I just realized that Priority Club does not allow you to reserve suites with points. I did some googling and the impression I'm getting is that most programs do not allow suite reservations with points only.

So I would like to put this question out to the experts, is there are hotel program that allows you book suites with points only? In a related note, with all those CC offers from Hyatt, Mariott, etc.. that offers free 1-2 nights, are those for normal rooms or can they be used for suites?

I am not a frequent traveler, and I do not expect to get any gold/platinum status (unless it comes with the card). I know a few programs allow suite upgrade, but are those at check-in or when you place the reservation? I need a suite confirmation when I make the reservation, so trying my luck at check-in is not what I am looking for.

SPG allows suite upgrades with points

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...omparison.html

And so does Hyatt

http://goldpassport.hyatt.com/gp/en/...tt_upgrade.jsp

Thanks, unfortunately there are no SPG and Hyatt hotels at the place that I frequent.

Hilton


http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/rewards/hotels.do

Premium Room Rewards
You can use points to book premium rooms and suites at hotels worldwide with no blackout dates

Another option for Hilton is the all suite properties - Doubletree, Embassy, Homewood. I use them pretty often for family trips. They are not luxury suites, but if your purpose is to be able to put kids to bed and close a door - they work for us. Usually more reasonable in terms of points cost than a premium award elsewhere. Though, not as premium an experience.

I totally agree with this. I have kids and a suite is critical for us while travelling. Their Homewood suites brand is especially good and rated the best in its category. Of course everybody has different needs, so u have to decide for yourself.

Both IHG and Marriott have similar properties in the same sense of the Homewood. They are readily bookable with points. You just need to know the brands that are for this type of "family suites". Marriott has at least 3 brands that fall into this category, fwiw.

If OP is looking for the "aspirational" suites, then HHonor and may be Hyatt might be the only 2 brands that he can book with points only.

I find the marriott properties (RI, Springhill) tend to have kitchenettes and dens - but no door to the bedroom in most of their rooms. I think they call them studio suites, but for my purposes they aren't as good. I have seen some Residence Inns where you can redeem "1 bedroom suites" for the same points as studio suites, but it becomes an availability issue, and/or hit or miss if it is added as a redemption option online.

Well, then why don't you explain either where it is that you frequent or which hotel programs have what brands there?

Choice is another such program, though not all of their brands have suites, not all of their programs allow you to book suites, and the suites aren't always much (sometimes just a room divider), and this may work better in some places than others.

Also, obviously, any program will allow you do redeem points for suites at an all-suites property. Most programs have all-suites properties: Hilton has Embassy Suites and Homewood Suites, Club Carlson has Radisson Suites (a subset of the Radisson brand), Marriot has Marriott Suites (a subset of the Marriott brand) and Townplace Suites and Springhill Suites, Priority Club has Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, Choice has Quality Suites (a subset of Quality Inn) and Comfort Suites, etc.

But again, without knowing where you want to stay or without knowing the list of chain hotels in that area, I can't tell whether that would help you or not!

That's mostly true, but one notable exception is super-aspirational properties, particularly "limited participation" ones. For example, SPG has some Cat 7 properties that are all suite and all but impossible to book or require truly exorbitant amounts of points.

agreed, without that info (where you want to travel or a certain hotel program) we are just trying to guess. Everyone can help more if you provide more detail please.

I have stayed in Westin and Sheraton suites but had to call hotel to get room category code and then call spg to book. Not all hotels allow this.

If your needing a suite of sorts the best suggestion for IHG is to go with their Staybridge and Candlewood they are vastly made up of suites and often have really great redeemable stays. The great thing about Staybridge is it's free breakfast and during certain time of the weeks a Manager's Reception.

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I will look into suites-only properties the next time I am on a trip. Usually, the places I go to are not big cities, so properties like Hampton, Hilton Garden, Mariott (sometimes) and Holiday Inn are my best bet.

I've did a search for Hilton properties for rewards booking on suites... oh my good the price-to-point ratio is terrible! They charge an extra 10k+ pts on top of the base rate of 30k/night, and the cash price difference is only $25-ish/night.

How about Embassy Suites as part of a Hilton award booking?