Your Guide to Earning Bonus Points With Hotel Promotions

Maximizing your hotel points earnings means more than just booking stays and using a hotel credit card. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for opportunities to earn bonus points through each hotel loyalty program’s limited-time promotions. Some of them are seasonal, and some apply only to certain destinations or hotels.

Be sure to register for the promotions that require it since many won't automatically deposit points into your account if you’re not signed up before your stay.

All promotions are subject to availability, and blackout dates may apply.

1,500 points per stay, plus 3,000 points on stays at all-inclusive properties

Every stay during Marriott's fall promotional period, Sept. 14 through Dec. 12, 2021, can net you an extra 1,500 points, as long as you register before your first stay. If you stay at an all-inclusive Marriott resort, you'll earn an additional 3,000 points.

Eat Around Town bonus points

You can earn a bonus points when you eat out after becoming a member of Marriott Bonvoy's dining program. Sign-up for the Eat Around Town program as a new member by Dec. 31, 2021, and get 1,000 bonus points when you spend $30 or more at a participating restaurant, pay with your linked card and complete an online review within the first 60 days of registering (you'll need to opt into their email program as well).

You can earn an additional 2,000 bonus points for the second order and 3,000 bonus points for the third order within the first 60 days, as long as you complete the reviews. The earning rate is 4x per dollar for most Marriott Bonvoy members and 6x per dollar for those with elite status.

2,000 bonus points per night at Courtyard Marriotts

Staying at a Courtyard Marriott could increase your Bonvoy earnings this year. Book a stay at a participating Courtyard Marriott in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean or Latin America for travel through Dec. 31, 2021. You must use the promo code 53M when booking to receive the bonus points.

» Learn more: Which Marriott Bonvoy credit card should I choose?

Power Up promotion

The fall Hilton Honors promotion is taking place Sept. 7 to Dec. 31, 2021. You can earn double points on every stay during the promotional period or triple points on every stay if you book with an eligible Hilton credit card. Register for the promotion here.

5,000-point bonus for joining the dining program

Hilton Honors has a dining program that lets you earn points for every dollar you spend at participating restaurants. But there's also a new member bonus of 5,000 points if you spend $25 or more at a participating restaurant within the first 30 days of joining the program and you complete an online review. This new member bonus offer ends Jan. 6, 2022.

Double Hilton Honors points

Hilton Honors members staying at Hilton properties will earn double the points when booking on this page. You can also book by phone and request "2x points."

Welcome bonus

Calling all new members: If you haven't signed up for Hilton Honors before, you can earn a few extra points within the first six months of your new membership during 2021. For your first eligible stay, you'll earn 2,000 bonus points. Following the completion of your second stay, you'll earn 3,000 bonus points.

Milestone Bonuses

Hilton Honors members who have stayed at least 40 nights or more in one calendar year can earn a huge chunk of bonus points. Members will receive 10,000 bonus points after their 40th night, and another 10,000 bonus points at every 10th night after that. At 60 nights, members net an additional 30,000 bonus points on top of the 10,000 Milestone Bonus points.

» Learn more: 7 reasons to join Hilton Honors

3x points at Hyatt hotel restaurants

No stay required for this promo! You can earn triple the points when you dine-in or order takeout or delivery from a participating Hyatt hotel restaurant. This offer is only available to people who are not staying the night at the Hyatt property. Earn 3x points on Hyatt dining through Feb. 10, 2022.

500 bonus points at new World of Hyatt hotels

Check out World of Hyatt's list of new properties for a chance to get 500 easy bonus points if you stay during the promotional period, which varies by property. The promotional period is usually at least three months long — so you have time to take advantage of these new accommodations. This list is updated frequently, so can check often for new offers.

Second free night at all-inclusive Miraval resorts

This promotion doesn't award bonus points; it gives you a free night. Stays at Miraval resorts booked with World of Hyatt points between Nov. 1, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2022 receive a second night free. This offer is not valid on Fridays and Saturdays or from Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, 2021.

With the BOGO deal, you’re looking at hundreds of dollars in savings. The lowest-priced standard rooms start at 45,000 points per night and can easily run more than $1,200 a night when paid in cash.

BOGO deal or not, the adults-only Miraval properties tend to be a far better deal when paid for with points versus cash. Still, you have to redeem Hyatt points to make this offer happen — and 45,000 points is not insignificant considering we value Hyatt points at about 1.9 cents each. Plus, that’s just a per-person rate; you’ll typically owe an extra 20,000 points per night for a second guest.

There are three Miraval locations:

• Miraval Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.

• Miraval Austin in Austin, Texas.

• Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts.

To book, call 866-792-3395 and mention the offer code ‘Member Free Night.’  You’ll need to book both nights at the time of reservation.

1,000 bonus AAdvantage miles for staying at a Hyatt hotel

If you plan on staying at a Hyatt hotel this winter, there’s a good chance that you can quickly score some easy American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles. Stay at one of Hyatt’s 190 participating U.S. hotels between Nov. 1, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2022, and you can earn 1,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles per qualifying stay — with no limit to how many stays you make within that period. You’ll need to register by Dec. 15, 2021 on this Hyatt page, where you’ll need to input both your World of Hyatt membership number and your AAdvantage membership number.

Considering NerdWallet values one AAdvantage mile at 1.2 cents, you’re only looking at about $12 worth of miles. But if you’re staying in a Hyatt anyway, you may as well take the extra seconds to register for some easy bonus points. Plus, American Airlines AAdvantage miles typically expire after 18 months if your account is inactive, so this could be a good way to keep your account active even if you haven’t flown with American recently.

New members can stay twice and earn a free night

If you're not a member of IHG Rewards already and you have some travel in mind for the end of the year, this is a good time to join. Sign up for IHG Rewards and register for this promotion by Nov. 30, 2021, to earn a free night worth up to 40,000 points by staying twice (minimum one-night stays) between the time you register and Dec. 26, 2021. Also, if you signed up for IHG Rewards within the past 30 days, you can still take advantage of the offer by signing up for the promo online. The free night is valid for 120 days after it is deposited into your account.

Up to 3x points for stays

IHG members can now register for a promotion running from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021. On your second stay during the promotional period, you'll earn 2x points. Then starting with your third stay, you'll earn 3x points on each stay until the end of the year. In addition, travelers who book with the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card or IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card will get an extra 3,000 points on their second and third stays.

Bonus points for dining

• Earn 500 points for the first reservation you book through IHG's website, powered by OpenTable. Then earn up to 300 points for any subsequent reservations.

• Order from Grubhub for delivery to your hotel through IHG's website and earn up to 500 points and 250 points for every delivery after that.

• Join IHG Dining Rewards and earn 1,000 bonus points if you dine at a participating restaurant within 30 days of joining, spend $30 or more and complete an online review. That's in addition to the 1x, 5x or 8x points you earn per $1 spent at the restaurant. The new member bonus offer ends Jan. 6, 2022.

Bonus points packages

See if your travel plans could earn you extra points when you book with Bonus Points Packages. You could earn up to 5,000 points per stay at participating InterContinental Hotels. Plus, the bonus points count toward earning elite status.

10,000 points for attending a timeshare presentation

While you're staying at a Holiday Inn Club Vacation location, attend a two-hour timeshare presentation and receive 10,000 bonus points. Keep in mind there are some age and income requirements to be able to participate in this promotion.

» Learn more: Baffled by points and miles? Let the 80/20 rule guide you

3,000 bonus points when you book 2+ nights on the mobile app

Earn an easy 3,000 bonus points when you use the Radisson Rewards mobile app to book a minimum 2-night stay. You can only earn this bonus once.

7,500 points when you stay four nights

Register for this promotion and stay four qualifying nights to earn 7,500 points, which is enough for a free night at some Wyndham properties. You can earn up to 15,000 points through this offer. Book your stays by Jan. 14, 2022, and complete your travel by Jan. 18, 2022 to qualify.

Double Points rate

You can earn 2x the points on your stay when you book a hotel with this rate as part of an ongoing promotion. Check here to see if your next destination has a participating Wyndham property.

Bonus points with Home Chef meal kits

Cooking at home can get you a good portion of Wyndham bonus points. Wyndham Rewards members will earn 2,500 points when they order their first box of meals and 500 points for every box after that. Order through this link.

Win 50,000 points in the 50 Million Reasons to Celebrate Sweepstakes

In honor of reaching 50 million members, the Choice Privileges program is giving away 50,000 bonus points to one member every day from Aug. 31 to Oct. 19. Register for the sweepstakes here.

Up to 2,000 bonus points for renting a car

Avis has partnerships with both Budget and Avis to offer loyalty program members 1,000 Choice Privileges bonus points when they rent a car through the end of the year. If you rent a car for four days or more, you'll earn an additional 1,000 points. Use the links on this page to book the promotion, which also includes a discount of up to 30%.

Up to 1,500 bonus points for using the Bakkt app

The Bakkt app lets you convert points from various rewards programs, including hotel loyalty programs, into cash. You could also use it to buy crypto or send money to friends. Right now, Choice Privileges members can get 500 bonus points for downloading the app and linking their Choice account. Members could get another 1,000 bonus points the first time they redeem their Choice points for cash. The promotion runs through Nov. 5, 2021.

2,000 bonus points on your next stay

Best Western Rewards members can get an extra 2,000 points on their next eligible stay through the end of the year. Register for the offer or enroll in Best Western's loyalty program prior to your stay here.

$20 Best Western gift card for each night you stay

This promotion isn't exactly for Best Western bonus points, but the reward will help offset the cost of your next stay. Register for this promotion and stay between through Nov. 22, 2021. For each night, you'll earn a $20 Best Western gift card, up to 5 gift cards. The gift cards do not expire until March 31, 2022, so you might be able to use them for holiday travel or your first trip in next year.

Don't miss out on these opportunities to earn extra points if they fit in with your travel plans. You should register for your hotel loyalty program’s promotions as early as possible to maximize your earnings. If you’re looking to get a larger chunk of points, you might want to consider applying for a hotel credit card. These cards usually come with a significant number of bonus points, if you meet the spending requirement.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for: