I’m always surprised by how many people pass up the chance to earn rewards for their travels. Major hotel brands offer some great incentives for frequent stays—they really do add up! Yet, there are folks who stay often and still choose not to collect Hilton or Marriott points. The usual excuses? “It’s too much hassle,” or “I don’t want to be bombarded with offers.” If that sounds like you, feel free to close this message now!
But if you’re all about getting every travel perk possible, keep reading. Here are three simple ways to boost your hotel points and enjoy more free stays (or maybe even treat someone special with your points):
- Split Your Stays: Sure, it takes a few extra minutes, but instead of booking one three-day stay, make separate reservations for each night. While a single reservation counts as one stay, checking in and out each day could earn you more points. It’s a little trick that can lead to big rewards.
- Sign Up for Promotions: It only takes two minutes, so why not? Hilton once had a promotion that offered a free stay after just four nights—one of our guests used his free stay at the Waldorf Astoria in New York! Another guest, however, missed out because he didn’t sign up. The moral of the story? Don’t skip the sign-up—those promotions can be game-changers.
- Leverage the Right Credit Card: I’m not usually one to push credit cards, but this one’s too good not to share. The latest Amex Hilton card promotion offers 95,000 Hilton points after spending $2,000 in six months—with no annual fee! That’s up to three free nights, depending on the hotel. You do need a Hilton Honors account and a good credit score, but if you qualify, it’s a no-brainer.
I hope you find these tips helpful! Many of my international flights have been funded by airline credit cards, and even though I get hotel discounts through work, I’m all about maximizing perks. Happy travels, and don’t leave those points on the table!