'Mattress runs': What's this latest travel trend about hotel bookings about?

There’s a new trend in the travel and hospitality industry: ‘Mattress runs’.

Guests are paying for hotel stays to accumulate status points or earn free nights.

However, experts warn it’s also a move that could backfire.

Here’s all we know about it.

What are mattress runs?

Mattress runs involve booking a cheap hotel stay to achieve elite status. This has long been a common practice among smart travellers.

A person can obtain elite status by completing stays, nights spent, or accruing base points. Usually, these figures are reset at the end of every year.

There are several benefits of the practice, such as early and late check-in and check-out times, free breakfast, free wifi, and hotel upgrades.

Recently, smart travellers are now booking a hotel room for one or several nights even though they do not intend to stay there. This is to get an early upgrade of their membership.

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However, mattress running is not always the best option when there are other options.

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Does it really work?

Well, there are times when it can be wise to finish a mattress run.

Booking a less expensive hotel can be useful when you are planning a family vacation or have a significant event coming.

Also, an elite status can help you save money on your trip by granting you access to executive lounges and free breakfast, among other beneficial perks.

Some hotel brands, like Hyatt and Marriott, provide guaranteed suite upgrade coupons to their elite members.

However, becoming an elite member will not mean much if one does not intend to use the hotel’s services or spend a lot of time in a room.

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What are the risks involved?

Sure, the idea of mattress running is alluring, but there are risks involved.

Some hotels do not reward points or provide status upgrades when there’s a no-show or if one doesn’t physically check in. This might result in losing money and not getting an upgrade.

For instance, Hilton, according to Fox News, clearly says, “If you’re a no-show, forget about points or status credits, even if your credit card gets charged.”

Likewise, Hyatt’s website that is dedicated to its World of Hyatt Members says, “Member must actually check-in and complete the stay for his or her Eligible H&H (Homes and Hideaways) Night(s) to earn points and receive Tier-Qualifying Night credit. No points will be awarded for any non-refundable prepaid fees, cancellation fees, or no-show fees paid by a Member for a reservation that (s)he did not actually use. In some instances (such as no-shows and late cancellations), points and Tier-Qualifying Night credits may be removed from the Member’s account.

Numerous people have shared tales of mattress runs going wrong.

One traveller asked on Reddit, “Hyatt Mattress Run – has anyone ever been penalized for doing a mattress run via digital check-in and never showing up? Does that work?”

A person responded, “Yes, they didn’t credit me the stay, and they charged me the cash rate. It’s very hit or miss.”

Another one user thought they hacked the system with a digital check-in – only to get hit with a “please visit the front desk” message.

Another one chipped in, saying that they succeeded but waited nervously to see if the points were posted.

What can be done?

Alston Causey, vice president of US-based travel agency Travelmation, told Fox News that people love hotel points and status, but you can’t, and shouldn’t, acquire these by misusing the system.

He said, “In the travel business, few things are worse than a hotel room or vacation that is paid for and not used… a ‘mattress run’ is more for people who are on the cusp and tend to find themselves there every year.”

Alston advised travellers that before they try out ‘mattress runs’, they should ask themselves, “‘Will this be worth it for me? Will that price be worth the benefits of status in the coming year?’ This will be different for each person, so take the time to ensure it’s truly necessary for you. If you do book that hotel room, make sure you use it.”

With inputs from agencies