Are you a frequent traveler who loves to stay in hotels? If so, you’re probably familiar with the benefits of hotel rewards points. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other perks that make your hotel stay even more enjoyable. But if you want to get the most bang for your buck, you need to know how to maximize your rewards points.
Here are some top tricks for getting the most out of your hotel rewards points:
1. Choose the right hotel loyalty program
The first step in maximizing your hotel rewards points is to choose the right loyalty program. There are many hotel chains that offer rewards programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards Club. Before you start collecting points, take the time to research the different programs and choose the one that offers the most benefits and rewards for your travel habits.
2. Stay loyal to one hotel chain
Once you have chosen a hotel loyalty program, it’s important to stay loyal to that chain. By staying at the same hotel chain consistently, you will earn more points, which can be redeemed for free nights and other rewards. Additionally, many hotel loyalty programs offer elite status levels, which come with additional perks such as room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast.
3. Take advantage of promotions and bonuses
Many hotel loyalty programs offer promotions and bonuses that allow you to earn extra points. Keep an eye out for these promotions and take advantage of them whenever possible. This could include booking a stay during a specific time period, staying a certain number of nights, or booking through a specific channel, such as the hotel’s website or mobile app.
4. Use a credit card that earns hotel rewards
One of the easiest ways to earn hotel rewards points is by using a credit card that offers rewards for hotel stays. There are many credit cards on the market that are affiliated with hotel loyalty programs and offer bonus points for hotel stays, as well as points for everyday purchases. By using a hotel rewards credit card for your everyday spending, you can earn even more points to use for future hotel stays.
5. Take advantage of partner programs
Many hotel loyalty programs have partnerships with other companies, such as airlines, rental car companies, and online shopping portals. By taking advantage of these partner programs, you can earn additional points for your hotel rewards account. For example, you could earn points for booking a rental car through a hotel’s partner rental car company, or by shopping through the hotel’s online shopping portal.
6. Monitor your points and status
It’s important to regularly monitor your hotel rewards points balance and elite status level. By keeping track of your points, you can ensure that you don’t let them expire and that you are aware of how close you are to earning free nights or other rewards. Additionally, by monitoring your elite status level, you can be sure to take advantage of any perks that come with that status, such as room upgrades or complimentary breakfast.
7. Be strategic with your redemptions
When it comes time to redeem your hotel rewards points, be strategic about how you use them. Consider factors such as the value of the redemption (i.e. how many points it costs vs. the cash value of the room), the availability of rooms, and the timing of your stay. Additionally, be aware of any blackout dates or restrictions that may apply to your redemption.
8. Book direct with the hotel
When booking a hotel stay, always try to book directly with the hotel rather than through a third-party booking site. Booking direct not only ensures that you receive the best rate, but it also allows you to earn more rewards points for your stay. Additionally, many hotel loyalty programs offer bonuses for booking direct, such as extra points or discounts on room rates.
In conclusion, maximizing your hotel rewards points requires a bit of strategy and planning, but the rewards are well worth it. By choosing the right loyalty program, staying loyal to one hotel chain, taking advantage of promotions and bonuses, using a credit card that earns hotel rewards, utilizing partner programs, monitoring your points and status, being strategic with your redemptions, and booking direct with the hotel, you can make the most of your hotel rewards points and enjoy even more perks and benefits during your hotel stays. So start racking up those points and get ready to enjoy some well-deserved free nights and room upgrades!
