Everything about the College Football Playoff is expensive – tickets, airfare, hotel and lodging costs, all add up to big dollars! If you manage to get tickets to this coming Monday’s playoff game in Atlanta, lucky you, and hopefully you already have a place to stay. But if you don’t already have a hotel, don’t panic, there are still places you can use points and save big!
Redeem Hilton points for 2x the normal value
Hilton points gets bad reputation and many people consider it useless. Often times, Hilton points can be redeemed for only about 0.5 cents. But at special events, the value goes up dramatically.
For two-night stay on Sunday and Monday, Home2Suite in Atlanta downtown has queen-bed studio suite with sofabed for just 40,000 points per night, compared to almost $500 per night before taxes, a value of nearly 1.25 cents per point, more than 2x the normal value.
A room at Hilton Atlanta with two double beds cost just 40,000 points per night instead of $361 before taxes and fees, about 1 cent per point, twice the normal value of Hilton points. The hotel also requires two-night stay.
There are more hotels in the midtown area with nightly rates over $300 but only at 40,000 points.
Marriott hotels for 20,000 points a night
Several Marriott hotels are available for one-night stay on Monday and requires only 20,000 points, compared to $409 at the Towne Place Suites Atlanta Buckhead!. The only downside is these hotels are a little farther away from the stadium, about 15-20 minutes by car without traffic.
Redeem SPG points for as much as 7 cents per points
Two SPG hotels are available for 10,000 points on Monday night, compared to cash rate at the Westin Peachtree Plaza as high as $710 before taxes!
IHG hotels for 30,000 points
Nightly rate at the Crowne Plaza in Midtown Atlanta are available for over $300 on Monday night, or just 30,000 IHG points.
Monday night at the Hotel Indigo in Midtown Atlanta will cost over $400, or just 30,000 IHG points. 
Hyatt Regency for just 12,000 points a night
Hyatt Regency Midtown Atlanta is charging $459 for Monday night, before taxes and fees. The same room can be booked with just 12,000 points, about 4 cents per point.
Conclusion
Points are awesome for special event redemptions. In situations like this, it may even make sense to BUY points as it can be cheaper than paying cash (though generally I don’t recommend buying points). Even at last minute, there are still deals to be found. So if you are on the fence about whether or not to head to Atlanta to join a tailgate party and cheer for your team, go ahead, put your points to work and have a great time at the game!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
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