How To Get A Free Hotel

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Finding free hotel rooms might seem like an impossible task.

You know they're out there, you've heard how others use them, but you can't figure out how to earn them for yourself. It may seem a bit like hunting for unicorns, and it can be frustrating for the traveler who can't track them down.

Lucky for you, free hotel stays aren't mysterious legends or figments of your imagination. They're quite real, I promise you. You just need to know where to look.

I was once like you. I'd heard glorious tales of free nights in Paris and week long stays in the Caribbean. I searched high and low but still couldn't understand how to take advantage of these ridiculous deals. "Surely these free hotel rooms must be a myth," I rationalized, feeling my search was nothing more than an exercise in banging my head against a wall.

Then, it happened. I cracked the code and haven't looked back.

Since that time, I've earned (and used)dozens of free and discounted hotel rooms all around the world. From free nights in London to Jamaica, I've found oodles of hotels just waiting to compete for my business.

I've also learned that earning free hotel rooms isn't that difficult. And, so you don't have to go through the same frustrations I did, I'm here to help you learn some tricks of the trade. But, shhhhhhhhhh! Don't tell your friends. It's a secret!

4 Ways to Earn Free Hotel Rooms

Getting free hotel rooms isn't impossible. You just have to know where to look. Here are 4 tips to get you started.

1) Get a Flexible Rewards Credit Card

Earning points and signup bonuses with flexible rewards credit cards is our favorite way to earn free hotel rooms. They are more flexible than co-branded credit cards (more on those later) because the points can be used with more than one brand. You can even use them to book flights or redeem them for cash and gift cards.

Who It's Good For: This type of card is great for any traveler, particularly those who aren't loyal to particular brands. Since the points are flexible, you can use them anywhere. They are also good for other travel expenses like airfare, excursions, car rentals, and more.

Here are two of our favorite flexible rewards cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Our favorite rewards card for beginners is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Right now, you'll earn 60,000 bonus points when you sign up and spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. That translates into $750 in travel credit when booked through the Chase travel portal.

Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards Points are über flexible. They can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to several top hotel loyalty programs like Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Ritz-Carlton. You can also transfer points to airline partners like United, Southwest, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

There is a $95 annual fee, but we still think the card is a no-brainer if you're looking to save on travel costs.

Learn How to Apply | Read the Review

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you're craving simplicity, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another great way to get free hotel rooms. You'll earn 5x miles with partner hotels and rental car companies when you purchase through Capital One Travel. Additionally, you'll earn 2x miles on all of your other spending. Those miles can be redeemed as a statement credit for travel expenses.

With the current offer, you can earn an early spend bonus of miles. To earn the bonus miles, simply make $3,000 of purchases on the card during the first three months you have it. Those miles are worth $600 in travel statement credits!

This card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it is more than worth it if you can earn the early spend bonus.

Learn How to Apply | Read the Review

2) Get a Co-Branded Credit Card

If you're looking for easy ways to earn free hotel stays, look no further than co-branded hotel credit cards.

These cards typically offer huge welcome bonuses which means you can quickly earn a boat load of points to use at your favorite hotels. Generally speaking, they also automatically enroll you in the hotel's loyalty program. Although they aren't as flexible as flexible rewards cards, you'll almost always be considered a "preferred" member with the brand, entitling you to additional perks and benefits.

Here is one of our favorite co-branded hotel credit cards:

IHG Rewards Club Premier Card

The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is one of our favorite co-branded cards. We've used the points to stay at several different hotels, including the Holiday Inn All-Inclusive Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Who It's Good For: Co-branded credit cards are a great way to earn free hotel rooms for anybody with good credit. They appeal to new clients and brand junkies alike. Additionally, co-branded cards are perfect for quickly earning lots of loyalty points to your favorite hotel chain. If you want to try a new chain, use the card to earn a bunch of points and book your first stay for free!

With the current offer, you'll get a 150,000 point signup bonus for spending just $3,000 in the first 3 months. You'll also earn 25x points per dollar spent at IHG Hotels; 2x points spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants; and 1X points on everything else.

But that's not even the best part! You'll earn one free night at IHG hotels around the world every year you are a card member.

There is an annual fee of $89, but it is waived the first year.

>> Learn How to Apply

3) Join Hotel Loyalty Programs

Did you know that you can earn points toward free hotel rooms each time you stay at a major hotel chain? It's true…and the points really work!

By joining hotel loyalty programs, you can earn points toward free hotel stays at properties under the same brand. Better yet, these points can be applied (almost) anywhere in the world.

Additionally, you may receive additional perks and upgrades – like free WiFi or upgraded rooms – once you reach certain levels. Since loyalty programs are almost always free to join, there's no reason not to sign up. Again, certain co-branded credit cards will automatically enroll you in their loyalty programs, making them super convenient.

Who It's Good For: Hotel loyalty programs are great for people who prefer staying with a particular brand of hotels. If you've come to enjoy and expect certain amenities from your favorite hotel brands, it pays to sign up for their loyalty program. These programs are especially handy for frequent travelers, like those who travel regularly for business. Individual travelers can earn loyalty points for themselves even if their company is paying the bill.

4) Take Advantage of "Best Price Guarantees"

The internet has made shopping for cheap hotel rooms easier than ever. Dozens of websites are competing to bring you the best room rates and airfares available. Some are so confident in their ability to help you save on travel costs, they guarantee you won't find a better rate.

For example, take Expedia's "Hotel Price Guarantee." If you book a room through Expedia and find a better price later, they'll refund you the difference of the room. It doesn't make the room completely free, but it can definitely save you some money.

Who It's Good For: If you enjoy searching for cheap hotel rooms, you can use these rate guarantees to your benefit. I spend a lot of time researching the best rates because searching for free travel is a hobby of mine. If I've already booked a room, you better believe I'm claiming a refund if I find a better rate!

Quick Tips for Getting Free Hotel Stays

Now that you know the basics of earning free hotel rooms, here are a few quick tips for making your points go even further.

Always use your loyalty number for paid stays. – If you're a member of a hotel loyalty program, make sure to use your loyalty number each time you pay for a stay. This may seem obvious, but it's easy to forget. Remember, the more money you spend, the more points you earn. Plus, you usually earn bonus points for spending at the hotel. This is also a great way to earn points for personal use while traveling for work and paying with the company dime.
Shop through credit card portals to earn additional points. – You can earn additional points when you use credit card shopping portals. For example, use the Chase portal to do your Christmas shopping and earn extra Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. Transfer those points to Chase partners – like Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott – to earn free hotel rooms.
Take advantage of free nights by booking multiple "stays" on one trip. – Certain credit cards and loyalty programs offer free nights that can be added on to the end of your trip. Others offer free nights each year. Book multiple reservations on the same trip if you and a spouse both have free nights to burn. For instance, because Holly and I both have the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, we each get a free night annually. So, if we make two separate – back-to-back – reservations for the same trip, we can get two nights free at the same hotel during the same visit.
Always pay your balance on time. – If you choose to use a credit card rewards program to earn free hotel stays, make sure to pay your balance on time. Paying interest on the things you buy is going to cost you more than the free hotel rooms.
Don't spend more to meet spending requirements. – Don't spend more than you'd otherwise spend just to earn extra points or meet minimum spending requirements. Your goal is to get rooms for free, not spend more for a free room!

Getting Free Hotel Rooms: Final Thoughts

Earning free hotel rooms is a real thing, and it can happen to you! These days, you don't have to blow thousands in a casino or know the owner to get comped. By taking advantage of the best travel rewards cards and loyalty programs, you too can earn free stays and see the world in style!

Good luck and happy traveling!

Have you ever earned free hotel rooms? How do you earn your free stays? Let us know in the comments below!

Greg Johnson is the co-founder of Club Thrifty and an expert in personal finance, family travel, and credit card rewards. His work and commentary have been featured in publications like Newsweek, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Dough Roller, CreditCardReviews.com, and more.

Greg travels the world for about 20 weeks each year and has visited over 40 countries. He holds two bachelor's degrees, is a licensed travel insurance agent in Indiana, and is the co-author of the book Zero Down Your Debt. Learn more about Greg here.