Thinking about or are signing up for hotel loyalty program, but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! If you didn’t already know, most hotel loyalty programs offers different types of benefits for all kinds of travelers to utilize!
Hotel loyalty programs offer solid value perks and propositions for all travelers, even to those who don’t travel as much! You can continue reading below to see our top five picks for the best hotel loyalty program to sign up for!
Finding the Right Hotel Loyalty Program
In order to get the best hotel rewards program, you have to take into consideration where you travel, how often, and your preferred accommodation, as well as:
- The number of properties, it could mean that a big portfolio means more for you to earn and choose from.
- The property locations, look for destinations you’ll most likely visit.
- Check your earning potential, see how you can collect your points quickly to earn a free night in no time.
- Your points aren’t worth much if they’re hard to cash in, so make sure you check if the redemption for your points are easy.
- The more valuable the points, the more worthwhile the program.
- The hotel perks you get, since some programs offer extras, like free upgrades and complimentary WiFi.
- Read through the elite status requirements and know what it takes to unlock valuable VIP perks.
Each loyalty program has different strengths that might line up and work with your travel style. So when you do end up signing up for a hotel rewards program, make sure you stick with it because you’ll earn the best rewards in the long run.
Top Five Hotel Loyalty Programs
Here are some of the best hotel rewards program that offers you the biggest perks for your loyalty:
- Expedia Rewards
- IHG Rewards Club
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
- Wyndham Rewards
1. Expedia Rewards
Expedia is one of the most well known online travel agencies! They have a generous loyalty program which lets you earn and redeem points for both flights and hotel stays. Compared to other hotel loyalty programs, through Expedia you’ll be able to collect frequent flyer miles and airline elite status. This is a great option for those who don’t travel often and for those who aren’t particular to an airline carrier or hotel group!
| Number of properties | Over 1 million |
| Base earning rates | 2 points for every $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, cruises and vacation packages.
1 point for every $5 spent on airline tickets. |
| Redemptions start at | 1 point |
| Average point value | $0.007 / point |
| Elite status | Spend $5,000, or stay 7 qualifying nights, within a year. |
| Extra perks | Exclusive members-only deals and bonus offers, VIP Access hotel benefits, earn points when you book for others, no blackout dates |
| Drawbacks | Low point value |
2. IHG Rewards Club
 The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card offers several perks that you'll sure enjoy like: an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts (plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay) And as long as you're a cardmember, you'll have Platinum Elite status. You'll get Global Entry or TSA Pre?®, or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card. There is an annual fee of $99. |
IHG, Intercontinental Hotels Group, has several properties from low-tier Holiday Ins to grandeur Intercontinental resorts. IHG’s loyalty program features PointBreaks properties every two to three months. If you reach 5,000 points, you can book and award night, but you must stay at the PointBreaks property within the following couple of months.
Participating hotel brands:
- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
- Crowne Plaze
- Holiday Inn Express
- Staybridge Suites
- HUALUXE
- InterContinetal Alliance Resorts
- Hotel Indigo
- Holiday Inn Resort
- Candlewood Suites
- Avid Hotels
- Kimpton Hotels
- Holiday Inn
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- EVEN Hotels
| Number of properties | Over 5,500 |
| Base earning rates | 10 points for every $1 spent on hotel stays at most IHG properties.
5 points for every $1 spent on hotel stays at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. |
| Free hotel nights start at | 5,000 points |
| Average point value | $0.005 / point |
| Elite status | 10,000 qualifying points, or 10 qualified nights, within a calendar year. |
| Extra perks | PointBreaks properties, complimentary WiFi, elite rollover nights, no blackout dates |
| Drawbacks | Small selection of luxury hotels, low point value, points expire within 12 months of inactivity |
3. Marriott Bonvoy
 The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards up to a 150,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
The Marriott Rewards program has the flexibility to transfer to partner loyalty programs at a 3:1 ration, with a few exceptions, for award flights or upgrades. You can also earn a 5,000 miles bonus when you convert 20,000 points.
Just like IHG, Marriott Bonvoy also offers PointSavers promotions. It will let you book hotel properties for less than their normal award rates, but only for a limited time.
Plus they also offer you a chance to get one free night when you redeem for five consecutive nights, so if you stay for five nights, you only get to pay for four!
Participating hotel brands:
- AC Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott
- EDITION Hotels
- Four Points
- The Luxury Collection
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Protea Hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton
- St. Regis
- W Hotels
- Aloft Hotels
- Delta Hotels
- Element
- Gaylord Hotels
- Marriott Hotels
- Moxy Hotels
- Renaissance Hotels
- Sheraton
- Tribute Porfolio
- Westin
- Autograph Collection Hotels
- Design hotels
- Fairfield Inn& Suites
- JW Marriott
- Marriott Execute Aparments
- Residence Inn
- SpringHill Suites
- TownePlace Suites
| Number of properties | Over 6,900 |
| Base earning rates | 10 points for every $1 spent on eligible hotel charges at most Marriott Bonvoy properties.
5 points for every $1 spent on eligible hotel charges at Element, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites. |
| Free hotel nights start at | 6,000 points |
| Average point value | $0.009 / point |
| Elite status | 10 eligible nights within a calendar year. |
| Extra perks | PointSavers options, exclusive member rates, complimentary WiFi, mobile key, no blackout dates, points don’t expire |
| Drawbacks | Some luxurious Marriott brands do not participate in Marriott Bonvoy |
4. World of Hyatt
Hyatt is another one of the best hotel chain with their world class brands like Park Hyatt and Andaz included in its portfolio. If you want to stay at luxurious hotels within the United States, Mexico, Europe or Asia then you should look into the World of Hyatt.
With the Hyatt Rewards program, you can choose between Hyatt points or partner miles for your hotel stays with their airline partners. If you choose to transfer Hyatt points to airline miles – ratio= of 2:5:1 – you’ll earn a 5,000 bonus miles when you convert 50,000 points.
Participating hotel brands:
- Andaz
- Exhale
- Hyatt Hotels
- Hyatt Regency
- Joie de Vivre
- Thompson Hotels
- Alila
- Grand Hyatt
- Hyatt House
- Hyatt Residence Club
- Miraval
- The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
- Destination Hotels
- Hyatt Centric
- Hyatt Place
- Hyatt Zilara & Ziva
- Park Hyatt
| Number of properties | Over 700 |
| Base earning rate | 5 points per $1 spent at Hyatt properties. |
| Free hotel nights start at | 5,000 points |
| Average point value | $0.017 / point |
| Elite status | 10 qualifying nights, 25,000 base points, or 3 qualifying events/meetings, within a calendar year. |
| Extra perks | Exclusive member rates, complimentary WiFi, free breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, waived resort fees on award nights, exclusive reservations line, no blackout dates |
| Drawbacks | Limited coverage, award stays don’t count towards status, points expire after 24 months of inactivity |
5. Wyndham Rewards
Wyndhan Rewards has a similar award category system to Marriott Bonvoy and the World of Hyatt. Properties now range from 7,500 to 30,000 points per night, instea dof 15,000 points for a free stay. In addition to the redemption changes, there’s 900+ added La Quinta hotels in Wyndham’s catalog and new perks for military members.
Participating hotel brands:
- AmericInn
- Dazzler
- Hawthorn Suites
- Microtel
- Trademark colletion
- Wingate
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Baymont
- Dolce Hotels & Resorts
- Howard Johnson
- Ramada
- Travelodge
- Wyndham Garden
- Days Inn
- Esplendor
- La Quinta
- Super 8
- TRYP
- Wyndham Grand
| Number of properties | ~9,000 |
| Base earning rate | 10 points per $1 spent on qualified stays at participating Wyndham properties, or 1,000 points (whichever is greater). |
| Free hotel nights start at | 7,500 points |
| Average point value | $0.012 / point |
| Elite status | 5 qualifying nights within a calendar year. |
| Extra perks | Active and retired military members, veterans and their spouses: instant GOLD status, 12% discount off the best available rate, and 1,000 bonus points after one qualifying stay. |
| Drawbacks | Limited high-end properties, no extra perks for non-military members, points expire after 4 years |
Additional Tips
Most hotel loyalty programs have a good amount of value, to get the most for your money, see additional tips below:
Know your perks
Make sure you ready the loyalty program’s paperwork and make note of all the benefits you’re going to take advantage of. Do keep in mind that not all the perks are outlined clearly, so make sure you ask if you have any questions.
Book directly with hotel
Please do note that most programs will not reward bookings that were made from online travel agencies or other third-party sites, so if you want to earn the points for your hotel stay, make sure to reserve your room and pay directly though the hotel’s website.
Get co-branded credit card
With a hotel rewards credit card, you can give your earnings a boost. Receive additional points for brand-related products, as well as extra points from one-time, sign-up bonuses!
List of Loyalty Rewards Programs & Guides
Bottom Line
Signing up for a hotel loyalty program can benefit you a lot, deciding whether you need one or not depends on what your property needs!
If you’re interested in more promotions from the programs listed above you can check out the latest offers from: Expedia, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and Wyndham Rewards.
Furthermore, if you frequently travel outside of the U.S., you can check out which credit card offers no foreign transaction fee, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra. And while you’re here on HMB, you can see whether Miles vs. Cash Back card fits you better and learn how much credit card points are worth.
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