Points in Real Life (Episode 6): The Travel Perk Many People Overlook

Most major hotel programs now offer some version of this:

• Exclusive events
• VIP access
• Local curated activities
• Behind-the-scenes experiences

Instead of redeeming points for a room, you’re redeeming them for something you can’t normally just book on your own.

And that’s the key difference.

This isn’t about replacing your hotel stay — it’s about enhancing the trip itself.

This is where this gets real for us.

We didn’t start using experiences because we thought they were a great “value” on paper.

We used them because they looked fun — and they turned into some of the most memorable travel moments we’ve had.

Carrie Underwood — Minneapolis (Marriott Suite)

We used points for access to a Marriott suite at a Carrie Underwood concert in Minneapolis.

Not just tickets — a full suite experience.

That’s something we would have never booked on our own.

LA Sports Back-to-Back (Clippers + Kings)

This one turned into a full experience weekend.

• LA Clippers game at the Staples Center (vs. our hometown Phoenix Suns)
• Followed by an LA Kings hockey game the next night

Again — not just tickets, but access and positioning we wouldn’t normally pay for.

Pink Concert — Madison Square Garden (Suite Tickets)

We scored 4 tickets in the Marriott suite at Madison Square Garden for a Pink concert.

We were supposed to take two of our nieces — one didn’t make it — but it still turned into one of those “how are we even here right now?” moments.

The Best One: Honolulu Package (80,000 Points)

This one still stands out.

For 80,000 Marriott points, we got:

• 2 nights at the Renaissance Honolulu
• Tickets to a Carrie Underwood concert at the Blaisdell Center (smaller venue — much more intimate)
• Breakfast
• A dinner included

And we booked it 5 days before the trip.

We used points to fly out… and turned it into a full experience.

It was also a complete surprise for Melanie — she didn’t even know where we were going until we got to the gate.

That’s a whole separate story we’ll tell later.

But here’s what made this one different:

When it comes to value, it’s not always about squeezing every last bit out of your points.

It’s about recognizing when those points unlock something you probably wouldn’t have done otherwise.

And sometimes… you get both.

Because when you step back and look at it:

• 2 nights at a hotel in Honolulu
• Breakfast and dinner included
• Two Carrie Underwood tickets — floor seats, about 10 rows back

That’s an incredible value by any standard.

So yes — the experience made it unforgettable.

But the math absolutely backed it up too.

80,000 points for all of that might be one of the most outsized values we’ve ever gotten from Marriott points — not just emotionally, but financially as well.

Marriott has probably done the best job making this concept visible.

Bonvoy Moments includes things like:

• Concerts and sporting events
• Chef-led dining experiences
• VIP packages at major events
• Unique destination-based experiences

Some are fixed-price.
Others are auctions.

Where This Can Actually Make Sense

You’re prioritizing the experience over squeezing maximum point value

You already have a lot of Marriott points

You want access you can’t easily buy

Hilton offers similar opportunities, often tied to:

• Concerts and festivals
• Sporting events
• Cultural experiences

It’s not as visible as Marriott’s platform, but it’s there — and worth checking.

Real-World Angle

Hilton points are often easier to earn, and sometimes harder to get standout hotel value from.

Using them for experiences can actually be a smart alternative if you’re sitting on a large balance.

Hyatt takes a different approach.

Hyatt FIND focuses more on:

• Local experiences
• Food and cultural tours
• Wellness and outdoor activities

Less about VIP events, more about doing something unique in the destination you’re already visiting.

This makes it one of the easiest programs to actually integrate into a trip.

Airlines also offer experience-style redemptions.

But in most cases:

These are not the best use of miles.

That said, they can still make sense if:

• You have extra miles
• You don’t need flights
• The experience is something you truly want

We don’t start with:

“What’s the cents-per-point value?”

We start with:

“Would we actually pay for this?”

Because if the answer is no…
It’s probably not a good use of points.

Our Simple Filter

• Would we realistically pay cash for this?
• Does this make the trip better?
• Is this something we can’t easily book ourselves?
• What are we giving up by using these points?
• Does this unlock an experience we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise?

If it passes that test — we’re in.

We think about it like this:

• Use points for flights first
• Use points or free nights for hotels
• Then layer in experiences

That’s where they shine.

Not as a replacement —
but as something that makes the trip feel different.

Most people never even look at this part of their rewards programs.

And honestly, sometimes that’s fine.

But if you’re already earning points, this is one of the easiest ways to turn a normal trip into something more memorable.

And based on our experience?

Those are the moments you actually remember.