watch out for "free" nights

Q: I have received an offer for "free nights" at a resort. I would love to take it up, but I realise there must be a catch somewhere. What are some of the pitfalls of these offers? - Alison Beard

A: It is certainly worth checking out, as it may simply be a way of drumming up extra business in these difficult times. Many resorts and hotels will be trying to get people into their rooms at any price in the hope that they can make something on food, drink and entertainment. You don't say whether you are paying for some of the accommodation, as in the offer 'pay for seven nights and get seven nights free'. This is the most likely type of offer to be legitimate, but you need to check that the price you are paying on the paid-for nights is not inflated. You may discover that it would cost you less to pay for all the nights direct through a discount website!

The most common "hidden clause" is that some or all meals are compulsory. This means they will be added to your bill whether you take them or not. Check the meal rates in this case - a sneaky operator will suddenly inflate the rate of the breakfast you get for free on your paid nights. So, be careful of phrases like "Your room is completely free - all you pay for is your meals!"

If you are being offered the free nights without having to pay for any of them, there's a fair chance that you are signing up for a timeshare sales pitch. You will be told that you only have to attend a short presentation on your first or second day, but you could end up being chased around by some tough-talking salesman for the rest of your stay . The reality is that the best products don't need such hard-sell tactics, so don't be tempted by this type of offer. And whenever you are offered an excursion, an invitation to a cocktail party or to choose a gift, never assume that it is "on the house". As always, a wise traveller is never afraid to ask the question: How much will that cost me? (14 June 2009)