New Delhi, Sept. 5 -- What if your next five-star hotel stay could be paid for, at least partly, with the credit card points you have already earned? For frequent travellers, reward points can be more than a perk attached to everyday spending. Used strategically, they can help unlock hotel stays, loyalty benefits and even free-night awards.

But there is a catch as earning points is only half the game. Knowing when and where to redeem them can make a significant difference.

Credit card users often redeem points for shopping vouchers or statement credits without checking whether a better option is available. Travel and hotel redemptions can sometimes offer greater value, particularly when hotel room rates are high.

Some cards allow custo...