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One of my go-to frugal travel strategies is using my credit card points to book hotels, so I can skip paying cash for them.
As long as I am paying my credit card bills completely and on time, I am guaranteed to get the trips and hotel stays for free.
In this blog post, I will share the points I used to book six nights in Taipei for $0.
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Why Visit Taipei?
Taipei is one of my favorite cities in Asia.
It’s a lively mix of culture and modernity, with delicious street food and famous night markets like Raohe, perfect for budget foodie adventures.
You can check out peaceful temples, shop to your heart’s content, and take in stunning natural views, all just a quick MRT train ride away.
Also, the warm and friendly locals make every visit feel like coming home, making sure you have an unforgettable experience.
Summary of Taipei Hotels
| Hotel / Number of Nights | How Much |
|---|---|
| 1 Night at the Kimpton Daan | IHG Free Night Certificate & $0 |
| 4 Nights at the Grand Hyatt Taipei | 12,000 Hyatt Points per night & $0 |
| 1 Night at Episode Daan | 12,000 Hyatt points per night & $0 |
Kimpton Daan Hotel
Just a stone’s throw from Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT, this boutique hotel is located in a chic neighborhood in Taipei.
I had a great time staying here! They offered free pastries and soymilk for breakfast, plus a complimentary social hour with wine and appetizers.
I even got upgraded to a room with a balcony overlooking the neighborhood.
| How We Stayed at the Kimpton Daan Taipei for $0 |
|---|
| Stay Details: 1 night |
| Total Cost in Cash: $0 |
| Strategy: I used credit cards that give yearly free night certificates, such as the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. You can also earn a free night certificate from the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card. |
| Kimpton Secret Password: Kimpton gives gifts when you mention their secret password at check in. You can google “Kimpton secret password” for the current code as it changes periodically. I received a toothbrush travel set after I mentioned the Summer Password “good for the sol” at check-in. |
Grand Hyatt Taipei
This sprawling hotel across from Taipei 101 is popular among families and business travelers.
As the largest international hotel in Taiwan, it’s busy and buzzing, but we still had a great time during our stay.
We were upgraded to a suite at this property by applying our World of Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award, which I earned as a milestone reward after staying 50 nights at Hyatt properties within a calendar year.
If you don’t have Hyatt status, you can still email the hotel to request an upgrade. This blog post has free upgrade email templates.
| Pro-Tip for Hyatt Elites |
|---|
| This place also has a club lounge where you can enjoy breakfast, snacks, and afternoon appetizers. After staying 20 nights at Hyatt properties in a year, you can choose lounge access as an option for World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards. Plus, lounge access is free for Globalist Members. If you’re a Globalist, though, I’d suggest having breakfast at the main restaurant for more food options as the offerings in the Regency Club are limited. |
| How We Stayed at Grand Hyatt Taipei for $0 |
|---|
| The Grand Hyatt Taipei is currently a World of Hyatt Category 3 Property. |
| Cost: Hyatt Points & $0 Per Night Off-Peak: 9,000 Hyatt Points (Steps on how to find these off-peak awards) Standard Rate: 12,000 Hyatt Points Peak: 15,000 Hyatt Points |
| Stay Details: 4 Nights at Standard Rate: 12,000 points X 4 nights = 48,000 World of Hyatt Points |
| Strategy: Book this property by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to the World of Hyatt program. |
Read More About Our Favorite Credit Cards that Earn Hotel Points Here. |
Episode Daan Taipei – Jdv By Hyatt
Located in the same neighborhood as the Kimpton, the Episode is a superb option for Hyatt fans who want a more modern and trendy hotel than the Grand Hyatt.
The only catch is that breakfast is at a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant downstairs. But they make up for it with free wine and appetizers for all guests during social hour.
| How We Stayed at the Episode Daan for $0 |
|---|
| Episode Daan is currently a World of Hyatt Category 3 Property. |
| Cost: Hyatt Points & $0 Per Night Off-Peak: 9,000 Hyatt Points (Steps on how to find these off-peak awards) Standard Rate: 12,000 Hyatt Points Peak: 15,000 Hyatt Points |
| Stay Details: 1 Night at Standard Rate: 12,000 points |
| Strategy: Book this property by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to the World of Hyatt program. |
Read More About Our Favorite Credit Cards that Earn Hotel Points Here. |
Final Thoughts
Using credit card points and free night certificates is an excellent way for travelers to enjoy the vibrant city of Taipei while staying at fabulous hotels like the Grand Hyatt Taipei and Kimpton Da’an—without breaking the bank!
This smart travel strategy not only makes upscale experiences more accessible but also gives you the budget freedom to enjoy Taipei’s amazing culture and mouth-watering food!
When planning your next trip, consider how you can use your credit card rewards to enhance your travel experience to this fantastic city.
ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: The Frugal Tourist is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com and Cardratings. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All information about the American Express Schwab Platinum has been collected independently by The Frugal Tourist.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
USER-GENERATED CONTENT DISCLOSURE: The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.
