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Hotel Tonight Wants to Help You Escape

June 12, 2015
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2 min read
hotel tonight escape
Hotel Tonight Wants to Help You Escape
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Hotel Tonight, the app that helps you find last-minute low prices on hotel rooms, has added an "Escape" feature designed to inspire busy people to make a last-minute getaway. Suddenly find you have a free couple of days? Poke around on Hotel Tonight’s Escape page to see if there’s a property within a few hours’ drive that's offered at a low rate, book through the iOS app and you’re off.

Until now, Hotel Tonight could only show you which hotels at one chosen location could be reserved for discounted prices, up to seven days in advance. Escape now adds a globe icon at the bottom of the screen that, when tapped, will show you available deals at hotels in popular destinations near your area. (Tapping not your thing? Simply swipe right when you open the app.)

In addition to Escape, Hotel Tonight has also improved its super-low-cost GeoRates, which are displayed after 12pm for same-day bookings when you’re near a hotel or at travel hubs such as airports or train stations.

From northeast Los Angeles, for instance, the first Escape choices were Palm Springs, Monterey and Mammoth Lakes, all reached within a few hours by car. Tap one of the locations, and the app brings you to a list of hotels there, along with their average discount prices.

In a comparison test, using a AAA discount for a King Room at the Riviera Palm Springs is $639.03 for two nights (plus taxes and fees) — still higher than Hotel Tonight’s Escape rate of $604.

On the left, Riveria Palm Springs's AAA rate of $639.03 for two nights is still more than Hotel Tonight's $604.

Hotel Tonight’s rate of $691 for two nights (plus taxes and fees) at the Paradox Hotel in Santa Cruz was also lower than the hotel's own quote of $712.59.

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On the left, Paradox's own rate of $712.59 for two nights vs. Hotel Tonight's $691 at the same hotel.

If this is your first time using Hotel Tonight, know that you can get a $25 credit using the promo code BKELLY99 — and we hope you have a great time on your last-minute getaway.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.