How To Turn Your Staycation Into a Travel-Rewards Adventure in 2025

While domestic and international travel are now more accessible than ever, you still might find yourself craving the comfort and convenience of a staycation. Maybe you're conserving cash for a future trip, or perhaps you’re simply seeking some well-earned rest without the hassle of airports and hotel check-ins.

Regardless of the reason, it’s important to take time off — whether you’re burning unused vacation days or just need a mental reset. The good news? Even if you’re staying local, your travel rewards credit cards and loyalty programs might help you craft a truly memorable experience right from home.

Take a global food tour at home

Who says you need a passport to eat like a global traveler? Many top-tier credit cards offer dining-related perks that let you enjoy exotic cuisines from the comfort of your own home.

These cards offer statement credits toward your takeout and delivery orders:

American Express

Order from Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory and a few other eligible restaurants with the American Express® Gold Card: Besides being the dark horse travel card you’ll need in 2025, the American Express® Gold Card is ideal for takeout with its $120 dining credit (you have to enroll separately to receive it, see rates and fees). Also, earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Plus, earn 4X points for Uber Eats purchases.

Order from Uber Eats with The Platinum Card® from American Express: With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll earn up to $200 in Uber Cash every year, doled out in monthly increments of $15, plus a bonus $20 in December (see rates and fees ), when you use your card to make purchases. The benefit can certainly be used for Uber rides, but during a staycation it’ll likely come in handy ordering from Uber Eats. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only.

What’s more, the American Express® Gold Card provides cardholders up to $120 annually, doled out in $10 monthly increments, in Uber Cash that can be used for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. That’s in addition to the card’s existing dining benefit. To start earning the Uber Cash, you must add the card to your Uber account.

Terms apply. Eligibility for this offer is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.

Chase

Order from DoorDash with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®: You can activate and receive a minimum one-year subscription to DashPass, a membership program offered by DoorDash that offers unlimited free delivery for any order over $12. A DashPass subscription normally costs $9.99 per month. You must activate your subscription by Dec. 31, 2027, to take advantage of this perk.

Other ways to enjoy your staycation dining

If you don’t have one of those credit cards, at least pay with a credit card that earns restaurant rewards. It won’t help you save money on your current staycation, but the spending you do now can earn rewards to help pay for a future, real vacation. And you may even find additional, limited-time offers that can help you out during your staycation.

Try your hand at cooking what you would eat on vacation

Perhaps instead of ordering takeout, try cooking yourself. If you're buying fancier than normal ingredients — which you might consider during a staycation — turn to a credit card with a high bonus rewards rate at grocery stores. Hit the international aisle of the supermarket to explore unique spices, or splurge on an artisanal cheese that's a little more elevated than the usual American cheese singles.

And your cooking doesn't need to be contained to just food, either. Try an at-home boba kit, or turn to The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book for inspiration on how to whip up the Magic Kingdom's famous Dole Whip Float on your own.

Be a tourist in your own city

Maybe you’ve been intrigued by your city’s Segway tour but felt too goofy to actually take it. Why not be a tourist in your own city? Plus, you may be able to use your trove of credit card points, frequent flyer miles or hotel points to pay for it.

Some rewards currencies cover redemptions at not just hotels and airlines, but tourist attractions too.

Try a hotel restaurant in your city

You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy the perks of hotel loyalty programs. Many hotel restaurants are open to the public and often overlooked. Use your hotel credit card to earn bonus points while treating yourself to dinner out.

Hilton

If you hold a Hilton credit card: There are three Hilton credit cards offered by American Express for consumers, ranging from $0 to $550 in annual fees. But all of them offer at least 7x Hilton Honors bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio, and sometimes even more. Terms apply.

Marriott

If you hold a Marriott Bonvoy credit card: There are a few different Marriott credit cards, but they all offer some sort of bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points for purchases at participating Marriott properties, including the onsite restaurants. With the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates and fees) and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you’ll earn up to 17X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card earns up to 14X points for every $1 spent. Terms apply.

If you have Marriott Bonvoy elite status: Hold Silver status and you’ll get a 10% points bonus on qualifying purchases at most Marriott properties. With Marriott Bonvoy Titanium elite, you’re looking at a 75% bonus.

Hyatt

If you hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card: Pay for a meal at a Hyatt property with the World of Hyatt Credit Card, and you’ll get bonus points too. You’ll earn 4 points per $1 spent with Hyatt, including participating restaurants.

If you have World of Hyatt elite status: Members with Discoverist status, which is automatically awarded to people who hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll get a 10% bonus on eligible purchases. With Globalist status, you’ll get a 30% bonus.

» Learn more: Your guide to hotel bonus point promotions

Stream something new, earn bonus points

With Netflix, your staycation could take you to France, courtesy of “Emily in Paris.” You also won’t need an airline for your staycation, but you could instead find yourself flying through the galaxy on the Razor Crest as you watch “The Mandalorian” on Disney+. Many cards from American Express, Chase and Wells Fargo now feature streaming as a bonus category.

Consider signing up for a new streaming service, charge it to the right card and earn bonus points while you binge your way through a staycation.

Here are NerdWallet’s best credit cards for streaming services.

» Learn more: Five destinations from Netflix hits to inspire your future travels

The bottom line

A staycation doesn’t have to feel like a consolation prize. With the right mix of creativity and smart credit card usage, you can simulate the best parts of travel — food, exploration, relaxation and even a touch of luxury — without packing a bag. And better yet, you might earn points that bring your next real getaway closer than you think.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.