For over a decade, we’ve managed to stay in hotels around the world without paying a dime. From luxurious resorts and big-name hotel chains to charming boutique hotels and local accommodations, we’ve experienced it all at no cost!
It might sound unbelievable, but it’s true. We’ve enjoyed free stays in places like Italy, Belize, Paris, London, Thailand, and across the United States. Even when traveling in our RV, we’ve used free hotel nights when we’ve needed a break or when our RV was being repaired.
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Tips for Reducing Common Travel Costs
So, how do we manage to stay in hotels for free? It’s all about earning points and gift cards. Here’s how you can do it too:
Earning Hotel Points for Free Stays
There are many hotel chains where you can earn points for free stays. We have points with:
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Hilton
- IHG/Holiday Inn
To start earning points, sign up for the rewards programs offered by these hotel chains. It’s free to join, and you’ll earn points and perks every time you stay with them.
Using Hotels.com Gift Cards
Another way we stay for free is by earning Hotels.com gift cards through various methods. These gift cards can be used to book hotel stays without spending any money.
Sign Up for Credit Cards and Earn Big Bonuses
To rack up points quickly, sign up for branded credit cards from hotel chains. These cards often come with large sign-up bonuses. Typically, you’ll earn a significant number of points or even free hotel nights by spending a certain amount of money within the first three months of getting the card.
Always Have Travel Insurance
Meeting the required spending amount might seem challenging, but we’ve never had any issues. We simply charge everything to the new card. This includes gas, healthcare costs, groceries, and even future travel expenses. By doing this, we easily meet the spending requirement and earn our bonus points.
Managing Your Credit Card Wisely
The key to benefiting from these credit card offers is to pay off the balance every month. If you’re paying interest, you’re not really getting anything for free. Thankfully, today’s technology makes this easier. Download the credit card apps to your phone, link your bank account, and you can pay off each purchase just like using a debit card.
Using your credit card for everyday purchases earns you more points towards free hotel nights. You earn even more points when you spend directly at hotel properties.
Which Credit Cards Should You Get?
For starters, I recommend the AMEX Hilton card. It has no annual fee, making it a great option for beginners. There’s also a version with a fee, but it’s worth it because you can earn up to 170,000 points as a sign-up bonus with a relatively low spending requirement. Plus, AMEX Hilton offers excellent customer service.
With this card, you earn:
- 5x points at US restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets
- 3x points on all other purchases
Additional Credit Card Recommendations for Free Hotel Stays
Another great option is the Marriott Bonvoy credit card. Marriott is the largest hotel chain, so you’re likely to find a Marriott hotel wherever you go. When you sign up for this card, you can earn 3 free nights after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months. Plus, every year you have the card, you get an additional free night’s stay. With this card, you earn double points on all purchases and six times the points when you use it at Marriott hotels. You can sign up for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy credit card here.
The IHG credit card is another great option, especially for Holiday Inn properties. Currently, you can earn 80,000 points or 4 free nights, depending on the card you choose. This is a generous offer, so take advantage of it while you can.
Earning General Points
You can also earn general points that can be transferred to various airlines and hotels. Sign up for Chase and Capital One cards to start earning these versatile points.
Earning Gift Cards for Free Hotel Stays
There are many ways to earn Hotels.com gift cards, such as playing games, completing surveys, and shopping and scanning receipts. Hotels.com also has a rewards program where you earn credit with every stay, making it easier to save up for free hotel nights.
One of the best things about Hotels.com gift cards is the wide variety of hotels available. You can use your gift cards at many locations, whether you prefer large hotel chains or small local hotels. There are plenty of options to choose from, no matter where you’re traveling.
Earning these gift cards is easy. Use apps on your phone to shop and scan your receipts. You can pick and choose which apps work best for you, or use them all to maximize your earnings. I personally use multiple apps to earn as many gift cards as possible for free hotel stays.
By following these steps, you can earn free Hotels.com gift cards and accumulate points with major hotel chains. These points and gift cards can add up quickly, allowing you to enjoy numerous free hotel stays!
Start by signing up for rewards programs offered by large hotel chains. Each time you stay, you’ll earn points. Additionally, look out for special promotions and deals on Hotels.com to boost your earnings. Combining these points with gift cards will maximize your savings and extend your free nights.
If you ever have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to help you navigate the process of earning free hotel nights.
Happy travels!
