As the end of the year nears, you may hear of travelers going on mileage runs. These mileage runs are typically undertaken to complete a challenge (such as JetBlue's "25 for 25" promotion) or secure the final points, dollars or segments required for a specific elite status tier. However, some travelers also go on mattress runs for similar reasons.
If you're considering one, here's what you should know about mattress runs.
What is a mattress run?
A mattress run is a hotel stay you book solely — or, at least, primarily — to earn rewards or elite status. For example, you might book an AAdvantage Hotels stay to earn Loyalty Points to secure a higher American Airlines elite status. Or, if you're just a few nights shy of earning Globalist status, you might book a short stay you don't really need at a nearby Hyatt Category 1 property.
Whether you build a trip around the stay is irrelevant; it's a mattress run if you wouldn't have booked the stay if not for the nights or points you'll earn.
Related: On the hamster wheel of chasing hotel elite status? Buy it instead
Mattress run for elite status
The most common reason why travelers book a mattress run is to earn hotel elite status. Several TPG staffers have booked staycations within driving distance of their homes in previous years to earn the final few nights needed for a specific hotel elite status. Likewise, I know several Nevada-based travelers who book inexpensive midweek mattress runs at Las Vegas hotels primarily to get elite qualifying nights.
Most hotel elite status tiers require you to earn a specific number of elite qualifying nights, points or stays each calendar year. If you need a boost toward your desired elite status, check out the following stories for more program-specific options:
- Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status
- Last-minute strategies for earning World of Hyatt status
- Last-minute strategies for earning Hilton Honors elite status
- Last-minute strategies for earning IHG One Rewards elite status
However, mattress runs aren't just for travelers striving to earn hotel elite status. After all, the AAdvantage Hotels portal has become a valuable way to earn Loyalty Points toward American Airlines elite status. With the ability to earn up to 15,000 Loyalty Points per reservation, some American Airlines loyalists find that AAdvantage Hotels mattress runs are the easiest and least expensive way to earn Loyalty Points.
Related: Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status before the end of year
Mattress run to earn points or free nights
Occasionally, you'll find a hotel promotion that makes it worthwhile to do a mattress run. For example, Choice Privileges frequently runs a promotion that gives travelers 8,000 points for every two hotel stays. So, if you've already stayed once but don't have plans to stay again and would hence leave points on the table without another stay, it might be worth mattress running a cheap night at a nearby hotel. But the night would need to cost less than the value of the points, which may be difficult to find in many destinations.
Another time a mattress run might be worthwhile is if you're just one brand short of earning another free night award through the Hyatt Brand Explorer promotion. However, unless you urgently need the free night award for an upcoming stay, it's usually better to accrue brands for this promotion organically on stays you need.
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
Other mattress run considerations
Before booking a mattress run, consider the following factors.
Additional out-of-pocket costs
First of all, almost every mattress run will include some extra costs. Even if you book a stay at a property near your house, you still have the extra time and gas costs of driving to and from the hotel. Of course, if you stay at a property that includes breakfast, at least you can recoup some of the cost that way.
Turning a mattress run into a vacation
In many cases, it can make sense to turn a mattress run into a vacation. Whether you opt for a nearby staycation or a trip further afield, your mattress run could provide some alone time or a quick getaway with friends or family.
There's almost always somewhere interesting nearby that a mattress run might give you an excuse to visit. Of course, you may pay a bit more if you pick an appealing location or a property with specific amenities (such as a pool or included breakfast). However, if you can derive true value from your mattress run by turning it into a vacation, the added cost is likely worthwhile.
Related: The best new points hotels for families
You'll probably need to check in and stay
Finally, plan to check in and stay when conducting a mattress run. It may be tempting to book a cheap stay in a faraway destination and try to check in remotely. But the terms and conditions of most hotel loyalty programs state that you'll only get elite night credits and earnings when you actually stay on-site. So, if you're relying on the nights or points, book a stay in a location where you can check in in person and use the room.
Bottom line
A mattress run is most likely to be useful if you need just a few more nights or points to secure a valuable elite status tier before the end of a qualification period. But, before undertaking a mattress run, be sure to consider whether the costs you'll incur will be worth the incremental benefits you'll enjoy going forward.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
