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English edition · checked 2026-10-18

How to book a hotel free-night certificate

A free-night certificate is not a promise that any room is free. Its value, eligible room type, booking window and expiry are set by the programme that issued it.

Read the certificate itself

Find its point value, eligible dates, room type, account holder and expiry date in the issuing programme’s app or terms. Certificates from the same hotel group can have different restrictions if they came from a card, promotion or annual benefit.

Use the official booking flow and select the certificate or free-night award. Search the exact night you want. Award inventory can differ from cash inventory, and a certificate may cover only a standard room up to its stated value.

Check any top-up and remaining charges

Some certificates allow extra points to cover a higher-priced night; others do not. Marriott’s current help page describes a top-up for eligible Free Night Awards, while its terms specify the applicable room and booking restrictions. Taxes, resort fees or other charges may still be payable in cash.

Before you confirm

  • Confirm the certificate is applied to the intended date and room.
  • Check that the stay begins by the expiry date; the certificate’s own terms control.
  • Read cancellation conditions and whether cancelling restores the certificate.
  • Save the reservation and certificate confirmation.

Official sources

Keep reading: Marriott Bonvoy profile · Hotel points or cash · How to compare an award