Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
You can get hotel rewards by participating in a hotel's free loyalty program and by making purchases with a hotel credit card. With a hotel's loyalty program, you earn rewards points every time you spend money through an eligible hotel, and many hotel chains offer co-branded credit cards that give rewards on all purchases.
Hotel rewards points can usually be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, dining, and other perks, depending on the loyalty program. There are, however, a few general rules to keep in mind if you want to get the most rewards.
How to Earn Hotel Rewards
Get a hotel credit card.
If you're loyal to a specific hotel chain, you might consider getting a co-branded hotel credit card. Cardholders usually get rewards on all purchases, though the highest earn rate is reserved for purchases at the affiliated hotel brand. Lots of major hotel chains offer co-branded cards, and many also come with generous introductory bonuses, which give lots of points for spending a certain amount within the first few months.
Consider a travel rewards card if you don't have a favorite hotel chain.
Some credit cards offer generic travel rewards that aren't affiliated with any particular hotel chain or airline. They allow you to earn bonus rewards on any travel purchase as well as redeem for any travel expense. Such cards are ideal for travelers who enjoy flexibility.
Book directly with hotels.
Most hotel chains offer great rewards through their loyalty programs. However, traditional hotel rewards programs won't get you any loyalty points unless you reserve your stay though the hotel's website or call center, or directly on location. Trips booked through third-party platforms can still count toward your earnings if you pay with a co-branded card from the hotel, but you won't get the highest possible rewards rate.
Join loyalty programs that match your spending habits.
Figure out which hotel chain best matches your usual travel plans and spending budget. Keep in mind that many programs will offer rewards for purchases beyond hotel stays, such as dining, online shopping, and car rentals.
If you don't usually stick to a particular hotel chain, you can enroll in multiple loyalty programs to cover all your bases. All hotel loyalty programs are free to join.
Popular Hotel Rewards Programs
No two hotel rewards programs are the same, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. To figure out which loyalty program is right for you, check out WalletHub's study on the Best Hotel Rewards Program.
People also ask
How much is a hotel point worth?
A hotel point is worth just under 1 cent, on average, though major hotel loyalty programs have points with values ranging from half a cent to 2 cents each. For example, 10,000 hotel points are worth an average of $95, according to WalletHub research, but that same point total could produce up to twice as much value.
How Much Hotel Points Are Worth By Loyalty Program
| Rewards Program | Average Point Value | Value of 10,000 Points |
How can I get free hotel rooms?
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.
How to Get Free Hotel Rooms with...
read full answerWhat are the best hotel credit cards that offer free nights?
The best hotel credit card that offers free nights is the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card. This card offers a free night each account anniversary and gives a 4th night free every time you redeem your points to book a stay of 3 nights or more. Free nights are valid for any IHG booking with a redemption value of 40,000 points or less. The annual fee is $99, but its perks outweigh this cost.
The IHG Premier is not the...
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