Even if you’re new to the points and miles game, you’ve probably heard the term “mileage run.” Mileage is when a traveler takes a flight (or series of flights) to earn rewards or special flight status.
A mattress run is like a mile run. But instead of taking one or more flights as you would in a mile run, a mattress run involves spending one or more nights in hotels to earn prizes or special hotel status. So, here’s what you need to know about mattress toppers and when you might want to go with them.
What is mattress running?
A mattress run is when you book and pay for a hotel room you don’t need in order to earn rewards or qualify for hotel status. This idea may sound funny, but the cost of staying may be far less than the value of the rewards and other benefits you can get for staying.
In its pure form, you may not even use the room you booked to run the mattress. Instead, you enter and leave the site. But, as we discuss in this article, there are many reasons you might want to stay in the room you book.
Related: Last minute tips for closing a hotel room before the end of the year
The mattress is running for top position
If you’re just a few stays or nights short of a given hotel’s status level, it may make sense to use a mattress as the end of the year approaches and your window to qualify for a higher status closes. After all, hotel loyalty programs offer all kinds of valuable benefits for elite members.
For example, you may be close to earning Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. If you’ll have 48 qualifying nights by the end of 2024 based on your stay booked now, you’ll need just two more nights to earn Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status offers many useful benefits, including breakfast at most Marriott properties, late check-out at 4pm and lounge access. In this case, a two-night stay at a Marriott near your home before the end of the year may be worth the cost.
Keep in mind that many credit cards offer special status (or the ability to earn a higher rate by spending money) as a benefit. Therefore, completing a mattress run is not the only way to reach a high level. For example, i Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers free Platinum Elite status, and the World of Hyatt Credit Card lets you earn two qualifying night credits for every $5,000 in purchases each calendar year.
Related: When does your elite hotel status expire?
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Mattress racing to get points
You might consider mattress runs to earn points, especially during lucrative hotel promotions. However, make sure that the number of points you will earn is much higher than the cost of your stay.
For example, Choice Rights occasionally offers a promotion where you can earn at least 8,000 Choice Points for two stays. Therefore, if you have stayed at a Choice Hotels property once during the promotion period, you may be required to redeem another stay in order to receive bonus points.
However, buying points (preferably during a sale) or transferring points is often more beneficial if you need more rewards for future bookings. The rewards you’ll get from running a mattress won’t match the cost.
Related: How and why you should maximize your hotel stays by using multiple loyalty programs
Another mattress consideration
This analysis covers only part of the decision-making process regarding mattress running. Before booking, you should consider a few other things.
Additional out-of-pocket costs
To complete the mattress run, you usually have to pay for something other than the room rate. If you are driving to your hotel, this may be fuel for your car. Or it could be extra food that you wouldn’t pay for at home. You may also want to respond in your own time.
Turning a mattress into a vacation
You may want to turn your mattress into a real vacation for yourself, your family or your friends. After all, it’s easier to justify an extra hotel stay if you can get more value than earning the nights or rewards you want.
You will probably need to check in and stay
Hotel loyalty programs generally will not award points or premium credits to confirmed guests who do not show, even if the stay is prepaid. As such, you will usually need to enter the area.
Even guests who have literally checked in occasionally experience issues with mattress leaks. You’ll find notes on many hotel loyalty program terms and conditions that state you must physically stay at the property to stay in order to qualify. For example, the World of Hyatt terms and conditions state, “Members must actually check-in and complete a stay with their Point Property reservation to earn points. No points will be awarded for any non-refundable payments, cancellation fees, or no-show fees paid by the Member for unused reservations.” .”
Therefore, in order to avoid problems and ensure your nightly postings and rewards are as expected, you will want to make it clear that you have checked in, used your reservation and completed your stay. This gives you an extra incentive to make a staycation or vacation without running on your mattress.
Related: Breakfast, upgrades and more: 9 TPG employees reveal their special-occasion favorites
Bottom line
Mattress runs can be an effective strategy to use a promotion or earn extra credits in a special situation. Especially if you can convert the mattress into a residence or vacation, it might be worth doing.
However, remember that there are many other options besides mattress performance. For more tips on how to earn elite status at the last minute with your favorite hotel loyalty program, check out the following stories:
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