How many points does a round-trip flight to Hawaii cost?

A round-trip economy flight from the US mainland to Hawaii typically costs 25,000–35,000 points in programs like United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage, or Chase Ultimate Rewards transferred to United. Business class runs 50,000–80,000 points round-trip on programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Chase UR.

What is the best credit card for earning travel points?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) are the most flexible, earning Chase Ultimate Rewards transferable to United, Hyatt, Air Canada, and 10+ other partners. The Amex Platinum earns Amex Membership Rewards transferable to Delta, Air France, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

How many hotel points does a night at a Hyatt cost?

Hyatt hotels cost 3,500–45,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Category 1-2 hotels (many international locations) start at 3,500 points. Category 7 (top luxury) is 45,000 points. Category 8 (Miraval resorts) is 45,000 points. Hyatt is one of the best hotel programs for point value.

Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to hotel programs?

Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, making it one of the most valuable uses. You can also transfer to IHG Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, though Hyatt generally offers the best value per point.

AI Trip Planner

Plan a trip with
credit card points

Pick origin + destination + month → see best award flights, top hotels bookable on points, attractions, signature events, and the cards whose welcome bonus would cover the trip. 41 US origin airports, no bank link required.

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

America's clearest alpine lake — ski in winter, swim + hike in summer

Pay in cash

$2,850

$350 flight + $2,500 hotel

Pay with points

150,000 pts

+ $15 taxes & fees

25KSouthwest125KHyatt

Best card for this trip

Chase World of Hyatt

60K + free Cat 1-4 cert = 2-3 nights at Hyatt Regency Tahoe (~$1,500 value)

Apply

Weather in June

🌤️ Shoulder season — decent weather, fewer crowds

Best: January

Air temp

39°–74°F

4°–23°C

Rainfall

low

Crowds

Moderate

Lakes warming, hiking peak.

Switch month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

● Best months ● Shoulder ● Off-season

Flights — JFK → RNO

Economy

Southwest Rapid Rewards
JFK → RNO — connect via SFO or LAX. Southwest into RNO — 1hr drive to North Tahoe
16K/25K/38K
roundtrip · Wanna Get Away (dynamic)
+ $15 taxes
Open to cover:SW Priority Sapphire Preferred
Chase Ultimate Rewards
JFK → RNO — connect via SFO or LAX. UR → Southwest into RNO
25,000
roundtrip
+ $15 taxes
Open to cover:Sapphire Preferred Sapphire Reserve

Top hotels for your points

⭐ Top picks

Picked for best points value — Hyatt has the only fixed award chart left in major US hotels, so your points stretch the furthest here. Tap each option below for why it stands out.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Hyatt·Year-round, lakefront
Cat 5 — Incline Village, private beach, near Diamond Peak ski.
21K/25K/29K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 6
$500/night cash
5 nights = 125,000 pts (~$2,500 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred

More hotels on points

Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
Marriott Bonvoy·Ski luxury
Mid-mountain at Northstar — ski-in/out luxury.
110,000/night
$1000/night cash
5 nights = 550,000 pts (~$5,000 value)
Open to cover:Bonvoy Boundless Bonvoy Brilliant
Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Marriott Bonvoy·Luxury, summer lakefront
Luxury Collection — beach resort, golf course, edge of lake.
100,000/night
$700/night cash
5 nights = 500,000 pts (~$3,500 value)
Open to cover:Bonvoy Boundless Bonvoy Brilliant

Trip Strategy — open these cards and the trip is mostly free

Open World of Hyatt (60K + free Cat 1-4 cert) + Sapphire Preferred (75K UR). Covers 3 nights Hyatt Regency Tahoe + RT flight.

Chase World of Hyatt

60K + free Cat 1-4 cert = 2-3 nights at Hyatt Regency Tahoe (~$1,500 value)

$95/yr annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve

75K UR → 25K Southwest for RT flight + car rental

$795/yr annual fee

Your out-of-pocket budget for this trip

Car rental (5 days)$400

Food (5 days)$400

Activities (5 days)$600

Total cash needed$1,400

🚗 Car rental needed · vs. $2,850 full cash trip

What to see & do in Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Emerald Bay State Park
Outdoor
Iconic granite cove with Vikingsholm castle — boat in or hike down 1-mile trail.
Heavenly Mountain
Outdoor
Massive ski resort straddling CA/NV state line — gondola also operates summer.
Sand Harbor State Park
Beach
Best lake beach — turquoise water, granite boulders. Get there before 9am summer.
Squaw Valley / Palisades Tahoe
Outdoor
1960 Winter Olympics site — top tier skiing + summer aerial tram.
Lake Tahoe Cruise
Only here
Tahoe Queen / Safari Rose paddlewheelers — 2hr lake tours.
Sage Restaurant & Bar
Food
Incline Village farm-to-table in mountain setting — must reserve.

Events to know about

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
July-August — open-air theater on Sand Harbor beach.
Jul · Aug
North Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week
Early March — prix fixe at top spots during ski season.
Mar
Wanderlust Festival
July — yoga + music festival at Palisades Tahoe.
Jul
American Century Championship Golf
Mid-July — celebrity golf tournament with biggest names.
Jul

All cards that help with this destination

Chase

World of Hyatt

$95/yr

Apply Now

Amex

Bonvoy Brilliant

$650/yr

Apply Now

Chase

Sapphire Reserve

$795/yr

Apply Now

Or discover destinations by season

Plan a trip withcredit card points

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Flights — JFK → RNO

Top hotels for your points

More hotels on points

Trip Strategy — open these cards and the trip is mostly free

Your out-of-pocket budget for this trip

What to see & do in Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Events to know about

All cards that help with this destination

Plan a trip with
credit card points