Best Hotels Referral Codes 2026: Unlock Free Nights & Exclusive Discounts

Best hotels referral codes for 2026 can save you hundreds of pounds on hotel bookings, unlock free nights, and earn bonus loyalty points from platforms like Expedia, Marriott, Hotels.com, and other major hotel booking services. There's something fascinating about how hotel referral programs work—they create value for both travelers and booking platforms while building long-term customer relationships through loyalty programs.

The hotel referral landscape in 2026 has shifted significantly. While some platforms like Booking.com discontinued their referral programs, others like Expedia and Marriott have strengthened their referral offerings. Hotel chains increasingly focus on loyalty programs that complement referral benefits, creating comprehensive reward systems for travelers.

This guide examines the best hotels referral codes available in 2026, covering major booking platforms, hotel chain loyalty programs, and strategies for maximizing your savings on hotel stays. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, referral codes can significantly reduce your accommodation costs.

How Hotels Referral Codes Work

Hotels referral codes function through various mechanisms depending on the platform. Some offer immediate discounts, while others provide bonus loyalty points, free nights, or credits toward future bookings. Understanding these differences helps you maximize your benefits.

Discount-Based Rewards

Many hotel booking platforms offer fixed-amount discounts when you book through referral links. Expedia, for example, provides £25 off hotel bookings of £200 or more when you sign up through a referral link and book via their app. These discounts are typically applied automatically when you meet minimum booking requirements.

Loyalty Point Bonuses

Hotel chains often offer referral bonuses in the form of loyalty points. Marriott Bonvoy provides up to 50,000 bonus points annually when you refer friends, with new members receiving 2,500 points for signing up. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other benefits.

Free Night Rewards

Some hotel loyalty programs offer free night certificates as referral rewards. These certificates can be redeemed at participating properties, providing substantial value for travelers. Free night rewards are particularly valuable because they provide full accommodation value without requiring additional purchases.

Best Hotels Referral Codes 2026

Expedia Referral Codes

Expedia offers one of the most accessible hotel referral programs in 2026. New users can get £25 off their first standalone hotel booking via the Expedia app, provided it's a pre-paid booking of at least £200. Referrers also receive the same reward when someone they refer completes a valid booking.

The program requires booking through the Expedia One Key rewards program and using the mobile app (not desktop). Travel must occur by 31 December 2026, and sign-ups must happen between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2026. Each referrer can earn up to 10 vouchers per year, making it valuable for frequent travelers who share codes with multiple friends.

The service integrates with Expedia's loyalty program, allowing you to earn points on bookings while receiving referral discounts. This combination can provide significant long-term value for regular travelers.

Marriott Bonvoy Referral Program

Marriott Bonvoy offers a comprehensive referral program that provides bonus points to both referrers and new members. You can earn up to 50,000 bonus points annually when you refer up to five friends, with new members receiving 2,500 points for signing up. The program also offers promotional codes for bonus points on specific stays.

Marriott frequently runs promotional codes that provide additional bonus points. Code S2449, for example, offers 15,000 bonus points for 4-night stays at participating all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America. Code M53 provides 2,000 bonus points per stay at select properties through February 2026.

If you have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card, the referral bonus increases to 40,000 points per referral, up to 200,000 points per year. This makes the program particularly valuable for credit card holders who can refer multiple friends.

Hotels.com Rewards Program

Hotels.com operates a rewards program where you collect stamps for free nights, though they don't maintain an active referral program. The platform focuses on their "Collect 10 nights, get 1 free" system, which provides value through regular bookings rather than referrals.

Booking.com Referral Status

Booking.com officially discontinued their Refer-a-Friend program in October 2019. While older codes may still appear in forums, there's no officially supported guest referral program currently available. The platform focuses on site-wide discounts and special user campaigns instead of referral bonuses.

Hotel Chain Loyalty Programs

Major hotel chains offer loyalty programs that complement referral benefits, providing additional value through points, free nights, and exclusive perks:

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors offers various promotional opportunities, though they don't maintain a public referral program. The loyalty program provides points on stays, free nights, and exclusive member rates. Promotional codes are occasionally available through partnerships and events.

IHG Rewards

IHG Rewards Club offers a loyalty program with points, free nights, and member benefits. While they don't operate a traditional referral program, promotional codes are occasionally available through various channels, providing discounts or bonus points on stays.

How to Maximize Hotels Referral Benefits

Maximizing the value from hotels referral codes requires understanding platform-specific requirements and planning your bookings strategically:

Meeting Minimum Booking Requirements

Most hotel referral codes require minimum booking amounts to activate rewards. Expedia requires £200 minimum bookings, while other platforms may have different thresholds. Planning your bookings to meet these requirements ensures you receive your rewards.

Using Mobile Apps

Many hotel referral programs require booking through mobile apps rather than desktop websites. Expedia's referral program, for example, only works when booking through their app. Ensuring you use the correct platform maximizes your chances of receiving rewards.

Combining with Loyalty Programs

Hotel referral codes often work alongside loyalty programs, allowing you to earn points while receiving referral discounts. Combining these benefits can provide significant long-term value, especially for frequent travelers who accumulate points over time.

Timing Your Bookings

Hotel referral programs often have expiration dates and travel deadlines. Expedia's program requires travel by 31 December 2026, for example. Planning your bookings to meet these deadlines ensures you receive your rewards before they expire.

Common Hotels Referral Code Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common mistakes ensures you receive maximum value from hotels referral codes:

• Not Meeting Minimum Booking Requirements: Most codes require minimum booking amounts. Failing to meet these requirements means you won't receive rewards. Verify minimum requirements before booking.
• Using Desktop Instead of Mobile Apps: Many referral programs require booking through mobile apps. Using desktop websites may prevent you from receiving rewards.
• Missing Travel Deadlines: Hotel referral programs often have specific travel deadlines. Booking travel after these deadlines means you won't receive rewards.
• Not Reading Terms: Referral programs have specific terms regarding eligibility, booking requirements, and reward structures. Not reading these terms can result in missing rewards.

Finding and Verifying Hotels Referral Codes

Finding reliable hotels referral codes requires using trusted sources and verifying codes before use:

Trusted Sources

The most reliable sources for hotels referral codes include official platform websites, verified travel deal aggregators, official social media accounts, and trusted travel communities. Avoid outdated codes from forums, especially for platforms like Booking.com that have discontinued their programs.

Verifying Code Validity

Before using hotels referral codes, verify they're current and valid. Check expiration dates, confirm eligibility requirements, and test codes when possible. Many platforms allow you to preview code validity before completing bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Hotels referral codes provide valuable opportunities to save money on accommodation while earning loyalty points and free nights. While some platforms have discontinued their referral programs, others like Expedia and Marriott offer active referral benefits that can significantly reduce your travel costs.

The key to success with hotels referral codes is understanding platform-specific requirements, using mobile apps when required, and combining referral benefits with loyalty programs for maximum value. Whether you're booking through Expedia, staying at Marriott properties, or using other hotel services, referral codes can help you save money while earning rewards for future travel.