In a lot of ways, vacations can be as cheap or as expensive as you make them.
If you want to stay only in high-end resorts, for example, you should expect to shell out a ton of cash for the experience. Meanwhile, if you’ll stay almost anywhere, you can save a ton by shopping around for the best hotel rates and booking something cheap.
If you’re willing to think outside of the box, that’s even better. Truth be told, there are a ton of ways you can whittle down your vacation tab – and even get part of it for free.
One of the easiest ways to score free hotel nights is, and always has been, taking advantage of hotel loyalty programs. And one of the most popular programs for domestic and overseas stays is Marriott Rewards and its partner program – Ritz Carlton Rewards. Although these programs stand on their own, the points you earn in either program are redeemable for travel in both. Since this post is focused on frugal travel, let’s talk about how Marriott Rewards points work.