Potential Drawbacks of Complimentary Hotel Stay Vouchers

In the world of travel, free night awards can offer a tantalising prospect for savvy travellers looking to save on accommodation costs. However, these awards come with their own set of rules and limitations that are essential to understand before diving in.

Firstly, it's important to note that some brands impose restrictions on the use of free night awards during popular travel times like the holiday period or peak seasons. This means that even if you have a free night award, you might find it difficult to redeem during these periods.

One example of a high-end hotel where free night awards can be used is the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, a luxury Hilton property. While the hotel can cost over $2,000 a night or 150,000 points per night, its standard award might still be available for redemption with a free night certificate. However, using a free night certificate at such a high-end hotel may not be a practical choice for a short weekend getaway due to travel distance and additional costs for food and drinks.

Hotel points, on the other hand, can be earned in multiple ways after the sign-up bonus, making it easier to put them towards free night stays. Unlike free night certificates, they generally don't have limitations beyond possible expiration.

Free night awards are subject to blackout dates and limitations, making it difficult to use them. For instance, a 50,000-point Marriott free night certificate cannot be refunded if used for a hotel night costing 40,000 points. Similarly, Hilton and Hyatt free night awards can only be used on standard rooms, not deluxe or premium offerings. Using a free night certificate for a hotel night that costs less in points results in no refund of the unused points.

Customer service representatives may not always make exceptions regarding expiration dates of free night awards. Different hotel brands offer varying "award types," which can limit free certificate redemption options. Free night certificates issued by Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott expire 12 months after issuance and cannot be extended.

Despite these challenges, there are strategies to maximise the value of free night awards. For example, applying for hotel credit cards that offer welcome offers of hotel points is more beneficial than those that offer free night certificates for easier point redemption. Hotel credit cards sometimes offer more flexible one-time benefits such as suite upgrade certificates, hotel credits, or special partner rates including free breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and hotel credits instead of free night certificates.

Rita King, a traveler from Warrensburg, Missouri, found herself in a situation where she didn't use her IHG anniversary night certificate due to wanting a great redemption, even for nights at the airport. Using free night certificates might make it feel like you're not getting your money's worth, but with careful planning and understanding of the rules, they can indeed provide significant savings.

In conclusion, while free night awards can offer a way to save on accommodation costs, they come with their own set of rules and limitations. Understanding these and planning ahead can help travellers make the most of their rewards.