Booking hotels using points can be a convenient, cost-effective way to enjoy the perks of travel. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just looking to plan your next trip, here are tips and strategies for using your points to book hotels.
Using the right card
Using the right credit card can mean earning more points that you can redeem on travel.
Some rewards credit cards allow you to earn the same number of points for every dollar you spend. Other cards offer more points for purchases in specific categories, such as flights or hotel stays. Which card is right for you depends on your spending habits and preferences.
Credit cards that let you earn additional points on travel-related purchases and redeem those points to book hotel stays can be a valuable option for frequent travelers.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Credit Card lets you earn points on travel purchases and allow you to redeem those points for travel purchases. Let’s consider a few more details about the benefits.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Credit Card
This card allows you to earn points on bookings like hotels and car rentals while enjoying perks like a $100 annual hotel benefit. You can earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, and get $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, once per year when booking through CitiTravel.com.
Additional benefits include no foreign transaction fees and travel protections, making the Strata Premier a versatile option for frequent travelers.
Using points to book
Once you’ve earned points with your credit card, redeeming them to book hotel stays can be simple. Some credit card issuers, like Citi, offer travel portals where you can apply your points toward bookings.
Citi credit cardholders with a card that earns ThankYou Points can use the Citi Travel portal to book hotels and more. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to use your points on hotels:
- Log into your account: Log in at cititravel.com
- Search for hotels: Use the travel portal to explore hotels in your desired location
- Select and proceed to checkout: Add your chosen hotel to your cart
- Choose to pay with points: During checkout, select the option to use your points. If you don’t have enough points, you may have the option to split the cost between points and cash.
Once your booking is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can also redeem points to book hotel stays by calling the Citi Travel Service Center.
Tips for booking hotels using points
You can take these additional tips into account when booking with points:
- Be flexible with dates: Traveling during off-peak times could help you use fewer points for your stay
- Look for bonus opportunities: Watch for promotions or limited-time offers to earn extra points on certain bookings
- Book in advance: Secure your stay by redeeming points early, especially for popular destinations
- Explore redemption options: Consider using points for upgrades or amenities
Earning points
Earning points for hotel stays can be straightforward when using a rewards credit card. Remember that you may be able to earn more points by booking through a travel portal like Citi Travel. Understanding how your credit card’s rewards program works can help you earn more points that you can redeem on travel.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
