Swap snow for sunshine and spend your hard-earned points at these top hotels in the Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott portfolios.

Share this article

ONEFAR works with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This website does not include all financial companies or all financial offerings available. Compensation can affect how an offer is presented. Our reporting is independent and objective and has not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of these companies. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the AFAR editorial team.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Registration may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. visit www.americanexpress.com to learn more.

As the newness of winter thaws, the promise of fun in the sun in South Florida grows more enticing. While most of the country struggles with snowstorms, destinations like Miami experience average temperature highs of 75 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit in February and March, respectively, with both months averaging just four days of rain.

It’s no surprise, then, that winter is high season throughout South Florida, when hotels and resorts command top prices. Luckily, winter is also a time when loyalty programs reveal some of their biggest redemption opportunities. Why pay hundreds – even thousands – a night at hotels where you can book direct with a reasonable number of points?

Here we’ve rounded up six of our favorite hotels and resorts across South Florida that are still available (at press time) this winter at standard point rates. Whether you have points to earn with Hilton Honors, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt, there are many hotels ready to accommodate you. And for those who want to start earning lots of points for future getaways now—next winter will be here before you know it—we reveal some of the best hotel credit card deals to get you started.

Indulge in retro glam fun at this colorful Art Deco Instagram favorite in the heart of Mid-Beach (just north of South Beach). As part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, it costs just 18,000 World of Hyatt points per night, making it perhaps the best points offer on the beach for a luxurious stay. the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. That’s enough for a stay of four nights!

This newcomer to South Beach, tucked away in the beach’s Sunset Harbor residential and dining district, is far enough away from the madness but still within walking distance to the action. (You can always take the free beach shuttle, too.) With rooms averaging 42,500 IHG ​​points per night in our search, at IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card could be your ticket to a comfortable three-day stay with points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, thanks to an introductory bonus of 125,000 points.

The former spring break capital may have grown, but Fort Lauderdale still knows how to throw a party. A case in point is this elegant downtown property with mid-century modern-inspired guest rooms and lively pool and rooftop landscapes. Rooms at this tribute portfolio hotel cost 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, one of the best values ​​among Marriott hotels in South Florida. the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has a welcome offer of three free nights (worth up to 50,000 points each night) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Families love this classic beachfront property on Florida’s west coast, where beach walks, sandcastle building and walking are the order of the day. It’s a steal at 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night considering winter rooms typically start at $750 plus resort fees. (Resort fees are waived when booking with points.) The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card currently includes a welcome bonus offer that could earn you a weekend stay at this hotel: 180,000 points after qualifying purchases (130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership and an additional 50,000 after spending a total of $10,000 in the first six months months). Conditions apply. (See Prices and Fees.)

The posh hamlet of Bal Harbor is Miami’s equivalent of Beverly Hills—but on the beach. Central to the social scene is the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, a see-and-be-seen spot by the pool, lobby, and its legendary bar. Rooms run at 100,000 points per night in the winter, so that’s the 100,000-point introductory offer the best choice for a free night stay the American Express Platinum Card®, which you receive after spending $6,000 in the first six months of your card membership (see Prices and Fees). Conditions apply. American Express Membership Rewards points are then transferable 1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy.

All suites at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach feature a balcony or patio.

Each unit at this all-suite oceanfront resort has a furnished balcony (or patio) and pantry, making it a great choice for multi-generational travel and longer stays. Suites run at a reasonable 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night during the winter. To plan a longer stay, consider both Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (see Prices and Fees) and the American Express Platinum Card® (see Prices and Fees). As previously mentioned, the former’s welcome bonus offer is currently 180,000 Hilton Honors points and the latter’s is 100,000 Membership Rewards points (which convert to 200,000 Hilton Honors points as they carry over at a 1:2 ratio). Altogether that’s 380,000 Hilton Honors points. Considering that Hilton Honors gives the fifth night free on award stays, that’s enough for a five-night stay. Huzza.

See you in South Florida!

Whilst the above offers are correct at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time and may have changed or become unavailable.

>> Next: The 7 Best Travel Credit Cards You Can Apply Right Now

Products we write about are independently reviewed and recommended by our editors. AFAR may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, which supports our independent publishing.