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.

New Orleans, LA

Jazz, beignets, French Quarter, Mardi Gras — most distinctive US city

Pay in cash

$2,300

$300 flight + $2,000 hotel

Pay with points

143,000 pts

+ $30 taxes & fees

18KSouthwest125KHyatt

Best card for this trip

Chase Bonvoy Boundless

3 free night certs (up to 50K/night) at Ritz NOLA or similar

Apply

Weather in June

⚠️ Off-season — weather can be challenging

Best: March

Air temp

73°–88°F

23°–31°C

Rainfall

high

Crowds

Low

Hot, daily thunderstorms

Switch month

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

● Best months ● Shoulder ● Off-season

Flights — JFK → MSY

Economy

Chase Ultimate Rewards
via Southwest Rapid Rewards
JFK → MSY — check direct flights from JFK. Chase UR → Southwest LGA-MSY
12K/18K/26K
roundtrip · Wanna Get Away (dynamic)
+ $30 taxes
Open to cover:SW Priority Sapphire Preferred
American AAdvantage
JFK → MSY — check direct flights from JFK. AA economy JFK-MSY
25,000
roundtrip
+ $20 taxes
Open to cover:Sapphire Preferred

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 Centric French Quarter New Orleans
Hyatt·In the French Quarter
Cat 5 — French Quarter location, courtyard pool.
21K/25K/29K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 6
$400/night cash
5 nights = 125,000 pts (~$2,000 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Hyatt·Big groups, events
Cat 5 — Convention Center, Superdome adjacent.
21K/25K/29K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 6
$350/night cash
5 nights = 125,000 pts (~$1,750 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred
Hotel Monteleone
Hyatt·Historic, atmosphere
Cat 6 Unbound — historic FQ with Carousel Bar.
25K/30K/35K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 7
$380/night cash
5 nights = 175,000 pts (~$1,900 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred

More hotels on points

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
Marriott Bonvoy·Luxury, spa
Standard category; CBD location, spa.
70,000/night
$500/night cash
5 nights = 350,000 pts (~$2,500 value)
Open to cover:Bonvoy Boundless Bonvoy Brilliant

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

Open Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (3 free nights welcome) + Sapphire Preferred. Boundless welcome covers most of week, UR covers flight.

Chase Bonvoy Boundless

3 free night certs (up to 50K/night) at Ritz NOLA or similar

$95/yr annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve

75K UR → 18K SW for RT flight + 1-2 more Hyatt nights

$795/yr annual fee

Your out-of-pocket budget for this trip

Local transport$75

Food (5 days)$350

Activities (5 days)$250

Total cash needed$675

🚗 Walkable French Quarter; streetcar for Garden District · vs. $2,300 full cash trip

What to see & do in New Orleans, LA

French Quarter
Neighborhood
Wrought-iron balconies, jazz clubs, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square. Walkable.
Garden District
Neighborhood
Antebellum mansions on St. Charles Ave. Take historic streetcar from FQ.
Frenchmen Street
Nightlife
Locals' Bourbon St alternative — live jazz at Spotted Cat, dba, Snug Harbor.
Preservation Hall
Only here
Traditional jazz in tiny 18th-century building — multiple sets nightly. Cash only.
Café du Monde
Food
Beignets + chicory coffee. Open 24/7 (except Christmas). French Market location.
Swamp Tour
Day trip
30-min outside city — airboat or pontoon through bayous, alligators, Spanish moss.

Events to know about

Mardi Gras
Fat Tuesday — culminates 2 weeks of parades. Date varies (Feb-Mar). Book months ahead.
Feb · Mar
Jazz Fest
Late April - early May — 2 weekends of jazz at Fair Grounds Race Course.
Apr · May
French Quarter Festival
Mid-April — biggest free music festival in the South.
Apr
Halloween in NOLA
Late October — costume parades, voodoo tours, supernatural energy.
Oct

All cards that help with this destination

Chase

Sapphire Reserve

$795/yr

Apply Now

Chase

Bonvoy Boundless

$95/yr

Apply Now

Chase

World of Hyatt

$95/yr

Apply Now

Or discover destinations by season

Plan a trip withcredit card points

New Orleans, LA

Flights — JFK → MSY

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 New Orleans, LA

Events to know about

All cards that help with this destination

Plan a trip with
credit card points