Winter is bonus season at hotels

Winter is a gloomy period for hotels.

Leisure travel slows to a trickle, leaving just a few die-hard road warriors to fill those many empty hotel rooms.

However, a hotel’s pain is a traveler’s gain. Room rates tend to soften, and loyalty program bonuses proliferate. If past years are any indication, we’ll be treated to a slew of offers for extra points and miles during the next few months.

First out of the box this year is an offer for members of the InterContinental Hotels Group’s Priority Club Rewards program.

Between January 14 and April 30, Priority Club members can earn 4,000 bonus points or 1,000 bonus airline miles on every second qualifying stay at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites hotels. This offer is good for up to 40,000 bonus points or 10,000 bonus miles.

Expect comparable offers from Marriott, Starwood, and other large chains in the coming weeks. Members of Hilton’s HHonors program should be on the lookout for personalized offers, as Hilton has opted to steer clear of non-targeted systemwide promotions in recent years.