The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are a popular destination for mainland Americans to travel to. This U.S. territory is still considered 'domestic' travel, although there is a customs check on your departure. Here are the top ways to use points towards your next stay in the USVI.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of islands that collectively are an unincorporated organized territory belonging to the United States of America. While the three main islands are St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, there are 50 surrounding islands and cay's that are also a part of the territory.
Over the past few years, the USVI have become a popular tourist destination, especially for residents living in the mainland US. With an abundance of daily flights, there are many great ways to use points & miles for a free trip to the USVI. While the big three major US Carriers (American, Delta, and United) all have daily flights to the USVI, Marriott is the only major hotel chain that has properties where you can use points. Here are our favorite options to stay in the USVI on points.
Located in the heart of Frenchman's Reef, the Westin Beach Resort & Spa is (in our opinion) the best way to use points to stay in the USVI. Located near St. Thomas' main 'downtown', Charlotte Amalie, this Westin resort features nine room types including ocean views and garden views. This resort does not have any suites.
There are five onsite food & beverage options including a full-service restaurant, Luna Mar. This hotel features a pool, sundeck and full-service gym. Additionally, this property has a limited spa called the Heavenly Spa by Westin.
The Westin is reasonably priced, starting at just 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night. Cash rates start around $750/night, and can go for over $1,250 during peak travel dates (October - February).
This brand new hotel, which opened in May of 2023, is a great way to use points to stay in the US Virgin Islands. Located on the island of St. Thomas, this hotel features an outdoor pool, sundeck as well as a spa.
Morningstar Buoy Haus offers three unique room types: One-King Guest Room (Ocean View), One-King Guest Room (Garden View), and a "Sea U Later Two-Bedroom Suite." This resort also features multiple dining options including a full-service restaurant, and a casual beach-bar called Salt Shack.
Rooms at this resort start at 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night or about $600 cash. While depending on the dates and prices you may be better off paying cash, this is still a great way to use up some Marrriott Bonvoy points, especially during peak dates.
The Carambola Beach Resort St. Croix, is the only points option you'll be able to find on the island of St. Croix. This resort features seven all-suite room configurations, with two on-site dining options.
While there isn't much public about the hotel, according to reviews from Tripadvisor.com, guests appreciate the spacious rooms and beautiful atmosphere, but warn that the property could use some updates and more consistent housekeeping.
Prices start at just 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night, or $300 cash. While rooms are likely going to cost more during peak dates, this is a great, lower-cost option to stay on St. Croix using points. This can be especially valuable if you have a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000 Point Free Night Certificate through one of the Marriott Credit cards.
This recently renovated property is certainly a luxurious way to experience St. Thomas. This 180 guest-room hotel features four onsite dining venues, and three pools (an infinity pool, a serenity pool & jacuzzi, as well as a family pool), which is perfect for all travelers, no matter if you're a couple looking to get away, or a family with kids.
There are nine unique room types including four suite options. This hotel also has a club-level that's accessible at an upcharge, and features access to a private beach and indoor/outdoor lounge areas. There are five onsite food & beverage options including the full-service Sicilian style Italian restaurant, Alloro
While this is a good option if you're looking to use points, rooms at this resort are not cheap. Rooms start at 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night, or about $850.
.jpg)
Located on the Island of St. John, The Westin St. John Resort Villas is part of the Westin Vacation Club (a timeshare-like property). This villa-only resort features nine unique room types, and has it's very on 1,200 sq. foot private white-sand beach. There are three onsite dining options, including a full-service restaurant. This property also has a private-water ferry service that you can request which will transport you from the main Airport (located on St. Thomas Island) to the resort.
As this is a Westin Vacation Club, you won't find any availability to stay using your Marriott Points. However, nights at this property can be booked using cash through marriott.com, and will be eligible to earn both elite night credits (one for each night you stay), and Marriott Bonvoy Points, as if you were staying in a Marriott hotel. While this won't be a typical hotel stay, with daily housekeeping, and room-service, each villa features a kitchen (or kitchenette), and is more spacious than a standard hotel room. Rooms start at about $350/night during off-peak dates, and can be a great way to earn points and stay on St. John.
Staying in the US Virgin Islands on points is achievable, however, there are certainly limited options. If you don't have Marriott Bonvoy points, it may be hard to stay on St. Thomas using your points & miles, however, you can earn Marriott points by transferring your Amex Membership Rewards Points, Chase Ultimate Rewards Points or Bilt Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
To find the best award availability to stay in the USVI, use the AwardTravel Hotels Search to see cash and points rates for all points-eligible hotels on the island.
Share article
The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of islands that collectively are an unincorporated organized territory belonging to the United States of America. While the three main islands are St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, there are 50 surrounding islands and cay's that are also a part of the territory.
Over the past few years, the USVI have become a popular tourist destination, especially for residents living in the mainland US. With an abundance of daily flights, there are many great ways to use points & miles for a free trip to the USVI. While the big three major US Carriers (American, Delta, and United) all have daily flights to the USVI, Marriott is the only major hotel chain that has properties where you can use points. Here are our favorite options to stay in the USVI on points.
Located in the heart of Frenchman's Reef, the Westin Beach Resort & Spa is (in our opinion) the best way to use points to stay in the USVI. Located near St. Thomas' main 'downtown', Charlotte Amalie, this Westin resort features nine room types including ocean views and garden views. This resort does not have any suites.
There are five onsite food & beverage options including a full-service restaurant, Luna Mar. This hotel features a pool, sundeck and full-service gym. Additionally, this property has a limited spa called the Heavenly Spa by Westin.
The Westin is reasonably priced, starting at just 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night. Cash rates start around $750/night, and can go for over $1,250 during peak travel dates (October - February).
This brand new hotel, which opened in May of 2023, is a great way to use points to stay in the US Virgin Islands. Located on the island of St. Thomas, this hotel features an outdoor pool, sundeck as well as a spa.
Morningstar Buoy Haus offers three unique room types: One-King Guest Room (Ocean View), One-King Guest Room (Garden View), and a "Sea U Later Two-Bedroom Suite." This resort also features multiple dining options including a full-service restaurant, and a casual beach-bar called Salt Shack.
Rooms at this resort start at 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night or about $600 cash. While depending on the dates and prices you may be better off paying cash, this is still a great way to use up some Marrriott Bonvoy points, especially during peak dates.
The Carambola Beach Resort St. Croix, is the only points option you'll be able to find on the island of St. Croix. This resort features seven all-suite room configurations, with two on-site dining options.
While there isn't much public about the hotel, according to reviews from Tripadvisor.com, guests appreciate the spacious rooms and beautiful atmosphere, but warn that the property could use some updates and more consistent housekeeping.
Prices start at just 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points/night, or $300 cash. While rooms are likely going to cost more during peak dates, this is a great, lower-cost option to stay on St. Croix using points. This can be especially valuable if you have a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000 Point Free Night Certificate through one of the Marriott Credit cards.
This recently renovated property is certainly a luxurious way to experience St. Thomas. This 180 guest-room hotel features four onsite dining venues, and three pools (an infinity pool, a serenity pool & jacuzzi, as well as a family pool), which is perfect for all travelers, no matter if you're a couple looking to get away, or a family with kids.
There are nine unique room types including four suite options. This hotel also has a club-level that's accessible at an upcharge, and features access to a private beach and indoor/outdoor lounge areas. There are five onsite food & beverage options including the full-service Sicilian style Italian restaurant, Alloro
While this is a good option if you're looking to use points, rooms at this resort are not cheap. Rooms start at 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night, or about $850.
Located on the Island of St. John, The Westin St. John Resort Villas is part of the Westin Vacation Club (a timeshare-like property). This villa-only resort features nine unique room types, and has it's very on 1,200 sq. foot private white-sand beach. There are three onsite dining options, including a full-service restaurant. This property also has a private-water ferry service that you can request which will transport you from the main Airport (located on St. Thomas Island) to the resort.
As this is a Westin Vacation Club, you won't find any availability to stay using your Marriott Points. However, nights at this property can be booked using cash through marriott.com, and will be eligible to earn both elite night credits (one for each night you stay), and Marriott Bonvoy Points, as if you were staying in a Marriott hotel. While this won't be a typical hotel stay, with daily housekeeping, and room-service, each villa features a kitchen (or kitchenette), and is more spacious than a standard hotel room. Rooms start at about $350/night during off-peak dates, and can be a great way to earn points and stay on St. John.
Staying in the US Virgin Islands on points is achievable, however, there are certainly limited options. If you don't have Marriott Bonvoy points, it may be hard to stay on St. Thomas using your points & miles, however, you can earn Marriott points by transferring your Amex Membership Rewards Points, Chase Ultimate Rewards Points or Bilt Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
To find the best award availability to stay in the USVI, use the AwardTravel Hotels Search to see cash and points rates for all points-eligible hotels on the island.
