How to Stay in Seattle Hotels on Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated August 2026
The short answer: Seattle cash rates rise with tech-company demand and the summer Alaska cruise season. Hyatt and Marriott have strong downtown footprints, so the cards that reach them, Chase or Bilt for Hyatt and Amex, Chase, or Bilt for Marriott, are the most useful.

Tech and cruise demand

Seattle stays busy from the tech sector year round and surges in summer when Alaska cruises stage out of the city, pushing downtown cash rates over $300 in peak months. Points smooth that out, since the award cost does not climb with cruise-season demand the way cash does, making summer one of the best times to redeem here.

The cards and transfer partners to use

Hyatt has a large downtown Regency and Marriott blankets the core, so target those points. Hyatt is reached only through Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt, so a Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Bilt card is the route, and Marriott adds Amex to Chase and Bilt. Hilton, reached via Amex or Bilt, rounds out the city. See which cards transfer to hotels.

Add a co-brand free night

For a cruise embarkation night or a peak-summer stay, a co-brand certificate locks in value. The World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cards each add an annual free night plus ongoing points. 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

Which points are best for Seattle hotels?
Hyatt and Marriott have the strongest downtown Seattle footprints. Hyatt is reached only through Chase or Bilt, while Marriott adds Amex, so a Chase or Bilt card plus an Amex covers both, with Hilton via Amex or Bilt as a third option.
When should I use points in Seattle?
In the summer Alaska cruise season and during major tech events, when downtown cash rates climb past $300. Award pricing does not surge as sharply, so those peak dates are the best time to book with points.

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Bryce Casson

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