Don’t Spend a Fortune on Hotels in NYC – Get This Card Before You Go and Stay Free!
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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.Lots of folks love visiting The Big Apple, because it’s got a little bit of something for everyone. And the holiday season is a great time to visit!
New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit. But you can stay free with points from one card offer!
Great New York City Hotels to Book With Starwood Points
Link: AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card
If you want free hotel stays, the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express is a great credit card to consider.
Until November 1, 2017, it has an increased sign-up bonus of 25,000 Starwood points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, you’ll earn an extra 10,000 Starwood points after spending an additional $4,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Including the minimum spending, that’s at least 45,000 Starwood points! Which can get you free nights at 150+ Starwood, Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York City! So you’ll have lots of great options no matter where you want to stay.
Because of the Marriott-Starwood merger, you can transfer Starwood points at a 1:3 ratio to Marriott. So you can book great deals at Starwood, Marriott, or Ritz-Carlton hotels with Starwood points!
Before you can transfer points, you’ll have to link your accounts. And if you have elite status with either chain, you’ll get an instant status match!
1. W New York – Times Square
You’ll be in the heart of New York City when you stay at the W New York – Times Square. If you want to be in the middle of the action, this is the hotel for you!
It’s located a few blocks from the best shows on Broadway. And you won’t be far from Radio City Music Hall or Rockefeller Center.
If you’re looking to save money on Broadway tickets checkout my post on how to use TodayTix. You could try to win steeply discounted tickets through the Broadway Direct lottery or the Hamilton lottery. But, these are only good options if seeing a show isn’t the sole purpose of your trip.
Rooms at the W New York – Times Square are usually $400+, but you can book them for only 20,000 Starwood points.
2. The St. Regis New York
Looking to treat yourself?
The St. Regis New York has as much history as it does luxury. The hotel’s Old King Cole bar served the world’s first Red Snapper cocktail, better known today as a Bloody Mary.
Folks rave about the service, because every room comes with 24-hour personal butler!
You’ll be within walking distance of the Museum of Modern Art, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and great shopping on 5th Avenue.
It’s less than half a mile from Rockefeller Center, so you could book an NBC Studios Tour or score free tickets to a taping of your favorite show.
You can book the St. Regis New York for 35,000 Starwood points a night, which is a steal considering rooms are regularly $1,000+!
3. JW Marriott Essex House New York
The JW Marriott Essex House New York is perfect for getting a taste of Central Park. And folks on Tripadvisor love the executive lounge’s great food, and impeccable service.
It’s located right across the street from Central Park, which is great for exploring all of it’s 36 acres. While strolling around the park check out Belvedere Castle. And take a break for a short ride on the carousel.
If it’s winter, skip the skating rink at Rockefeller Center, and lace up your skates at the much cheaper Wollman Rink.
The hotel is on the south side of Central Park, not far from the Central Park Zoo. So you’re still only ~1 mile or less from other attractions like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and 5th Avenue.
Rooms normally cost $500+, but you can book an award for 45,000 Marriott points (or convert 15,000 Starwood points) per night.
4. Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan – SoHo
If you’re looking to experience an interesting New York neighborhood, the Courtyard Manhattan – Soho fits the bill. Folks on TripAdvisor love the location.
Soho is great to visit if you like boutique shops, trendy art galleries, and delicious food. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer to try some of the most Instagram-able milkshakes in New York!
It’s only ~1 mile from the Chelsea Market & the Highline Park, which is one of the best free activities in New York!
The Courtyard Manhattan – Soho is off the beaten path. But it’s a perfect location for visiting New York’s main attractions. It’s a short ~15 minute subway ride in either direction to Midtown Manhattan (Times Square, Broadway) or Lower Manhattan (9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street).
Rooms normally cost ~$250+, but you can book them for 40,000 Marriott points or convert ~14,000 Starwood points per night.
5. Ritz-Carlton New York – Battery Park
The Ritz-Carlton New York – Battery Park is a good pick if you’re looking to get away from the noise. But it’s still within walking distance of lots of popular sites like the 9/11 Memorial, New York Stock Exchange, and Trinity Church.
For a lot of folks what sets this hotel apart is the quiet location, and personalized touch. Everyone loves the birthday cupcakes!
You can see the Statue of Liberty from the hotel. And from Lower Manhattan it’s easy to catch the Staten Island Ferry or visit Ellis Island.
You can book the Ritz-Carlton New York – Battery Park for 20,000 Starwood points, which is an excellent deal because rooms cost $400+.
Earn More
Link: 10 Ways You Might Qualify for A Small Business Card
If you don’t qualify for a small business card (you might and not even know it!), or you previously earned a bonus on the AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest Business card, you still have options.
You can earn more points or free nights with these cards:
- AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
- Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
Or consider cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Marriott. But you can get better deals by transferring those same points to different partners.
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer directly to Starwood at a 3:1 ratio. But I don’t recommend this, because it’s not a very good transfer ratio. 🙁Bottom Line
There are lots of great hotels in New York City, but the best ones are free!
The AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest Business card currently has a limited time increased sign-up bonus! And with the Marriott-Starwood merger you can stay for free at any of 150+ Starwood, Marriott, or Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York City.
You could save $1,000+ a night at the St. Regis New York, or take in the views of the Lower Manhattan water front at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park. And you could do it all with points!
What’s your favorite Starwood, Marriott, or Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York City?
Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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