Hotels.com stay 10 nights get one free - anyone used this?

like many 'forumees' I use hotels.com via Shops Away whenever I can. I have collected 9 stays away and will earn my 10th in September, an overnight at MAN prior to an early flight next day. So.... my 'free' night will be up for grabs and I would really like to reserve a room at the Sofitel LHR for a night in early Jan 16 . The value on my account seems enough to cover the stay so I can't really see any reason why it shouldn't all go smoothly. this will save circa £190 .

Has anyone ever completed this offer ? where there any disadvantages. as we are flying from MAN to LHR with BA on their shuttle it makes more sense to stay on site at LHR in readiness to change Terminals and visit the CH (we have 2 Gs ) for our VS flight next day to MIA. I did consider using Premier Inn at Bath Road and getting a cab and using DTCI, but to be honest it would just be nice to land, go to our hotel room, chill out and feel like our 3 week holiday has started..

VS have just put back our departure to MIA by nearly an hour ( no email notification, I just checked our booking yesterday, I do from time to time) so time in the CH has just increased -no complaints there!

many thanks

[Neil]

Yes, have had a couple of 'free' nights using this.
I can't see there are any disadvantages really, obviously the main thing is to make sure you use the full value of it, but otherwise it does exactly what it says on the tin!

Thanks for your speedy response Neil. I will look at my free night 'value' on their site to make sure this particular stay is maxxing out the offer.

Yup have used this before, saved a load!

You get told the exact value of the free night, but the 'free' night value doesn't go towards fees or taxes. When claiming it, it is very clear how much you are saving off the first night before you commit.

Very pleased to read this as I have recently started collecting the nights myself.

I book all my Hotels off this site. Sometimes they are a bit more expensive than other sites but its worth it with the '' free' night.

It's an excellent option for people like me, who aren't loyal to a particular brand. I've used without issue, and I currently have 2 nights to use, at some point.

Don't forget the generous cash-back that you can get for Hotels.com (normally 8-12%), and this doesn't affect the free night promotion.

The only disadvantage that I can think of is, that *sometimes*, some premier brands (4 seasons for example) are not covered under the Book 10 Get 1 Free offer.

I don't want to start a new topic, so this seems appropriate, but the wording on Shops Away seems to indicate that you only get FC Miles for bookings that are Advance Purchase, not those that you pay on the day? Is this right?

Please note: You will receive a lower reward if you use a voucher code displayed on this site. If you use a voucher code from another source (including the Hotels.com website itself) you will not be eligible for a reward. Rewards will be approved up to 90 days after you have completed your booking (stay). You must make payments online prior to the booked dates in order to earn rewards.

I don't want to start a new topic, so this seems appropriate, but the wording on Shops Away seems to indicate that you only get FC Miles for bookings that are Advance Purchase, not those that you pay on the day? Is this right?

Please note: You will receive a lower reward if you use a voucher code displayed on this site. If you use a voucher code from another source (including the Hotels.com website itself) you will not be eligible for a reward. Rewards will be approved up to 90 days after you have completed your booking (stay). You must make payments online prior to the booked dates in order to earn rewards.

That's an interesting one ColOrd - I am looking back at my previous bookings but it is a bit difficult to decipher which bookings are which as on my Shops Away account it just shows Hotels.com and a date. I did most of my bookings around the same time for a S Africa trip we took in Jan 15. The quote you have posted certainly seems to suggest payment needs to be up front. I think one of ours was paid on check out , but can't see where it would appear on my list.

I have actually just booked a hotel in NYC for early Oct and accepted that I won't get any Virgin miles as Hotels.com have given a good discount if I use one of their Voucher codes - so I guess you win some and lose some.

will be interesting to see if anyone can post that they actually booked hotels.com via Shops Away and got Miles even when they paid on check out though.

Be aware that (US accounts certainly) expire after 1 year and your accrued nights return to zero.

W.

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Be aware that (US accounts certainly) expire after 1 year and your accrued nights return to zero.

W.

yes, thanks for the reminder. I have checked and mine expire Apr '16 and I am aiming for a night at the Sofitel LHR in Jan. the night before UC to MIA. all being well it will save me circa £170.

I will secure my 10th night on Sept 16th so not long before I can claim my free stay.