I recently signed up for the double points promotion where you start getting double credit on the second stay. I have an expensive stay coming up in two weeks, but don't have plans to stay somewhere else before then.

Does anyone know if you can book a cheap night somewhere but not actually check in (in person) and still count as a stay? I'd be willing to pay for a night to capture credit for my longer stay later, but don't want to pay much since I don't actually need to stay over before then.

Thanks!