Traditionally, the best hotels in The Hamptons are independent affairs. Despite its popularity, big names like Hilton and Marriott haven’t been able to make much headway in the region. Rental properties still reign supreme, and many of the excellent hotels that are available are little historic home conversions.
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to book a night or two in The Hamptons with nothing but points. If you’re set on saving money and willing to concede a little convenience, you can enjoy the ultimate getaway spot for almost nothing.
These are the best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points.
The best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points: Hyatt
Hyatt Place Long Island East End
Location: Riverhead, NY
Price: 15,000 points/ $180+
Vibe: Best flat-out points option
The rundown: If you’d searched Hyatt’s portal just a few months ago, you’d have found several outstanding properties available to book using World of Hyatt points. Unfortunately, after the brand’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World ended, those properties disappeared. There are a few new faces from its current partnership with Mr and Mrs Smith, but they’ve not yet been assigned any award rates.
So, if you’ve got some Hyatt points to burn, your only option is Hyatt Place Long Island East End. That’s not a bad thing at all. This delightful property sits on the Riverhead harbor, making the summer evening drinks by the water all the sweeter. You can grab a room here for as little as 15,000 points—making it one of the best hotels in The Hamptons for points users.
The best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points: American Express Membership Rewards
The Sunset Montauk
Location: Montauk, NY
Price: 28,000 points+/ $198+
Vibe: Heart of the action heaven
The rundown: It’s rare we recommend using your points on a credit card’s travel portal, but The Hampton’s uniquely independent hotel scene means your hand may be forced if you’re hell-bent on using points. The upside to using American Express Membership Reward Points is that there isn’t any award space to fight for—every room is bookable. Better yet, as the points are pretty much tied to the cash rate, your value won’t ever be terrible. It just won’t get outweighed value, though.
A hotel like the Sunset Montauk puts you in the beating heart of The Hamptons, Montauk. Its retro beach motel feel is a delightfully wholesome throwback and you’re barely a stone’s throw from the water—perfect for kids looking to splash around. You can grab a night here for around 28,000 points, but that can fluctuate depending on the cash price.
The best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points: Hilton
Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead
Location: Riverhead, NY
Price: 36,000 points+/ $130+
Vibe: Basic but budget
The rundown: Heading back to the big names again, we have the Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead. The little town of Riverhead appears to be where the major names are held, as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott all have a property there.
The Garden Inn there is a solid option. One of Hilton’s tried and trusted lines, they’re always comfortable and boast the amenities required for a top-notch stay. Is it spectacular? No. But if you’re focused on getting out and about in the area, what more than a comfy bed and a clean room to fall back on at the end of the day? Rooms start at around 36,000 points a night.
The best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Haven Montauk
Location: Montauk, NY
Price: 18,700 points or $205+
Vibe: Classic American getaway
The rundown: The Chase Ultimate Rewards portal is one notable exception to the “don’t use card portal” advice. That’s because if you own one of the Sapphire range of cards (the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®), your points are worth more than the typical one cent each. If you have the Reserve, they’re worth 1.5 cents each, while the Preferred pulls 1.25 cents.
With that in mind, you’re then privy to the same benefits as the Amex portal—no blackout dates and rates tied directly to the cash price of the room. In this case, you could grab a room at Haven Montauk for just 18,700 points—a steal compared to the competition. It’s another classic American weekender hotel, bursting with character and perfect for families. You’re right on the water and even have a pool out front, too. Perfection.
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
The best hotels in The Hamptons you can book with points: Marriott
Residence Inn Long Island East End
Location: Riverhead, NY
Price: 35,000 points+/$150+
Vibe: Simple money saver
The rundown: Marriott falls into the same pattern as its competitors Hilton and Hyatt with its Residence Inn in Riverhead. If we had to pick from the three Riverhead properties, we’d probably opt for this one. It boasts a little more character and charm than the other two, matched by a slightly higher price point.
Rooms start at around 35,000 points a night depending on the date, but its full-sized kitchens and sprawling guestrooms mean you can save even more by cooking in your room a little or a lot. Its location in the center of town is prime for shopping and taking full advantage of the area, too.
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
East Hampton Hideaway
Location: East Hampton, NY
Price: 70,000 points/ $391+
Vibe: Classic Hampton home
The rundown: Marriott does offer a way to grab the traditional Hamptons experience of a stunning beach rental property. There are a lot on there, over 120 in fact, but there’s no denying the price point can be eye-watering. Many of them are reaching well over 200,000 points. While that’s high, make sure to have a look as some of these places are unbelievable.
But some are a little more forgiving, like this beautiful hideaway in East Hampton. Its rates start at a more palatable 70,000 points per night. The classic home has three bedrooms plus 2.5 bathrooms, perfect for a larger group, as well as a private pool in the backyard. The old farmhouse is right across from a 50-acre nature reserve, too—perfect for early morning walks before heading back to throw breakfast together in the open-plan kitchen for everyone. Heaven.
Read also: The Best Ways to Travel to Paris on Points
by travelers, for travelers.
