Travel is rebounding and it is time to start thinking of your next vacation. With vaccine rates increasing most people are ready to travel. Even the CDC reports it is now safe for vaccinated individuals to travel. International travel is somewhat safe too! Some hotels are offering stellar deals, but what is better than paying for a hotel room, a free room! If you’re looking for your next escape, consider these promotional offers.
Three Free Nights at Marriott Hotels
Chase is offering new Marriott credit card holders 3 free nights at hotels around the world. Or an equivalent of 105,000 points. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is $95 for the first year, but comes with 3 free nights after spending just $1000 in the first three months. That’s down from the typical requirement of $3,000 of spent.
The Marriot Bonvoy Boundless card also provides 15 elite status nights, which is enough for complimentary silver elite status. Benefits include complimentary wifi, late checkout, and 10% bonus points on Marriott spending. This includes hotel purchase, including on room rate and other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa. In addition, each year on your account anniversary you will earn an additional complimentary night. Easily making up for the $95 annual fee.
In addition, the boundless card earns bonus points too. Card holders will earn at least 17x points on Marriott spending, across all Bonvoy brands. Outside of hotel stays, the card earns 2x points on all purchase.
If you’re not looking for another card with an annual fee. Check out the Bonvoy Bold card. This card comes with 1 free night and no annual fee! The card earns 14x on Marriott spend and 1x point everywhere else. Better yet, both cards have no foreign transaction fees.
Chase and Marriott have been offering other promotions during the last year, offering bonus spend at Grocery stores, gas stations, and other places. If you’re considering getting either of these card, please use my referral link.
150,000 Hilton Points
Hilton doesn’t have an award chart, but instead a variable pricing system. Depending on the hotel standard award nights could range from 5,000 to 95,000 points per night. The higher end and more desirable the property the more expensive it tends to be. I usually can find stays for between 20,000 and 40,000 a night, but it really depends on the season and location. Currently, many hotels are offering discounts, expect to use fewer points. This will change though as more people start booking vacations. Plan ahead to get better deals.
To earn bonus points and free stay, consider these three different offers from American Express.
First, there is the no fee Hilton Honors American Express Card. It currently offers 80,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening. It earns 7x points at Hilton and 5x points on gas, grocery stores and restaurants. I personally keep this no fee card in my pocket for the bonus opportunities.
For a $95 annual fee you can get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. It currently offers 130,000 bonus points. Yet, some people will see a targeted 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. The Surpass earns 12x points at Hilton hotels and 6x points on groceries, and dinning. Plus 3 points everywhere else. The surpass comes with added benefits such as 10 visits to Priority Pass lounges and Gold elite status.
Finally, there’s the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express . This high-end card cost $495 but also earns 150,000 Hilton points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This card earns the most points. You can earn 14x points at Hilton brands and 7x points on travel and dinning. The real kicker is that this card includes Hilton top tier Diamond elite status. Diamond status gets you lounge access, upgrades, late check out and more. Card holders also enjoy one free weekend night with the ability to earn more with additional spend. Finally, there’s a slew of travel benefits such as $250 in airline credits, $100 Hilton credit, and priority pass select membership. Easily making up the cost of the annual fee through credits.
Free Nights Everywhere
If you’re planning for travel for this summer or next fall. Consider these credit card offers. Most of them are higher than usually and require less spend. Free nights are great, but please remember, also spend within your limits. If you paying finance charges, you’re losing the value on these free nights. Spend within your limits and enjoy free hotel nights and expanded benefits with elite status!