Hotels

Earn Rewards at Bed and Breakfast – Faster Than Top Hotels

Story Published on June 10, 2008 ⋅  Email this Story ⋅  Print this Story ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

There’s a better way for guests to earn rewards and free nights than trying to earn points at hotel chains. Make a few phone calls and here are the kind of numbers you can expect:

Rewarded 10 Times Faster than at Marriott

We called Marriott Rewards and created a scenario of what it would take to get a reward. If we stayed at Marriott Suites in a $209 room type we would generate 627 points. It takes 7,500 points to get a free night at the lowest level on the 7 levels of Marriott properties. So at the rate of 627 points per night it would take us approximately 11.9 nights at $209 per night resulting in an expense of $2,500 to get one night free.

Now we’ll check how travelers can earn a free stay at B&Bs nationwide, in addition to a few other B&B-related values. Bed and breakfasts are hard to beat when it comes to unique lodging, hospitality and what you can get for your hard-earned dollar. If you are interested in making your money work better for you, take into consideration a couple of items:

Right now you can get a free night at any one of 1,560 bed and breakfast inns when you purchase the first night at the regular rate. Why do the do this? Simple. B&Bs and country inns are smaller than your average hotel and they have smaller advertising spends. By offer a free night during certain times of the year, they can incent guests and earn additional exposure for their property.

The Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program from iLoveInns.com can save an average of $140 savings on a two-night stay. It far surpasses hotel chains that require you to stay 10 or more nights to get one night free, or properties that offer you $25 and $50 gas coupons.

The Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free reward gives you an immediate free night for only one night’s expense. The savings can be up to $650 depending on the B&B you choose.

You can save even more when you take into consideration your meal expense. The bed and breakfast, after all, comes with breakfast. But many inns also take it a step further an offer various free business services and such items as free drinks or snacks (and not with a mini-bar price).

Memories and Dollars: More From A Bed and Breakfast Stay

Understanding that you can stretch your dollar further at a bed and breakfast, let’s look at a California bed and breakfast, this Craftsman-style B&B in the heart of Monterey Peninsula — the Inn at Seventeen Mile Drive.

With redwoods surrounding the cottage and chalet rooms, the Inn at Seventeen Mile Drive offers a tough-to-beat setting. The two-story bed and breakfast offers views of the sea or garden. Guest can enjoy the spa underneath the tall trees and set in the gardens frequented by deer or take some champagne near the fountain ponds and the Koi. Using the free-night stay, travelers can save from $145-$290 at this magnificent property.

A stellar experience to go with a great savings. So, take a look at options like that California bed and breakfast and the more than 1,500 other inns in the free-night program the next time you are looking to earn rewards.

About the Author:

Jane Leisteiner is a frequent traveler and writer. For additiaboutal info about California bed and breakfasts or to find thousands of bed and breakfast inns in the free night program, check out the American Historic Inns website.

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