Travelers frequently get a complimentary night or two with a resort package - particularly during the off-season at pricier places in popular tropical locales.
Less common is a free night at a small inn. But that, too, is available when you buy a guidebook called Bed & Breakfast and Country Inns by Tim and Deborah Sakach.Their publishing company, American Historic Inns, has been turning out inn books since 1981. A year ago, the publisher started a buy-one, get-one-free deal that has expanded to 1,800 participating lodgings in the just-released sixth edition ($19.95 in bookstores). Most inns are in the United States; a few are in Canada and the Virgin Islands.
Each copy of the book contains a certificate, good through December 1995, for a free night at any one of the inns listed when you buy the first night at the regular rate. To discourage travelers who might be tempted to clip the coupon from library and bookstore copies, you must present the whole book intact at the inn where you want to cash in your freebie. There are some restrictions and blackout dates (set by each participating inn and described in the book). Many inns honor the offer throughout the year except on weekends or holidays, for example; others impose further limitations during peak vacation periods.
The Sakaches have not visited all the inns they list but scrutinize readers' comments (rating forms also are included in each book). Any inn that gets a negative evaluation is dropped unless the problem involves something that can be explained and corrected, Deborah Sakach says.
Another freebie with an unusual twist comes from Hilton International Canadian properties, which through March will swap a free-room night for 10,000 air miles earned through American Airlines' AAdvantage frequent-flier program. The offer, called HospitAAlity Award, doesn't require a paid stay for guests to collect free nights. Info: (800) HILTONS.
Through Dec. 30, Fairmont Hotel Co. - which operates moderately-priced luxury properties in Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Dallas - is offering guests who are members of American Airlines' AAdvantage frequent flier program a certificate for a complimentary night. The freebie can be used between Nov. 18 and March 31 in conjunction with a paid-night stay at qualifying standard rates. Info: (800) 527-4727.