July 4th, 2024 might be a day to celebrate your freedom. But a hotel stay that day is anything but free.
As with most holidays, room rates soar and availability dwindles, putting the pressure on your wallet if you’re hoping to make a getaway for the fireworks. But don’t despair just yet, if you have a hoard of points burning a hole in your hotel account, there are plenty of outstanding waterfront properties to book for July 4th, 2024 for absolutely nothing.
That’s true freedom, no?
The best July 4th, 2024 hotels: Hilton
Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton
Location: Key West, Florida
Price: 92,000 to 140,000 points
Vibe: Key West classic
The rundown: A July 4th, 2024 at Casa Marina Key West couldn’t be more epic if you tried. This stunning 1920s hotel is located on a private strip of beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. Fully embracing its history but stepping firmly into the future with modern amenities, you’d half expect to see Ernest Hemingway sauntering through the bar door for a rum or five (he lived half a mile away).
As for the cost, Hilton’s points rates fluctuate regularly. The hotel ranges from around 92,000 up to sky-high rates of 400,000 in peak season. For July 4th, 2024, the rates are currently hovering around 119,000. Opening one of Hilton’s co-branded cards could get you more than enough points for that stay.
Hilton Garden Inn, South Padre Island
Location: South Padre Island, Texas
Price: 30,000 points to 70,000 points
Vibe: Simple location-centric property
The rundown: You won’t find too many Garden Inns with a beachfront location. But that’s what you’ll get on South Padre Island. Down on the Southern coast of Texas, just a stone’s throw from the Mexican border, is a slice of beach paradise. Better yet, it’s one you can get for free.
If you’re there in the off-season, you can grab rooms as low as 30,000 points a night. With rates that low, the American Express® Gold Card could grab you five nights there for free. On July 4th, 2024, it’s a good amount higher, but at 70,000 points you’d only need to transfer 34,000 American Express Memberships Reward Points to score the night there.
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership
The American Express® Gold Card gives your munch more punch with an outstanding 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x). For some context, if you spent $8,400 a year on eating out and groceries, which is roughly what the average American spends, you’d have enough points for a roundtrip flight to Hawaii. That’s not even factoring in the huge 60,000-point bonus worth over $1,000.
PROS
- Huge returns on popular spending categories like dining at restaurants, takeout and delivery in the U.S .and U.S. supermarkets.
- Solid earnings on travel purchased via Amex or directly with an airline.
- Solid intro bonus of 60,000 points worth over $1,000.
- Basic card members are eligible for $10 in Uber Cash each month. To receive this Amex Benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.
- Up to $120 in statement credits for selected dining outlets including the GrubHub food delivery app, Shake Shack, Wine.com, and more. Enrollment is required.
- Nice, but pointless in the grand scheme of things, customizable card designs
CONS
- $250 annual fee
- No major travel perks like its bigger sibling, the Amex Platinum
Annual Fee: $250 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The best July 4th, 2024 hotels: Marriott
Courtyard Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Price: 44,000+
Vibe: Center of the action value
The rundown: Like the July 4th festivities but hate people? The Courtyard Virginia Beach has you covered. Located on the boardwalk with ocean-facing rooms, it’s perfect for watching the fireworks from the comfort and calm of your own room. If you feel like venturing into the city, you are just a few blocks away from everything you’d need.
Rates here start at a wonderfully low 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night, with little fluctuation. At the time of writing, there weren’t many rooms left for July 4th, 2024, so if you fancy grabbing a night here for nothing, you better act fast.
Sheraton Myrtle Beach
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Price: 27,000 points+
Vibe: High value for a short walk
The rundown: This hotel might not be right on the waterfront, but the value it offers from just a few blocks back at one of the US’ most iconic beach locations makes it a more than worthy addition to this list. It’s a sprawling, and admittedly businessy, hotel, but its large rooms, excellent gym and close proximity to everything are winners.
Its rates start at an amazing 27,000 points, with July 4th, 2024 rates starting at just 46,000 points. That makes it one of the cheaper options on our list, and with The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ve got that night covered easily.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
PROS
- The Amex Platinum’s typical intro bonus of 80,000 points is massive in itself. It’s worth $800 when spent directly through Amex’s travel portal on flights and hotels, which is already stellar. But when transferred to a partner, it’s very possible to squeeze over $1,600 or more in value.
- The Platinum has a slew of top-tier benefits, like Priority Pass, which gives the cardholder access to thousands of airport lounges and restaurants around the world, as well as Amex’s own Centurion lounges which are known for the high-quality (and free) food and cocktails. Other perks include up to $200 in Uber credits (to receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express card must be a method of payment in your Uber account, and this Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States), up to $200 in airline fee credits (given in statement credits), up to $240 in digital streaming credits, up to $200 towards hotel bookings (given in statement credits) with Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts (2 night minimum stay required), and more. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
- A number of statement credits spanning multiple industries can build even more value into the card, including free stays when applied strategically.
- The Amex concierge is an underutilized benefit that can transform a trip by helping book hard-to-find dinner reservations or show tickets.
CONS
- The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
- Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
- Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
Annual Fee: $695 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The best July 4th, 2024 hotels: Hyatt
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Oceanfront
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Price: 21,000 points+
Vibe: Peak value perfection
The rundown: As usual, Hyatt waltzs in and steals the show. Arguably the best hotel on this list can be booked for just 29,000 World of Hyatt points on July 4th, 2024. That’s because of Hyatt’s tremendous award chart system. The brand categorizes each of its hotels from 1-8 and allots a predetermined low, normal, and peak season rate for each of those categories.
The wonderful Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach is listed as a Category 6, so off-peak rates are 21,000, normal comes in at 25,000, and peak times at 29,000 points. Those are unbelievable rates for one of the best towns to celebrate July 4th, 2024 at one of the coolest beach resorts out there.
Hyatt Place Ocean City
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Price: 21,000 points+
Vibe: Fairground fantastical
The rundown: Ocean City is a solid example of a good old-fashioned beach getaway town. Its beachfront fairground is a winner with kids (big and small), while its city center is quickly building an excellent nightlife and restaurant scene.
The Hyatt Place Ocean City is another Category 6 hotel, so its rates clock in at the same 21- 25-, and 29,000-point rates depending on the time you book. July 4th, 2024 is peak time this year, so you’d be looking at a stellar 29,000 points to enjoy your Independence Day in Maryland.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
PROS
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠.
- The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
- A 10% annual points bonus is tacked on every year, adding a little more value.
- A free year-long Doordash DashPass membership is also thrown in, which gives you free delivery and some extra discounts. It’s a solid perk if you order food delivery at least semi-frequently (Activate by 12/31/2024).
- Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
CONS
- Maximizing the value of Chase points can still be complicated for complete novices.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonused spend.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Annual Fee: $95 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
by travelers, for travelers.
