Hey y’all! Imagine soaking up the sun in Dubai, exploring the spice souks, and watching the sunset over the Arabian Gulf without spending a dime on accommodations.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, honey, it’s not!
In 2022, my family and I jetted off to the United Arab Emirates, hitting up both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and y’all, we didn’t pay a penny for our stays.
We lived it up at the luxurious Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi and cozied up at the Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah, all on the house—or should I say, on the points!
In this blog post, I will share the scoop on how you can enjoy Dubai and even Abu Dhabi without spending your hard-earned money on hotels.
Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, a romantic getaway, or a full-blown family vacation, these tips are golden.
Introduction to Traveling on Points
Traveling on points might sound difficult, but it’s a smart way to leverage rewards programs to snag free stays using credit cards.
The key is to sign up for the right cards, use them for everyday shopping, and redeem those points for free hotel stays and flights. It’s all about making what you already spend work for you.
Choosing the Right Credit Card
Not all cards are created equal. Especially when it comes to scoring free stays in places like Dubai. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card works wonders for us, but plenty of options exist. Look for cards that offer:
- Generous sign-up bonuses: Sometimes you can score up to 100,000 points just for signing up and meeting a minimum spend in the first few months.
- High point earning rates: Prefer cards that offer multiple points per dollar spent, particularly on travel and dining.
- Flexible redemption options: Ensure you can use your points on a wide range of hotels, including those in Dubai.
Earning Points Wisely
To rack up points quickly:
- Use your credit card for everything: From groceries to utility bills, every dollar you spend can earn points.
- Look for bonus categories: If your card offers extra points for dining out or shopping at certain retailers, take advantage.
- Pay your balance in full: This keeps you from paying interest, which can wipe out the value of your points. I can’t stress this enough! Use these credit cards responsibly to avoid getting into deep debt.
Booking Your Stay for Free
Currently, you can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from opening an account!
This is a steal because when I opened my account in 2022, the bonus offer was 60,000 points. I would jump on this now!
When it’s time to book, here’s how you can do it without spending extra:
- Plan ahead: The earlier you book, the better availability you’ll find for award nights.
- Be flexible with dates: If you’re flexible, you might find more free stay options.
- Transfer to partners: Usually, transferring your points directly to travel partners like Hyatt or Marriot will give you more bang for your buck!
We knew we wanted to use points for our wedding anniversary vacation, and after doing some research, I found that the United Arab Emirates was just the place to do so!
I always check the Hyatt website to see which hotels I can book using a certain amount of points.
The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel is 21,000 points each night for a standard room. This is great because of how beautiful this place is and it’s located on a beautiful beach!
The Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah is only 3,500 points a night. This hotel was a nice stay, with a spa, restaurants on site, and more!
Three nights at each hotel adds up to 73,500 points! This means a seven-day stay in the UAE for FREE!
Once you become a Chase Sapphire Reserve account holder, you can see your points and transfer them to partner hotels like Hyatt to book your room!
With the 75,000 bonus points you can earn from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can choose from various hotel combinations and destinations.
Maximizing Hotel Perks
Staying for free doesn’t mean skimping on the experience. Many hotels offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and even free spa services to members of their loyalty programs or to those booking with certain credit cards.
Free Activities in Dubai
Dubai has plenty of free or inexpensive activities that are perfect for everyone:
- Visit the beaches: JBR Beach and Al Mamzar Beach Park are free.
- Explore the markets: Check out the Gold Souk or the Spice Souk.
- Enjoy public parks: Safa Park and Zabeel Park are great for a family picnic.
Travel Smart in Dubai
Getting around Dubai can be affordable:
- Use public transportation: The buses and metro in Dubai are clean, efficient, and inexpensive.
- Consider a rental: A rental car might be more cost-effective if you plan to explore outside Dubai.
- Uber: We used Uber most of the time for transportation.
Final Thoughts
With a little planning and savvy use of credit card points, you can enjoy fabulous free stays in Dubai. Remember, the key is to start planning your points strategy well in advance and always watch for the best deals.
So, what are y’all waiting for? Start earning those points and plan your dream trip to Dubai. It’s a world of luxury and adventure waiting for you, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Safe travels!
