How I Scored a Free Trip to Hilton Rose Hall, Jamaica

In April 2023 my family of 4 traveled to the all-inclusive resort Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica completely free using travel credit card rewards. 

Arrival: 

Hilton Rose Hall is conveniently located just a quick 15-minute drive from the airport, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a seamless transition from arrival to relaxation. To ensure a smooth journey from the airport to the hotel, I highly recommend arranging a car service or shuttle in advance of your trip. 

Upon arrival at the hotel, the check-in process was remarkably swift. Thanks to our Hilton Diamond membership, obtained through our Amex Hilton Surpass credit card, we had the privilege of checking in at the dedicated Diamond member desk. Not only did this streamline our check-in experience, but it also afforded us the luxury of a shorter line at this specialized counter. As we waited in line, a thoughtful touch awaited us - tropical drinks were circulated, catering to both adults and children alike, setting the tone for a warm and welcoming stay.

Accommodations:

Our room at Hilton Rose Hall was a standard-sized double queen with two queen beds, which is typical for Hilton hotel rooms. However, what truly distinguished our accommodation was its unique feature - a walk-out balcony on the ground floor, complete with a cozy hammock in the backyard. This thoughtful addition allowed us to step directly outside our room, bypassing the need to exit through the main door into the lobby. It was very convenient not always to have to go through the main hallway and the kids loved playing on the hammock. 

Amenities:

This is where Hilton Rose Hall truly excelled. Our family spent the majority of our time at the lazy river, and it quickly became the highlight of our stay. My son, in particular, has an affinity for lazy rivers, and he declared this one as his all-time favorite. It had some pretty powerful jets that really moved you along the river. There are several waterfalls along the way. He found it to be a big perk, that they did not force you to be in the tube. He had lots of fun, swimming the course of the river, sans tube.

The river is also connected to 2 water slides, which the kids enjoyed. In the same pool as the lazy river, two water slides provided endless entertainment for the kids. There is also a swim-up bar in the same pool. This feature quickly became a favorite among our children, who relished the opportunity to sit at a table in the pool and savor their non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiris or piña coladas. It was a unique and memorable experience that added an extra layer of enjoyment to our time at Hilton Rose Hall. So without getting out of the water, there is the lazy river, water slides, and swim-up bar.  There is also a hot tub right next to the lazy river. 

While the hotel does offer a regular pool with a stunning view of the ocean, it did not capture my kids' attention as much as the lazy river. Despite the picturesque setting of the main pool, they found themselves drawn to the excitement and adventure of the lazy river, spending much of their time there. Another cherished spot for our family was the beach. We reveled in the beauty of the white sand beach and enjoyed countless hours of fun in the sun.

A bonus was the opportunity to take out paddle boats at no additional cost, allowing us to explore the coastal waters and create lasting memories together as a family. Non-motorized water sports are included in the hotel stay and are available at the very end of the beach area. Every night there was evening entertainment, either a live band or a Michal Jackson impersonator show near the pool area. Note that reservations are needed for the Micheal Jackson show. My kids loved the Michael Jackson show, and it was nice to be able to eat by the pool, it felt very fancy. 

The resort also includes a kid's club and a teen club. The teen club includes several video games for the kids to choose from. There is free wi-fi in the resort, however it was spotty. We had some trouble connecting to work meetings. The main outdoor area also has various activities available, such as outdoor games, karaoke, dance parties, etc. Many evenings there was also a movie night, which we enjoyed with the free popcorn provided. The entire resort is within walking distance for most people, which was nice not to have to walk too far to get to an activity or to eat. 

Food: There are several sit-down restaurants and a buffet restaurant at the resort. A favorite of ours was the coffee shop. They had really good lattes, ice cream, and paistries. The kids loved being able to get ice cream regularly. Everytime we went to get coffee, the kids were eager to join at the prospect of getting ice cream. We were at the coffee shop a few times a day. 

We tried all of the restaurants, which do need a reservation for dinner. We tended to do the buffet for breakfast and lunch, and a restaurant for dinner. The food was decent, and all the places had choices for our picky kids. We did try room service for breakfast which was a nice start to the day. 

How did we get this trip for free?

Hotel- American Express Hilton Surpass Credit Card 

Using my American Express Hilton Surpass credit card strategically I was able to save up enough points for this trip. Make sure to take advantage of the card’s bonus categories (groceries, restaurants and gas).  With room rates ranging from 80,000 points per night and upwards, I was able to secure a five-night stay totaling 400,000 Hilton Honors points. What made this redemption even more appealing was the absence of any additional cash costs for our stay. Check out our post about the Amex Hilton Cards. 

Given that food, drinks, and entertainment were all included, we didn't need to spend any additional money during our time at Hilton Rose Hall. This aspect significantly contributed to the affordability of our trip, allowing us to fully indulge in the luxury experience without worrying about extra expenses.

The cash price for a five-night stay for a family of four in April typically hovers around $3,300, but didn’t cost us anything. It not only made this dream vacation attainable but also spared us from exceeding our budgetary constraints. Thanks to the Hilton Surpass card and the Hilton Honors program, we were able to enjoy a remarkable getaway that would have otherwise been financially out of reach. To learn more about the Hilton program check out our post. 

Free Airfare to Jamaica 

Wondering how to get free flights with credit cards? We have a family friend who lives in Miami and wanted to make a pit stop there for a few days on our way to Jamaica. So we flew to Fort Lauderdale first, then Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay. On the way home, we flew directly from Montego Bay to JFK. To offset the costs of our flights, I strategically utilized the JetBlue Plus credit card. Here's a breakdown of the points and savings we accrued:

• LGA to Fort Lauderdale: 9,700 points each, totaling 38,800 points

• Miami to Montego Bay: 6,400 points each, totaling 25,600 points

• Montego Bay to JFK: 10,100 points each, totaling 40,400 points

• Total points redeemed: 104,800 JetBlue points

Additionally, I took advantage of the JetBlue Plus card, which carries an annual fee of $99 but offers a lucrative sign-up bonus of 60,000 points. Both myself and Person 2 signed up for the card, securing a combined sign-up bonus of 120,000 JetBlue points. The Jet Blue card has other perks as well such as free checked bags and 50% off in-flight food. The use of a Person 2 allowed us to get our airfare completely free for this trip. The 2 sign up bonuses plus the points earned on our spending using the card, allowed us to have extra Jet Blue points which we will use for a future trip. To learn more about using a Person 2 in your travel rewards strategy check out our post. 

The JetBlue Plus card also boasts additional perks such as free checked bags and a 50% discount on in-flight food purchases, enhancing the overall value proposition. By leveraging the benefits of the JetBlue Plus card and pooling our resources with Person 2, we were able to cover the entirety of our airfare expenses for this trip, making it an incredibly cost-effective and rewarding travel experience. Airfare would have been at least $1,800 if we had paid cash. 

Using our regular everyday spending we were able to book a family vacation 100% using travel reward points. If we paid cash, this trip would have been over $5,000. By strategically using my travel reward credit cards, we were able to have a memorable family trip absolutely free. Now not every trip will be free, but the cost can be significantly reduced by using travel reward credit cards strategically. Check out our posts on how to start traveling for free. Hilton Rose Hall was a great place to enjoy a family vacation and one of our better travel experiences.