Choosing a hotel loyalty program can be exhausting because it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what you want. While some loyalty programs offer specific benefits, another might work better for you and your travel needs.
Regardless of what you need, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of information on the Internet about hotel loyalty programs, or you may need help figuring out where to start.
Either way, we have you covered and will delve into which ones are best for you. To summarize, we will start with a brief list and provide further detail below.
The best hotel loyalty programs are as follows:
- IGH One Rewards
- Best Western Rewards
- Wyndham Rewards
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Leaders Club
- Choice Programs
In this article, we will discuss each of the hotel loyalty programs mentioned above. On top of that, we will review how these programs work, what to look for, and their pros and cons. Overall, it is imperative to gather as much information as possible before making an informed decision about which hotel loyalty programs work best for you.
How Do Hotel Loyalty Programs Work?
Hotel loyalty programs are fantastic because you can earn points each time you stay at one of their hotels or resorts. Most loyalty programs earn 5 to 10 points per dollar spent. These points can be redeemed for free nights or room upgrades, such as an ocean-view room vs. a non-ocean-view room.
On top of this, most programs have tiers such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, or Diamond, each offering more perks during your stay. Some of these perks might include late check-out, car rentals, complimentary breakfasts, or spa services during your stay.
Loyalty programs aim to build long-term relationships with their guests, thereby increasing customer spending and retention. These loyalty programs are a strategic way to retain customers by offering valuable rewards and personalized experiences.
If you are traveling, for example, you can take your time and make the trip last a few days, which gives you and your travel partner(s) time to relax rather than stress about getting from one destination to the next quickly.
What Should You Look for in a Hotel Rewards Program?
Before getting started on discussing what each hotel loyalty program is and what they offer, one of the many questions you might find yourself asking is what you should look for in a hotel rewards program. Because each place is different and some may not suit your needs well, make sure you find the program that is best for you.
1. Earning and Redeeming Points
One of the best benefits of being part of a hotel loyalty program is the ability to earn and redeem points for your stays.
Essentially, the more times you stay at a specific hotel or resort that contains loyalty programs, the more points you earn. As we discovered earlier, you can redeem your points by staying for a few nights, receiving room upgrades, gaining complimentary amenities, and more.
2. Travel Habit Alignment
Suppose you travel a lot, especially for work purposes. In this case, you can align any travel habits you may have to stay at a specific resort or hotel of your choice.
For example, many loyalty programs contain multiple locations throughout the country, or, in some cases, worldwide. If you travel regularly to a specific location and need to stay for a while, or even just one night, one of the most important things to look into is which rewards program is available where you stay the most often. This can easily determine what program you get into.
3. Type of Benefits Offered
Most programs offer similar benefits, but some may differ from others. Free nights, room upgrades, early check-ins, and late check-outs are among the perks you might want. Other places might offer member-only rates, while others might have special promotions for a limited time.
4. Additional Considerations
Consider whether the place you go to is more kid-friendly than others. Some loyalty programs are specifically designed to include families, whereas others might be better suited to individuals or primarily to adults. Sometimes, as an adult, all you want is serenity, no matter where you decide to go. Lastly, some programs offer spa treatments and other fun or relaxing benefits that others may not offer. Because of this, it is wise to consider these options.
Best Hotel Loyalty Programs
As mentioned previously, we will go over the best hotel loyalty programs. Even though we are providing quite a bit of information, it is still wise to ask them directly to ensure you get all the information you need to make an informed decision.
1. IGH One Rewards
The first loyalty program we will discuss is IGH One Rewards, which includes about 7,000 properties worldwide across multiple brands, from Holiday Inn to luxury properties like Kimpton.
IGH One Rewards has quite a few status perks, which include Club Level (free to join), Silver and Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Diamond Elite. All of these have their own advantages to consider if you want to join.
Lastly, these rewards are good for budget-conscious travelers and road trippers, frequent mid-tier business travelers, luxury-seekers, and casual travelers.
2. Best Western Rewards
The second rewards program we will discuss today is Best Western Rewards, which comprises more than 4,300 hotels across 100 countries. This program does not offer an ultra-luxury stay like many programs do, but it provides flexibility, great perks, and low status hurdles.
On top of this, your points will never expire or have blackout dates, making it a good choice for someone who wants a good night’s sleep without all the extra amenities that most rewards systems offer.
This program offers different tiers of accessibility, including Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select. On top of this, if you have an elite status with another hotel chain, they will match your status for free without requiring any hard trial periods.
Lastly, this loyalty program is best suited for infrequent travelers, road trippers and regional travelers, budget and mid-scale travelers, small business owners and field workers, and status chasers who earned status on another chain and want to gain elite perks at any Best Western instantly.
3. Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards is yet another great loyalty program to be a part of because it covers over 9,000 properties across 24 brands worldwide. Not only are there resorts, but you can also stay at specific Wyndham-covered hotels and earn points every time you stay.
Some of the key benefits you get while being a member are that you receive a predictable flat-rate redemption, which means you have more chances to stay for free with their different tiers available (this is their “Go Free” awards):
- Tier 1 receives 5,000 points per night on select budget hotels.
- Tier 2 receives 15,000 points per night for mid-range properties like La Quinta and Ramada.
- Tier 3 receives 30,000 points per night for more upscale properties like Caesar casino resorts.
- Tier 4 receives 45,000 points per night for luxury and ultra-premium locations.
At timeshares like Club Wyndham or vacation rentals like Vacasa, the “Go Free” awards cost 15,000 or 30,000 points per bedroom per night.
If you do not have enough points to cover a full night’s stay, you can still utilize their “Go Fast” rewards system, meaning instead of staying for a night fully for free, you can redeem 1,500, 3,000, or 6,000 points per night to cover part of your stay, allowing you to still go at a discounted rate.
Members earn 10 points per dollar spent or 1,000 points per stay, whichever is higher. This means that if you spend $50 somewhere for a quick stop, you will earn 1,000 points towards your next reward.
It is important to note that Wyndham Rewards will expire after 18 months of inactivity. However, if you purchase a Wyndham credit card, buy points, or redeem points for rewards, the 18-month timeline will reset.
Wyndham Rewards is best suited for those who travel frequently and want to stay on a budget, as well as those who own pets, since many places, such as La Quinta, are pet-friendly, making it easier to rack up points. Not only that, but this reward system is also good for families and vacation rental seekers, as many of these resorts offer multiple bedrooms so you can have your own space.
Lastly, Wyndham Rewards is great for co-branded credit card holders who want automatic status, annual points bonuses, and 10% off when redeeming points for free nights, and for casino and Vegas enthusiasts who want to secure free parking and have resort fees waived. Overall, it is an excellent choice for almost anything you want!
4. Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors is a large hotel loyalty program with over 7,500 properties across 125+ countries and territories. This particular brand offers both budget-friendly and extended-stay brands like Tru, Hampton, and Homewood Suites, as well as more luxurious, upscale destinations such as Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Embassy Suites, and DoubleTree.
When it comes to the key benefits Hilton Honors offers, there are many things to look out for. The first is a fifth free night, meaning all members, regardless of their status, will have their 5th night free when booking consecutive award nights using 100% of their Hilton Honors points. In doing so, it offers a 20% discount on 5-night standard-room reward redemptions.
On top of this, Hilton waives daily resort or facility fees on 100% point-based award stays. In doing so, it yields significant savings at resort locations such as the Caribbean, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. It also has a flexible redemption system where members can use a slider tool to combine points and cash in increments of 1,000 points for stay balances.
The Hilton Honors reward system has quite a few tiers you can join:
- Silver (10 nights of 4 stays) offers a 20% points bonus, rollover nights, and free bottled water.
- Gold (40 nights of 20 stays) offers an 80% points bonus, room upgrades, if available, up to the Executive room type, and a daily food and beverage credit in the USA or a complimentary continental breakfast internationally.
- Diamond (60 nights or 30 stays) provides a 100% points bonus with premium room upgrades (up to 1-bedroom suites when available), guaranteed reservation availability, and access to the executive lounge.
One thing to note is that Hilton wants to make top-tier status accessible to their customers. If you have the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® card, you receive automatic Gold status, whereas the premium Hilton Honors Aspire® Card grants you automatic Diamond status.
Lastly, the Hilton Honors program is best suited for families and long-stay travelers who wish to have a spacious room and consistent amenities while group traveling, luxury and vacation redemption hunters, like those who wish to stay at luxurious places, credit card enthusiasts who want immediate perks, and those who travel for business and are on the road constantly.
5. Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is yet another one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs. It has roughly 9,800 properties across more than 140 countries and territories. Not only that, but this network is part of 40 hotel brands, including, but not limited to, St. Regis, EDITION, and Ritz-Carlton on the high-end side, and City Express and TownePlace Suites on the midscale side.
Whether you are new or have been a customer for several years, anyone can sign up for a loyalty membership, but benefits depend on your level. Here are some key perks to each status:
- Member requires 0-9 nights per year, and you have access to the member-only rate, mobile app room key, and free Wi-Fi.
- Silver Elite requires 10-24 nights per year and offers a 10% bonus on points earned and priority late check-out, which is subject to availability.
- Gold Elite is for those who travel often and require between 25-49 nights per year. These perks include 25% bonus points, space-available room upgrades, and 2 PM late check-out.
- Platinum Elite requires between 50-74 nights per year and provides you with a 50% bonus points, room upgrades like standard suites, a guaranteed 4 PM late check-out, and lounge access. Not only that, but you can choose which welcome gift you desire (including a free breakfast at most brands), and an Annual Choice Benefit.
- Titanium Elite requires 75-99 nights per year and offers 75% bonus points, a 48-hour room guarantee, complimentary United MileagePlus Silver Status, and a second Annual Choice Benefit.
- Ambassador Elite is the last tier of benefits, which requires over 100 nights per year plus a $23k expenditure. These benefits include 75% bonus points, a dedicated 24/7 personal ambassador, and “Your24,” which means you can choose the exact 24-hour check-in and check-out window.
This program is perfect for frequent travelers, flexibility seekers, credit card and points maximizers, and award bookers who wish to book long stays (as their 5th night is free).
6. Leaders Club
The sixth hotel benefits program on our list is the Leaders Club, a program for The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW). This rewards program has over 400 independent luxury hotels, boutique resorts, safari lodges, and historic palaces.
Although the program itself is free to join, it is best suited for high-end vacationers, boutique and independent luxury travelers, and those who prefer to book through travel advisors.
There are two tiers to this program:
- Club, which is free to join. You can have a daily breakfast for 2, free Wi-Fi, early check-in/late check-out priority, arrival upgrade priority, and 1 pre-arrival upgrade request per year, unlocked after your first stay.
- Sterling, for those who spend $5,000+ per calendar year, which includes all Club benefits plus 5 pre-arrival upgrades per year, status match opportunities, and a 5% annual point bonus on room spend.
7. Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is yet another large hotel loyalty program, covering over 7,400 properties across 22 brands. It has quite a few highway-adjacent economy stays, such as Quality Inn and Comfort Inn, but also includes some upscale and boutique properties, such as Cambria, Ascend Hotel Collection, and Radisson Americas. Not only that, but Choice Privileges also has some long-term extended-stay brands, like MainStay Suites.
This program offers many levels to join, but it is important to note that members earn 10 base points per $1 USD spent, as with most standard programs. If you are staying somewhere for an extended period, you get 5x points. These tiers are as follows:
- Member, which is free to join. You can get 1,000 bonus points after your 2nd and 3rd stay of the year with their “Return & Earn” program.
- Gold status requires 10 nights or 20k credits and provides 10% bonus points, reserved Elite parking spaces, an Elite welcome gift during check-in, and early check-in/late check-out where available.
- Platinum has a minimum of 15 nights or 30k credits. This tier includes 25% bonus points, elevated customer service, and priority room upgrades at specific properties.
- Diamond requires 35 nights or 70k credits, offering a large 50% bonus on points, 48-hour room guarantee, and continental breakfast for 2 participating Radisson properties.
- Titanium, the last tier, requires at least 55 nights or 110k credits. The perks it includes are 50% bonus points and an annual Titanium Travel Award, a 50% off coupon for point redemption for up to 7 consecutive nights.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting Into a Hotel Loyalty Program?
Now that we know more details about the programs below, we want to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of joining a hotel loyalty program.
Pros:
1. Room Upgrades
One of the biggest perks of being in a loyalty program is getting room upgrades! For example, if you are put in a hotel room that does not meet your needs or wants, you can ask for an upgrade to a suite or even a change of view, such as a skyline or ocean view. Doing so enhances your overall experience, making being a member all worth your while.
2. Earning Points for Free Nights
Who doesn’t love having a free night, especially to somewhere you love going? This is one of the biggest selling points of hotel loyalty programs.
For example, if you are traveling on vacation to a place with the loyalty program you are in, but you are getting tired. In that case, you can earn points by staying at a hotel or motel associated with that specific loyalty program. When you check in, you will earn points for every dollar you spend in the loyalty program, which can get you a free night or two!
However, you can also gain points by participating in their special promotions. Some programs even offer a hotel rewards credit card, meaning that for every dollar you spend, you earn points you can redeem for free nights.
3. Personalized Offers
There is a myriad of personalized offers available to you as a rewards member! Although it depends on the specific program, here are some awesome things you can expect:
- Member-only rates: As a member, you get special rates and special deals when you stay at one of their places!
- Flexible check-in and check-out: Some programs offer flexibility on when you check in and check out. This means you do not need to rush out the door first thing in the morning and can check in early, which is convenient for you and anyone else you stay with. This is especially good for families who need to rest before having fun, or during a long road trip.
- Personalized touches: Many programs offer personalized touches, such as a welcome gift, a message, or special treats tailored to your preferences, making your visit more pleasant.
- Room upgrades: As discussed above, you can upgrade to a better room or suite.
- Customized promotions: Sometimes loyalty programs offer discounts on favorite services or amenities based on past stays, making your stay more customizable and helping you enjoy things more.
4. Saving Money for Frequent Travelers
Those who frequently travel, whether for work or recreation, can save quite a lot as rewards members. Because programs offer free stays by redeeming points, you can save quite a bit while enjoying yourself a bit as well!
5. Exclusive Perks
As mentioned previously, members can have exclusive perks, which is massive when you are trying to search for the rewards program that is best for you.
Cons:
1. Not Much Choice Flexibility
Hotel programs, although great, are not flexible. What we mean by this is that their point systems are geared towards a specific chain rather than offering transferable benefits across programs. For example, you cannot redeem Wyndham points for Hilton Honors and vice versa.
On top of this, most of these programs have different tiered structures (Platinum, Gold, or Silver) that require members to accumulate a specific number of nights or points to unlock any benefits. Those who travel occasionally have more difficulty reaching any valuable rewards.
2. Complicated Redemption Process
In most cases, hotel loyalty programs can seem almost impossible for infrequent travelers to obtain and use. This is because you need to acquire a lot of points to obtain a free night’s stay. Some hotel loyalty programs require as few as 5,000 points, while others require 15,000.
If you do not travel much, choosing one of the more accessible options would be a good choice, whereas frequent travelers might want to go with the higher-points option. Some of these rewards programs might also offer more amenities or a wider range of hotel options than others.
3. Potential Overspending
If you book at the last minute, the price might be higher than if you planned it out. On top of this, some of these loyalty programs are not designed to offer immediate benefits, as you will have to keep coming back repeatedly to earn certain perks. Lastly, because some programs lack incentives until after several stays, this could discourage people from returning, resulting in higher overall costs.
Who Benefits the Most From Hotel Loyalty Programs?
Those who travel frequently will benefit the most from loyalty programs. This is because they can earn free nights and room upgrades much faster than those who travel less often. On top of this, they receive exclusive perks that will leave them satisfied and wanting to come back for more.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, there are many wonderful reward programs out there that are great for a wide range of people. However, it is important to ensure you do as much research as possible before making an informed decision.
Overall, we hope this article has helped you gain a bit more perspective on which hotel loyalty program to choose. If you have any other questions about traveling or creating new adventures, we are here to help! Do not hesitate to check out our other articles to see all we have to offer and discuss.