Quick Points: Earn bonus points by registering for hotel promotions
Your email inbox likely sees daily promotional emails from travel and lifestyle brands. The sometimes sensationalized language in the subject line is often irritating enough to make you close your browser.
However, the promotional emails you should always click on are the ones sent by your favorite hotel loyalty programs. Though sometimes lackluster, promotions sent by major hotel chains can yield a significant uptick in rewards you earn on paid stays.
Even if you don't foresee yourself staying at these hotels during the promotional period, it's a good idea to enroll anyway. You never know what unexpected event will put you at the doorstep of a hotel.
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
Enroll in all hotel promotions, even if you don't think you'll use them
Right now, the four most popular hotel loyalty programs among the TPG staff are:
These hotel programs perpetually offer promotions to incentivize you to stay (though the best promos are sometimes targeted toward members who stay the least). Promotions often include bonus points, free night certificates and extra elite night credits.
Let's look at current hotel promotions and how to enroll in them. Remember that you must register before your stay to benefit from these offers, so it's beneficial to check before you check in to your next hotel.
Enrolling in IHG One Rewards promotions
Currently, you can easily earn 5,000 points when you join IHG One Rewards, book at an IHG property and stay within 21 days of joining.
For more IHG offers, be sure to check out the promotions page. There, you can find out how to earn bonus points or receive discounted hotel stays.
Enrolling in Marriott Bonvoy promotions
You can earn bonus points with Marriott's current fall promotion.
Earn 2,000 bonus points when you register on Marriott's promotion website and complete a two-night qualifying stay between Sept. 10 and Nov. 26. Additionally, if you stay two or more nights at an MGM Collection property, you'll earn an additional 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Note that you must register for this promotion by Nov. 12. Click here for the full details on how you can earn bonus points this fall.
Enrolling in World of Hyatt promotions
World of Hyatt members can earn double points for qualifying stays at more than 500 participating Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels worldwide for stays completed by Oct. 15.
Members must register for this promotion by Sept. 15 on the World of Hyatt website.
To register for this and other World of Hyatt promotions, log in to your Hyatt account and click the "Offers" button at the top of the screen. Find the offer you'd like to enroll in and click the "Learn more" button.
Note that not all promotions — for example, the "500 Reasons to Stay Somewhere New" offer — require enrollment. Finally, enter your World of Hyatt membership number and click the "Register" button.
Related: Current Hyatt promotions: Earn bonus points, double elite night credits and more
Enrolling in Hilton Honors promotions
For stays through Sept. 2, Hilton Honors members can earn double points on every stay with no points-earning cap and no minimum stay required. Registration is required to be eligible for this promotion, though existing bookings made before registering are eligible, provided you check out by Sept. 2.
You can even earn double points on incidentals during award stays, such as room service, other food and beverages, and parking.
You can enroll in Hilton offers by heading to Hilton's website and logging in. Then, click the "Offers" button at the top of the screen.
This page lists all ongoing and limited-time offers, including the current promotion for double points on each stay. Scroll through the list and register for any promotions that interest you.
For those staying after Sept. 2 through Dec. 31, members can earn 2,500 points per stay through a separate "Power Up" promotion.
Bottom line
Some great hotel promotions are out there; every point counts when working toward your next big redemption. Get into the habit of enrolling in hotel promotions whenever you see them — then you can forget all about them.
If you use a promotion, you'll be pleasantly surprised when you see your updated points balance!