Hawaii
I booked a last-minute hotel room in Hawaii with credit card rewards — it saved me nearly $700
Last year, during a family trip to Hawaii, I decided at the last minute to venture on my own for the last leg of the vacation and book a few nights at a separate hotel in Honolulu. I debated whether to pay out of pocket or use some of my points toward the hotel room.
After poking around, I decided to book accommodations using points I had accumulated from my Capital One Venture X credit card. Booking the room was less expensive than I expected, and the process was pretty straightforward.
I booked my hotel entirely with rewards
Looking at hotel rooms in downtown Honolulu, I stumbled upon a boutique hotel a few blocks from Waikiki Beach. The total cost for three nights, including taxes and hotel fees, came out to just under $600 — not including a $100 hotel fee.
While the app allows you to partially pay for a hotel, flight, or rental card with points and the remainder using your card, I decided to book my three-night stay entirely with my travel rewards — roughly 59,000 points.
I have two Capital One cards, the Venture X and the VentureOne, and could use a combination of points from either card. I was tapped out of points on my VentureOne card, so I redeemed points from my Venture X card for the hotel room. My Venture X card had an annual credit, but I had used it on a trip to Yellowstone earlier in the year.
I saved money from hotel perks
The boutique hotel I stayed at offered several perks that I scooped up, which helped me save on my trip: free yoga mats, which came in handy during sunset yoga sessions, and free admission to several art museums on the island.
I enjoyed perusing the natural and cultural artifacts at the Bishop Museum and skipping the $34 adult entrance fee. As an added bonus, I received a complimentary tray of local snacks, such as chocolate macadamia nuts and Maui-style potato chips, which I brought home with me to give as souvenirs.
The hotel room was the only thing I spent some of my points on, as I’m hoping to save up as many points as possible for a longer international trip in the near future. I used my Venture X card to book the flights, earning me 5x miles. If I had used my card to book the hotel or car rental (we used a combination of Lyft, public transportation, and Hui, Hawaii’s car share service, on the trip), I would’ve earned 10x miles.
I used my credit card for all other purchases during my time in Hawaii, including food, sightseeing, and shopping. Putting most of my trip expenses on my credit card netted me 2x miles, and I paid off my balance in full in the next billing cycle.
Last-minute changes happen. But instead of paying a lot more for a last-minute hotel room, I was able to use miles from my card to cover the additional cost of accommodations during my Hawaii vacation.
Hawaii
Community memorial service for Kazuo Todd today in Hilo – West Hawaii Today
The funeral procession for deceased Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with pass-in-review for Hawaii Fire Department firefighters took place Saturday morning at HFD Administration in the County Building on Aupuni Street in Hilo.
Hawaii
What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.
Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“
Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.
“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.
For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
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