How to Use Chase Credit Cards for All-Inclusive Hotels and Cruises

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

What’s unique about all-inclusive hotels and cruises is once you get to where you need to be, that’s all you have to do.  Of course, you can take day trips or excursions, but those are entirely optional.  These 2 vacation modes only require you to show up and enjoy.

When you have certain Chase cards, you can transfer your points instantly to Hyatt for free stays at their 6 (soon to be 8!) all-inclusive hotels.  These cards include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Our review
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – Our review
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – Our review

And if Hyatt hotels aren’t where you want to go, or you want to take a cruise, you can use points earned through Chase credit cards to book travel through Chase instead.

I’ll show you how!

Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to “Fly & Flop” With All-Inclusives or Cruises

Sometimes you just want a simple, relaxing vacation without a bunch of fuss.  That’s why lots of folks prefer all-inclusive hotels and cruises – arrive and start enjoying.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points can set you on your way toward enjoying an easy trip of your own.

Here are your options!

1.   Transfer to Hyatt to stay at 6 (and Soon 8!) Caribbean All-Inclusives

You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points instantly and at a 1:1 ratio to Hyatt with certain Chase cards, including:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Ink Business Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Reserve

This can be your ticket to staying for completely free at 6 Hyatt all-inclusive hotels.  Here’s the list and how many points you’ll need per night:

You can find Hyatt all-inclusives at:

• 2 locations in Cancun, Mexico (25,000 points)
• 1 location in Los Cabos, Mexico (20,000 points)
• 1 location in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (20,000 points)
• 2 locations in Jamaica (25,000 points)

And later this year, there will be 2 brand-new options in the Dominican Republic – the Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana.

Considering rooms can cost $100s each night, you can do well transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt for free stays.

Even better, these hotels have top-shelf liquor, unlimited buffets, several on-site restaurants, and free activities for the duration of your stay.  You can even get cocktails and meals delivered to your room!

I loved the hibachi grill at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun.  And I’d love to visit the Hyatt Ziva in Cabo – maybe later this year after I luxuriate at the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta again! 😎

2.   Book Any All-Inclusive, Anywhere!

If there’s not a Hyatt all-inclusive where you want to go, you can still use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for free stays.  That’s because you can book travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal.

And depending on which Chase Ultimate Rewards points earning credit card you have, you’ll receive a value between 1 and 1.5 cents per point when you book.  Here’s what you can expect:

When I checked prices through my Chase Sapphire Reserve card (so each point is worth 1.5 cents), I found reasonable options at other Caribbean and Central American all-inclusives.

Rooms were on sale at the Dreams Playa Bonita in Panama, so between the discount and higher points value, I thought 16,200 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per night was a great deal.  Especially when you consider meals and beverages are included in the price! 🌅

3.   Book a Cruise the Same Way and Pay With Points

If cruising is the way you like to travel, you can also use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to pay for an overwater adventure with the same points-per-dollar rates as above, again depending on which Chase card you have.

And note you can’t book your cruise itinerary online.  Instead, you’ll have to call Chase at 855-234-2542 and speak with an agent.

That said, you can still browse your options on the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal, which is updated with the latest deals and promotions, like on-board credits and cabin upgrades. ⛴

Are There Downsides to Using Points to Pay for a Cruise?

You won’t find every cruise line, route, or option.  So if you’re loyal to a particular company, you might consider booking directly through them instead.

And, you might get more credits or savings booking through a trusted travel agent, or through a different website.  So always make sure you’re getting the best deal.

But Chase Ultimate Rewards points can still be useful!

For example, you can redeem them for award flights or a rental car to the port city, which can offset some of the total trip cost.

And don’t forget, when you pay for your cruise with your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll earn 2X or 3X points, respectively.  Then use them for award flights or cheap hotel stays later!

Bottom Line

I like redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points to stay at Hyatt all-inclusive hotels.  Just transfer them 1:1 to Hyatt and book your award stay.  If room prices are high, this is an excellent way to save not only on accommodations, but on food, drinks, and entertainment as well.

If you want to stay at another all-inclusive hotel brand, or in a location not served by Hyatt, you can still redeem your points to stay for free by booking directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal.

The same applies to cruise vacations, though keep in mind you won’t find every option.  Even if you book elsewhere, you can pay with your Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred card to earn bonus points for future award flights.  Or redeem them to get yourself to the nearest port.

I’ve used these methods a couple of times by now, and have another all-inclusive stay coming up later this month!

Have you used Chase Ultimate Rewards points to stay at all-inclusives, or for a cruise?  How was the experience?