How does the Citi Prestige 4th night free benefit work?

Yes, the most reliable ways to get free hotel rooms are to use a credit card with hotel rewards, and to join hotels’ free loyalty programs. Plus, you can always ask a hotel to match a better price you’ve found, and checking in late can sometimes lead to free upgrades since the hotel will have a better sense of which rooms won’t be needed. But for fully comped stays, credit cards and loyalty programs are your best bet.… read full answer

How to get free hotel rooms with credit cards

With credit cards, there are two paths you can take. If you’re not particularly loyal to any one hotel chain and value flexibility, just get a travel rewards credit card whose points or miles can be redeemed for stays at any hotel. For instance, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card let you book hotels using rewards on their travel portals.

But if you tend to favor one hotel chain over others, the most efficient way to get free nights is with a co-branded hotel credit card. You’ll earn the most rewards at the hotel chain in question, redeemable for free nights. And if you join the hotel’s loyalty program, you’ll usually get an extra point or two per dollar spent, on top of what the card gives you.

Here are the best cards to get free hotel rooms:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 60,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits, which includes hotel stays. $95 annual fee.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 50,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. You also get annual statement credit for travel purchases, including hotel reservations. Earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Redeem for hotels on Chase’s travel portal, for the highest points value. $550 annual fee.
• IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: One free night every account anniversary and when redeeming points for 4+ nights. 125,000 points + a Free Night for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 10 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels, 2 points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Redeem for free nights. Annual fee: $89 that.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: One free night each account anniversary and an extra night after meeting a set spending requirement. 30,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 4 points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels, 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on tickets booked with airlines, transit and gym memberships, 2 points per $1 on all other purchases in the first 6 months (on up to $15,000 spent), 1 point per $1 on all other purchases after that. Redeem points for free nights. $95 annual fee.

The easiest way to get free hotel rooms is to get a credit card that rewards you with them each account anniversary and/or offers other rewards redeemable for hotel stays. That’s because you’ll be earning free stays with every purchase you make, not just on reservations.

How to get free hotel rooms through hotel rewards programs

You can also earn free nights by joining some of the best hotel rewards programs. Every time you book a stay, you’ll earn points that you can redeem for free nights. The best hotel rewards programs for earning policies are Radisson Rewards and World of Hyatt.

You can use a Marriott free night certificate to pay for a stay at any category 1-6 Marriott property by logging in to your Marriott Rewards account and checking the "Use Points / certificates" box before conducting your search. Once you select your hotel and desired room, you’ll be given the option to select any available free night award certificate(s). Watch out, though. You only have 12 months to use a Marriott free night certificate before it expires.… read full answer

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card gives 3 Free Nights as an initial bonus (after cardholders spend $3,000 in 3 months). Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card users receive one of these reward certificates (valued up to 35,000 and 50,000, respectively) every account anniversary. Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card users also receive a free night award certificate (valued up to 35,000 points) every account anniversary, plus an additional one for spending $60K in purchases in a calendar year. You may also get a Marriott free night certificate if you spend points to purchase one. Once you have the certificate in hand, though, you’ll need to know the steps for redeeming it.

Here’s how to use a Marriott free night certificate:

1. Log into your Marriott Rewards account.
2. Fill out your destination, select your travel dates and the number of rooms and guests
3. Check the “Use Points/Certificates” box if it’s not automatically selected
4. Click “Find Hotels”
5. Select your desired hotel by clicking “View Rates” beside it
6. Select your desired room
7. Under “Review Reservation Details” you will be given the option to select any available free night certificate(s)
8. Review your reservation details and click “Book Now” to confirm your reservation

Your rewards certificate will now be applied to your booking and you’ll get to enjoy a free night. The process should go smoothly, as long as you remember to redeem within 12 months of your certificate being issued. There are no blackout dates for Marriott free night certificates, for example. But if a problem occurs during your booking, you can always call Marriott Credit Card customer service for help. The number is (302) 594-8200 for Marriott credit cards issued by Chase and (336) 393-1111 for cards issued by American Express.

The most significant recent Citi Prestige change was that it has been discontinued for new applicants in the summer of 2021. Existing cardholders still benefit from their cards, but Citi Prestige is no longer available to new applicants.

Citi Prestige was designed as an exclusive travel credit card for customers with excellent credit (a credit score of 750+). In exchange for a hefty $495 annual fee, cardholders got extensive rewards and perks. Citi Prestige offered 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you earned extensive ongoing rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on purchases at airlines, travel agencies and at restaurants, 3 points per $1 spent on at hotels & cruise lines, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And there were other perks such as annual travel credits and credits to cover the cost of TSA Precheck or Global Entry.… read full answer

Alternatives to the Citi Prestige card

While Citi Prestige is no longer available for new applicants, you can set your sights on the Citi Premier® Card instead. New cardholders get 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. And you earn extensive ongoing rewards: 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, 3 points per $1 on air travel and hotels, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. You also get an annual hotel savings benefit, which offers a preset discount amount on eligible hotel stays. And the Citi Premier annual fee comes in at $95, which is considerably lower than that of the Citi Prestige card. In case you prefer more straightforward rewards, also take a look at the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card.

If you're not tied to Citibank as an issuer and are looking for alternatives to the Citi Prestige card, feel free to also take a look at some of the best travel credit cards on the market. And if you're interested in exclusivity and premium perks, check out our editors' picks for the most exclusive credit cards.