Big Island
Pacific · Hawaii, USA
Best Months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Rec. Nights
6 nights
Airports
KOA (Kona), ITO (Hilo)
Avg. Cash
$236 - $1,329/night
Best Value
3.9¢via Hyatt
Overview
Big Island is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands -- a land of extraordinary contrasts where active volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, black sand beaches, and lush rainforests exist side by side. It's the only place on Earth where you can drive from tropical beach to volcanic tundra in under two hours.
For points travelers, Big Island offers excellent value through Hilton (Waikoloa Village), Marriott (Waikoloa Beach), and Accor (Fairmont Orchid). The Kohala Coast resorts deliver the best points redemptions, especially during peak winter months when cash rates climb.
Unlike Maui or Oahu, the Big Island feels spacious and uncrowded. From the active lava flows of Kilauea to the stargazing atop Mauna Kea and the manta ray night dives off Kona, it offers experiences you cannot find anywhere else in Hawaii.
Cash vs Points
Hotels in Big Island range from $236 to $1329 per night. Points redemptions offer 3.93+ cents per point value.
Points Hotel Recommendations
11 properties in Big Island bookable with points, sorted by value
| Hotel | Program | Check-in | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort | Hyatt | 40,000 | $945 | 2.4¢ | May 23 | |
Fairmont Orchid | Accor | 30,798 | $708 | 2.3¢ | May 22 | |
Fairmont Orchid | Accor | 30,798 | $708 | 2.3¢ | May 22 | |
Hana-Maui Resort | Hyatt | 30,000 | $539 | 1.8¢ | May 23 | |
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection | Marriott | 113,500 | $1,329 | 1.2¢ | May 22 | |
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham | Wyndham | 30,000 | $331 | 1.1¢ | May 22 | |
Marriott Waikoloa Beach | Marriott | 50,400 | $471 | 0.9¢ | May 22 | |
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa | Marriott | 50,400 | $471 | 0.9¢ | May 22 | |
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton | Hilton | 65,000 | $382 | 0.6¢ | May 22 | |
Hilton Waikoloa Village | Hilton | 80,000 | $412 | 0.5¢ | May 22 | |
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Tower Waikoloa Village | Hilton | 122,000 | $281 | 0.2¢ | May 22 |
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Transfer Points Strategy
Find the best transfer path for your credit card points
Best Value
If you have Points:
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Cost40,000 pts/night × 6n = 240,000 Hyatt
Value$5,670 ÷ 240,000 pts= 2.4¢
Transfer time: Instant
If you have ALL Points:
Fairmont Orchid
Cost30,798 pts/night × 6n = 184,788 Accor
Value$4,250.16 ÷ 184,788 pts= 2.3¢
Transfer time: Instant
If you have Marriott Bonvoy Points:
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Cost113,500 pts/night × 6n = 681,000 Marriott
Value$7,974 ÷ 681,000 pts= 1.2¢
Transfer time: Instant
If you have Points:
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Cost30,000 pts/night × 6n = 180,000 Wyndham
Value$1,987.2 ÷ 180,000 pts= 1.1¢
Transfer time: Instant
If you have Hilton Honors Points:
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton
Cost65,000 pts/night × 6n = 390,000 Hilton
Value$2,293.2 ÷ 390,000 pts= 0.6¢
Transfer time: Instant
How to Earn Points for This Trip
The best hotels in Big Island use World of Hyatt, Accor Live Limitless (ALL), Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, and Hilton Honors points. Here’s how to earn them:
Best Option
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton
$150
Annual Fee
130,000 Hilton Honors points — transfers earns Hilton Honors points directly
- Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status
- Earn 12x at Hilton properties, 6x at restaurants and supermarkets
- Free weekend night reward after $15K in calendar year spending
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton
$550
Annual Fee
175,000 Hilton Honors points — transfers earns Hilton Honors points directly
- Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status (top tier)
- Earn 14x at Hilton properties, 7x on travel and dining
- Free weekend night reward annually + one after $60K spend
Hilton Honors
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Hyatt
$95
Annual Fee
60,000 Hyatt points + free night (Cat 1-4) — transfers earns World of Hyatt points directly
- Earn 4x at Hyatt hotels and 2x on dining, travel, and gym memberships
- Free night certificate annually (Cat 1-4) worth up to $300+
- Automatic Discoverist elite status
World of Hyatt
Bilt Mastercard®
Bilt
$0
Annual Fee
earns World of Hyatt points directly, earns Marriott Bonvoy points directly — only card that earns points on rent — transfers 1:1 to all major hotels
- Earn 1x points on rent with no transaction fees (up to 100,000 pts/yr)
- Earn 3x on dining and 2x on travel
- Transfer 1:1 to Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton
World of Hyatt
Marriott Bonvoy
Hilton Honors
The Platinum Card from American Express
Amex MR
$895
Annual Fee
Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 spend in 6 months — transfers earns Marriott Bonvoy points directly, earns Hilton Honors points directly
- Up to 175K MR signup bonus - one of the highest available
- Earn 5x on flights booked directly with airlines
- Transfer 1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy or 1:2 to Hilton Honors
Marriott Bonvoy
Hilton Honors
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase UR
$95
Annual Fee
75,000 Ultimate Rewards points — transfers earns World of Hyatt points directly, earns Marriott Bonvoy points directly
- Earn 5x on travel through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries
- 1:1 transfer to Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG
World of Hyatt
Marriott Bonvoy
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you apply through our links. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay. We independently evaluate every card based on transfer value and earning potential.
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Getting There
KOA (Kona), ITO (Hilo)
Visa & Entry
Check your country's requirements
Budget
From $236/night
Packing Essentials
Pack for the climate
Cultural Tips
Respect local customs
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Ask AI About Big Island
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