Even if you’re new to the points and miles game, you’ve probably heard the term “mileage race.” TO mileage race is when a traveler takes a flight (or series of flights) primarily to earn rewards or elite status on the airline.
Mattress racing is similar to mileage racing. But instead of taking one or more flights like you would for a mile race, mattress races involve spending one or more nights in hotels primarily to earn rewards or hotel elite status. So, here’s what you need to know about mattress races and when you might want to take one.
What is a mattress?
A mattress run is when you book and pay for a hotel room that you don’t need to earn rewards or qualify for elite hotel status. This idea may seem ridiculous, but the cost of the stay can be much less than the value of the rewards and other benefits you would earn during the stay.
In its purest form, you may not even use the room you reserved for a mattress. Instead, you check in and then leave the property. But, as we discussed in this article, there are many reasons why you might want to stay in the room you book.
Related: Last minute tips to secure hotel elite status before the end of the year
Mattress race to reach elite status
If you’re just a few stays or nights away from reaching a certain hotel status level, it may make sense to use the mattress as the end of the year approaches and your window to qualify for elite status closes. After all, hotel loyalty programs offer all kinds of valuable perks for elite members.
For example, you may be close to winning Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status. If you will have 48 nights qualifying for Elite status by the end of 2024 based on your currently booked stays, you will only need two more nights to earn Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status offers many useful benefits, including breakfast at many Marriott brandsLate check-out at 4:00 pm and access to the lounge. In this case, a two-night stay at a Marriott property near your home before the end of the year could be worth it.
Remember that many Credit cards provide elite status. (or the ability to earn money to achieve elite status through spending) as a benefit. Therefore, completing a cushion race is not the only way to reach a higher level. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers complimentary Platinum Elite status and World of Hyatt Credit Card allows you to earn two tier-qualifying night credits for every $5,000 in purchases each calendar year.
Related: When does your hotel’s elite status expire?
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Run the mattress to earn points.
You might consider running mats to earn points, especially during a lucrative season. hotel promotion. However, make sure the value of the points you’ll earn is significantly greater than the cost of your stay.
For example, Choice Privileges periodically offers a promotion where you can win at least 8,000 Choice points for every two stays. So, if you stayed at a Choice Hotels property once during the promotion period, it might be worth making another stay to earn bonus points.
However, purchase points (ideally during a sale) or transferring points This is usually more beneficial if you need more rewards for an upcoming booking. The rewards you’ll get from a mattress run will rarely be worth it.
Related: How and Why You Should Maximize Your Hotel Stays Using Multiple Loyalty Programs
Other considerations about mattress operation
This analysis only captures part of the decision-making process regarding mattress runs. Before you book, you should consider a few other things.
Additional out-of-pocket costs
To complete a set of mattresses, you usually have to pay something in addition to the room rate. If you drive to your local hotel, this could be gas for your car. Or it could be an extra meal that you wouldn’t have paid for at home. You may also want to account for your time.
Turn a mattress into a vacation
You may want to turn your mattress into a real vacation for you, your family or your friends. After all, it’s easier to justify an extra hotel stay if you can get some value beyond earning the nights or rewards you’re after.
You will probably need to register and stay.
Hotel loyalty programs generally do not award points or Elite status credits to confirmed guests who do not show up, even if the stay is prepaid. As such, you will normally have to check-in at the property.
Even guests who have physically checked in occasionally face mattress problems. You’ll find notes in the terms and conditions of most hotel loyalty programs that state that you must physically stay at a property for a stay to qualify for elite. For example, the World of Hyatt Terms and Conditions state: “Members must check in and complete their reservation’s stay at a points property to earn points. Points will not be awarded for prepaid non-refundable fees, cancellation fees, or no-show fees paid by a member for a reservation that they didn’t actually use.”
So, to avoid issues and ensure your nights and rewards are posted as expected, you’ll want to make it clear that you checked in, used your reservation, and completed your stay. This provides even more incentive to take a vacation or staycation with your mattress.
Related: Breakfast, upgrades and more: 9 TPG employees reveal their favorite elite status perks
In a nutshell
Mattress racing can be a viable strategy to take advantage of a promotion or earn additional credits to achieve elite status. Especially if you can turn a mattress into a vacation or vacation, it may be worth doing.
However, remember that there are many other options besides the mattress. For some tips on how to get last-minute elite status with your favorite hotel loyalty program, check out the following stories:
