Travel hack: The right way to spend hotel points for maximum perks

Accruing hotel loyalty points is easy to do, whether you’re a frequent traveller or use hotel-branded credit cards. But when it comes time to decide where to use them, there is a right and a wrong way. These do’s and don’ts can help you maximise their value, stretching those points for better, longer and more stays.

 

Booking a hotel with cash is occasionally cheaper than with points, and the only way to know is if you run the numbers. Divide the cost in dollars by the number of points you’re being charged for the rate. If the redemption gets half a cent per point or more, you’re getting a decent value and are good to go. If not, save your points for another occasion.

 

Another calculation to explore: the value of your points if you pay for your room with a combination of points and cash. It’s not intuitive, but you may get a better exchange rate for your loyalty currency this way.

 

Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy both offer a fifth night free when you book with points—as a way to encourage guests to book for more than just a weekend and help fill the hotel on less-busy days. There are similar perks for people with IHG One Rewards and Aeroplan co-branded credit cards: Those programs offer a fourth night free when you book with points through their hotel reservation platforms.