Known as one of the historical hubs of Japan, Kyoto has a notable number of well-preserved neighborhoods, majestic temples and all manner of photo-worthy landscapes.
18.01.2024 - 19:41 / thepointsguy.com
You know the saying, "If you don't use it, you lose it?" I'm not entirely sure they were referring to the annual hotel free night certificates you are awarded for holding various credit cards, but that doesn't make it any less true.
Like so many of life's lessons, I learned this one the hard way. Imagine my shock when I checked my Marriott Bonvoy account only to find I had a free night certificate that expired the very next day. I did find a way to turn my mistake into a one-night staycation, but that's not the only silver lining to this story.
Related: Quick Points: How to search for hotel stays with free night certificates
I also now have the opportunity to keep you from making the same mistake and ensure I never find myself in this particular pickle again.
You might think working at TPG would render one immune to these types of mistakes, but I can assure you that is incorrect. We all make mistakes. In this case, I was aware I had earned an annual free night certificate for up to 35,000 points with my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card. Every time I checked my Marriott Bonvoy account, I saw it sitting there, and every time, I told myself I would have no trouble using it before it expired.
Related: How to use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point certificate
But then the holidays came. There was lots of travel and Christmas preparations. My kids were out of school for what felt like two full months. In short, life got in the way. Then, as I was reading this very helpful points and miles checklist for 2024 on the TPG website one evening in early January, I was shocked to find that the long-forgotten free night certificate was still sitting in my Marriott Bonvoy account. When I made the even more shocking discovery that it expired the next day, I sprung into action.
The first idea that popped into my head when I realized my mistake was to pack the family up for a fun hotel sleepover. As I did when I was young, my kids love being in a hotel. There are times they don't even want to leave the hotel room on vacation, and honestly, I feel the same way. With such little notice, leaving our 120-pound dog behind was not an option, so I fired up the Marriott Bonvoy app and searched for nearby dog-friendly hotels.
When I saw the Moxy Louisville Downtown, I knew it was perfect. The lobby doubles as a bar and game room, the rooms offer views of downtown (my middle child is obsessed with skyscrapers), and we could walk our dog at the nearby waterfront park. Everyone was excited about our overnight staycation.
Related: Why this playful brand won the TPG Award for Best Affordable Hotel Brand
A one-night stay at the Moxy Louisville Downtown typically costs about $150 or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, but we were
Known as one of the historical hubs of Japan, Kyoto has a notable number of well-preserved neighborhoods, majestic temples and all manner of photo-worthy landscapes.
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Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
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