Hotel Summer Promos Roundup
The major hotel chains have started their summer promos already, so I thought I’d compile one big post with all of them so you can compare and contrast, and earn the most points for your upcoming summer travel.
138,000 Club Carlson Gold Points
As we reported on yesterday, on Tuesday, May 15, Club Carlson is launching its “Big Nights” promos for Radisson/Radisson Blu (50,000 points), Country Inn & Suites (44,000 points) and Park Inn by Radisson (44,000 points) with the possibility of earning over 138,000 Gold Points total if you register for all three and complete a stay of at least one night within each family of properties anywhere in the world by July 15, 2012. Not a bad haul if you find some cheap rooms—especially since you can use those points to stay for free at some of the more expensive properties like European Radisson Blus. Have a look at yesterday’s post for all the details.
Hilton Q2 Double Points or Points and Miles
Hilton hasn’t released details of a new promo yet, but its Q2 Double Points or Miles and Points promotion is still going on through June 30, 2012.
Between April 1-June 30, 2012, you can earn double points on all stays, and if you earn miles through double-dipping, you can opt to earn double miles instead.
Before you can start earning double points, you must register here, and you must choose at the time of registration whether you want double points or double miles.
The base earning for Hilton is:
- HHonors Points and Variable Miles
Earn 10 HHonors Base points + 1 airline mile per eligible U.S. dollar spent* (except 5 HHonors Base Points and up to 100 miles per stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton) - HHonors Points and Fixed Miles
Earn 10 HHonors Base points per eligible U.S. dollar spent + 500 miles per stay (100 miles per stay at Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Homewood Suites by Hilton.*) (not a valid earning option with Home2 Suites by Hilton) - HHonors Points and HHonors Points
Earn 10 HHonors Base points + 5 bonus points per eligible U.S. dollar spent (except 5 HHonors Base Points +2.5 Bonus Points at Home2 Suites by Hilton)
As usual, there is a lengthy list of non-participating properties, mostly in the US and mostly in the Hampton Inn, Homewood and Hilton Garden Inn categories, and you can find the list of participating airlines here.
Hyatt 5X Airline Miles
Whereas most of the summer hotel promos include points bonuses, Hyatt is actually offering airline mileage bonuses on stays. Personally, I find hotel points to be a lot more valuable, especially when traveling abroad where foreign exchange rates can vary a lot and drive up the price of travel. However, here are the terms of Hyatt’s promo:
Between May 1, 2012, and August 31, 2012, you can get up to 5x airline miles with 12 airline partners on up to 11 hotel stays. If you choose airline miles you normally get 500 points, so with this promotion you can get up to 2,500 per stay and you can choose to earn with different airline partners throughout the promotion.
The maximum haul from this promo is 24,500 airline miles, which doesn’t really get me too excited. I’d much rather see an option to earn 2/3/4/5x Hyatt points.
Here’s the breakdown of how it works:
1 stay = regular base miles (500)
2-3 stays = 4x miles (500 base + 1,500 bonus)
4-11 stays (the max) = (500 + 2,000 bonus)
That means you could earn up to 24,500 miles total with 11 stays. This is best for folks who do a lot of short (one-night, two-night) stays and rack up the miles that way.
Here are links to all the participating airlines:
Air China
American
ANA Mileage Club
British Airways Executive Club
China Eastern
Delta
Etihad Guest
Flying Blue-Air France/KLM
Lufthansa Miles & More
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
United Airlines Mileage Plu
Register between May 1, 2012 and August 31, 2012 (“Promotion Period”), you can register for Promotion via hyatt.com or by calling 1-800-228-3360 and requesting enrollment code AA12S. You must register in advance for stays to qualify. Stays completed before registration are not eligible. You only need to register once. You may only register for this Promotion once (regardless of the airline partner). If you register for this Promotion for more than one airline loyalty program, you will only earn the Additional miles set forth above under the Promotion for the airline loyalty program that you provided at check-in during your first Eligible Stay during the Promotion Period.
Marriott Three Free Nights (Note: they specialize offers for each member, so what you have in your Marriott.com account may vary)
Marriott Rewards members can earn up to three free nights with the Marriott Rewards Summer Bonus promo. To earn the free nights, you must register by June 30, 2012. Then when you stay twice at any participating hotel between June 1 and August 31, you earn one free night certificate after every second paid stay, up to three free nights at a Category 1-4 properties to be used within one year after the date of issuance.
Offer valid at participating hotels within the following participating brands, including JW Marriott, EDITION, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Marriott Vacation Club, as well as Ritz-Carlton.
Unfortunately, another underwhelming promotion. But thinking strategically, if you had some hotel stays coming up anyway, you could suck it up and spend six nights in various Category 1 properties like TownePlace Suites in Denver, where rooms are about $100 a night, then you could turn around and get three free nights in a Category 4 property like JW Marriott Beijing, where rooms start at around $250. So you’ve spent $600 (hopefully that you were going to anyway), and you’ve gotten $750 worth of value in exchange. This will take some strategic planning, though!
Up to 20,000 Bonus Priority Club Points
Running from June 1 – September 3, 2012, Priority Club members can earn 1,000 bonus points for every qualifying night up to a total of 20,000 bonus points, which is enough for a one-night stay at a Candlewood Suites or Staybridge Suites hotel, and two nights at some Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express locations.
To sign up, become a fan of Priority Club Rewards on Facebook and register for the promotion starting Monday, May 14 (which also means you can begin earning bonus points two weeks prior to the official launch on June 1). Members who are not on Facebook (or don’t want to register with Priority Club’s page) can simply register for the promotion at this link (beginning June 1).
Then to be sure you qualify for the bonus points, each time you make a reservation, log in to Priority Club with your Reward number and book online at any of the IHG web sites. That way you’ll also receive an extra 250 bonus points per stay. So theoretically if you stayed 20 single nights and booked online each time, you could earn a total of 25,000 Priority Club points.
Am I blown away by this offer? Not at all—especially considering the points bonanza Carlson is offering, and even some of the offers with SPG’s admittedly confusing “Nice Choices” promo.
Starwood Preferred Guest “Nice Choice”
SPG launched its “Nice Choice” promo back on May 1 and it runs through September 30, 2012. I you haven’t done so already, register your SPG number for the promotion at this SPG page by June 30, 2012.
You must choose an earning period from the following (you can only choose one):
Period 1: May 1-July 31
Period 2: June 1-August 31
Period 3: July 1-September 30
Next, you choose the type of bonus you want to earn from the following and which option within each of those categories, and again, you can only choose one of each:
Starpoints
-Earn double Starpoints beginning with your second stay, no limits.
-Every 6 paid nights (they don’t have to be consecutive), get 3,000 Starpoints up to a max of 9,000
-Earn 500 bonus Starpoints per eligible paid night at Sheratons worldwide (no limits). Online bookings only.
-Stay 15 nights, get triple Starpoints on all stays retroactively. No limits.
Free Night and Redemption Awards
-Stay 10 nights get 1 free weekend night at a Category 1-5 property, maximum 2 award nights.
-Stay 20 nights and get 25% off a free night redemption at a Category 1-5 property for up to a 5-night stay, maximum 2 awards.
Merchandise Discounts
-Stay 4 nights, get a $50 SPG award certificate, maximum 3 certificates.
-Stay 4 nights, get a $50 or 50-euro Westin At Home Collection discount code, maximum 3 codes.
-Stay 4 nights, get a $50 or 50-euro Sheraton At Home discount code, maximum 3 codes.
Elite Night Credit
-Stay 5 nights, earn 1 bonus Elite Qualifying Night, maximum 3 bonus nights.
-Stay 10 nights, earn 3 bonus Elite Qualifying Nights, maximum 6 bonus nights.
Analysis
This promo is okay for the casual guest since 7/11 options are for people who stay 6 nights or less. As a road warrior, I’ll probably just select the triple points option (which is currently the #1 choice on the SPG site), though its not particularly earth-shattering, though I am very happy that all SPG properties are participating in the promotion.
While this isn’t the best promotion SPG has ever created, take a moment to figure out your summer travel plans and register for the period that makes the most sense for you, and register, because not participating would be a waste of potential, and you might as well try to get something out of this.
[card card-name='Citi® Hilton HHonorsTM Visa Signature® Card' card-id='22145753' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.