How we maximise points and savings with accommodation
Accommodation is usually our biggest expense on any trip – particularly if we’ve used points to pay very little for the airfare.
Luckily, there are so many ways to get a discount or bonus points with hotels and Airbnb bookings. Here are the main strategies we use.
1. cashback
I’d say in the majority of our travels, we’ll stay some nights at a hotel that isn’t part of any chain. With no loyalty considerations in mind, my go-to strategy is to book with a minimum of 10% cashback through:
Booking.com, or
Expedia, or
Agoda
I’m not too fussed about which booking site I use. I’ve used all three often enough to achieve some benefits of being a frequent booker, such as Booking.com Genius Level 3 and Agoda VIP Gold. These occasionally offer me benefits such as a room upgrade or additional discount.
In terms of getting the cashback, I use the three major providers in Australia:
I simply go with whichever offers the highest cashback at the time.
The best cashback rate I’ve ever seen is 17% + 10% additional cashback at Expedia via Shopback with a Westpac bonus (yes, that’s quite a mouthful).
2. Airbnb with Qantas Hotels + Gift Cards
There are usually two reasons why I might book Airbnb.
I can get an entire apartment for roughly the same price as a standard hotel room, and the location is good (i.e. near a train station).
It’s a unique property/location.
With the right timing, Airbnb bookings can be very lucrative.
I always click through Qantas Hotels first, so I earn 1 Qantas Point per dollar on all bookings.
Where possible, I’ll buy Airbnb gift cards in Australia with 20x bonus supermarket points per dollar.
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I’m referring to Australian promotions, where you can get 20x Flybuys Points (equivalent to 10x Velocity Points) at Coles or 20x Everyday Rewards points (equivalent to 10x Qantas Points) at Woolworths.
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From Qantas Hotels: 1,000 bonus Qantas Points
From gift card promotion: 20,000 Everyday Rewards points worth 10,000 Qantas Ponts (Woolworths) or 20,000 Flybuys points worth 10,000 Velocity Point (Coles).
Tota: 11,000 bonus frequent flyer points at no extra cost.
3. Accor Plus + Cashback
Within the Asia-Pacific region, Accor Plus is a handy paid membership for those who travel frequently.
In contrast to my personal trips, I usually prefer to stay at Accor properties when I travel for work. Accor Plus gives me discounted member rates, dining, and more.
Best of all, I can usually book directly and stack these offers:
Discounted Accor Plus member rates and up to 50% off ‘Red Hot Rooms’
Up to 6% cashback at Accor hotels
Earn Accor Live Limitless points
Earn bonus Qantas Points thanks to the partnership
Use my Gold status perks, such as room upgrades
Accor Plus membership is A$395 a year, but it does occasionally go up to 50% off during a sale. One of the best perks of the membership is a free night stay that you can use at a fancy hotel!
I bought my membership while I was in Fiji where it costs FJ$375 (~A$250) for the first year and even less in subsequent years – much cheaper than the Australian rate 😉
Get in touch if you’d like a referral to my contact in the Accor Fiji office.
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One major perk of Accor Plus is the complimentary Stay Plus night, which is essentially a free night’s stay at any participating property. A membership costs A$395 in Australia and you could potentially use the free night stay at a fancy property that costs more.
4. Other discounts I Use
Qantas Hotels vouchers: I usually get a $50 voucher each year as part of my Qantas Points Club membership and occasionally more vouchers from various promotions. Keep in mind the vouchers are non-refundable if you cancel the hotel booking.
Amex Offers: Occasionally, Amex offers decent cashback on hotel bookings via Amex Travel, or when booking directly at various chains including Hilton, IHG and Marriott.
Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts: For Amex Platinum (Charge) Card Members, FHR offers a suite of perks at luxury hotels, including US$100 room credit, upgrades, free breakfast, and more. I’ve used it at the W Doha and The Langham Melbourne, paying no more than the standard room rate while enjoying these premium benefits!
Expedia Points: As I book with Expedia to earn cashback, I also earn Expedia Rewards points, which I can later use on bookings.
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