5 Ways to Book Free Hotel Rooms

Earning Points Under the Points and Variable Miles earning option, 10 points + 1 airline mile for every dollar spent at Hilton properties Blackout Dates Yes, for lower tiers, but none for Gold and Diamond level members Cashing in One week at the Hilton Barbados costs 280,000 points (equivalent to $28,000 in spending); doubles from $4,165 for a seven-night stay in high season

Earning Points 5 points for every dollar spent at Hyatt hotels; 3 points for stays at AmeriSuites and Hawthorn Suites Blackout Dates No, but hotels have limited rooms for points redemption Cashing in One week at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa=126,000 points ($25,200); doubles from $3,430 for a seven-night stay in high season

Earning Points 2,000 points per stay at InterContinental properties; 5 to 10 points per dollar spent at other InterContinental brands Blackout Dates None Cashing in One week at the Presidente InterContinental Cozumel, Mexico=210,000 points ($21,000, or 11 stays at InterContinental properties); doubles from $3,178 for a seven-night stay in high season

Earning Points 5 or 10 points (rate varies by brand) per dollar spent at Marriott properties Blackout Dates Yes, except with premium Stay Anytime Awards Cashing in One week at Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Ariz.=130,000 points ($13,000); doubles from $3,213 for a seven-night stay in high seasons

Earning Points 2 points for every dollar spent at participating properties; 3 for Gold and Platinum membersBlackout Dates None Cashing in One week at the W Honolulu=60,000 points ($30,000, or $20,000 at Gold and Platinum levels); doubles from $3,640 for a seven-night stay in high season