Quick Rewards: Signup Bonuses for Travel Programs
Make your next trip more enjoyable with free perks that are available just for signing up for a loyalty reward program!
Airlines were some of the first companies to enter the loyalty space by awarding “Frequent Flyer Miles” to their passengers. They understood that loyalty to their airline meant more profit, so they set out to make these programs attractive enough to retain the business of the most frequent fliers.
Use Loyalty Programs for Perks and Free Trips!
Today, the business practice of retaining customers with loyalty rewards has caused an explosion in the number of companies with loyalty programs. It is also easier than ever to comparison shop for the best price, flight schedule, and airport location. Knowing this, companies have added great perks to entice customers to choose them over the competition.
Even if you are not a very frequent traveler, there are loyalty programs that start you off with an incentive to try their company. Take advantage of these immediate rewards by signing up before you book your next trip and find deals and bonuses on hotel rooms, car rides, car rentals, and even flights!
Quick Article Navigation:
Travel Programs with Loyalty Signup Perks
Loyalty reward perks have been organized below by type of travel for your convenience.
Hotels & Lodging Bonuses
Even if you are not a frequent traveler, it is worthwhile to sign up for hotel loyalty programs that provide benefits immediately. Some hotel perks start even before you have a qualifying night stay (get free wi-fi code from the front desk when in the lobby, at hotel restaurants, etc.)!
Most of the major hotel brands have been consolidated into a handful of hotel ownership groups, so joining one program will provide benefits at multiple hotel brands. Enjoy your next trip even more with perks like free wi-fi, late checkout, and free welcome amenities at your favorite hotels!
Hotel Room Service in City
- Best Western brands (includes brands Glo, SureStay + more)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- Choice Hotels brands (includes brands Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Econolodge, Rodeway Inn + more)
- Choose an “extra” perk for all weeknight stays (Sun – Thu nights) from: 400 Choice Privileges points, 100 airline miles, $0.20/gallon in Fuel Rewards, $2.50 Amazon credit, $5 coffee card, or $2.50 Uber trip discount
- Hard Rock:
- Free welcome amenity
- Late checkout (based on availability)
- Hilton (includes brands DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites + more)
- Free wi-fi
- Check-in, check-out, choose your room, and unlock your door with the Hilton App
- Hyatt
- Free standard internet
- Free breakfast at participating Hyatt Place hotels
- IHGÂ (includes brands Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza + more)
- Free internet
- 1 Free Amazon Kindle eBook Biannually (US and UK members)
- $30 In-Room Spa Credit (only at Kimpton hotels)
- Marriott (includes brands Sheraton, Westin, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, W Hotels, Ritz Carlton + more)
- Free in-room internet
- Use mobile key
- Radisson (includes brands Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn + more)
- 5% discount at participating hotel restaurants
- 2 complimentary bottles of water with every stay
- Red Roof Inn:
- Complimentary bottled water every night during your stay
- Up to 20% off our best available rate when you book up to two days in advance with Advance Purchase
- $2 discount on Premium Rooms AND 500 bonus points for each paid stay in a Premium Room
- Guaranteed 8 PM check-in**
- Members-only information/reservation line
- Wyndham (includes brands La Quinta, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge + more)
- Free wi-fi
NOTE: the program benefits above are available when you book a “qualifying night”, which is typically for nights booked via the hotel’s own website or 800-number. You are unlikely to receive loyalty program perks when staying on super-discounted room rates that were booked through discount sites including Expedia, hotwire, Priceline, kayak, Orbitz, and other online travel agents (these discounters may have their own loyalty programs where you can earn free stays).
Car Rentals
Navigating with Map in Car
Enjoy discounts and time-saving amenities when renting autos with your loyalty membership at these companies:
- Alamo: 5% discount on standard retail rates
- Avis: Earn 100 bonus points when you opt in to Avis Preferred Points and rent once within three months
- Budget: Fastbreak members can register to earn $25 in Budget Bucks (now through December 31st, rent twice, and we’ll email you $25 in Budget Bucks) plus earn up to 52 coupons each year – that’s over $1,000 towards future rentals!
- Dollar: Skip the counter and go straight to the lot plus free Authorized Additional Driver (Spouse or domestic partner)
- Enterprise: members-only check-in at select locations
- Hertz: skip the counter for pick up and drop off
- National Car: choice of cars from Emerald Aisle, no second driver fees, faster checkout
- Thrifty: Skip the counter and go straight to the lot, free Authorized Additional Driver (Spouse or domestic partner), skip the line & priority counter service at select locations
Car Rides via Smartphone Apps
New members can take advantage of signup bonuses/discounts on their first rides with these discount incentives:
- Lyft: up to $25 off your first rides for new riders
- Uber: up to $25 off your first rides for new riders
Car Sharing
Large cities are starting to offer services that provide short-term rentals / shared car ownership. There are many programs and they all operate differently, so you will need to do some research to find the best one to suit your needs. Fortunately, there are incentives while you familiarize yourself with Zipcar:
- Zipcar (shared car ownership program): join free for 30 days in participating cities (Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC), until 9/30/19. Valid for first-time members only or past Zipcar members whose account expired on or before 12/31/18. Not valid with any other offers. University and Zipcar for Business Rate Plans do not qualify for this offer.
Train Moving on Tracks
Trains
- Amtrak: join Amtrak Guest Rewards and receive 500 bonus points when you travel within 90 days of enrollment
Airlines
While most frequent flier programs provide the most benefit to those who actually do make frequent trips, there are a couple that will be worth the signup just to get some basic perks. All frequent flier programs allow you to earn free trips with your travel, but the programs below offer perks from Day 1 (before you have acquired miles).
Airplane Window Seat View
- Alaska Air: Club 49 Mileage Plan (Alaska residents only)
- 2 free checked bags
- 2 “Travel Now” discounts per year
- Discounts on freight shipping
- British Airways: Executive Club
- free seat selection 24 hours before departure (not including travel on basic fare)
- stored preferences for seating and meals
- App for easy communicating with airline
In addition to these offers that are available to everyone, there are additional perks for certain groups of people. Check the separate posts for discounts and perks for traveling Students, Seniors, and Military Veterans.
***
While you travel, make sure to get the most out of your trip with handy travel accessories like these!
I have found, generally speaking, that if you book a room via the hotel website, that more often than not, the price is competitive with Expedia, etc.. I have the Choice Hotel app on my phone, and when you factor in the rewards and the ease of booking and check in, I’ll book through the app even if it cost 10 bucks more once in awhile. I rarely fly though, I prefer to keep my feet on the ground, when possible.
Hi Troy, you are right about that pricing, as most hotels offer a “low price guarantee” when you book directly through them. You can often find some slightly lower prices when purchasing “opaque” rooms from online travel agents like Priceline — this is when you make a reservation without knowing which hotel you will be staying at — but often the loyalty perks (like late checkout) will make it worthwhile to book the “qualifying night” directly from the hotel.
Thanks for sharing!
Warm Regards, Alyce
I think I made a mistake a few years ago when I got a timeshare. They made it seem like I couldn’t live without it and we had to sue them to get rid of it. I’m not going to lie, the vacation spots and rooms our time share provided were amazing, but it was just too much.
I’ve been looking for something to compensate and your article might be just what I need. Loyalty programs are a great thing and I try to use them as much as I can, it’s like throwing money away if you don’t take advantage!
Hi Ibrahim, sorry to hear that your timeshare experience wasn’t great. My vacation habits are usually spontaneous adventures (rarely spending more than a few days in the same place), so I’ve never felt compelled to invest that way. I have enjoyed the benefits and perks of hotel loyalty programs though!
I also personally signed up for the IHG credit card, which previously gave cardholders their platinum status and a free night each year. The credit card program has changed a bit this year, but it continues to be a great value for my family. But even without elite status, it’s good to at least get a few perks with your membership.
Warm Regards, Alyce
Dear Alyce,
Being a traveler your post means a lot to me and thanks a lot for the helpful and insightful article.
Nowadays all the posts and ads are trying to make money from our pocket but your post is helping us to save money which is amazing. Thanks a lot for sharing these details, your article is saving people time, trouble, money, and effort.
I will plan my next trip by having this article next to me.
I am bookmarking your article for future reference and I am going to share your article with my friends and I believe they are going to find great value from your article.
Information Is Wealth!
Paul
Thanks Paul, I do hope to help people get the highest value possible where they spend their time and money. I truly appreciate you sharing this post / site with your friends and family!!
Wishing you all the best, Alyce
I love reward options. I figure if you are going to buy something anyway, you may as well get something else for it. Having all the reward options laid out in your post, was fabulous, as it really gave me all the choices for hotels that I never even knew about. I am taking a trip this summer, so now I am going to make sure that I check out some of your choices. Really a great post. Thank you
Thanks Coralie! I hope you have a wonderful trip!!
Warm Regards, Alyce
Hi! Wao! Thank you for putting together all this information. This is definitely worth sharing with friends. I have already bookmarked this post.
I have signed up in the past to a couple of them (Lyft and Uber). And I have heard that in car rental, Alamo is quite cool! But there are so many other programs I can take advantage of. Thank you very much!
Hi Henry, I’m happy to hear that you may be able to benefit from the list! Safe travels!!
Warm Regards, Alyce