How to Stay in San Diego Hotels on Points
Resorts plus conventions
San Diego has steady resort demand from its beaches and weather, then sharp spikes around big conventions, with Comic-Con the most extreme, when downtown and waterfront cash rates can triple. Those convention surges are the clearest case for points, since the award price holds far steadier than the cash rate during a sold-out week.
The cards and transfer partners to use
Marriott and Hilton run the marquee waterfront and convention-district hotels, with Hyatt strong downtown. Marriott is reached via Amex, Chase, and Bilt, Hilton via Amex or Bilt, and Hyatt via Chase or Bilt. An Amex alongside a Chase or Bilt card therefore reaches every chain that matters for a San Diego trip. See which cards transfer to hotels.
Co-brand cards for convention weeks
A co-brand free night is worth the most during a convention sellout, when its fixed points value crushes the inflated cash rate. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Hilton Honors certificates each cover many San Diego properties. Confirm space early on rooms.aero, since convention dates book out. See best cities for hotel points.
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