Traveling is a dream for many, but the high costs can be a significant barrier, particularly when it comes to accommodation. Hotel stays often constitute a large portion of travel expenses, so finding ways to get free rooms or steep discounts can make a big difference. Here are some effective techniques to score free hotel accommodations for your next trip.
There are various strategies to obtain free hotel stays, but these methods stand out for their simplicity and potential to quickly accumulate a substantial amount of hotel points.
1. Leverage Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
By signing up for a new credit card, you can earn a considerable number of hotel points by meeting the card’s initial spending requirements. These thresholds can often be achieved through your regular monthly expenditures. Some top hotel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that exceed 100,000 points.
For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card currently provide substantial bonuses. Depending on how you utilize them, these points can be redeemed for several nights at hotels or resorts of your choice.
2. Annual Free Night Perks
Numerous credit cards feature an annual free night perk, granting a complimentary hotel stay. Some cards offer this benefit simply for card renewal, while others stipulate a minimum spending threshold before awarding free nights.
For instance, the World of Hyatt Credit Card provides one free night annually just for being a cardholder, with the possibility of earning another based on your expenditure. In contrast, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card mandates $15,000 in spending before you can redeem a free hotel night.
Each hotel credit card has specific conditions and restrictions. The Hyatt free night is valid at participating Category 1-4 hotels. In comparison, the Hilton free night is valid at nearly any Hilton property, though it is limited to weekend stays only.
3. Amass Hotel Points Through Purchases
Hotel credit cards allow you to earn points on all your purchases, even when you’re not staying at a hotel. These cards offer the highest points for hotel-related expenditures, but many also provide bonus points for various everyday spending categories.
The bonus categories differ by card but often include groceries, gas, dining, travel, and gym memberships. Moreover, these cards also give a standard number of points per dollar spent on other purchases not covered by bonus categories.
4. Leverage Bonus Spending Categories Strategically
Credit cards often provide bonus categories that don’t cover all types of purchases. To maximize these bonus categories, you can use a clever strategy. Many grocery stores, gas stations, home improvement stores, and office supply stores sell gift cards for various popular retailers.
By purchasing gift cards at stores that offer bonus points for your purchases, you can convert regular spending into additional hotel points for future vacations.
For instance, if you’re gearing up for back-to-school shopping at a department store that doesn’t fall under your card’s bonus categories, you can first visit a grocery store or gas station (where your hotel credit card offers bonus points) and buy a gift card for that department store. This way, you earn extra hotel points and can use the gift card for your intended purchases.
5. Optimize Online Shopping Rewards
To earn extra rewards while shopping online, consider using a travel portal. While most hotel loyalty programs lack dedicated shopping portals, you can still accumulate Chase Ultimate Rewards or cash back on your online transactions.
Chase Ultimate Rewards can be utilized for booking travel or transferred to various airline or hotel loyalty programs. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, your points gain 25% or 50% more value, respectively, when you book travel through the Chase Travel portal.
Additionally, cash back can be saved and used at your discretion. We recommend putting your cash back into a high-yield savings account, which can grow into a travel fund that earns interest and helps finance future trips.
Final Thoughts
Paying for hotel accommodations can significantly impact your travel budget. By applying these five straightforward strategies, you can secure free hotel stays on your next vacation. Accumulate extra hotel points through your spending or leverage the annual free night benefits from your credit cards. Ensure you get the best deals on your trips by using Travelocity Promo Codes and status-based discounts. Additionally, Booking.com offers loyalty programs that can help you save more, and using Booking.com promo codes can help you earn points and miles for your next adventure.
