card

Marriott Bonvoy cards issued by Chase are 5/24 cards. If you’re a beginner, it is very important to plan your strategy around Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, stop reading now and read this post first.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card from Chase

Although I don’t value Marriott Bonvoy points as much as Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Amex Membership Rewards points, this card’s welcome bonus and benefits consistently land the card on our list of top offers

Marriott convoy boundless chase credit card 2021

Current offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

The annual fee is $95. This card is worth keeping year after year because it comes with a free night worth up to 35,000 points starting at your first anniversary of card membership.

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. After that, the following earn rates apply:

With this card, you earn 6 points per dollar at Marriott properties (for a total of up to 17 points per dollar, depending on your elite status), and 2 points per dollar on everything else. The earn rate on this card seems high, but remember, Marriott points aren’t as valuable as other points.

This card also comes with Marriott silver status.

Receive 15 elite qualifying nights annually. Also, for every $5,000 you spend, earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status.

You can redeem Marriott points for free nights at Marriott properties across the world. Also, you can transfer points to many airlines at a 3:1 ratio (with a 15,000 point bonus for every 60,000 transferred).

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points (or Amex points) to Marriott, but it’s usually not a good value.

Marriott’s award chart is inflated compared to some other programs like Hyatt.

A standard night at Marriott’s highest category is 85,000 Marriott points. That’s more than double the amount of one night at Hyatt’s highest category properties. So if you have 85,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you could book 1 night at a category 8 Marriott property or 2 nights at a category 8 Hyatt property. Of course, this is subject to availability, but it just shows that Hyatt points generally go further.

With Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’re probably better off using the redemption portal. Click here for more info about using Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Marriott properties,

There are 12 Marriott Bonvoy properties in Rome

The prices in this list are for random dates in 2020. Depending on your travel dates, prices could go up or down.

On March 4, 2020, Marriott Bonvoy will be making some category changes. I’ll make a note of any properties slated for a category move. You can see the full list of properties subject to change here.

1. The St. Regis Rome (Marriott Category 8)

Cost: 70,000/85,000/100,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 582 Euros per night

2. The Westin Excelsior, Rome (Marriott Category 6)

Cost: 40,000/50,000/60,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 304 Euros per night

New category after March 4, 2020: 7

3. Elizabeth Unique Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels (Marriott Category 7)

Cost: 50,000/60,000/70,000 Marriott per night
Value: 362 Euros per night

4. The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection (Marriott Category 7)

Cost: 50,000/60,000/70,000 Marriott per night
Value: 342 Euros per night

5. G-Rough, Rome, a Member of Design Hotels (Marriott Category 8)

Cost: 70,000/85,000/100,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 392 Euros

6. Le Méridien Visconti Rome (Marriott Category 5)

Cost: 30,000/35,000/40,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 188 Euros per night

New category after March 4, 2020: 6

7. Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center (Marriott Category 3)

Cost: 15,000/17,500/20,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 222 Euros per night

But, the location isn’t great.

8. Sheraton Parco de’ Medici Rome Hotel (Marriott Category 3)

Cost: 15,000/17,500/20,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 65 Euros per night

9. Palazzo Naiadi, The Dedica Anthology, Autograph Collection (Marriott Category 7)

Cost: 50,000/60,000/70,000 Marriott per night
Value: 447 Euros

Formerly Boscolo Exedra Roma, Autograph Collection

10. Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora (Marriott Category 6)

Cost: 40,000/50,000/60,000 Marriott points per night
Value: 294 Euros per night

New category after March 4, 2020: 7

11. Courtyard Rome Central Park (Marriott Category 4)

Cost: 20,000/25,000/30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Value: 147 Euros per night

12. Rome Marriott Park Hotel (Marriott Category 4)

Cost: 20,000/25,000/30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
Value: 73 Euros per night

New category after March 4, 2020: 3

Hilton in Rome

How to earn Hilton points:

welcome bonuses from Hilton co-branded credit cards from American Express
everyday spending on Hilton co-branded credit cards from American Express.
Hilton Honors points can be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards at a ratio of 1,000 MR: 2,000 Hilton Honors points
Shopping through Hilton’s shopping portal.
And of course, paid stays at Hilton properties will earn Hilton Honors points

My 2 cents per point redemption threshold goes out the window with Hilton

You can pretty much guarantee that you’re not going to get my general recommended 2 cents per point if you book at a Hilton. But, Hilton points are very easy to earn. That is why the cost of an award night at many properties seems high.

I take into account how easy or difficult it is to earn a particular type of points/miles when calculating a redemption value. Because of that, it’s not a terrible idea to use Hilton points if you have them. You’re probably not going to even get close to 2 cents per point when redeeming, but that is okay considering how easy they are to earn.

If you do not collect Hilton points, Amex Membership Rewards is a transfer option, but even with a 1:2 ratio, it’s usually not a great value.

Hilton no longer publishes an award chart. In fact, they did away with categories altogether. Now, there are ranges for the amount of points a property may require for a free stay. Different properties may have different rates depending on what they consider their peak dates. This is frustrating as it makes it difficult to plan your earning strategies if you are looking to stay at a Hilton property. The good news is that you can check Hilton’s website to find out what the maximum cost would be for a standard room.

There are 5 Hilton Honors Marriott properties in Rome

1. Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (Hilton)

Cost: 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 332 Euros per night

2. Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Hilton)

Cost: 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 315 Euros per night

3. Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge (Hilton)

Cost: 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 227 Euros per night

4. Hampton by Hilton Rome East (Hilton)

Cost: 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 74 Euros per night

5. Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport (Hilton)

Cost: 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 127 Euros per night

6. Hilton Rome Airport (Hilton)

Cost: 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night max
Value: 161 Euros per night

Final Thoughts

Redeeming points for hotel stays has saved us lots of money over the years. From budget hotels to luxury hotels, there are several options for hotels in Rome.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program gives you the most options. You can redeem via the redemption portal or you can transfer to 3 different hotel programs. The best way to book just depends on paid rates and availability.

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