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Travelers trying to stretch their dollar farther can earn free-night stays faster at a bed and breakfast. We put this to the test:

10 Times Better than Marriott Rewards

We called Marriott Rewards and created a scenario of what it would take to get a reward. If we stayed at Marriott Suites in a $209 room type we would generate 627 points. It takes 7,500 points to get a free night at the lowest level on the 7 levels of Marriott properties. So at the rate of 627 points per night it would take us approximately 11.9 nights at $209 per night resulting in an expense of $2,500 to get one night free.

Now we’ll check how travelers can earn a free stay at B&Bs nationwide, in addition to a few other B&B-related values. Bed and breakfasts are hard to beat when it comes to unique lodging, hospitality and what you can get for your hard-earned dollar. If you are interested in making your money work better for you, take into consideration a couple of items:

Across the nation, more than 1,500 B&B inns will give guests a free second-night stay with the purchase of the first night. They do this for a simple reason. They want exposure for their property. The typical bed and breakfast doesn’t have the large advertising budget that a standard hotel does. So, they look to earn word-of-mouth exposure and added promotion through this popular program.

The Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program from iLoveInns.com can save an average of $140 savings on a two-night stay. It far surpasses hotel chains that require you to stay 10 or more nights to get one night free, or properties that offer you $25 and $50 gas coupons.

Depending on the individual bed and breakfast or country inn, a traveler can save as much as $650. Plus, the buy-one-get-one promotion is an immediate reward.

Let’s look at some of the additional savings. When you consider meal expense, don’t overlook that the price of a bed and breakfast includes the breakfast. Additionally, inns will often offer a variety of benefits, including services for business travelers and a variety of snacks and goodies.

Get More For Your Dollar and More From Your Travel Experience With a Bed and Breakfast

Understanding that you can stretch your dollar further at a bed and breakfast, let’s look at a California bed and breakfast, this Craftsman-style B&B in the heart of Monterey Peninsula — the Inn at Seventeen Mile Drive.

Choose from rooms with views of the sea or garden in the main house of this three-building bed and breakfast. Or, enjoy the oak and redwoods in the chalet and cottage rooms. Unwind in the spa beneath the towering trees or the gardens whose guests also include the occasional deer and monarch butterfly. Maybe sip some champagne near the fountains and koi ponds. With the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, guests will save anywhere from $145 to $290 at this lovely property.

A great value to go with a great experience. So, next time you are looking to compile some free-night stay rewards consider an alternative to the hotel chains. It’s a tremendous value.

Last 5 posts by Jane Leisteiner

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Tags: Hotels