Reasons I always charge my meals, gifts, and spa services to my hotel room

The TPG team just came back from a fantastic retreat at Arizona's JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. While there's much to discuss about this excellent Category 6 Bonvoy property, today I want to highlight room charges.

We gathered over 40 reporters and editors in the desert to strategize for the upcoming year and reconnect after being apart for so long. Additionally, we've been hiring, and many new team members had never met their colleagues face-to-face.

Now, back to room charges.

Our team consists of experts in points, miles, and credit cards. We also have aviation and hotel professionals, a few general travel and news enthusiasts, along with a growing cruise team.

Some of us have almost two dozen credit cards, while others are just beginning their journey into loyalty programs.

That's the beauty of TPG: we strive to connect with seasoned points and miles enthusiasts as well as newcomers to this hobby every day.

When one of our reporters reached for a credit card to pay for a meal at the hotel restaurant, I had to step in and share this tip: always charge everything to your hotel room.

Sure, using the right credit card at a restaurant earns valuable points or miles. However, charging the bill to your room will yield even more points.

Hotels generally reward guests who book directly with them by offering points for every dollar spent on the room rate.

For example, at most Marriott locations, guests earn 10 points for every dollar spent on the base room rate. Thus, a $200 room would yield 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Note that taxes and fees do not accrue points.

As a Titanium Elite member, I enjoy a 75% bonus. Therefore, that same $200 expense will grant me 3,500 Bonvoy points.

Additionally, at many hotels, you can also earn points at the same rate for dining, spa services, and sometimes even retail purchases. And remember, you're charging the entire stay to a points-earning credit card, ideally one that provides bonuses for travel or stays with that brand.

This last point is crucial.

Some hotels do not offer extra points for spending at their restaurants or spas, but this doesn’t mean you’re missing out on rewards.

In fact, you could be saving money—especially at the spa or retail outlets. Many of these facilities are run by third parties and may not be recognized as hotel expenses by credit card companies. As a result, you might only earn the base points instead of a travel bonus.

However, by charging those expenses directly to your room, you ensure they are categorized as travel charges, maximizing your point accumulation.

Lastly, some individuals aim for Marriott Ambassador status or lifetime Hyatt Globalist. Both achievements depend on your hotel spending, and every dollar matters—especially if it's charged to your room.

Sure, these are significant goals that you might not be considering yet. However, it’s beneficial to start cultivating the right habits now.