Did somebody say free hotel stays? Yes, this is possible!

According to a 2023 Booking.com survey, 68% of global travelers consider accommodation costs a major factor when planning a trip. This is why you can find so many tips and tricks online about how to get cheaper accommodation or how to get cheaper first-class flights, but how about free hotel stays?

It might sound like a fairy tale, but you can really get free hotel stays, and we want to tell you all about it. There are multiple ways to achieve this, which means you can find the ones that suit you the most. These are some travel hacks that truly work.

Learn how to book strategically and maximize your chances of getting a complimentary night or, in some cases, even an entire trip. Ready to find out how to make the most of your vacation?

1. Credit cards with travel rewards

We know that free hotel stays might sound too good to be true, but for travelers who are interested in learning more about this topic and who are ready to put in the effort, travel credit rewards are a tool that can turn this dream into reality.

These credit cards are amazing at cutting accommodation costs, and sometimes they can help you score completely free nights. But there are a few things you should consider, and one of them is responsible card use.

The points you are looking for are hidden behind the most mundane activities: groceries, gas, and bills. The points will accumulate over time, and at some point, you will be able to redeem various travel rewards, some of them including free hotel stays.

Many times, travel rewards cards have various affiliations with hotel chains. This means that if you use the card at these hotels, you will earn extra points, which increases your chances of getting the free hotel stays you are dreaming of.

2. Make referrals

If you don’t believe in the power of referrals, now is your chance to change your mind. Take some time and do a little bit of research on the booking platforms and on the websites of hotels. You will notice that many of them offer good benefits in exchange for referrals. Free nights and valuable discounts just for spreading the word? I’m in!

When you want to start doing this, the hotel or platform will offer you a code or a link, and you will need to share it with family, friends, or on social media. When someone uses that code to book a room, you will receive a reward. This is a great opportunity to get some free hotel stays.

Another cool thing about referral programs is that they often create bigger communities of like-minded travelers. Besides getting free hotel stays, you might also make some friends along the way.

3. Airline points

Do you fly often? This means you might have some airline points available. And while people generally use them for flying, sometimes they offer you some flexibility, which can help you redeem some free hotel stays.

The big airline companies have partnerships with hotel chains, which means you can use those hard-earned miles to get some rewards from the hotels that are part of the program. Also, some airlines will let you conveniently transfer your points and use them to get discounts for hotel stays.

Unfortunately, there are a few things that might make this method less advantageous. First of all, there is limited availability. If you plan to travel during peak season, there is a high chance that you will not find vacant rooms in the hotels, as the award nights that are booked using the points have limited availability. So, you have to be fast.

Also, there are blackout dates. These are dates when the hotels won’t offer free hotel stays based on airline points, and if you want to use them during your travels, you need to understand this limitation.

4. Loyalty programs

These programs can offer you a lot of perks, and some of them are the free hotel stays you are dreaming about. But you should be strategic about your participation in loyalty programs and try to accumulate points in a smart way that maximizes your chances of getting what you want.

The first step is to get involved in loyalty programs. Next time you stay at a hotel, ask them about this and tell them you want to enroll. Every time you stay at a hotel through their chain, you will get points, and in the end, you will surely get some nice rewards and even free hotel stays.

Also, consider that there are many loyalty programs that have a tiered structure. This means that the longer you stay, the higher the benefit will be. Low tiers will offer you small stuff like free drinks and meals, and higher tiers can give you free stays.

Now, if you want to get into this game, you should try to align it with your travel preferences. It should be something you enjoy, not an activity you do only for the rewards.

5. Third-party sites

All third-party sites are different, and some offer you some benefits that others don’t. Always do your research before booking, and when you find the best booking sites, keep them, as most of them offer flexibility, savings, and rewards.

You should dive deep and look for the websites that offer you promo codes and discounts. This will be a game-changer compared to booking directly from the hotels. Also, don’t forget to consider opaque deals.

This is when the booking site will not disclose the name of the hotel until after booking. Maybe this might sound risky, but at the same time, this is a great chance to snag a luxurious room at incredible prices.

The third-party sites also offer you bundled deals. This means you can get flights, stays, car rentals, and many other activities in a bundle, which will give you an advantage over booking them separately. In this bundle, you can sometimes find the free hotel stay you are looking for.

6. Status upgrade

We live in a world of VIP perks, so it is no wonder that upgrading your guest status is one of the best moves you can make when you want to save money while traveling. Also, this is a good strategy when you want to score some free hotel stays. A higher loyalty status will open a pathway for more advantageous hotel stays.

Besides this, you can also get room upgrades, such as larger rooms that have more appliances and extra services, as well as discounts for room service or access to exclusive items from the menu.

Many hotels also pay for exclusive access to the airport lounges. Comfortable workspaces, wi-fi, food, and drinks are all for you. The travel experience will definitely be something else when you can access these services.

So be mindful and try to align your travel style with the right programs and platforms. This is how you will get those free hotel stays you are looking for. Do a little research and try to find the strategy that fits you the most.

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You should also read: 4 Things You Should Never Take From the Hotel Room (and 3 You Can)