How to Stay in Miami Hotels on Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated August 2026
The short answer: Miami cash rates swing wildly, cheap in summer and $300 to $500 a night in the winter high season, so points pay off most from December through April. Marriott and Hilton dominate, both dynamically priced, so carry the cards that reach them: Amex, Chase, or Bilt for Marriott and Amex or Bilt for Hilton.

Time it to the season

Unlike New York, Miami is seasonal: rates crater in the humid summer and surge over the winter, peaking around the holidays and spring break. That makes points most valuable on exactly those expensive winter dates, when a South Beach or Brickell room can top $400 cash. In the off season the cash rate is often low enough that paying cash and saving points for a pricier trip is smarter.

The cards and transfer partners to use

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors run the deepest Miami footprints, so the wallet that reaches them matters most. Marriott pulls transfers from Amex, Chase, and Bilt at 1:1, so an Amex Gold, a Sapphire Preferred, or the Bilt card all stock a Marriott balance. Hilton is narrower, taking Amex at 1:2 or Bilt at 1:1, so a single Amex covers both Miami giants. See which cards transfer to hotels.

Co-brand free nights for winter dates

For the pricey winter window, a co-brand free night is gold. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Hilton Honors cards each include an annual certificate that can cover a peak South Beach night outright, and they build points the rest of the year. Check live award space on rooms.aero. See best cities for hotel points.

See exactly what an award costs

Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.

Search award flights on seats.aero →

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to use points in Miami?
In the winter high season, roughly December through April, when cash rates spike to $300 to $500 a night. That is when an award night saves the most. In summer, cash rates are often low enough that paying cash and saving your points is the better move.
Which hotel points work best in Miami?
Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have the most Miami properties. Reach Marriott with Amex, Chase, or Bilt and Hilton with Amex or Bilt, so a single Amex card can build balances in both of the city dominant chains.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.