US · city
New York City, NY
United States
Broadway, museums, food from every continent — the original points value hub
Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct: 60-75°F, perfect. Summer humid (90°F+). Winter cold and snowy.
When to visit
Award flights from the US
Economy
Chase Ultimate Rewards
via Southwest Rapid Rewards
+ $30 taxes
Chase UR → Southwest (LGA/EWR)
JetBlue TrueBlue
+ $20 taxes
JetBlue domestic
Business / First
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA business class on transcon (A321T)
Delta SkyMiles
+ $20 taxes
Delta One transcon
Cash equivalent: economy ~$250 · business ~$1,200 roundtrip from NYC
Award hotels
Park Hyatt New York
Hyatt
Cat 7 peak; off-peak 35K. 57th & 6th flagship.
The Knickerbocker, Times Square
Hyatt
Cat 6 Unbound Collection — historic boutique on Times Square.
Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hyatt
Cat 5 — Midtown East, business location.
Andaz 5th Avenue
Hyatt
Cat 6 — Midtown lifestyle, walking to Bryant Park.
Hyatt Place New York / Midtown South
Hyatt
Cat 5 — budget-friendly, includes breakfast.
What to see & do
Central Park
843 acres in middle of Manhattan — walk, bike, Bethesda Terrace, boats, summer concerts.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
World-class collection across 2M+ works. Suggested admission, all day visit.
Brooklyn Bridge + DUMBO
Walk the iconic span at sunset; finish at DUMBO for pizza and Brooklyn skyline shots.
Broadway Show
40+ active theaters in midtown. TKTS booth for same-day discount tickets.
Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island
Ferry from Battery Park; combine with immigration museum on Ellis Island.
Katz's Delicatessen
Lower East Side institution since 1888 — pastrami on rye, decades of celebrity photos.
Monthly weather
Best cards for this trip
Open World of Hyatt + Sapphire Preferred. Park Hyatt NY 45K/night (Cat 7) — bonus + free night cert covers 2-3 nights of luxury.
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