If you are new to the points and miles game, you will most likely hear the term mileage run. A mileage run is when a traveler takes a flight in order to earn miles.
As the end of your qualification period nears, mileage runs can help you earn airline elite status.
The hotel equivalent of mileage runs is called a mattress run. I'll talk about what they are and what to think about when you decide to do a mattress run.
There is a brief overview of a mattress run. A mattress run is when you book and pay for a hotel room that you otherwise wouldn't need to earn rewards or become a hotel elite.
It is thought that the cost of the stay is offset by the benefits of earning points. They argue that you don't use the room in a mattress run. You check in and then leave.
It's a mattress run if you wouldn't have booked the stay if you weren't earning points or elite nights.
It makes sense to complete a mattress run.
Is hotel elite status still worth it?
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The value of hotel elite status is analyzed in a series of posts every year. There is value to be found at each tier, even if you want to get top-tier status.
As the end of the year approaches and your window to qualify for elite status closes, it may be a good idea to find an inexpensive room as soon as possible.
There is a huge jump between tiers in each of the hotels' valuations. If you spend a few hundred dollars to get higher status, you may get more than that in return for the entire year. Valuable perks for elite members of hotel loyalty programs include free breakfast, suite upgrades and better point earning structures.
You could be close to earning Marriott Bonvoy TitaniumElite status. If you have 73 elite nights at the end of 2022, you only need two more to become Titanium Elite. You can choose five elite night credits as your 50 night benefit to increase your nights to 78. You can book a two-night stay at the Marriott hotel near your house.
Many credit cards give elite status, or the ability to earn elite status, as a perk. There are other ways to reach a higher tier. Platinum Elite status is offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card. The ability to earn Diamond status through the end of the next year through spending on your card is included in the complimentary Gold status.
Which hotels count awards towards elite status?
If you're short of the required points for an award redemption, a mattress run to earn the remaining balance could be a good idea.
If you earn points that will lead to an award night that will save you $500, then spending $100 for an unnecessary stay is a good deal. If you fear that award availability will disappear or award pricing will increase before you can earn the points you need through traditional methods, this is even more true.
You might have better options if you book a mattress run before earning points.
It wouldn't make sense to book a mattress run just to get points.
How many points will I get for staying in a hotel? The brands are compared.
It would be foolish to book a mattress run for points alone. It makes sense if a program offers a lucrative bonus for nights or stays.
There is a promotion where you can earn at least 8,000 Choice points for every two stays. If you earn bonus points and double elite night credit, you'll be in a better position to be a member of the elite club.
Many promotions require you to register before you can stay. Before you book a mattress run, read the terms carefully.
The promotions will make your hotel stay more enjoyable.
Part of the decision making process is captured in this analysis. Before you make a booking, you should consider other factors.
In order to complete a mattress run, you have to spend something. This could be gas for your car if you drive to your hotel. You wouldn't have paid for it at home. You need to account for your time as well.
Most of the story is based on the assumption that the stay is a true mattress run and only earned points or status credit.
If you can turn a mattress into an actual vacation for you, your family or your friends, things will be different. If you can get some additional value out of the hotel stay, it is easier to justify it.
I like to mix staycations with concerts and sports games so I don't have to fight traffic late in the day. It will be more fun even if it isn't ideal economically.
Hotel loyalty programs won't give points or status credits to guests who don't show up
I have had hotels give me credit for not showing up. Booking and paying for a reservation won't suffice. You will need to check in at the property to get points and credit. You can try to check in via the program's mobile app, but it's not always possible.
Guests who have been checked in sometimes face issues on the mattress. In most hotel loyalty program terms and conditions, you have to physically stay at a property for a stay to be elite-qualifier. Hyatt has terms and conditions.
The Member must actually check-in and complete the stay for his or her reservation at a Point Property to earn points. No points will be awarded for any non-refundable prepaid fees, cancellation fees, or no-show fees paid by a Member for a reservation that (s)he did not actually use.
To make it clear that you used your reservation and completed your stay, you may want to make sure that you checked in. Another reason to take a trip out of your house.
A mattress run can be used to take advantage of a promotion or earn more credits. It might be worth it if you can convert a mattress run into a vacation.
There are many other options. You can open a new credit card that will give you elite status. You could top off your account by buying points or transferring them.
The additional reporting was done by Ehsan.
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