How I Cover Sports Travel Hotels Using Credit Card Points

By Travel Sports Savings

The Goal:

Book a weekend hotel stay for a tournament — without spending a dime out of pocket — using credit card points and travel rewards.

Step-by-Step Blueprint:

Step 1: Open the Right Card

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred®

• Current bonus: Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in 3 months

• Those points can cover up to 12 free Hyatt nights

• Annual fee: $95

Why this card? Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer 1:1 to Hyatt — one of the best hotel partners for value redemptions.

Step 2: Meet the Minimum Spend

Spend $5,000 in 3 months using expenses you're already paying for:

• Groceries

• Gas

• School and sports fees

• Insurance and medical bills

• Holiday or birthday gifts

Use a basic tracker or app to monitor your progress.

Step 3: Transfer Points to Hyatt

Once the 75,000-point bonus posts:

1. Log in to your Chase account

2. Open the Ultimate Rewards portal

3. Click “Transfer to Travel Partners” and select Hyatt

4. Link your World of Hyatt account

5. Transfer points in 1,000-point increments

Transfers are instant — only transfer when you're ready to book.

Step 4: Book Your Hotel

Go to hyatt.com and search for your tournament dates. Use the “Use Points” filter when searching for hotels.

Here’s what typical Hyatt redemptions cost:

• Category 1 Hotel = 3,500–5,000 points per night

• Category 2 Hotel = 6,500–8,000 points per night

• Category 3 Hotel = 9,000–12,000 points per night

With 75,000 points, you can book anywhere from 5 to 14 nights, depending on location.

Real-Life Example:

• Destination: Gymnastics Nationals in Minneapolis

• Hotel: Hyatt Place Minneapolis

• Nightly Cost: $189+ with taxes

• Booked with: 12,000 Hyatt points per night

• Total Cost: $0 out of pocket for 5 NIGHTS

• Breakfast included

  
  

Savings: over $1000 for just one event!!!

What to Avoid

• Do not carry a balance — always pay your statement in full

• Do not transfer points unless you’ve confirmed hotel availability

• Do not miss your minimum spend deadline

Extra Tips

• If you have a spouse or partner, they can open the card too — that’s double the points

• Use tools like Travel Freely to track cards and bonuses

• Focus on Hyatt properties in major sports destinations for consistent value

Final Thought

You don’t need spreadsheets, hours of research, or perfect timing. You just need the right card, a simple plan, and a few minutes to set things up. This blueprint is how I started — and now we cover nearly all our hotel stays during sports season for free.

Let your everyday spending earn you real travel savings.

Ready to try it for your next tournament?