19 Hotels Selling Gift Cards That'll Be Worth More In The Future

Your future self will thank you.

Right now it’s important to stay home and practice social distancing. We hope you’ll find our content entertaining, inspiring, or useful for a future trip.

Hotels were some of the first businesses to feel the financial crush of the pandemic. Now, many have started offering tempting deals — like gift cards that increase in value over time — as a way to stay afloat.

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For example, some hotels are selling "bonds" (similar to gift certificates) that cost $100 now, but will be worth $150 when you make a reservation in the future. On websites like Buy Now, Stay Later (run by a group of hotel PR firms) and Hotel Credits (run by the mobile concierge app Porter & Sail) you can browse offers from hundreds of properties from around the world.

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Like with any deal that sounds too good to be true, there are of course some risks involved. So, it's important to do your research.

It's possible a hotel may not be able to reopen, or if they do, they might bump up their rates. If you buy credits through Porter & Sail, they've promised to provide refunds if the hotel closes — but every site is different, so be sure to read the fine print.

Some hotel vouchers will eventually expire, although many not for a few years. Others have rules about when they can be used, such as the "bonds" purchased on Buy Now, Stay Later, which can only be redeemed after a 60 day maturation period.

If you decide to scoop up a deal, make sure it's for a hotel in a destination that you know you'll visit, and double-check the T&Cs. If you're purchasing a gift card over email, don't forget to ask about expiration dates, blackout dates, and whether or not you'll be able to transfer it to a friend if you're unable to use it.

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You can help support the travel industry AND give yourself something to look forward to.

This money will help hotels get through the pandemic, so they can be there to welcome you when it's safe to travel again. Plus, locking down a gift card for a future hotel stay will give you something to dream about (without having to decide on dates just yet). Many hotel gift cards will stay valid until 2022, which is a fair amount of time to make use of them.

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1. Jade Mountain Resort — Soufrière, St. Lucia

With 24 open-air suites — meaning there's absolutely nothing between your bed, the infinity pool, and a view that has long been the envy of many Instagram scrollers — St. Lucia's Jade Mountain is a once-in-a-lifetime splurge of a resort. There's a four-night minimum if you book with a gift card, so you'll need to buy a couple of bonds to make a dent in the bill... But just imagine waking up to this!

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

2. Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino — Oranjestad, Aruba

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With a prime downtown location, its own private island, and a continuous parade of wild flamingos visiting the property, this resort and casino makes it easy to strike the perfect balance between fun and relaxation. The smallest voucher you can purchase is $500, but with the 25 percent increase that's enough to cover at least two nights — and it's easy to transfer to family and friends.

The deal: Vouchers increase in value by 25 percent

How to buy: Purchase vouchers directly through the hotel

3. Flemings Mayfair — London, England

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Buy yourself an extra $100 with this deal for Flemings Mayfair, a classy hotel right in the heart of London. A gift card will cover a night in one of this hotel's 13 townhouses, and you can use the extra money you saved to splurge on afternoon tea in the hotel's Indian-inspired tearoom.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase hotel credits via Porter & Sail

4. Bisma Eight — Ubud, Indonesia

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In the Balinese town of Ubud, surrounded by jungle, you can find the boutique retreat Bisma Eight. With the extra cash you save on your room cost, you can book one of the personalized body-scrub treatments at the spa! All the suites are minimal with nature-embracing features, like the luxe wooden soaking tubs in the bathrooms.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

5. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf — San Francisco, California, US

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If your pup starts showing signs of separation anxiety post-quarantine, consider bringing them along on a trip to the pet-friendly Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Right on the water, this is a great home base for long strolls with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. In addition to its fresh and airy style, this hotel offers complimentary bike rentals and a $10 credit to the seafood restaurant with each stay.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

6. Hotel Julian — Chicago, Illinois, US

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Practically across the street from Millennium Park and a short stroll away from Art Institute of Chicago, Hotel Julian is the perfect place to be if you're looking forward to a big day out in the city. With lush amenities like 300 thread-count bathrobes, it'll be tempting to stop back in at the room for a quick recharge (aka a nap) before heading back out to explore the town.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

7. Hotel Providence — Paris, France

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If a trip to Paris is on your post-pandemic bucket list, you can plan ahead by getting a gift card for the swanky Hotel Providence near the Marais district. With 18 individually decorated rooms, you'll have your own unique slice of Parisian chicness to revel in, and the gift card bonus can go towards your pastry and French wine budget.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request a bond from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

8. Charisma Suites — Oia, Greece

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Many people only visit Santorini for the day, completely missing the island's vineyards and hikes along the dramatic cliffs between Oia and Fira. If you want more time to get to know Santorini, Charisma Suites is the hotel you'll want to come home to. With its curvy white archways and unbeatable views of sunsets over the Aegean Sea, this is a good chance to get a deal on this typically pricey all-suite hotel.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request a bond from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

9. Hotel Edison — New York City, New York, US

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If there's any New York City staple with more than enough moxie to make a strong comeback, it's Broadway. So when the doors open again, you can stay at the Hotel Edison right in Times Square. This historic art deco hotel has been seen in tons of movies, from The Godfather to Birdman.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request a bond from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

10. Nayara Springs — Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

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One of the best luxury resorts in all of Costa Rica, Nayara Springs is an adults-only all-villa property surrounded by Arenal Volcano National Park. Credits can go towards one night in a tropical villa with outdoor showers and a plunge pool filled with water from a natural hot spring. Your stay would also include complimentary breakfast and laundry service — and there's no resort fee.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

11. ECO Lifestyle + Lodge — Bathsheba, Barbados

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This eco-friendly hotel in Barbados is a peaceful escape to the more remote side of the island near Bathsheba Beach. With organized hikes, complimentary shuttles, and yoga classes, you'll be set up for relaxation. The gift card should cover at least one night, so you can spend any extra coin on something fun like a spa treatment.

The deal: Pay $200 for gift cards worth $250, plus a free massage, yoga session, or surf lesson if you buy more than $600 worth

How to buy: Purchase directly through the hotel via email

12. The Roxbury — Roxbury, New York, US

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The Roxbury, a contemporary retreat in the Catskills, is best known for its (eccentrically decorated) themed rooms. From the superhero room to Dracula's lair and an Emerald City suite with its own yellow brick road, this hotel makes fantasy a reality.

The deal: Gift cards will increase in value by 50 percent (only redeemable at the Stratton Falls location)

How to buy: Purchase directly through the hotel

13. Hotel Villa Flori — Lake Como, Italy

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Lake Como has long been a favorite vacation spot for celebs, and you can plan on joining them with a Hotel Villa Flori gift card. This is your chance to sleep in a 19th century villa overlooking the lake between Como and Cernobbio, and the hotel even makes it easy to explore this cycling destination with their arsenal of bicycles — from e-bikes to mountain bikes.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

14. Ocean Club Resorts — Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

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Set upon the turquoise shore of Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos, at Ocean Club you can choose between a room at the beachside Ocean Club or the more ~lively~ Ocean Club West, which will put you closer to the nightlife.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request a bond from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

15. Willka T'ika Wellness Resort — Urubamba, Peru

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Want to cross Machu Picchu off your bucket list one day? The heavily gardened Willka T'ika is conveniently located between the ancient Inca citadel and Cusco. In addition to its wellness-focused amenities and yoga class offerings, your stay also includes opportunities to experience authentic Andean ceremonies and visit a local mountain school supported by the hotel.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request a bond from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

16. Bobby Hotel — Nashville, Tennessee, US

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Nashville's super-trendy Bobby Hotel is currently offering a 25 percent discount on gift cards, which should give you plenty of incentive to start planning your escape to Music City. Not only are you saving money, but each gift card tier also offers perks like free drinks, a poolside cabana, or a rooftop igloo reservation.

The deal: Gift cards are 25 percent off normal price with extras thrown in

How to buy: Purchase directly through the hotel

17. Akyra Thonglor — Bangkok, Thailand

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If a trip to Thailand is on your to-do list as soon as it's safe to travel, you can buy yourself some time to get over your jet lag with a night at Akyra Thonglor, a hotel that embraces its urban location by maximizing on cityscape views. Because hotels in Thailand tend to be less expensive, this deal is extra sweet once you realize that you have some remaining cash to spend at the pool bar.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

18. Casa Violeta – Tulum, Mexico

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A Mexican getaway on the beach doesn't have to mean staying at a big resort. At the beachside Casa Violeta you'll find a haven with a calming minimalist aesthetic and bohemian flair. In addition to yoga classes and massage treatments, you can also engage with your spiritual side in a cacao ceremony.

The deal: A $100 gift card will be worth $150

How to buy: Request from the hotel via Buy Now, Stay Later

19. Entre Cielos Luxury Wine Hotel + Spa — Mendoza, Argentina

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After quarantine, we can't think of a better place to drink the day away than in the sprawling malbec vineyards of Entre Cielos Hotel in Argentina's famous wine region, Mendoza. With modern architecture, a Turkish-inspired spa, and complimentary wine tastings for guests, it's a vino-lover's paradise.

The deal: Pay $200 for hotel credits worth $300

How to buy: Purchase via Porter & Sail

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