How to get free gas cards from hotels on your next road trip

The new hotel amenity is the gas card. That seems to be the trend as regular gas in California hovers around $4 a gallon and hotels seek an incentive that will resonate with guests. Gas up with these deals the next time you belly up to the pump.

Marriott Hotels is offering a California Road Trip Package that includes a $25 gas card with a stay at 10 locations in Bakersfield, La Jolla, San Bruno, San Diego and San Francisco. When I tested this deal at a few locations, I found package prices slightly higher than the hotel’s best available rate.

For example, I found the “Road Trip” rate for $159 a night on April 22 at Residence Inn San Diego La Jolla -- $10 more than the best available rate for the same room on the same night. Still, that’s $15 of free gas when you crunch the numbers. The offer is good through Sept. 6; use the code TRS when making a reservation. Contact: California Road Trip Package, (800) 834-7260

Riviera Palm Springs offers a “Free Gas Pass” package that includes a $25 gas card and free valet parking for visitors paying the best available rate. (I checked random midweek and weekend dates and found best available rates starting at $239 plus tax a night.) Mention “freegaspasspromo” when checking in to receive the extras. The offer is good through May 26, with some blackout dates. Contact: Riviera Palm Springs, (866) 588-8311

Personality Hotels include three San Francisco properties -- Hotel Diva, Hotel Union Square and Kensington Park Hotel -- where the Get Pumped Up! package applies. The offer includes a $10 gas card and free valet parking with rooms that start at $169 a night plus tax. The offer is good for stays through Dec. 30 but must be reserved by April 16. Contact: Personality Hotels, (800) 553-1900

Comfort Inns, Quality Inns and other brands from Choice Hotels offer a”Free $50 Gas Card” for two stays by accruing points through their free rewards program. Check out this prior Daily Travel & Deal blog for details about that deal, which applies to stays through May 4.