We're biased, but we're confident Thrifty Traveler Premium is the best flight deal service out there, period. Whether you just want a cheap flight or want to redeem your credit card points or airline miles for a fancy business class seat overseas, we do the legwork for you, sending instant alerts you can book straight to your inbox … but then what about hotels?
We've heard from countless travelers over the years who also struggle to find savvy ways to use their hotel points or credit card perks. It's our most-requested feature by far.
Thrifty Traveler Premium Hotel Alerts are officially here. For an additional $24.99 a year, Premium members can opt in and start getting alerts to book some of the best properties in the U.S. and across the globe using their Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, or Marriott points – or transferrable credit card points from banks like Chase and Amex. At launch, we're not sending alerts for discounted paid rates … but we're already thinking of how to make this service even better.
We scour the world for award availability at top-rated hotels, brand-new properties, and all-inclusive resorts near and far, sending an alert when you can book them with points. Hotel Alerts subscribers can expect one or two hotel deals a week at launch.
This is a new add-on service that's only available to Thrifty Traveler Premium members – it's not sold separately. Current Premium members can opt-in by logging into their online account and selecting “Hotel Deals” in the main menu. First-time subscribers will see the option to add Hotel Alerts to their plan after signing up for Flight Alerts.
We're just getting started, but we've already sent some sizzling hotel alerts to members. That includes peak season availability at the notoriously hard-to-book Conrad Bora Bora Nui you could book for 120,000 Hilton points, one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico bookable from just 25,000 Hyatt points a night, and a beloved New York City property bookable for just 34,000 Bonvoy points – a third of what Marriott is charging now!
Hotel alerts cost another $24.99 a year for Premium members. Just as with our Premium Flight Alerts, members who sign up now at the introductory rate will lock in that price for life: Even if that price eventually increases, yours won’t!
So what will you get by opting in for Hotel Alerts? Take a closer look.
More Hotel Alerts We've Sent
We're searching day in, day out for hard-to-book award availability at some of the best properties here in the U.S. and abroad that you can book using points from the big four hotel programs: Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. And we keep finding gems.
Just yesterday, for example, we started hunting for some deals after Hilton folded nearly 400 Small Luxury Hotels of the World into its program. We found the ultimate unicorn: Canaves Oia Suites on the coast of Santorini – one of the most sought-after hotels in the Greek Islands and a prized redemption back when it was bookable through Hyatt – was suddenly available to book with Hilton points or free night certificates.
And not just for a few dates here and there. No, our members could book the Canaves Oia Suites this summer and fall … plus wide-open availability every day from April 1 through July 15 next year!
Get deals like this in your inbox – add Hotel Alerts to your Thrifty Traveler Premium membership for $24.99 a year!
But Hilton's loss was Marriott's gain earlier this summer when Marriott officially took over the fan-favorite Conrad New York Midtown, a property with massive suites (at least by New York standards…) just blocks away from Central Park. For weeks, the reflagged Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown wasn't bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points … until a few weeks ago, when we spotted award nights had opened for just 34,000 points a night!
Finding the award availability to book these top-notch properties can be a struggle, and that's what Hotel Alerts are here to solve. But our emails go beyond that: Every alert also includes in-depth booking instructions, pointers for transferring credit card points, recommendations for nearby restaurants and sights, and next-level tips to help travelers make the most of their trips.
For example, we tipped off our Hotel Alerts subscribers with a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to use their free night certificates to book the Conrad in Bora Bora … then use one of the twice-a-year, $200 resort credits to pay for the spendy boat transfers from the airport to the resort and back. Oh, and free breakfast for two thanks to the instant Hilton Diamond status will save you a cool $100-plus a day, to boot.
Plus, we let you know when you might want to consider transferring points from American Express, Chase, or other banks to top off your account for a special booking. You might shy away from transferring valuable credit card points to a hotel chain … but if that means you can book five nights for the price of four, it could be well worth it.
So when we say we do the legwork for you, we mean it. We've done it for years finding flights, and now we're doing it with hotel awards.
How to Add Hotel Alerts to Your Membership
Already have a Thrifty Traveler Premium membership? Just upgrading now to start getting cheap flights and points deals sent straight to your inbox? You can now add Hotel Alerts to your subscription, too.
Keep in mind: Only Thrifty Traveler Premium members can opt in for Hotel Alerts: We're not selling this as a standalone service – at least not for now.
Current Premium members can simply log into their online account and select the new “Hotel Deals” option in the main menu.
Meanwhile, first-time Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers will see the option to add on Hotel Alerts after signing up for Flight Deal Alerts and setting their preferences. In either case, you'll pay just $24.99 more a year for Hotel Alerts.
Once you add Hotel Alerts to your subscription, you'll have the option to filter for deals from the four major hotel chains: Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. You can get deals from just one or two of these hotel chains or all four!
Once you're all signed up, you'll be able to click over to Hotel Deals in your Premium hub and see each and every alert we've sent. Depending on which hotel chain(s) you've selected, you can expect one to two hotel alerts a week.
FAQs About Thrifty Traveler Premium Hotel Alerts
What kind of Hotel Alerts will I get?
Hotel Alerts are for award space availability only (bookable with points) at Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott properties worldwide. Our team is focusing on finding award availability at luxury properties, all-inclusive resorts, and hard-to-book hotels in the U.S. and abroad.
Will I get alerts for cash rates?
Hotel Alerts are currently only for award space availability, meaning they are only bookable with points or free night certificates.
How often will I get Hotel Alerts in my inbox?
Depending on your settings, you can expect to see three to five Hotel Alerts each month to start.
How much does it cost to add Hotel Alerts to my subscription?
Hotel Alerts are now available as an optional add-on at the introductory rate of $24.99 per year. With our Price Lock Guarantee, once you subscribe, your price for Hotel Alerts will never go up!
Will adding or removing Hotel Alerts affect my current Premium subscription price?
No. If you choose to remove Hotel Alerts in the future, your Premium subscription will still be locked in at your current rate.
Will I get two separate charges for Hotel Alerts and Premium?
For the first year, yes. When you first add Hotel Alerts, the amount you pay will be prorated based on your next Premium subscription renewal date.
On your next subscription renewal date, you will see one combined charge for your existing Premium rate plus $24.99 for Hotel Alerts.
Can I sign up for just Hotel Alerts?
Hotel Alerts are an optional add-on available exclusively to Thrifty Traveler Premium members. There is no standalone option.
What if I decide I don't want Hotel Alerts anymore?
You can remove Hotel Alerts at any time – it will not impact your current Premium subscription pricing. If you’re not happy, you can cancel Hotel Alerts within 100 days for a full refund.
Is this my only chance to add Hotel Alerts to my membership?
You can add Hotel Alerts at any time by logging into your account.
Bottom Line
At long last, Hotel Alerts are here for Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers!
Current members and first-time sign-ups can now add Hotel Alerts to their subscription for an extra $24.99 a year. Expect one to two Hotel Alerts a week bookable with points from the big four hotel chains … for now: Hotel Alerts will only get better from here.