That’s because you can now transfer points between your Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood loyalty accounts. You’ll have 60+ hotels in the Chicago area where you can redeem them.
Here are 5 highly-rated hotels in Chicago where you can stay for free using Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood points. And a bonus hotel for folks who want a longer stay!
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Stay at Chicago Marriott and Starwood Hotels With Points
Link: Marriott Hotels in Chicago
Link: Starwood Hotels in Chicago
You can redeem Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or Starwood points for award nights at all 3 hotel chains.
If you collect Marriott points, you can transfer points instantly to your Starwood account at a 3:1 ratio. And vice versa!
Before you book your stay, be sure to link your loyalty accounts to get an instant status match. This way you’ll enjoy all your perks regardless of which hotel chain you choose!
1. Ritz-Carlton Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago gets a high grade for its facilities and 5-star staff! Folks on TripAdvisor comment on the attentive employees who remember your name, giving you a more personal experience.It’s located steps away from lots of shopping, like Macy’s, Johnston and Murphy, and Emily’s favorite store, Topshop!
You’re also a quick walk to Lake Michigan! There are beautiful city views from the shore. And you can walk or take a quick car ride to Navy Pier.
You’ll pay 50,000 Marriott points for a free night. Or you can convert 17,000 Starwood points to Marriott.
Rooms here often sell for $400+ per night.
2. JW Marriott Chicago
The JW Marriott Chicago is ideal for folks who want lots of Chicago highlights without venturing far.
The hotel is in the Chicago Loop, and a ~10-minute walk to Millennium Park, where you can visit the Cloud Gate sculpture (known as “The Bean” by locals) and Great Lawn. And it’s near the fantastic Art Institute of Chicago, which has a huge collection of important art.
There are tons of restaurants around the JW Marriott, including the in-house Florentine, serving traditional Italian food.
You’ll pay 40,000 Marriott points for a free night. Or you can convert 14,000 Starwood points to Marriott.
Rooms often sell for between $150 and $300 per night.
3. Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop
Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Loop is also near Millennium Park and its attractions. You’ll have the Chicago Civic Opera House just a 5-minute walk.And the highly-rated Chicago Pizza Tours is less than a half mile away. Perfect if you love Chicago-style pizza! 🙂
You’ll pay 35,000 Marriott points for a free night. Or you can convert 12,000 Starwood points to Marriott.
You’ll generally save ~$200+ per night, though rooms occasionally go for as low as $130. So run the numbers and make sure it’s worth using your points!
4. W Chicago – City Center
W hotels have a modern, young vibe. One reviewer on TripAdvisor said the W Chicago – City Center has a “fun Alice in Wonderland feel”.
Check out Skydeck Chicago in Willis Tower, just a 3-minute walk away, for breathtaking views of the city! And if you’re feeling brave, walk out into the glass boxes that hang 1,353 feet in the air!
You’ll pay 12,000 Starwood points for a free night in the low season. Or you can convert 36,000 Marriott points to Starwood.
Rooms here usually cost $250+ per night.
5. Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
You’ll have river views of the Chicago River at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown.
Lace up your shoes and discover find out why everyone loves the river walk! There are plenty of restaurants to enjoy a snack or a glass of wine along the water.
Cross the famous State Street Bridge and see a jazz show at the House of Blues Chicago. Or wander into any of the area’s many ethnic restaurants.
You’ll pay 40,000 Marriott points for a free night. Or you can convert 14,000 Starwood points to Marriott.
You’ll generally save ~$200+ per night.
Bonus – Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport
If saving points is most important, consider staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport. It’s 19 miles outside city center, but there are also things to do outside of Chicago. And, you can take the CTA Blue Line downtown if you want to spend a day in the city.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving is less than 2 miles away. And Fashion Outlets of Chicago and HopScotch Beer and Whiskey Bar are both popular spots, just ~1.5 miles away.
You’ll pay 4,000 Starwood points for a free night during the week. Or 3,000 points per night on weekends, which is a great deal! Or you can convert the points you need from Marriott to Starwood.
You’ll usually save ~$100+ per night.
Need More Marriott or Starwood Points?
1. Chase Marriott Cards
Link: Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card (personal)
Link: Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card (small business)
With the personal and small business version of the Marriott Rewards Premier card, you’ll earn 80,000 Marriott points after completing minimum spending requirements.
If you get 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. You can read my review of the offer here.
2. Chase 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 time frame.
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.
Even if you’ve opened 5+ new cards in the past 24 months, you’re still eligible for the Ritz-Carlton card.
3. AMEX Starwood Cards
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express (personal)
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express (small business)
You can earn 25,000 Starwood points after completing the minimum spending requirements on the AMEX Starwood personal and small business credit cards.
I recommend using the AMEX Starwood cards for non-bonus spending, because you’ll earn 1 Starwood point per $1 you spend. And 1 Starwood point can be converted to 3 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points. Which is a better deal than earning just 1 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton point per $1 you spend with the Chase Marriott and Ritz-Carlton cards!
And, AMEX cards are easier to get than Chase cards. That’s because Chase made it more difficult for folks to be approved for cards (excluding the Chase Ritz-Carlton card and a few others) if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months (except for certain business cards).
Just remember, you can only earn the bonus on any AMEX card ONCE per lifetime.
Bottom Line
You can use Marriott and Starwood points to stay at terrific hotels in Chicago!
Set up camp in the middle of the action at the trendy W Chicago – City Center. Or in a luxurious 5-star hotel like the Ritz-Carlton Chicago, steps from Lake Michigan!
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!
Let me know which Marriott or Starwood hotel you’d recommend in Chicago!