Hotel points are a valuable loyalty currency that you can earn from frequent travel, but also from credit card spending. Many credit cards are affiliated with hotel loyalty programs, while others allow you to transfer points from the credit card program to different hotel points.
But, many hotels are diversifying the rewards that they offer allowing members to use their points for more than just hotel stays, but also unique experiences that are otherwise hard to buy on their own. If you are looking for a Father’s Day gift that taps into Dad’s personal interests, especially if you can go along with him, these gift ideas are available for a limited time and can be paid for with hotel points. These are some of the options from the major hotel loyalty programs, some of which are auction-style offers and others have a flat points price.
Hilton Honors
Act fast to bid on this experience, which ends June 3, to attend the home race of Lando Norris and the McLaren F1 Team. Hilton has partnered with the brand for 20 years, and this package includes VIP tickets for two to attend Saturday’s Practice and Qualifying Sessions. It also includes various hosted team activities and two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone.
At the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, guests or visitors can redeem 150,000 hotel points for a two-person “agave study” experience. Experts guide you through a flight of tequilas and mezcals that are paired with cheese, chocolate, homemade flavored salt and fruit.
Two tickets to this international soccer event include VIP access to watch the pre-match warmups and a photo opportunity with the winning team and their trophy. Also part of the auction deal is a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, team memorabilia and a two-night stay at the Signia by Hilton San Jose.
IHG One Rewards
One of the Mastercard Experiences that IHG offers to its co-branded credit cardholders is a private surfing lesson at Australia’s world-famous Bondi Beach. A pro instructor and expert lifesaver will lead the lesson and then take you behind the scenes to the world’s oldest surf lifesaving club. The experience, which goes for 129,000 points for two people, includes lunch, a photo opportunity and some gifts to take home.
For only 12,000 IHG points, cardholders can reserve a court at the exclusive Reserve Padel Club at New York’s Hudson Yards. This offer is valid for four people and comes with complimentary padel equipment, water bottles and towels. The courts are available year-round since they are “within a bubble” for heat insulation despite being outside.
Frequent traveling dads can use IHG points to book private tours of notable landmarks around the world. They include an after-hours tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the Duomo in Milan, a Seine River dinner cruise in Paris and the ruins of Pompeii.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Redeem Marriott points for a variety of baseball experiences. These include watching your child shout “play ball” at a game, enjoying VIP box seating and a special tour of Wrigley Field, and walk out onto the field. Bidding points on these different packages for summer events will end soon, but more packages will be added soon.
World of Hyatt
Practice your best cowboy skills by learning how to lasso like an expert at this hour-long experience at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa outside of Austin. The lesson costs just over 5,000 points, which is similar to the price of a Category 1 hotel on the World of Hyatt award chart. It is also possible to pay $73 for the lesson and earn points instead.
Follow the scent of expert truffle-hunting dogs during a visit to Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, to go on a search through the forest for these pricey ingredients. After the hunt, the hotel’s chefs will prepare a truffle-inspired picnic for a tasty finish. This experience costs about 11,000 points.
At the Hyatt Centric Key West, just over 108,000 World of Hyatt points can unlock an exciting, half-day fishing adventure on a charter boat from the hotel’s dock. The catch you bring back will be prepared perfectly by the hotel restaurant’s chef team for you to enjoy the same evening.