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.

Marriott Bonvoy

2,500 bonus points on each stay through Oct. 18

Marriott's summer/fall promotion is on. You must register for this promotion to start earning, so you'll want to do that as soon as possible to maximize the bonus points opportunities. Marriott Bonvoy members will receive 2,500 bonus points per stay, plus an additional 5,000 bonus points after the third stay between now and Oct. 18, 2020. There's no limit to the number of bonus points you can earn with this offer.

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 Jan. 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 30 days of registering (you'll need to opt into their email program as well). 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, 2020. You must use the promo code "53M" when booking to receive the bonus points.

New members can earn a free night certificate after two stays

If you haven't signed up for Marriott Bonvoy yet and you're planning to stay at its hotels in the next few months, this promotion is a must. Register here to earn a Free Night Award after completing two paid stays through Nov. 28, 2020. The Free Night Award is worth up to 25,000 points, which can be used to book a Category 1 - Category 4 hotel.

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

Hilton Honors

Bonus points and a free night certificate for Hilton AmEx cardholders

Hilton Honors American Express cardholders who have been members since at least July 7, 2020, can add the "Perfect Match" offer to their card. You will earn 1,000 Hilton Honors points when you spend $1,000 on your card from the time you complete enrollment through Dec. 18, 2020. The maximum number of bonus points you can earn through this offer is 30,000 points. After you spend $5,000 during the promotional period, you'll also earn a free night certificate, which is valid for the next 24 months. Terms apply.

Double Rewards promotion

Hilton Honors has launched its fall promotion, which is running now through Dec. 31, 2020. Once you register, you can earn double points on your stays through the end of the year, plus double night credits. The night credits help you qualify for the next level of elite status. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hilton is also allowing you to "roll over" any night credits you earn in 2020 to count toward your status qualification in 2021.

Double Hilton Honors points

Hilton Honors members staying at Hilton properties will earn double the points when booking on this site. 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 2020. 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.

World of Hyatt

15% point rebate

World of Hyatt members can get 15% of their redeemed points back as bonus points when they redeem points for free night stays, room upgrades, Cash + Points stays, dining, spa services and more through Jan. 4, 2021. Hyatt credit card holders qualify for an additional 10% rebate for a total of 25% bonus points when they book with points. World of Hyatt members should register here. Cardmembers should register for the promotion here.

Dine local, earn triple points

Even if you're not staying at a Hyatt hotel, you can earn a good chunk of points just by dining there. Now through Jan. 4, 2021, World of Hyatt members can earn 3x points on dine-in, takeout or delivery at participating restaurants at Hyatt properties. The offer is only valid to people who are not staying the night. Registration is not required.

Bonus journeys: 3x points on all stays

Starting Oct. 1, 2020, World of Hyatt members can register for a great promotion that awards triple bonus points on every stay with a checkout date before or on Jan. 4, 2021. Hyatt credit cardholders can earn up to 4x bonus points on eligible spend for stays at hundreds of participating resort locations, including some MGM properties. The deadline to register for this promotion is Nov. 30, 2020.

Double Your Points rates

Some Hyatt hotels are offering "Double Your Points" rates as part of this year-long promotion. The offer is valid for stays until Dec. 31, 2020, and you must be a World of Hyatt member before making your reservation to qualify.

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.

IHG

Unlimited double points promotion

Register for this promotion and you can earn double points on every stay between Oct. 1 and Dec. 15, 2020. IHG credit card holders can earn an additional 10,000 points on their first qualifying night during the promotional period. There is no limit to the number of points you could earn through this offer.

Free night certificate after two stays before Jan. 31, 2021

IHG aims to drive enrollment in the IHG Rewards Club program with this promotion for new members. Sign up for an IHG Rewards Club account by Sept. 30, 2020, using this link. Then, stay twice before Jan. 31, 2021, to qualify for an award night worth up to 40,000 points to be used by April 30, 2021.

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

Radisson

5k for Every Stay promotion

Now through the end of the year, Radisson Rewards members can earn 5,000 bonus points for every stay at a Radisson property. Award nights and Points + Cash stays are also eligible.

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.

Wyndham

Earn a free night when you stay twice

Between now and January, Wyndham members can register for this promotion and earn 7,500 bonus points (enough for a one-night award stay). The deadline to register and book a qualifying stay is Jan. 13, 2021, and the stay must be completed by Jan. 18, 2021.

Double points for shopping

Back-to-school shopping got a little more lucrative. When you shop online on the Wyndham Rewards shopping portal through Oct. 15, 2020, you can earn double points at many popular retailers, including Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Gap.

3x points on Budget car rentals

If you rent a car from Budget for three days or longer before the end of this year, you could earn 3x points when you book with your Wyndham Rewards account number. That means you'll earn 300 points per day of your rental. This promotion ends Dec. 31, 2020.

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.

Choice Privileges

50,000 bonus points for staying at Choice all-inclusive resorts

This promotion for Choice's all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean has tons of different perks, depending on how much you spend and which properties you stay at. To earn the 50,000 bonus points, you must book a stay at Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Now Resorts & Spas or Sunscape Resorts & Spas for travel by Dec. 22, 2021. The stay comes with a free room upgrade, a kids stay free promotion and a $200 resort voucher. Some resorts are also offering a free night and a welcome gift. Use the "Free Free Free + 1 Promotion" to book by Nov. 10, 2020.

Stay twice, earn a $50 gift card

Despite the title, with this promotion you actually earn bonus points that you can redeem for a gift card. Register for this promotion and complete two stays between Sept. 21, 2020, and Nov. 15, 2020, to earn enough points for a $50 gift card. Choice Privileges members who meet the requirements will earn at least a total of 8,000 bonus and base points for their stays, which they can redeem for a $50 gift card for a limited time. Usually, a $50 gift card would cost 16,000 points. Members can choose a gift card from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe's and more.

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%.

The bottom line

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 2020, including those best for: