Rooms.aero gives you a fast way to see hotel award availability across multiple chains in one search. We use it when you want a single view of points hotels without bouncing between Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Choice Privileges. If you collect transferable points and prefer flexible planning, this tool saves time and helps you spot high‑value redemptions.
You can search points hotels across the big programs, compare cash and award rates, and gauge value at a glance. We like the map view for road trips and national park loops because you can drag the map and refresh results as you move. Pro features unlock richer alerts and certificate helpers, and the free version already covers a full year of hotel award availability.
Plan A Trip In Minutes
Start on the homepage and enter a city, region, or even a whole state if you are sketching routes. We often search broad areas first, then zoom the map to the spots you care about, like gateway towns near national and state parks. This approach reveals clusters of points hotels you might miss if you search one city at a time.
Read The Value Colors
Rooms.aero color‑codes results to show cents‑per‑point value fast. To estimate value, subtract taxes and mandatory fees from the cash rate, divide the remainder by the points cost, and use quick cutoffs like about 1.5+ for good and 2.0+ for great on programs with strong charts.
Green means great value, blue is good, yellow is average, and red is poor, and we still cross‑check fees and brand quirks because those change the real return.
Use Filters And The Map Like A Pro
Use the drop‑downs to pick a loyalty program and set a maximum points price per night so you only see realistic options. Search an entire year on the free tier to plan around seasons, then pan the map and refresh results to compare towns along a route. Before you transfer points, star two backups in nearby areas so you can pivot quickly.
- Set the max points filter to your certificate cap, like 35K, 40K, or 50K on Marriott with up to 15K top‑off, to surface cert‑eligible stays.
- Compare adjacent park gateways, then save a shortlist in your notes so alerts map to real choices, not just one long shot.
Dive Into A Property Calendar
Click any hotel to open a monthly calendar of award rates and cash prices. Filter by number of nights, award cost, and target value to highlight midweek dips and shoulder‑season bargains. We scan two or three months to find dates that match your points balance and trip plan.
Explore Ideas, Not Just Single Hotels
If you do not have a fixed destination, use the Explore tab to browse by program, nights, brand, category, country, price, and value. We like exploring four‑night Hyatt options across the Caribbean or comparing Hilton beach brands in Southeast Asia to spark itinerary ideas. Treat this as inspiration, then jump back to the standard search when you want precise dates.
Search is usually more precise than Explore, yet Explore can trigger wins. Use it to build a short list, then switch back to a search for firm dates. That loop moves you forward without opening ten tabs.
Smart Alerts And Pro Playbook
Alerts are where Rooms.aero really helps if you chase aspirational hotels or popular peak dates. You can track a specific property or an entire city, then book when standard award space appears. A simple playbook keeps you fast and focused when rooms open.
- Create city and property alerts, then confirm the brand definition of a standard room reward on the hotel site before you move points.
- On Pro, switch to date‑range alerts, track multi‑night patterns, and enable SMS for faster action during peak demand.
- Keep two backup properties in the same region so you can pivot quickly if your first choice disappears during checkout.
- Verify cash versus points again at booking time, then lock the booking and cancel the backups once plans are firm.
We set alerts when we plan to use a free night certificate with a cap, since standard room rewards can disappear fast at top resorts. Pro links with Seats.aero, adds longer search windows, and smooths monitoring when availability shifts quickly. If you plan complex trips, a single premium redemption can cover the subscription cost.
Make The Most Of Free Night Certificates
If you travel within Marriott Bonvoy, use the certificate finder to match your 35K, 40K, or 50K certificate to eligible hotels. Indicate if you plan to top off with points, which expands how many properties fit your budget and dates. We keep a running list of backups so expiring certificates never go to waste.
Lock In Your Best Award Night Now
Rooms.aero centralizes hotel award search so you can plan faster and redeem smarter. We use it to spot high‑value hotel award nights, track free night certificate matches, and grab openings that would be tedious to find manually. If you want more flexibility, consider Pro for upgraded alerts and longer search horizons, then lock in those dream stays with your points.
Credit Cards That Supercharge Hotel Award Redemptions
Rooms.aero works even better when you earn flexible points and brand‑specific perks that match what you see on the map. These cards help you transfer to hotel partners, unlock free night certificates, and stack elite benefits on award stays. Pick based on the brands you book most and the alerts you set.
Flexible Points Cards For Hotel Transfers
Credit Card | Key Benefits | Bonuses | Apply Here |
---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Transfers 1:1 to World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG One Rewards; $300 annual travel credit; airport lounge access; strong travel protections; 1.5 cents per point via Chase Travel redemptions. | Check the current public offer, which often features a six‑figure bonus as of August 2025. | Apply Here |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Transfers 1:1 to Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG; 1.25 cents per point via Chase Travel; solid earnings on travel and dining; primary rental coverage. | Check the current public offer, commonly around 75,000 points after minimum spend as of August 2025. | Apply Here |
Citi Strata Premier® | Transfers to Choice Privileges at up to 1:2; $100 annual hotel credit via Citi Travel; strong everyday multipliers that pair well with Choice deals in Rooms.aero. | Check the current public offer, typically 60,000 ThankYou points after minimum spend as of August 2025. | Apply Here |
Best for Hyatt sweet spots, we reach for Sapphire, while Strata Premier helps you pounce on Choice sweet spots that show green on the map. Preferred can be the better pick if you redeem through the portal or value the lower annual fee for everyday earning. For transparency, time‑sensitive offers change, so always verify terms before applying or making a plan.
Co‑Branded Hotel Cards For On‑Property Value
Credit card | Key Benefits | Bonuses | Apply Here |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Complimentary Diamond status; annual Free Night Reward; semiannual Hilton resort credits; premium travel perks that elevate award stays. | Public offers fluctuate, and recent promos have reached six‑figure bonuses as of August 2025. | Apply Here |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Anniversary free night with top‑off allowed; fourth night free on award stays; automatic Platinum Elite; elevated earnings at IHG. | Public offers change, with recent bonuses around the six‑figure range as of August 2025. | Apply Here |
Use these cards to match what Rooms.aero surfaces, then pair alerts with your earning plan so redemptions line up before space appears. We like Sapphire for Hyatt‑heavy trips, Aspire for Hilton resorts, and IHG Premier for longer stays that trigger the fourth night free. For compliance and accuracy, confirm current bonuses and terms on the issuer page before you apply or transfer points.
Join Our Free Points And Miles Community
If you want ongoing help finding hotel award space and using tools like Rooms.aero, join our free Points and Miles community. We share real‑time award alerts, step‑by‑step booking walkthroughs, and certificate strategies, so you get more value from your points.
Join now, meet friendly travelers who love optimizing redemptions, and get answers from us whenever you need a second opinion.