Free Night Awards (FNAs) are a hotel lover’s dreeeeaam and one of the top perks offered by certain credit cards and loyalty programs. But while FNAs might sound simple, they come with specific rules and are a bit unique to each hotel brand. Let’s break down how to earn them, the main types of FNAs, and, of course, how to use them for maximum travel value!
What Are Free Night Awards and How Do They Work?
In the world of points and miles, a Free Night Award (often called an FNA) is a reward that lets you book a night at a hotel without paying cash or points. You can earn FNAs primarily through credit card perks, anniversary bonuses, or reaching certain loyalty milestones. Major hotel brands like IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott each offer their version of FNAs, with slightly different rules and restrictions. But the overall concept is the same—you’re getting a free night to use on your next trip!
How to Earn Free Night Awards
There are a few ways to score FNAs, depending on the brand and credit card you have. Here are the top methods:
Credit Card Welcome Offers: Some cards offer FNAs as part of their welcome bonus, so you can earn one by hitting the spending requirement.
Anniversary Bonuses: Many hotel-branded credit cards give you an FNA every year as an anniversary gift, which can be a fantastic ongoing benefit.
Milestone Rewards: By reaching certain thresholds in spending or nights stayed, you might unlock additional FNAs. For example, some loyalty programs award FNAs when you stay 30, 60, or 75 nights in a year.
Special Promotions: Hotels sometimes run promotions where you can earn FNAs just by completing specific tasks, like staying at a certain number of brands within the chain.
The Big Players: How Each Brand’s FNAs Work
IHG
With cards like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you’ll earn an FNA each year that’s redeemable at hotels up to 40,000 points per night. If you find a hotel that costs more than that, IHG offers the option to “top up” with points. For example, if a room is 45,000 points per night, you can still use your 40,000-point FNA and pay the difference with points—great for unlocking even better stays.
Hilton
Hilton FNAs stand out because they can be used at any Hilton property, from budget-friendly spots to ultra-luxury resorts. However, these awards only cover standard rooms, so they’re best used for properties with available standard room options. Hilton’s luxury resorts, like the Conrad Bora Bora and Waldorf Astoria Maldives, often have standard rooms that count, letting you use an FNA for a stay that could otherwise cost over $1,000 per night!
Hyatt
Hyatt’s FNAs are awarded based on hotel categories, so an FNA might be valid at Category 1–4 or even Category 1–7 hotels, depending on how you earned it. For big Hyatt fans, there’s the “Ultimate Free Night” awarded after reaching 150 qualifying nights in a calendar year, which is valid at any Hyatt property. The Hyatt program also includes a Brand Explorer promotion, where you can earn additional FNAs by staying at five different Hyatt brands—talk about perks!
Marriott
Marriott FNAs range from 35,000 to 85,000 points per night. Like IHG, Marriott allows you to top up your FNAs with points, so if a room costs 45,000 points, you can cover that extra 10,000 points and still use your FNA. Marriott also offers a fifth night free on award stays, making FNAs even more valuable when combined with longer stays.
Maximizing the Value of Your Free Night Awards
To get the best bang for your FNA buck, aim to use these awards at properties where the cash price is high. If your FNA has a cap, such as 40,000 points with IHG or 50,000 with Marriott, try booking a room close to that maximum value. Not only do you get a great room at no cost, but you’re also maximizing your award’s potential.
Here are some top tips for maximizing FNAs:
Go High-End: FNAs are perfect for luxury stays. Look for upscale resorts or premium city hotels that would otherwise be out of your budget.
Check for Standard Rooms: Since Hilton FNAs are only valid on standard rooms, find properties where the standard rooms are top-tier. Look at resorts that have standard villa options or suites.
Top Up When Needed: If your award doesn’t cover the entire room price, top up the FNA with points rather than paying fully in cash or points.
Combine for Longer Stays: If you have multiple FNAs, consider using them on consecutive nights at the same property or across properties for a longer vacation.
Why Free Night Awards Are Worth It
FNAs are a key tool for travelers looking to maximize their hotel stays. While they might require a little strategy to use effectively, FNAs open up options for free stays at hotels you’d likely never pay for out of pocket. Whether it’s a luxury beach resort, an iconic city hotel, or a unique boutique property, FNAs offer you the chance to elevate your travel experience without breaking the bank.
