I have five simple credit card techniques you may utilize to discover how to stay in hotels for free. The FOMO (fear of missing out) may set in as you see images of friends and family vacationing in exotic locales like Hawaii, and you might hope you can afford to go on such wonderful trips. You could truly afford it; you’re not aware of it now.
Also Read: Hotel vs Hostel: which one is better
Traveling each year may not need you to spend a fortune. You can get free hotel stays (or almost free) with the appropriate credit card technique.
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How to Get Free Hotel Rooms?
Here are some straightforward credit card tips that might alter the ways you vacation if you’re seeking a method to travel more and do it for less money:
(1) Rewards for Cash-Back Credit Cards
One strategy to get free hotel stays is to use the correct credit card with the proper perks. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which a number of us have used, is a fantastic example.
The secret to getting a hotel room for nothing the next day also works for VRBO, Airbnb, and ride-hailing services like Uber. Additionally, this card offers sign-up incentives and may earn 2 to 10 times as many miles on travel purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a different credit card that is good for traveling and worth considering. You gain a 25% increase in value when you use Chase Ultimate Rewards to redeem points for accommodations, travel, auto rentals, or even cruises.
The American Express Platinum Card is the last item I’ll discuss. It’s one of my favorites. This card is ideal for people who travel frequently and can maximize the annual cost. Spend $5,000 during the first 3 months to receive 60,000 extra points that can be used to book free hotel stays, flights, rental cars, and rideshares!
(2) Hotel Credit Cards
Several well-known hotel chains provide co-branded credit cards, and they can help you get a free hotel stay. Owners of credit cards with hotel branding frequently receive free stays by accruing points via regular purchases at grocery shops or petrol stations,
For instance. Similar to any reliable cash-back credit card, but with additional benefits. When using a regular hotel credit card and paying the annual charge, holders receive annual free night vouchers! This implies that you have two opportunities to get a free hotel stay with only one card.
(3) Travel Sites accepting Credit Cards
To convert the points you accumulate via permissible purchases, most credit card companies offer what is known as travel gateways. You may use your credit card points to reserve cost-free hotel stays.
The most frequent free-night promotions are those that say “Nth night free,” where you may add an extra night for free according to how many nights you reserve.
The third night is often free, but you may also discover free offers for the fourth and fifth nights. Based on the number of nights you have reserved, some hotels may give you 2 free nights.
(4) Loyalty Programs for Hotels
You can guarantee your bottom dollar that every major hotel chain has a loyalty program that allows you to earn free hotel stays. The Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program is a good illustration. It costs nothing to sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy program, and once you do, you can earn up to 9 nights for free each year.
But how can one be eligible? Simple! Once registered, you may begin accruing points by purchasing at hotels bearing the Marriott name or from one of their partners. Using a debit or credit card in conjunction with the program will make accumulating points a breeze.
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers 5 more tiers, each with a charge and greater bonuses to the number of points you receive with each transaction or booking. These tiers are in addition to the free membership option. The top level of this rewards program may get you over 100 free nights a year, VIP treatment, and any perk you could want, based on how frequently you travel.
(5) Promotional offers for Hotels
For savvy guests seeking an excellent deal, a hotel may give extra hotel points or one free night depending on the location, the time of year, or local activities. Again, many of these bargains take the shape of the “Nth night free” offer.
Simply making the appropriate reservations at the right moment or following a hotel chain on social media might help you take advantage of special deals. This comes up on social media; if you’re interested in getting free hotel stays or low-cost hotel rooms, it is worthwhile to follow the accounts of hotel companies.
Then you can remain up to date and be the first to learn about any promotions, discounts, and giveaways for free hotel stays they may be giving. You could at least, save money!
(6) Travel Booking Platforms
What good is a travel agency if they can’t get you a deal? That is why online travel firms are a sanctuary for all travel bargains, from free flights to reduced car rentals. Many travel agents may secure your accommodations at a reduced rate or even free.
Expedia is among the top travel companies that can provide free nights. Savings on all Expedia bookings are available to Expedia VIP Access program members.
Additionally, you’ll begin accruing points that can be used to purchase vehicles, airfare, and, of course, cheap and complimentary hotel accommodations. When you enroll in the silver plan, you’ll gain extra points if you use Expedia to make your trip reservations.
You’ll also get free meals as well as parking credits. If you take it a step further and become a gold member, you may benefit from a free hotel upgrade, occasionally early check-in, and a guaranteed late checkout. Booking.com is a fantastic vacation firm that can help you save money if you’re a genuine budgeting nerd with a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes “free.”
Joining Booking.com Genius entitles you to 10% off the cost of a stay. Now, you have stayed at the same hotel for 10 days. In that case, 10% off your room for 10 days is equivalent to receiving one free night.
(7) Attend a Presentation about Timeshares
Attending a timeshare presentation is one of the most popular ways to acquire a free hotel room or stay at a luxury property. One of the most popular freebies offered by timeshare firms is a night’s stay at a luxurious hotel; usually, at the timeshare, they are attempting to sell you. Although timeshare presentations have a bad record for using pushy sales techniques or being boring, they are a tried and true method of receiving a complimentary night’s stay somewhere wonderful. Timeshare presentations vary in duration, benefits, and incentives.
(8) Take up Mystery Shopping
It’s probable that the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “mystery shopper” is the process of vetting merchants’ customer service standards and regulatory compliance.
Did you know that some businesses also conduct mystery shopping for hotels? Yes, organizations like BestMark, Coyle Hospitality, and True Guest will cover the cost of your stay at particular hotels to ensure that they are operating properly.
The fact that this is a working vacation presents a dilemma. Because you’ll need to give a thorough evaluation after your stay, the more of the hotel you check out and the more facilities you use, the better.
Additionally, it would help if you tried to confirm the validity of any mystery shopper business you want to engage with.
There are some unethical businesses out there that will attempt to con you. Yes, some preparation is required, but this is a tried-and-true method for landing a night or two at a few five-star hotels. You never know; you could wish to turn it into a profession!
(9) Bargain with Hotels
If you only get a person on the phone, you’d be shocked at what you can get out of a hotel! Most hotels are vacant outside the busy season and are anxious to get visitors to stay during these slower months.
Generally speaking, rates are lower online during this off-season, but if you get the chance to speak with the hotel directly, they may be more than prepared to give up one or two free nights in exchange for additional visitors.
The future? Suppose you approach the situation politely and sensibly. In that case, you might get even more benefits from them or establish a long-lasting connection with the hotel to get additional free nights!
(10) Remarks regarding Your Stay
This one is a little more challenging than others because it’s difficult to secure a free hotel room this way before making a reservation. However, you can obtain a night off your charge by complaining to the hotel about your experience there. Before you choose this path, keep the following in mind:
- Be nice. Be polite. Be the ideal client that every underpaid employee of the service sector desires. The more kind you are to the hotel employees, the more probable they will assist you.
- Bring a sincere grievance. Ah. Yes. The REAL challenge. Your request to take a night off your bill may only be approved if you have a valid complaint. You have a genuine reason to file a complaint if you have a genuine grievance. Consider poor room facilities, difficulty sleeping due to loudness, unfriendly personnel, bugs, or food poisoning; these are ACTUAL reasons to be upset. Having run out of hashbrowns for breakfast or terrible weather is not acceptable.
- Be persistent. Maintain a cool, collected, and kind approach, but feel free to gently prod until you achieve your goal or the best possible version.
- Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that complaints will decrease the cost of your accommodation. You may be sure that all hotels will do their utmost to accommodate your needs and requirements given that they belong to the hospitality sector.No matter how kind they are, there is no guarantee bringing up your concern will result in a room being available.
How You Acquire a Hotel Room for Free
This is how you acquire a hotel room for free after you’ve paid for it, even if it can be unpleasant!
(1) Utilize Delta Vacations to Test the New Affirm Plan
Delta has established the new Affirm system to assist customers in planning and paying for their holidays in one location, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in an attempt to get people in the air again. Although this seems fairly normal at first glance, there is more to it than that.
With the help of Affirm by Delta Vacations, you may plan your complete trip and then pay for it in 6, 12, or 18 convenient monthly installments. They only need your name, other personal details, and the last four digits of your social security number. Now, all you have to do is to wait for Delta Affirm to approve you.
There are no additional costs, and the interest rate is extremely affordable at 10% APR. Yes, this calls for a larger understanding of the word “free hotel rooms,” but it may also imply that you may reserve your entire trip, including your hotel room, without having to pay for it for several months.
(2) Working for a Hotel
Getting a job at a hotel is the fastest and most surefire way to find a free room there! Yes, I’m not joking. You need to get a credit card or sign up for a hotel loyalty program to be certain of receiving free hotel stays.
Receiving free nights to spend at hotels within the network is one of the key benefits of working for a hotel, especially a big hotel chain. Luxury suites or rooms may also qualify for these complimentary nights. And still another possibility is that, based on the position you land in the hotel of your choice, you’ll be able to stay there while you work!
(3) Engage in the Travel Industry
If working for a hotel chain sounds like something other than your cup of tea, and you’re wondering how to receive free hotel stays, consider another profession in tourism. As rewards for any business, they bring to the hotel, travel agents, tour operators, tour guides, airline employees, and many others in the travel sector regularly receive complimentary hotel stays.
Since hotels are rarely fully booked, as was already said, they routinely reward travel industry insiders with these rooms. Then, if you were to land a position as a pilot or flight attendant for an airline, not only would you receive free hotel rooms as employment benefits, but it’s practically a given that you’d be placed in a hotel on a weekly, if not daily, basis!
(5) Participate in a Frequent Flyer Program
One of the easiest methods for regular travelers to gain benefits like free hotel rooms is through frequent-flyer programs.
Most airlines provide a frequent flyer program that lets users accumulate points that may be converted for free flights, meal upgrades, car rentals, hotel room upgrades, and free hotel stays.
While some of these airlines only work with a select few hotel chains, others have a relatively wide selection of hotels where you can use your points in hotels worldwide.
(6) Obtain Social Media Influencer Status
Do you have a strong Instagram presence? Do you have millions of TikTok users watching your videos? You can be the ideal candidate for a free hotel stay if you maintain or want to develop a sizable social media presence.
Word-of-mouth advertising is the most successful type of marketing, and social media is the greatest platform for word-of-mouth advertising.
To influencers with even moderate followings, many hotels, particularly luxury hotels and resorts, are more than willing to provide complimentary hotel rooms.
In the realm of influencers, 20,000 followers might seem like little. A few free nights given to an influencer might cost a hotel 20,000 additional guests. Imagine having a million followers now!
Finally,
Please apply a few of these suggestions to get a free hotel night! Is there another way to obtain a free hotel night? Have you got any tricks I overlooked, suggestions for credit cards, trip destinations, or booking websites?
People Also Ask For
Q1. What is a dummy room in the hotel?
A. A hotel reservation made particularly to get a visa is known as a “dummy hotel reservation.” The reservation is made based on your trip dates, and after you know the result of your visa application, you can amend the hotel reservation dates or cancel the reservation if your visa is refused.
Q2. How do you ask for a free hotel room?
A. Some of the ways are
Get a hotel-branded credit card
Join a hotel loyalty program
Apply to become a regular flyer in an airline
Use a “Free night” hotel promotion
Complain about a difficult experience
Q3. How to get free hotel rooms in India?
A. Customers will be qualified for a free stay after five nights, according to an announcement made on Friday by the Indian hotel room aggregator OYO. You could also book a domestic hotel via Goibibo.com and receive a free night’s stay.