Planning a trip to New Orleans? You can use Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points for free nights at top hotels in this vibrant city!
And explore the city’s popular restaurants, bars, casinos, and shopping. Or even make a special trip to celebrate Mardi Gras! Because sometimes it’s worth it to splurge on a nice hotel. 😉
Here are 5 top hotels (that get great reviews!) in New Orleans where you can stay using Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood points.
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- 5 Top New Orleans Hotels Using Marriott & Starwood Points
New Orleans Marriott and Starwood Hotels With Points
Link: Marriott Hotels in New Orleans
Link: Starwood Hotels in New Orleans
Did you know you can redeem Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points for award nights at all 3 hotel chains?
If you collect Marriott points, remember you can transfer points instantly to your Starwood account at a 3:1 ratio. And vice versa.
But before you book your stay, be sure to link your loyalty accounts to get an instant status match. So you can enjoy all of the perks regardless of which hotel chain you choose.
I haven’t personally stayed at all of these hotels, but hopefully this list will spark your imagination!
1. The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
If you’re looking for a luxury experience in the French Quarter of New Orleans, consider the The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.
Folks on TripAdvisor give this tier 3 Ritz-Carlton hotel nearly all 5 stars for its relaxing atmosphere, convenient location, and excellent customer service.
Plus, it’s only a ~10 minute walk to Bourbon Street. So it would be a great home base if you’re visiting the city during Mardi Gras!
I found rooms in May 2017, for ~$341 or 50,000 Ritz-Carlton points per night. So you’re certainly getting Big Travel using your points here!
And if you don’t have enough Ritz-Carlton points for a stay, don’t forget you can use Marriott points, or convert Starwood points to cover your stay.
You’d need ~16,667 Starwood points for 1 free night. Just remember, you must transfer points in increments of 1,000.
2. Q&C HotelBar New Orleans, Autograph Collection
The upscale Q&C HotelBar New Orleans, Autograph Collection is only 3 blocks from the French Quarter, and a ~10 minute walk to the popular Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and The National WWII Museum.
It gets excellent reviews on TripAdvisor for its cozy rooms, fantastic staff, and central location.
Rooms at this Marriott Category 8 hotel cost ~$275 per night in May 2017, or 40,000 Marriott points. Or transfer 14,000 Starwood points to Marriott.
Depending on when you stay, you could save nearly $400 using your Marriott or Starwood points here!
3. The Westin New Orleans Canal Place
Looking for a hotel with views of the Mississippi River? This is it!
The Starwood Category 5 The Westin New Orleans Canal Place is located just a block from Canal Street, which is known for its great shopping, bars, and entertainment.
It gets good reviews on TripAdvisor for its central location and friendly staff.
I found rooms in May 2017, for ~$279 or 16,000 Starwood points per night.
If you don’t have enough Starwood points, you could transfer 48,000 Marriott points (16,000 Starwood points X 3) for a free night. And save nearly $300 per night during your stay!
4. The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection
The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection gets high marks on TripAdvisor for its colorful, modern decor, quiet rooms, and friendly staff. And it’s only 2 blocks from Bourbon Street and ~1 mile from the The National WWII Museum.You’ll need 40,000 Marriott points for a free night. Or if you collect Starwood points, you can transfer 14,000 Starwood points for an award night. Because you must transfer points in increments of 1,000.
In May 2017, rooms at this hotel sell for ~$260. So you could use the cash you save by paying with points for a yummy dinner at one of New Orleans’ many well-known restaurants!
5. Courtyard New Orleans Downtown Near the French Quarter
The Courtyard New Orleans Downtown Near the French Quarter is another great option.
This Category 7 hotel gets great reviews on TripAdvisor. Reviewers loved the location and proximity to great restaurants, shopping, and Bourbon Street.
I found rooms here in May 2017, for ~$220. But rooms can cost as much as ~$363, depending on when you visit.
Instead of paying cash, you could use 35,000 Marriott points and save hundreds of dollars per night!
If you’d rather use Starwood points instead, you could transfer 12,000 Starwood points for a free night. Because Starwood points transfer to Marriott at a 1:3 ratio. And you must transfer points in increments of 1,000.
Bonus – Fairfield Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown / French Quarter Area
The Fairfield Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown / French Quarter Area would be a great choice if you’re looking to save money (or points!) during your trip to New Orleans.
Located just a ~3 minute walk from the streetcar stop that can take you to the French Quarter, this hotel gets good reviews on TripAdvisor. Folks liked the complimentary breakfast, convenient location, and friendly staff.
It’s also just a ~12 minute walk to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, a great spot to visit if you’re on a family vacation with kids.
Rooms at this Category 6 Marriott hotel in May 2017, cost $170 or 30,000 Marriott points per night. Or you could use 10,000 Starwood points for a free stay.
Cards That Earn You Free Stays
1. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Credit Cards
Link: Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card (personal)
Link: Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card (small business)
You can earn 80,000 Marriott points after completing minimum spending requirements with the Marriott Rewards Premier personal and small business cards.
And with the personal version of the card, you can earn another 7,500 bonus Marriott points when you add an authorized user and make a purchase within the first 3 months of opening your account. The $85 annual fee is NOT waived for the first year.
The $99 annual fee on the small business version of the card is also NOT waived for the first year. Here’s my review of the offer.
2. Starwood Credit Cards
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express (personal)
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express (small business)
With the AMEX Starwood personal and small business cards, you can earn 25,000 Starwood points after completing the minimum spending requirements.
I recommend the AMEX Starwood cards for everyday non-bonus spending. Because you’ll earn 1 Starwood point per $1 you spend, which can be converted to 3 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points. And that’s better than the 1 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton point per $1 you spend you’ll get with the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton cards!Also, the AMEX cards are easier to get than the Chase cards. Because of Chase’s 5/24 rule, where if you’ve opened ~5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months (excluding certain business cards), it’s unlikely you’ll be approved for most Chase cards.
Just remember, you can only earn the bonus on any AMEX card ONCE per lifetime.
3. Ritz-Carlton Card
Link: Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
You can earn 3 free nights at participating Ritz-Carlton tier 1 through 4 hotels after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening a Chase Ritz-Carlton card.
You’ll also get 10,000 Ritz-Carlton points when you add an authorized user and make a purchase in the same timeframe.
The $450 annual fee is NOT waived the first year, but the card offers perks that offset the annual fee. Here’s my review of the deal.
Note: Even if you’ve opened 5+ new cards in the past 24 months, you’re still eligible for the Ritz-Carlton card.Bottom Line
You can use Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points to stay at top-rated hotels in New Orleans.
For example, you could redeem points for free nights at the fancy The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans on the edge of the French Quarter. Or stay in the heart of the city at the The Westin New Orleans Canal Place, just steps from the Mississippi River.
Redeeming points can save you hundreds of dollars compared to the cash cost of a room night!
Before you book, link your Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood loyalty accounts. This way you’ll enjoy the benefits of your elite status across all 3 hotel chains!
If you’ve used points to stay in New Orleans, tell me about your experience in the comments!