by Jane Leisteiner

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

Picking up the phone, we called Marriott Rewards with a standard request to earn a free stay. We asked about booking a $209-per-night room at the Marriott Suites, which would get us a total of 627 points per night. In order to compile enough points to get a free night at their lowest level, we would need 7,500 points. That means we would have to spend $2,500, staying about 11.9 nights in order to get that free night reward.

Compare this to earning a free-night stay at bed and breakfasts across the country. And while we’re at it let’s look at a few other additional values. A good bed and breakfast is tough to beat when it comes down to uniqueness, the bang for your buck, and guest pampering. And if you are interested in stretching that travel dollar more, here are a couple things to consider:

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 amount you save, of course, varies depending on the property and room you choose in the free night program. You can save up to $650 and it’s an immediate savings, not something you have to wait for weeks or months to earn.

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

Now that you know you can save more from a bed and breakfast, consider a typical inn and what it provides. For example, look at this California Bed and Breakfast, the Inn at Seventeen Mile drive located in the Monterey Peninsula.

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 an avid traveler and writer. For more informatiabout about California bed and breakfasts or to discover thousands of bed and breakfast inns in the free night program, check out the American Historic Inns website.