Most people get into points and miles because they can do things that they might not do under normal circumstances.
One of those things is stay at aspirational properties that sell for thousands a night.
Aspiration properties are usually 5 star hotels.
They include brands like the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Waldorf Astoria.
Although I prefer to spread my points out and keep the majority of my stays in upper upscale properties like the Hilton or Marriott, I still make sure to stay at aspirational properties.
Although I took time off travel before the pandemic, under normal circumstances, I easily stay at enough of these properties each year.
It really is not as hard as many people seem to think.
A lot of people I talk to seem to think these properties are a big deal.
With points and miles, you can think nothing of your next aspirational stay (if you don’t do so already).
I like to spread my points out again, so I don’t do all my stays at these properties though.
I know you can do more aspirational stays than you probably do right now.
That is why I wrote this post.
I want you to stay at more aspirational properties each year.
Again, a lot of people make a big deal of these properties.
With points and miles, you don’t have to do that though.
Aspirational properties are what points and miles were made for again.
What are Aspirational properties?
Aspirational properties are hotels that usually cost at least $500 to well over $1000 a night.
These are generally 5 star luxury properties again and the top of the line in the hospitality industry.
I am sure everyone knows what a luxury property is.
I always write with the assumption that my audience has various levels of awareness on topics like hospitality.
With prices at over $1000 a night, the average person might not pay cash for these hotels.
Here are some aspirational brands in the major chains:
- Ritz-Carlton
- St. Regis
- Waldorf Astoria
- Conrad
- Park Hyatt
- Intercontinental
These properties give the top of the line in terms of service with some even offering your own personal butler.
Why I Prefer To Stay The Minority of My Hotel Stays At Aspirational Properties
Some people like to use their points for lower category hotels with few points.
Others like to save all their points for only aspirational properties.
At an average of 95,000 Hilton points for a stay at the Waldorf-Astoria, you would need close to 400,000 Hilton points for a 5 night stay (with the fifth night free).
At an average of 60,000-80,000 points for a Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotel in the Marriott chain, you would need 240,000-320,000 Marriott points for a 5 night stay (with the 5th night free again).
So, even if you had those amounts of Hilton or Marriott points, that might take a big chunk of your points.
So, having all your points go to aspirational stays would be quite a large amount of points.
That was only a 5 night stay (with fifth night free again).
My Strategy
Again, my main strategy is to stay at mostly upper upscale hotels like the Hilton or Marriott and to get a couple of aspirational properties in a year.
I don’t spend a lot of money on upper upscale properties either.
Read this post to find out how I spend little on my stays at upper upscale hotels like the Hilton or Marriott. .
My next strategy, since some aspirational properties in certain locations are not expensive, is to pay cash for these properties.
For instance, you can usually find aspirational properties in Atlanta and Houston as well as cheaper international destinations for $200.
My last strategy is to make my aspirational properties for shorter period of time, like 1-2 days.
I like to travel more frequently than the average person, so someone who likes the average 1-2 vacations a year may have a different strategy.
As a blogger, I also like to review several different properties which can be shorter stays to cover more properties
If you take only 1-2 vacations a year and do very few smaller trips, I think you can try traveling more frequently with smaller trips in addition to your regular long vacations.
So, here is my strategy again:
- Mostly choose upper upscale hotels
- Find aspirational brands at lower priced locations
- Use my points for big aspirational properties like a Park Hyatt Paris (have not stayed here yet but want to)
- If you have a Chase Ultimate card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, take advantage of the Hyatt transfer
- Keep aspirational properties to 1-2 days
Why You Should Make Sure To Stay At Aspirational Properties Each Year
Aspirational properties are what points were made for: hotels you might not pay cash for again.
These properties can cost thousands a night again.
While people are out paying thousands a night for these hotels, you can get them for free just by having a stash of points.
After being in the points and miles hobby, I think nothing more of staying at a Waldorf or Ritz Carlton than I do of a Holiday Inn Express.
You shouldn’t think anything of these properties either (if you don’t already).
Why should you if you can get them for free or pennies?
You can see all your friends surprised that these hotels are not a big deal to you.
Then, you can tell all your friends to read Travel Points 101, so they can be out on their next free trip too.
So, even if you only get one property in a year, make sure to stay in an aspirational property.
Here are some of the aspirational properties I have stayed at with all points, points/cash, or cash:
- Ritz-Carlton Philadephia (points)
- Intercontinental Toronto (IHG certificate before devaluation)
- Waldorf Astoria Chicago (points/cash)
- Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Buckhead (closed now, cash)
Other tips to get more aspirational hotels:
- Make sure to get a high redemption value for your award stays, never below what each brand’s currency is worth
- Use cash equivalents (like cash back credit cards) when hotels are a better deal with cash
- Save all your points for more aspirational properties and pay cash (or cash equivalents) for other properties
Cash equivalents are things like cash back credit cards or other methods of covering cash for hotels again.
Remember, I don’t believe in spending a lot of money on travel.
I want to resell later to cover the cash portion of my budget.
Reselling is popular in the points community for people who want more travel for less.
Since I will only be starting in reselling and not an expert, you can goggle “reselling for points” to find out more.
Reselling is actually considered a business (how many things can you learn by getting into points and miles) and may not be for everyone.
It is an advanced tactic.
Most people will not need to resell.
If you only want 1-2 vacations a year, you will not need that.
I like to mention everything I am aware of in case it is useful though.
Whenever I start reselling, I will post about my experience.
Summary
Aspirational properties are what points are made for.
People are out spending thousands on these properties while someone with a stash of points can get these properties for free again.
Although I prefer to use aspirational properties for the minority of my hotel stays, everyone should get at least one of these hotels in each year.
These properties are easily gotten with points again.
I like to travel frequently (a couple times a month).
Right now, that is just road trips because of the pandemic.
Later, it should be flying at least twice a month.
I think you should travel as frequently as possible too, and will write a post about it later again.
Again, why should you not be jetting off to your next destination if it costs pennies?
I think you should increase your stays at aspirational properties regardless of how often you stay at ones now.
So, if you do not stay at aspirational hotels at all, try to stay at least once this year.
If you stay at twenty aspirational properties each year, go for 21 or more.
Do you stay at aspirational properties already?
Which ones were your favorite?
