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Throughout last year, I discovered a gold mine of hotel points redemption opportunities in India while planning for my January 2026 trip. It became one of my few trips in the past few years in which the majority of nights were paid for entirely with points.
India is also an interesting market on the aviation front with Air India’s radical transformation in the positive. The new A350 and B787-9 are both on my list, should I repeat a trip to South Asia.
From Delhi to Agra to Jaipur
In an ever-so-slight conflict of interest, my travel companion is trying to renew her Hyatt Globalist status while I’m on the Marriott Titanium Elite hamster wheel. India turned out to be one of the few places left where both programs offer such good redemptions at genuinely fantastic properties.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Delhi for 8,000 Hyatt points per night. The cash value was approximately $300 CAD, resulting in a CPP of 3.75.
Hyatt Regency Delhi
In Jaipur, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar for 9,500 Hyatt points per night. The nightly cash price was approximately $300 CAD, corresponding to a CPP of 3.1.
Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar
I secured a hard-won victory in Agra (there are no Hyatt hotels), where we stayed at the ITC Mughal, Luxury Collection, for 21,500 Marriott points per night; the best available rate was $250 CAD. Since I value Marriott points personally at 0.8 cents each, I was more than happy to redeem at 1.2 cents per point.
ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra
The hotels were also just good properties, each with a good breakfast, a great evening spread in the lounge, and we got a suite every night of the trip.
Okay, technically, we didn’t get a suite at the Taj Sawai Ranthambore, but it’s easy to justify spending $550 CAD a night when every other night is on points and also splitting the cost with my travel companion. This property is gorgeous and definitely worth the price if you are going on safari (seeing a wild tiger was a big highlight of my trip).
Taj Sawai Ranthambore
When I stay at a hotel in North America, I’m happy when the plugs are working and there are slippers available without having to request (it depends on the tier of property, of course, but I’m certain you know what I mean).
Track the Points Price
Do note that Hyatt hotels have fixed costs depending on category (1-8) and seasonality (peak, standard, off-peak), while Marriott hotels are dynamically priced.
I recommend using a hotel alert service to track your Marriott stay, so you can cancel and rebook if the points rate decreases. Over the course of a year, the price for the ITC Mughal hotel in Agra dropped from 29,000 points to 21,500 points (with some increases in between).
From the Himalayan Mountains to the Southern Beaches
After speaking with my tour guides and other locals, many recommended that on my next trip to India, I leave the major cities and visit either the Himalayan mountains in North India or the beaches in Southern India. I am looking to revisit the country, and a quick glance through the points redemption possibilities makes this trip even more attractive.
Using my Free Night Award that I earned for my $120 CAD annual fee at a property that retails for $688 CAD? This is peak season in July, please sign me up.
This Hyatt Centric is not in the Himalayas or by the beach, but Mumbai is a city that points enthusiasts find themselves in, as there is a fair bit of Singapore A380 First Class Suites award space. After taxes, the cash price is $266 CAD.
I’ll pay 10,500 points, thanks!
Le Méridien Kochi may not on the beach, but it is on the canal and the grounds look beautiful.
I will say Hilton seems to be somewhat of an exception, as the points price often does not represent good value.
Hilton in Delhi
Takeaway
India is one of the few places left where you can get phenomenal value for your hotel points. All across the country, expect your Marriott and Hyatt redemptions to exceed your typical target CPP valuations.
Even setting value aside, expect excellent service, remarkable hospitality, and delicious dining options.
