How to Stay in Washington DC Hotels on Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: Washington DC has an exceptionally deep Marriott Bonvoy footprint, since Marriott is headquartered just outside the city, so the cards that transfer to Marriott, American Express, Chase, and Bilt, are the most useful for the capital.

A Marriott capital

Marriott is headquartered in the DC area and blankets the city and its suburbs with brands at every level, from budget to luxury. That depth means a Marriott points balance can almost always find a DC property, and award pricing on the lower-end brands can be a fraction of the inflated cash rates around peak political and cherry-blossom season.

The cards and transfer partners to use

Marriott takes transfers from three currencies, more than most hotel programs: American Express, Chase, and Bilt, all 1:1. That means an Amex Gold, a Chase Sapphire Preferred, or the Bilt card all build a Marriott balance for DC. Hilton (Amex or Bilt) and Hyatt and IHG (Chase or Bilt) round out the city, so an Amex plus a Chase or Bilt card reaches everything.

Co-brand free nights for the capital

A Marriott co-brand card pays off in such a Marriott-dense city. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless includes an annual free night worth up to 35,000 points, enough for many DC properties, and the higher-end Bonvoy Brilliant adds a larger certificate and credits. See the full breakdown in which cards transfer to hotels.

Frequently asked questions

Which points are best for Washington DC hotels?
Marriott Bonvoy points, because Marriott is headquartered near DC and dominates the city. Marriott takes transfers from American Express, Chase, and Bilt, so any of those cards builds a balance, and a Marriott co-brand card adds a free night.
How many points for a Washington DC hotel?
Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so it varies by property and date, but DC budget and mid-tier Marriott brands can run well below the cash rate, especially around peak political season. Compare live award costs before transferring points in.

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Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.