When people hear Thailand, they usually think “affordable,” but hotel costs can add up fast, especially if you like a little comfort or luxury. For my one-week trip, I spent zero dollars on hotel stays, and yes, it was still bougie. Here’s exactly how I did it and how you can travel Thailand on a budget by travel hacking with credit card points.
For the full breakdown of what I did each day, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, be sure to check out my complete Thailand itinerary here.
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The Goal for Thailand on a Budget: $0 on Hotels
I wanted to experience Thailand without cutting corners, but I also didn’t want to pay out of pocket for hotels. Instead of hostels or basic hotels, I used credit card points strategically to book 7 free nights at high-end hotels in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Stop 1: Bangkok — 4 Free Nights at Sindhorn Midtown Hotel
Before my trip, I opened the IHG Premier Credit Card, which came with a 170,000 point sign-up bonus at the time. That bonus covered my stay.
I used 73,000 points to book 4 nights at the Sindhorn Midtown Hotel in Bangkok
One of the biggest IHG perks? The 4th reward night is free when booking entirely with points
Thanks to my Platinum status, I was upgraded to a one-bedroom suite with stunning city views
Honestly, this was one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed in and paying nothing for it made it even better. This is a perfect example of how Thailand on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort.
Stop 2: Chiang Mai — 3 Nights at the Chiang Mai Marriott
Next up was Chiang Mai, where I stayed at the Chiang Mai Marriott for three nights.
Here’s how I got a free stay:
I have the Marriott Boundless Credit Card, which gives me one free reward night every year
I used that free night + 75,000 Marriott points to cover the other two nights
With Gold status, I received:
A slight room upgrade with a better view
Free breakfast for my entire stay
Would I normally want to spend 75,000 points on two nights? No, but I had a clear goal for traveling Thailand on a budget: no cash spent on hotels. I also wanted something a little bougie for my stay.
Why This Works for Thailand on a Budget
Thailand is one of the best countries for travel hacking because:
Luxury hotels cost fewer points than in the U.S. or Europe
Elite status perks go a long way
You can mix free nights, points, and bonuses to stretch your stays
By planning ahead and opening the right cards, I was able to cash in my points for a full week of free hotel stays.
Final Thoughts
Traveling to Thailand on a budget doesn’t have to mean hostels and cheap hotels. With the right strategy, you can stay in incredible hotels, enjoy upgrades, and still keep your out-of-pocket costs at zero.