Las Vegas: 10 best hotels that are FREE with points

June 17, 2020 By Meghan Hunter

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Las Vegas is a popular destination for all sorts of travelers. The lights and excitement make it a unique experience that everyone needs to try at least once. The city has a competitive hotel scene with prices that fluctuate about as much as the stock market, and special offers and incentives that make it difficult for visitors to decide where to stay. But savvy travelers can stay in Las Vegas for free with points.

I’ll show you the best 10 hotels that are free with points (many of which can be earned with the top hotel credit cards!) in Las Vegas. Just note, given the current coronavirus pandemic, it’s still wise to consult local guidelines and your doctor before traveling.

Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. — and you can stay there for free with points! (Photo by Zhukova Valentyna/Shutterstock)

Best Las Vegas hotels free with points

The fastest way to earn points towards a free stay in Las Vegas is with valuable credit card welcome bonuses from the best cards for travel and top hotel credit cards. Here’s our list of the top hotels in Vegas and the card you can use to earn a points for a stay:

The Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations using Hilton points (Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card)
The Venetian Hotel using IHG points (IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card)
The Signature at MGM Grand using Hyatt points (World of Hyatt Credit Card)
Trump International Las Vegas using Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
The Cromwell using Wyndham points (Barclays Wyndham Rewards Card)
The Cosmopolitan using Marriott points (Any of the best Marriott credit cards)
The Bellagio using Hyatt points (World of Hyatt Credit Card)
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa using Marriott points (Any of the best Marriott credit cards)
Bally’s Las Vegas using Wyndham points (Barclays Wyndham Rewards Card)
Las Vegas Marriott using Marriott points (Any of the best Marriott credit cards)

The information for the Hilton Surpass has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How we chose the best points hotels in Vegas

We considered several important factors when deciding on the best hotels in Las Vegas to stay at with points. Most importantly, we wanted to make sure that each hotel receives consistently positive reviews from its guests, across many popular travel review sites.

Next, we took care to value hotels that did not charge excessive additional fees like resort fees or extra charges for Wi-Fi. These are sometimes unavoidable since nearly every hotel in Vegas now charges resort fees and parking, but we will note additional fees for each hotel so you know.

Using that criteria, here are 10 of the best hotels in Las Vegas to stay at for free using points:

The Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations

Elara is a Hilton Grand Vacations resort that is located right at The Miracle Mile Shops in the center of The Strip. The hotel is open and airy with large glass windows, letting you soak in the bright lights and excitement of The Strip. I also like how the position and unique wedge shape of this hotel gives every room in The Elara a gorgeous view, and every room is a suite. The Miracle Mile Shops connect right into the lobby of The Elara meaning you have plenty of shopping options and you can walk right onto the heart of The Strip.

This is one of the last couple of hotels on The Strip to still offer free self-parking, which might be a consideration for those driving a car in Sin City (normally $10 to $15 per night elsewhere).

Elara Hilton Grand Vacations — The Elara’s Wedge Shape Means That Every Room Faces The Strip Either to the North or South. Since The Elara Is in the Center of The Strip, You Always Have an Incredible View and It’s an Easy Walk Everywhere

TripAdvisor rates this 4.5 stars with ~7,200 reviews. Guests love the location and the views of the strip from their rooms.

The Elara normally has a $25 resort fee per night at the hotel (one of the cheapest resort fees on The Strip), which is waived for award stays, making this the only true 100% free award stay option on The Strip.

Folks can enjoy a free award night in a suite at The Elara for 75,000 Hilton points per night. Consider checking out the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card to quickly start earning Hilton points towards this hotel.

The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel

The Venetian is one of my favorite hotels in Las Vegas. The location is near the center or the strip, and this hotel is actually a destination for everyone in Las Vegas to come check out the Grand Canal Shoppes. These shops are an experience that replicates the canals of Venice, complete with realistic gondolas that you can ride (for a small fee). The Grand Canal Shoppes provides all the shopping and dining you could ask for and the hotel rooms are some of the best on The Strip.

Shopping the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Las Vegas — The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Is a Must-See Destination for All Vegas Visitors. These Shops Are Actually Indoors With Chilly Air Conditioning. The Sky You See Is a Beautifully-Lit Mural That Makes You Forget You Are Inside

TripAdvisor has over 27,000+ reviews for this hotel, while maintaining 4.5 stars! Reviewers love the romantic atmosphere and decor of this hotel.

Folks can stay here for free on most nights for ~60,000 IHG points. The easiest way to earn points for a free stay is with the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Unfortunately, IHG does not waive resort fees for award stays. However, parking is included with the resort fee, making it a good option for those who have a car.

The Signature at MGM Grand

The Signature at MGM Grand is comprised of 3 towers adjacent to the MGM Grand hotel. It is operated as its own hotel, with premium service, amenities, and all-suites rooms. These rooms have the best views of The Strip compared to other rooms from nearby MGM Grand. The Signature also has no casino, making it quiet, smoke-free, and less chaotic than other hotels, but still in the excitement of it all.

Hyatt and MGM have a partnership that allows you to use Hyatt points towards MGM stays. The Signature at MGM is considered equivalent to a Category 5 Hyatt hotel priced at a fixed rate of 20,000 Hyatt points per night. World of Hyatt Credit Card is a great way to start earning these points and get elite status which can be used for other perks like free parking.

Any Hyatt elite status (other than the base “member”) will get you free parking at The Signature hotel (normally $15 per night). Normally Hyatt does not charge resort fees on award stays, but because MGM is not a Hyatt brand hotel, the $42 resort fee will still be charged.

Signature at MGM Grand Interior — The Rooms in The Signature at MGM Grand Are Spacious and Include Kitchenettes and a Great Strip View

With 13,500+ reviews on TripAdvisor, this hotel maintains a 4.5-star rating. Reviewers mention the affordable luxury of this hotel, and that it feels like home.

Trump International Las Vegas

The Trump International Hotel is a beautiful hotel with modern white finishes and gold accents, making its room styling feel bright, clean, and luxurious. The standard rooms at Trump International are larger than many suites at other Vegas hotels.

Guests mention that they prefer this hotel because it is 100% non-smoking with no casino, making it quieter and more relaxing than casino hotels. This hotel also maintains a large percentage of suites and enhanced rooms, meaning that getting upgraded is usually as easy as asking and being nice to the front desk clerk. The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor with ~12,000 reviews.

I have a business colleague that I travel with to Vegas frequently who is an OCD germaphobe. He refuses to stay anywhere in Vegas other than Trump International because he says that it has the cleanest rooms and facilities in the whole city.

The Iconic Gold and White Tower is The Trump International Hotel. The Exterior Resembles the Interior as Well, With Pure White Colors, White Marble, and Gold Trim Everywhere Inside This Luxurious Hotel — The Iconic Gold and White Tower Is The Trump International Hotel. The Exterior Resembles the Interior as Well, With Pure White Colors, White Marble, and Gold Trim Everywhere

Trump International has no self-parking but valet parking is complimentary for hotel guests.

The best way to earn a free night at Trump International is by booking a room with your Capital One Venture card and using Venture miles to erase the purchase. You can even use Venture miles to cover the resort fees charged by the hotel. In total it will usually cost ~11,500 to ~14,500 Venture miles per night to stay at this hotel for free.

The Cromwell

Growing in popularity among younger travelers is The Cromwell. This hotel offers a modern chic style and luxurious rooms at affordable prices. With 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor, reviewers love that the casino offers the most favorable rules/odds for craps on The Strip, making it a popular destination for gamblers and music fans seeking the rooftop club.

The popular Drai’s Beach Club hosts the hottest live acts and DJs like Snoop Dogg and DJ Pauly D and is one of the main attractions for this resort. The hotel has a resort fee of $39 per night and parking costs $10 per night.

The Cromwell is part of the Wyndham Rewards program. A free night costs 15,000 Wyndham points, but does not include the resort or parking fees, so you’ll pay extra for those. The Barclays Wyndham Rewards card can help you earn points towards a free stay here.

Many of the Guests at The Cromwell Stay Here Specifically Because of the Music Stars That Visit the Popular Rooftop Drai’s Beach Club.

The Cosmopolitan

No hotel in Vegas is more stylish and chic than The Cosmopolitan. As you walk in, it is impossible to notice anything other than the 3 story tall chandelier in the center of the hotel. It’s made up of over 2.1 million crystals and is valued at over $4 billion. You can walk up inside the chandelier by visiting either one of the two restaurants or bars built in the center of it, spanning two different floors.

On TripAdvisor this hotel has a 4.5-star rating with 8,300+ reviews. Guests love that the rooms are classy with a dark and intimate feel. In particular, many guests stay here because The Cosmopolitan is the only hotel on The Strip to offer outside terraces connected to suites. Plus, this hotel has incredible restaurants including É by José Andrés, Momofuku, and The Wicked Spoon.

Chandelier in the Cosmopolitan — The 2nd Floor of the 3-Story Chandelier Is the Focal Point in The Cosmopolitan Hotel. The Chandelier Is Made of 2.1 Million Crystals and Worth Over $4 Billion

The Cosmopolitan is an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, meaning you can stay here with Marriott points. Being a Category 8 hotel, nights will range from 70,000 to 100,000 points. But given the cash prices can often exceed $400, it could be a good value for your points.

The Bellagio

Nothing is more iconic in Las Vegas than the fountains in front of The Bellagio. Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, The Bellagio is one of the best hotels in Las Vegas. The rooms have European styling but are large and spacious. And if you’re a pool person, you will love the pools here, because they are the best on The Strip.

With over 15,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, The Bellagio has a 4.5-star average rating. Reviewers love the indoor gardens which transport you to another world. The gardens change seasonally based on different themes, never repeating their designs. It’s a great way to start the morning when you are staying at this hotel, but even if you are staying somewhere else, it’s something worth stopping in to check out after a Bellagio fountain show.

The Bellagio is an MGM hotel, so just like other MGM hotels you can redeem Hyatt points for an award stay. The Bellagio is equivalent to a Category 6 Hyatt hotel for 25,000 Hyatt points. The best way to earn Hyatt points towards a free award stay at The Bellagio is with World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Bellagio Las Vegas Fountains — Few Things in Las Vegas Are More Iconic Than The Bellagio Fountain. Don’t Miss a Free Fountain Show While Visiting Las Vegas, Then Go Inside to See the Intricate Indoor Gardens

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

Folks looking for a luxury vacation that want to get away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip should check out the JW Marriott Las Vegas. This hotel is located in Summerlin, which is ~15 minutes away from the action, surrounded by sprawling golf courses and outdoor adventures.

This hotel has a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor with guests loving its elegance and its on-site spa facilities.

The JW Marriott is a category 5 Marriott hotel, currently costing 30,000 – 40,000 Marriott points per night.

Stay at JW Marriot for Free with Points in Las Vegas — The JW Marriott Las Vegas Is off The Strip, Which Makes for a More Tranquil Getaway

This resort does not charge for parking, but does have a $25 resort fee. This fee is waived for award stays, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious Vegas vacation for free with Marriott points.

Bally’s

Bally’s offers the pinnacle of value for me in Vegas and is one of the hotels I stay at the most often. The location is one of the best locations in Las Vegas, putting you right across from the Bellagio fountains, in the middle of The Grand Bazaar Shops, and next door to the Eiffel Tower. If you pinpointed the absolute center of the strip on a map, the pin would land right on top of Bally’s.

While Bally’s is one of the oldest hotels on the strip, it is maintained well and finished a renovation on the Resort tower. I just stayed in one of the newly renovated suites a month ago and I have to say it’s as nice as some of Vegas’ finest hotels and the rooms are huge!

Las Vegas Hotel Best Overall Value — The Newly Renovated Rooms at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel Are One of the Best Overall Values in Vegas Right Now. My Recent Stay Had a Better View of the Paris Eiffel Tower Next Door Than the Rooms at The Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Guests love Bally’s because of its central location, huge rooms, and low price. It’s the best overall value out there, and is rated 4 stars with 20,500+ TripAdvisor reviews.

Bally’s is part of Wyndham Rewards, so you can redeem 15,000 Wyndham points per night for a free stay. To stay here for free folks should consider getting the Barclays Wyndham Rewards card to earn Wyndham points.

The Las Vegas Marriott

The Las Vegas Marriott is located right across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Of all the hotels in and around the convention center, I think this is by far the nicest. You will find it quieter than the strip hotels, making it the perfect location when booking a business trip to Vegas.

All the rooms are suites, with a dedicated seating area and a large desk. Many commenters on TripAdvisor even refer to the rooms as “apartments”.

The Rooms at Las Vegas Marriott are Spacious and Clean.

TripAdvisor has over 750+ reviews for this hotel, averaging 4 stars. Reviewers write that this hotel gives them everything they love and expect from Marriott hotels. And they particularly praised the staff for their friendliness and willingness to help guests in any way possible.

Folks can stay here for free on most nights for ~35,000 Marriott points. This hotel does not have a resort fee, but it does charge $10 per day for parking.

Bottom line

Travelers to Las Vegas have an overwhelming number of choices for hotels in Sin City. To make it easier, we broke down the top 10 best hotels to stay at in Vegas for free with points.

The Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations using Hilton points (Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card)
The Venetian Hotel using IHG points (IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card)
The Signature at MGM Grand using Hyatt points (World of Hyatt Credit Card)
Trump International Las Vegas using Venture miles (Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
The Cromwell using Wyndham points (Barclays Wyndham Rewards Card)
The Cosmopolitan using Marriott points
The Bellagio using Hyatt points (World of Hyatt Credit Card)
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa using Marriott points
Bally’s Las Vegas using Wyndham points (Barclays Wyndham Rewards Card)
Las Vegas Marriott using Marriott points

When choosing a hotel, be sure to double-check any additional fees that might be added to your room like parking or resort fees. Often you can use your elite status or hotel loyalty to try to waive these fees, otherwise, they can significantly add to the cost of your stay. Most award stays do not cover resort fees when traveling in Las Vegas.

Did we miss your favorite Las Vegas Hotel? Be sure to tell us how you use points to stay there for free in the comments below.

Meghan Hunter

Contributor

Meghan Hunter is an editor for Million Mile Secrets. She covers points, miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels and general travel. Her work has also appeared in The Points Guy.