"This is a little random--but do you guys have any tips or tricks on booking hotels in NYC? Unfortunately, i'm still in the paying off my credit card debt stages in terms of point earning and cannot even qualify for a card with free nights, etc (probably a bad idea even if I did). I was just wondering since DC is so close and thought maybe you'd have ideas. Thanks! -c"I haven't responded to this comment, because I didn't have an answer to the question. Credit cards are the easiest way to get free nights:
- Chase Hyatt Visa = 2 Free Nights At Any NYC Hotel
- Chase Marriott = 50,000 or 60,000 Points = 1 Free Nights At Any NYC Hotel
- Citi Hilton HHonors = 2 Free Weekend Nights At Most NYC Hotel
- Chase IHG Visa = 60,000 Points = 1 or 2 Free Nights At Any NYC Hotel
- Starwoood AMEX = 25,000 Points = 1 or 2 Free Nights At Any NYC Hotel
Like the reader states in the comment, not everyone is able to earn points via credit cards. "C" is doing the right thing by paying off credit card debt before applying for more credit cards in the name of points. No number of points or miles is worth damaging your credit score.
So, we are all back to square one? How do we earn points to trade for free nights in New York City?
My first thought was participating in Marriott's Unexpected Bonus or Mega Bonus.
Stay twice at any Marriott hotel, earn a free night at any category 1-5 hotel. I completed a $50 mattress run to earn my free night. Sounds like a great way to stay for free in New York, right? However, all of the hotels in New York City proper are category 7 and above. Therefore, MegaBonus free nights can't be used. However, there are a few Marriott's located near the City that are category 5, thus the free nights could be used there.
My next thought was IHG's The Big Win, which I wrote about here. Complete stays at IHG hotels like Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, Intercontinental and earn from 50,000 to 150,000 points. IHG points can be turned into free nights a multiple of ways:
- All Points
- Cash & Points
- PointBreaks (5,000 a Night Hotels)
- Flash Sales for points
50,000 points will get you a $450 a night room at the Intercontinental on a Friday night. Pay $40 and the amount of points drops to 45,000. Pay $30 more ($70 total) and you only need 40,000 points for that night.
If you don't have any stays at IHG branded hotels, the only way to succeed is to complete mattress runs. Mattress runs are throwing money out the door. Money the could be used to pay down credit card debt.
Again, I am back at zero. My last idea is to think small. Companies like eRewards, eMiles, Dining Rewards have options to transfer points at hotels. You won't earn a ton of points from these options, but its a start.
As I have stated before, small steady will help you win the marathon. The points game is a marathon, not a race.
Do you have any suggestions for reader "C"?
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