Debunking the Myth of “Free” Hotel Stays:
What Travel Agents Need to Know
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed more and more content creators, influencers, and UGC (user-generated content) specialists promoting the idea that it’s easy to secure “free” hotel stays and even get paid for them but having worked in the travel and hospitality industry for decades, I can tell you that this is, to a large extent, misinformation and many people are to be left feeling let down. Hoteliers are also going to start feeling frustrated by the lack of hospitality knowledge.
Let’s Get Used to One Thing: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Hotel Stay
Every time someone stays in a hotel room, there is a cost attached, whether it’s cleaning, staff time, utilities, or simply the potential revenue the hotel loses by offering the room for a “free” stay rather than selling it to a paying guest. Hotels are businesses, and like any business, their priority is return on investment (ROI).
Hotels receive countless emails every day from travel agents, UGC creators, influencers, and content creators all asking for stays. And while many of these requests are from professionals with strong, genuine value to offer, the sheer volume of outreach can be overwhelming for hoteliers. That’s why it’s crucial to understand how hotels actually make decisions about these stays and how you, as a travel agent, can stand out.
Why Hotel Knowledge Will Set You Apart
Many influencers and content creators don’t have the hospitality industry knowledge that experienced travel agents do. This is where you have a major advantage. If you can demonstrate that you understand hotel distribution, pricing strategies, and revenue management, you will be far more valuable to hotels than someone who just offers a social media post.
Inside Hotel Fam Club, we’ve shared insights into how hotels calculate the cost of a room and make decisions about hosted stays. it will give you an edge when speaking with hotels. When you can confidently talk about sales, marketing, revenue management, and PR strategies, you’re not just another request in a crowded inbox, you’re a valuable partner.
The Industry is Changing But You’re in a Strong Position
There’s no denying that UGC creators and influencers are increasingly moving into the booking space, using affiliates and APIs to start selling travel. This means competition is growing but here’s the good news:
✔ You already understand the full travel booking journey, which can take clients months to complete.
✔ You know how to convert inspiration into actual bookings, not just engagement.
✔ You have direct relationships with clients who trust your expertise, unlike many content creators who are only just beginning to build that trust.
The Focus Needs to Be on Selling
Hotels care about ROI, revenue, and bookings, that’s the bottom line. So if you want to secure familiarisation stays, the key is to position yourself as a seller, not just as someone seeking a stay. Always highlight what you can bring to the table, whether that’s a strong database of high-value clients, a proven track record of bookings, or a fresh, creative approach to showcasing a hotel.
My Final Thoughts
The message here isn’t that familiarisation stays aren’t possible, they absolutely are but they require effort, understanding, and a clear value exchange. If you can show hotels that you’re serious about selling, understand their challenges, and can bring real business to them, you will always have the upper hand.
Hotel Fam Club is here to help you stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. Keep learning, keep selling, and most importantly, keep positioning yourself as the valuable expert that you are.