Opinion: What Is a Mattress Run & Is It Worth It?
If you're a frequent traveler, achieving elite status can offer some significant benefits that can make your trips much more enjoyable. Airlines may allow you to check in extra luggage without additional costs, as well as provide you the option to select preferred, more spacious seating. While staying at hotels, being an elite member often involves receiving an extra perk or two, such as complimentary breakfasts or room upgrades, depending on your status level. The advantages of being an elite member become even more significant when traveling with family or friends, as many of these benefits extend to companions as well. This is why travel enthusiasts often try to attain elite statuses at airline and hotel chains. One tactic that they widely use is the "mattress run" strategy, which is a way to earn elite night credits at hotels to unlock a higher elite status.
Are mattress runs worth it? Let’s find out why travel enthusiasts go above and beyond to chase hotel status. Photo by Zulian Firmansyah on Unsplash.
What Is a Mattress Run & How Does It Work
If you're a frequent traveler, you may have heard of a "mattress run." Essentially, a mattress run is when you book a hotel room purely for the purpose of earning rewards points or status in a loyalty program. This strategy is particularly useful for those who are close to reaching a milestone in a loyalty program but need a few more points to get there. By booking a room and staying overnight, even if you don't actually need the accommodations, you can earn the rewards you need to level up your status. Some people even use mattress runs to "reset" their loyalty status each year, ensuring they continue to receive perks like upgrades, late checkouts, and free breakfast. Of course, this strategy requires some careful planning and calculations to ensure that it's actually worth the cost of the hotel room. However, for frequent travelers looking to maximize their rewards, a mattress run can be a savvy move.
Hyatt Globalists get resort fees waived, receive free breakfast, and can extend their elite perks to friends and family. Photo credit: Hyatt.
Benefits of a Mattress Run for Travelers
A "mattress run" may sound like a strange concept, but it can offer multiple benefits for both hotels and travelers. For hotels, a mattress run is when a guest books a room solely for the purpose of earning points or status with a loyalty program. For travelers, a mattress run can provide an affordable option for earning elite status with a loyalty program. By booking a cheap room, travelers can earn points that can translate into complimentary upgrades, free nights, and other perks. It may take some planning, but for those willing to put in the effort, a mattress run can be an advantageous tactic for both travelers and hotels.
A mattress run will cost you money, but in return, you may unlock benefits that exceed your investment. Photo by Rhema Kallianpur on Unsplash.
What Should You Look for When Booking a Mattress Run
When it comes to booking a mattress run, there are a few key things to consider. First, you'll want to look at the location and convenience of the hotel. Is it close to your home or workplace? Even though I found a cheaper hotel in Houston, if a hotel in Austin is only a few bucks more expensive, it may not be worth the effort to drive 2.5 hours each way and spend money on gas.
Distance to the hotel is an important factor when you plan for a mattress run. Photo by Aleksandr Popov on Unsplash.
Next, consider the cost and benefits of the hotel's loyalty program. For example, if you are currently a Silver Elite under the Marriott Bonvoy program, spending extra 15 nights to reach Gold Elite status may not be beneficial since the return is marginal. However, if you need to spend a few nights at Hyatt properties to reach Hyatt Globalist status, it is probably a good idea, given that the Globalist status is night and day different than Explorist status. Next, you should look to see if there are any promotions or bonus points available. Sometimes, major hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG run promotions where a one-night stay equals two elite night credits, which means your threshold for qualifying for an elite status just got slashed in half. Participating in promotions can expedite the earning process and save you time and money. Finally, you should consider signing up for a credit that gives you complimentary elite status simply by maintaining the card:
Marriott often runs a double elite night promotion, where one night's stay counts as double nights. Photo credit: Marriott Bonvoy
The Chase World of Hyatt card gives a cardholder five elite night credits and a complimentary Discoverist status.
The Chase World of Hyatt Business card also gives a cardholder automatic Discoverist status.
The AMEX Platinum card and its variations, including the AMEX Business Platinum card, award a cardholder a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card offers automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status to its cardholders.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card gives a cardholder complimentary Platinum Elite status.
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card awards a cardholder complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
The Chase IHG Rewards Premier card and the Chase IHG Rewards Premier Business card both offer automatic Platinum Elite status to cardholders.
By taking these factors into account, you can ensure a successful and rewarding mattress run.
Summary
A mattress run can be an effective and easy way to attain a quick reward or elite status with your favorite hotel loyalty program. However, it's important to consider several factors before making the decision to participate. Location, cost, promotions, and even our credit cards can help you find the best option for achieving that status faster. Ultimately, a mattress run is not for everyone, but if done correctly, it can get you closer to that highly sought-after hotel room upgrade or points redemption when you've got the travel bug itching. So why not take some time to explore your options and see if indulging in this savvy traveler's strategy makes sense for you? Have you done a mattress run before? If so, feel free to share any tips or insights in the comments below.
