Maximize Your Hotel Stays: The Power of Points Stacking
At RewardSmart, we're always looking for clever ways to help you squeeze every last bit of value from your credit card rewards. One often-overlooked strategy is points stacking, combining different rewards programs to earn multiple benefits from a single transaction. Today, we're diving into a lesser-known, but potentially lucrative, technique involving Rove Miles and hotel loyalty programs.
The Rove Miles + Hotel Points Hack
The traditional thinking is that you can only earn rewards from one source per purchase. However, a recent discovery reveals a loophole: when redeeming Rove Miles for what the hotel considers a "paid stay" eligible for earning loyalty points, you might just be able to double-dip. This means you get to use your Rove Miles and earn hotel points and elite night credits towards your hotel loyalty status.
This isn't always the case, and it hinges on the hotel chain recognizing your stay as eligible for earning points, despite using Rove Miles to cover the cost.
How to Make it Work: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Identify Eligible Hotels: Not all hotels participate in this loophole. Start by contacting the hotel directly or checking the specific terms and conditions of your Rove Miles redemption to confirm that you'll earn hotel points and elite night credits for using Rove Miles for your stay. Be prepared to speak with multiple representatives, as some may not be fully aware of the policy.
- Book Strategically: Book directly through the hotel's website after finding available inventory through Rove Miles. This can help ensure your stay is recognized as eligible for points accrual. If booking over the phone, explicitly ask the representative to link your hotel loyalty number to the reservation.
- Present Your Loyalty Card at Check-In: Always present your hotel loyalty card at check-in. Politely confirm with the front desk that your loyalty number is associated with the reservation and that you expect to earn points and elite night credit.
- Monitor Your Account: After your stay, carefully monitor your hotel loyalty account to ensure the points and elite night credit have been properly credited. If not, contact the hotel's loyalty program customer service to request an adjustment. Keep records of your booking confirmation and Rove Miles redemption details.
Potential Value and Considerations
The value of this strategy depends on the specific hotel loyalty program and your ability to maximize your hotel points. Earning elite night credits can accelerate your path to higher status tiers, unlocking perks like free upgrades, breakfast, and lounge access. Before redeeming Rove Miles, compare the cost in miles to the cash price of the hotel room and the potential value of the hotel points and elite night credits you could earn. Factor in any taxes and fees associated with the Rove Miles redemption.
RewardSmart Recommendation
While this points-stacking strategy isn't guaranteed, it's worth investigating if you're a frequent traveler with Rove Miles and hotel loyalty memberships. Always confirm eligibility with the hotel before booking, and be prepared to advocate for yourself if the points don't post automatically. By being proactive and informed, you can potentially unlock significant additional value from your rewards programs.