One of the biggest questions I get is: Where should we stay the night before a cruise?

You always want to stay somewhere the night before. Imagine flying in day of the cruise with unexpected flight delays and you miss the very vacation you have been planning on for months.

Families want something simple. Easy transportation. A smooth morning. No stress figuring out how to get to the port with kids, luggage, and all the pre-cruise excitement.

If you already understand how Hyatt free night awards work and how to use them, the fun part is deciding where to use them.

Hyatt recently limited free night awards to hotels in Categories 1–4. At first glance that can feel restrictive, but in practice there are still tons of great options if you know where to look. From family-friendly resorts to easy city bases and international gems, you can stretch these certificates much further than most people realize.

Some of the best all-inclusive stays can be booked with Hyatt points.

If you’re juggling all the decisions, an all-inclusive trip can feel like a deep breath. And when you pair it with points? That’s when it becomes realistically doable.

If you’ve ever tried to book a hotel for your family, especially outside the U.S, you already know how quickly occupancy rules can derail a trip. The Hyatt Family Plan exists for this exact reason. You find a beautiful hotel in the perfect location, everything looks great… and then you get to the booking page and realize the room only allows two people.

Hyatt has one of the best hotel lineups for families, but not every Hyatt brand is created equal.

Some brands are ideal for larger families who need space and flexibility. Others are better suited for quick stays, resort trips, or stretching points as far as possible. Knowing the difference makes a huge impact on how easy (and affordable) your trip feels.

Hyatt is actually very simple. It just sounds complicated.
This guide explains Hyatt in the easiest possible way with no jargon and no confusion. If you’re brand new to all of this, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re just getting started with Hyatt or already earning points from your everyday spending, how to earn and use Hyatt free night certificates is something that is important to understand. Once you know how to earn them (and how to maximize them), they can turn an ordinary weekend into a nearly free family getaway.

Can you use Capital One points for Accor hotels? Yes—but the math might surprise you. Here’s when it makes sense, and when to save your miles instead.

Most people use their Hyatt perks one at a time.
Globalists use them like ingredients in a recipe.

Because when you stack a Guest of Honor award (for perks) + a Suite Upgrade Award (for guaranteed space) + a Free Night Certificate or points stay (to reduce cost), that’s when you unlock those “Wait, how are you staying in THAT room for free?” moments.

Let’s turn your random Hyatt perks into one unforgettable stay.

Some Hyatt perks are nice-to-have. Suite Upgrade Awards are don’t-you-dare-waste-them perks.

Used right, one click can turn a tight standard room into a full living room, balcony, and separate bedroom with a door. Used wrong… you’ve burned a golden ticket on a room that was already empty.