How to Earn and Redeem Marriott Free Night Awards (new changes in 2026)

If you’re collecting points and miles for family travel, Marriott free night certificates can easily cover several hotel stays each year, sometimes without using any points.

Between credit card benefits, promotions, and loyalty perks, it’s possible to earn multiple free nights annually and redeem them at thousands of hotels worldwide.

Here’s exactly how to earn Marriott free night certificates and how to maximize them for the best value.

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Must see and do in York, UK: How to spend 2 days with kids

When people plan a trip to the UK, they usually talk about London or Edinburgh. But one city from our UK road trip completely surprised us, York.

Founded by the Romans, later ruled by Vikings, and still wrapped in medieval walls, York feels like stepping straight into a history book. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with just enough quirky experiences to keep kids entertained the entire time.

We only spent two days here, but it quickly became one of our favorite stops in England. If you’re visiting York with kids, here’s exactly how I’d spend 48 hours.

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5 ways I get free hotel stays without using points

Most people assume that free hotel stays always require a huge stash of points. But over the past few years of traveling with my family, I’ve realized that some of the easiest “free” hotel nights actually come from credit card perks, annual credits, and free night certificates.

These strategies have helped us stay at hotels around the world without redeeming points, including our recent stays in Scotland and Mexico. Here are the main ways we do it.

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Grand Hyatt Scottsdale: A Family-Friendly Hotel in Arizona with a sandy pool and a 3-story water slide

Just like two years ago, we decided to spend a few days in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February. It’s close to San Francisco, and honestly, who doesn’t love giant cactuses? Last time we stayed at the Andaz Scottsdale, and this time we tried the newly renovated Grand Hyatt Scottsdale.

Did it live up to the hype? From the moment we arrived, with the desert sunset and sprawling pools, it was clear this property has big family-friendly energy.

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Hilton Honors Surpass Card Limited-Time Offer with a Free Night Reward

One of my favorite Hilton offers is finally here and here is why you should apply for it. You can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after opening a Hilton Honors Surpass Card and spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. The Free Night Reward is valid for one year from the date of issuance and can be redeemed at almost any Hilton property in the world!

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Our stay at the brand new Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol and how it compares to other properties

We just stayed at the brand new Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol in Mexico, and I want to share what it was like. Here is the detailed review, how to book this property on points, and how it stacks up against Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal and The Cape, a Thompson Hotel.

From check-in to the rooms, dining, and amenities, this guide will give you all the details you need to plan a stay at Park Hyatt Cabo.

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World of Hyatt Loyalty Program: 8 Benefits Most Members Miss

We’ve stayed at 50+ Hyatt hotels over the past few years, from family-friendly Hyatt Regency resorts to bucket-list Park Hyatt stays. After testing the program again and again with real bookings and award stays one thing is clear: World of Hyatt is our favorite hotel loyalty program.

And not just because of points, but because of the hidden perks most travelers don’t even realize they have.

If you’re collecting Hyatt points, chasing Hyatt elite status, or trying to earn free hotel nights, these are the benefits that make the biggest difference.

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Things to Do in London With Kids: Family-Friendly Museums, Parks & Hidden Gems

London surprised us in the best possible way. We found this city built for families. We visited in the summer with our two kids and spent almost a week exploring. From parks to museums, markets to river cruises, there was always something to keep everyone entertained.

Here are the best things to do in London with kids, based on what truly worked for our family.

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Lufthansa Business Class Review: San Francisco to Munich

For our Christmas break, we traveled to Germany to visit the Christmas markets, flying Lufthansa business class from San Francisco (SFO) to Munich (MUC).

This Lufthansa Business Class review covers how we booked the flight using points, the Airbus A380 business class layout, lounge access, and the onboard dining and service. I’m also sharing our overall impressions of flying Lufthansa business class on this long transatlantic route.

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