5 reasons we prefer hotel points over free night certificates
Editor's Note
When you sign up for a new hotel credit card, you may be eligible for a sign-up bonus. These sign-up bonuses often consist of a set number of points when you spend a specific amount within a specified time frame. However, occasionally, you may see sign-up bonuses that offer a set number of free nights when you meet specific minimum spending requirements on your new credit card.
Some travelers prefer a sign-up bonus of free night certificates. We prefer to earn hotel points when we sign up for a new card and meet the minimum spending requirements. Here's why.
Free night certificates are worth just 1 night
A free night certificate is what it sounds like: a free night. You'll only get one hotel night for each free night certificate. You need four free night certificates to stay somewhere for four nights.
On the flip side, you can use points for as many nights as you can stretch them into. If you have 35,000 points in your Marriott Bonvoy account and a free night award worth up to 35,000 points, you could redeem either for one night in a room that costs 35,000 points per night.
However, if you find a hotel across the street that costs just 17,500 Marriott points per night, you could use your points for two nights. Meanwhile, your up to 35,000-point free night award would only give you one free night.
Related: 7 of the best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night
Free night certificates expire sooner
Nearly every airline and hotel program has a points expiration policy. Those whose points never expire are in the minority. However, many programs with expiration policies have a way to extend the life of your points. This could be as simple as earning or redeeming some points in your account or using a cobranded credit card from that program. Thus, you can keep your points for the future if you're not ready to use them now.
On the flip side, free night certificates almost always have expiration dates that usually can't be extended. Many free night certificates expire one year after they are earned, but some expire just six months after you earn them.
This means your free night certificates will almost certainly expire before your points. As such, you may feel pressure to redeem the free nights in your account, even if it's not a very good redemption.
Related: How to get your points and miles back after they expire
Free night certificates are designed for breakage
"Breakage" is a term that refers to benefits designed not to be redeemed for their full value, padding the profits of whoever issues those benefits.
A perfect example of this type of benefit is your monthly Uber credits from American Express. Could these credits be offered as an annual lump sum? Certainly — and it would be much easier for consumers to use the full value of this perk. However, doling the credits out monthly means consumers are less likely to remember to use the funds, less likely to use the full amount and more likely to spend past the free amount.
Free night certificates work similarly. Some people will work hard to maximize their free night certificates, seeking out as much value from them as possible during each redemption. However, most people do not do this.
Many will redeem a free night certificate for less than its full value because it's available, because it's expiring soon or because there aren't any properties available on the desired dates that cost the full value of the certificate. Thus, free night certificates are often redeemed for less than their full value, creating "breakage" that helps loyalty program profits.
Related: When you should redeem free night certificates instead of hotel points
Extra free night perks only apply to points
Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards have a perk where you can get a free night when paying with points for a stay of four or five nights.
With Marriott, you get the least expensive night comped when redeeming points for a stay of five nights or longer. With IHG's fourth night reward, select IHG cardholders pay zero points for every fourth night when redeeming IHG points for a stay of four nights or longer. Also, Hilton deducts the cost of one night from the average cost of five award nights when Hilton elite members redeem Hilton points for a stay of five nights or more.
Unfortunately, these policies don't apply to free night redemptions. You cannot use multiple free night certificates and then receive an extra free night added to your stay.
Related: How to maximize longer hotel stays by using a free night benefit
Points are more flexible
Hotel points are more flexible than free night certificates given that they are less likely to expire, can be used however you see fit and can garner a free night added to your stay with some programs. These are the reasons why we prefer earning points instead of free night certificates as a sign-up bonus.
If you want to stay at a top-end property that costs 50,000 points per night, you can spend 50,000 points to stay there. You could just as easily stay there for a night with a free night certificate worth at least 50,000 points. However, if you want to stretch your points, you could stay at a hotel that costs less than 10,000 points per night. This lets you use your same 50,000 points to pay for five nights — possibly more if that hotel program has a perk where you'll get a fourth or fifth night free when redeeming points.
Sadly, you cannot stretch your free night certificates to be worth more than just one night each.
Example bookings where points go further
To drive home the point, let's look at some recent redemptions we've made where points go further than free night certificates.
Ryan's examples
I love Mexico City, and the Centro Historico is where you should stay on your next trip. If you have a Hilton Amex free night certificate (valid at nearly any Hilton property worldwide), you could redeem it for one night at any of these three properties. You'd likely choose the most expensive option when doing so.
However, paying with points is a different story. If you have 50,000 points, you could get one night at Umbral or the Reforma property. With those same 50,000 points, you could stay two nights at the Hampton Inn & Suites property, which I love due to its great staff and amazing interior.
The same concept applies to your next visit to Shanghai. Consider these two hotels, which are separated by just three subway stops. It takes five minutes to get from one property to the other. If you have a free night certificate with Hyatt, you could spend one night at either property. Points are a different story, though. With the 15,000 points required to stay at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on the sample night we searched, you could spend three nights at the UrCove Shanghai Lujiazui Expo hotel instead.
Katie's examples
Kuala Lumpur is a city where you can stay at luxury hotels for relatively cheap. Consider the following example in which I could redeem an up to 40,000 point free night award for one night at the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur or Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown. Alternatively, I could redeem 40,000 points for a night at the St. Regis or at least six nights at the Four Points.
Or let's assume I wanted to redeem IHG points for a stay in Phuket, Thailand. I could redeem an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points for one night at any of these three properties. But I could redeem 40,000 points for two to three nights at these hotels.
That's the value of points instead of certificates: You can use the points as you see fit, opting for fewer nights at more expensive properties or more nights at less expensive properties.
Bottom line
We'll choose points over free night certificates any day of the week. Points last longer, are more versatile and can be stretched into more than one free night at a hotel.
The next time you see a credit card offering "free nights" as its sign-up bonus, remember that there are limitations to what you can do with these free night certificates. If you prefer earning points instead of free night certificates like us, consider waiting for an offer to earn points to return before signing up for a new card.
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.