When travelers consider redeeming loyalty currency, flights and hotels typically come to mind first—and for good reason, as those categories often deliver the highest return. Yet points and miles can also unlock access to exclusive experiences that are otherwise difficult to secure.
On a recent trip to Paris, I leveraged two loyalty programs to attend one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments and secure lodging during peak demand. The strategy involved redeeming 20,000 Emirates Skywards miles for a reserved seat on Court Philippe‑Chatrier at the 2026 French Open, plus 40,000 World of Hyatt points for a two‑night stay at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile. Combined, those redemptions covered an experience that would have required several hundred dollars for the ticket alone, plus hotel rates that surge during tournament week.
French Open Access via Emirates Skywards
The French Open, held annually at Roland‑Garros on the iconic red clay, is one of tennis’s four Grand Slam events. Emirates, a longtime tournament sponsor, allows Skywards members to exchange miles for tickets through its Skywards Exclusives platform. The portal also offers access to Wimbledon, the US Open, Arsenal matches, and concerts at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena, among other events. Some listings are fixed‑price redemptions; others operate as real‑time auctions.
In early May, a search on the platform revealed availability for a reserved main‑court seat during an early‑round day session at a cost of 20,000 miles. By comparison, verified resale prices for second‑round Chatrier seats typically range from $150 to $500 depending on category, though French law prohibits unauthorized resale above face value.
After selecting the event and confirming the redemption, the miles were deducted immediately and a confirmation email followed. The electronic ticket arrived approximately 48 hours before the session start.
Hotel Stay with World of Hyatt Points
The Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile is situated in the 17th arrondissement, near the northeastern edge of the Bois de Boulogne and a short Métro ride from Roland‑Garros. Classified as a Category 5 property, it priced a king room at 20,000 points per night—40,000 points total for two nights. Given that the stay coincided with French Open week, one of the most expensive periods for Paris hotels, the redemption represented strong value.
Cash rates for the same dates routinely reach $400–$600 per night, yielding a per‑point value of roughly 2 to 3 cents. That exceeds NerdWallet’s baseline valuation of 1.8 cents for World of Hyatt points.
Key Considerations for Event Redemptions
Travelers eyeing similar experiences should bear three factors in mind:
- Availability is tightly limited. Emirates restricted members to a single ticket per account, and only one seat was purchasable per transaction.
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Tickets are generally non‑refundable. Verify the date, session, and seat category carefully before confirming.
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Hotel award inventory vanishes quickly during high‑demand events. Book lodging as early as possible once event plans are firm.
In total, the trip delivered a coveted Grand Slam seat and a well‑located hotel during a price‑surge week—entirely on points and miles—demonstrating how loyalty currencies can extend well beyond traditional flight and hotel redemptions.