How to Stay in Toronto Hotels on Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated August 2026
The short answer: Toronto is Canada busiest hotel market, expensive on weekdays from business demand and around major events, with every major chain present. Reach them with Amex, Chase, or Bilt, and pay any cash extras with a card that has no foreign transaction fee.

A business-driven market

Toronto runs on business and convention demand, so downtown cash rates stay firm on weekdays year round and spike around festivals like TIFF and big sporting events. Every major chain operates in the core, so points find a home easily, and because it is abroad for US travelers, a no-foreign-transaction-fee card matters for any incidental cash spending on the trip.

The cards and transfer partners to use

Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG all run downtown Toronto hotels, and the flexible currencies reach them: Marriott via Amex, Chase, and Bilt; Hilton via Amex or Bilt; Hyatt and IHG via Chase or Bilt. An Amex plus a Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Bilt card, both of which also waive foreign transaction fees, covers the city and the incidentals. See which cards transfer to hotels.

Co-brand free nights for events

Around TIFF and marquee sporting weekends, a co-brand free night beats the event-driven cash rate. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Hilton Honors certificates each cover many Toronto properties. Search 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Which points are best for Toronto hotels?
Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG all run downtown Toronto hotels. Reach Marriott with Amex, Chase, or Bilt, Hilton with Amex or Bilt, and Hyatt and IHG with Chase or Bilt, so an Amex plus a Chase or Bilt card covers the city.
Do I need a special card for hotels in Toronto?
Use the cards whose points reach Toronto chains, then pay any cash extras with a card that has no foreign transaction fee, since Toronto is abroad for US travelers. Many travel cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, waive that fee.

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Bryce Casson

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