Most hotel chains offer some type of loyalty rewards program to encourage travelers to stay within their family of hotel brands. Usually based on a points system, the rewards can be used for free nights, free room upgrades, and more.
But loyalty can come at a cost. Travelers may need to pay more for a stay in order to stay within the chain’s program. And depending upon the chain’s footprint, the traveler may be limited in options, such as location, hotel brands, and amenities.
Does it make sense to stay loyal or should you play the field?
Is Loyalty Really Worth It?
When I was traveling for work, I stayed loyal to one hotel chain. It wasn’t long before I earned six free nights at the W Hotel in South Beach, tickets and a backstage pass to a premier concert, and welcome gifts such as fruit baskets and assorted local beers.
With my points, I was able to give my daughter and son-in-law five nights in the Bahamas.
Frequently, my room would be upgraded to a suite, sometimes accompanied by a handwritten note from the manager welcoming me back.
With loyalty came rewards.
At the time, the rewards felt almost too good to be true. Free nights, upgrades, special experiences, and personalized treatment made staying loyal an easy decision.
But that was when someone else was paying for most of my hotel stays.
Today, I travel for very different reasons. I travel to experience a destination, not because a meeting is scheduled on my calendar.
And that change has caused me to look at hotel loyalty programs through a different lens.
The 6 Hotel Chain Loyalty Reward Programs
I have reviewed the top 6 hotel chain loyalty reward programs and who they may best suit based on the type of traveler. At the end, I’ll suggest an alternative that provides flexibility with occasional perks.
- Choice Privileges
- Brands include Radisson, Cambria, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, EconoLodge, and many others.
- Hilton Honors
- Brands include Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, and many others.
- IHG One Rewards
- Brands include Intercontinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge, and many others.
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Brands include The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Courtyard, Fairfield, and many others.
- World of Hyatt
- Brands include Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, and many others.
- Wyndham Rewards
- Brands include Wyndham, Tryp, Wyndham Garden, LaQuinta, Ramada, Days Inn, and many others.
Each of the hotel chains has brands from the ultra-luxurious to budget, offering travelers options to best fit their needs.
How to Earn Points in the Loyalty Reward Programs
Points are earned primarily through stays at the hotel chain. Travelers can also earn points by spending at the hotel on dining, spa, recreation, etc. Each chain offers a branded credit card that can earn points based on everyday spending. And some chains have partnered with other companies, such as rental car companies, retailers, gas stations, and more.
What are the Benefits of the Loyalty Reward Programs
Each program offers increasing benefits based on the number of nights stayed and/or points earned. The benefits are structured in tiers, with advancement to the next tier earning the traveler additional benefits.
These benefits range from discounted or free nights, room upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, welcome gifts, premium wifi, free breakfast or other dining, and more. Points can also be redeemed for other travel (such as cruises) and experiences (concerts, sporting events, and the like).
The Devil is in the Details
Points in the loyalty reward programs can accumulate quickly if you play the game right.
Though the reward programs are similar, each is unique in its own way. Exactly how you earn points and reap the rewards depends on a number of factors.
Loyalty programs typically work best when your travel patterns naturally align with them. Chasing points simply for the sake of points can sometimes lead travelers to spend more money than they otherwise would.
What Program is Best for You?
There are several factors in determining which loyalty rewards program may be best for you. These factors include the value of the points, the ease of earning points, the benefits offered at each tier level, the number of locations, and the ease of redeeming points. And then at the end of the day, what does your budget allow?
Based on these factors, I have ranked each program from first to last, but that doesn’t mean best to worst. The loyalty rewards program ranked last may be the program that best suits your needs and style of travel.
- World of Hyatt
- Pros – Best rewards value for earning and redeeming points.
- Cons – Fewest number of hotels within the chain.
- Who it’s for – Frequent travelers who value quality over quantity.
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Pros – Largest global footprint with a wide range of brands from budget to luxury.
- Cons – Redeeming award points can be unpredictable.
- Who it’s for – Travelers who want a wide choice of hotels worldwide.
- Hilton Honors
- Pros – Points are easy to earn, and strong branded credit cards.
- Cons – Points are not as valuable as Hyatt or Marriott.
- Who it’s for – Travelers wanting numerous point earning options.
- IHG One Rewards
- Pros – Strong mix of hotel brands to suit travelers’ needs and tastes.
- Cons – Elite status rewards pale in comparison to other hotel chains.
- Who it’s for – Road warriors and practical travelers.
- Wyndham Rewards
- Pros – Great value for budget-conscious travelers and presence in smaller towns.
- Cons – Limited luxury options and elite rewards.
- Who it’s for – Budget travelers.
- Choice Privileges
- Pros – Good point value and excellent footprint in mid-range hotel brands.
- Cons – Lacks the excitement factor of the other chains.
- Who it’s for – Value-focused travelers.
An Alternative to Staying Loyal to a Hotel Chain
Each of the loyalty rewards programs offers status that comes with benefits as you reach the different program tiers. And as I mentioned, when I traveled for work, concentrating my stays with one hotel chain unlocked many benefits that I otherwise would not have received.
But…
I am no longer traveling for work.
For me to travel as much as I would like, I need to stretch my travel dollar. Meaning, I do not want to overspend on lodging if it means I sacrifice other potential experiences.
Don’t misunderstand me, I enjoy luxury hotels and still stay at them when I can get them at the right price. This makes it difficult for me to stay brand-loyal.
Expedia’s OneKeyCash
Expedia’s program, available when booking hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises, certain activities, and vacation rentals on Expedia.com, Hotels.com, or Vrbo, allows travelers to earn cash-like credits for future travel.
Typically, the hotel chain loyalty rewards programs offer better perks than Expedia, such as room upgrades, free breakfast, late check-out, etc.
But this isn’t always the case.
As I mentioned in my blog post about our stay in London, we received a room upgrade at the hotel I booked through Expedia.
On occasion, I will receive complimentary drinks at the lounge, free breakfast, or other perks offered as an enticement to book through Expedia.
Price – Value Comparisons on Expedia
Expedia makes it very easy to compare different hotels based on hotel class, price, location, etc. I am able to easily compare different hotel chains and brands at the destination and then book where I believe I am getting the best value for the price I am paying.
Occasionally, I will go directly to the hotel’s website and compare prices to Expedia before making a final decision. Rarely do I find a significant price difference.
And just like the hotel chain loyalty rewards programs, the more you book under the OneKeyCash program, the more you can achieve tier status, offering enhanced benefits.
My Take
As a leisure traveler, not as someone trying to maximize every possible point redemption, I view these as the best fit for each program:
- Best Overall Rewards: Hyatt
- Best Worldwide Coverage: Marriott
- Easiest Points to Earn: Hilton
- Best Budget Option: Wyndham
- Best for Flexible Travelers: Expedia OneKeyCash
Conclusion
Whether you should stay loyal to a hotel chain or remain flexible really depends on the type of traveler you are.
Fifteen years ago, when I was spending more nights in hotel rooms than in my own bed, loyalty paid off handsomely.
Today, as a leisure traveler paying my own way, flexibility often wins.
That’s why I no longer chase hotel status. Instead, I focus on finding the best overall value and putting the money I save toward experiences I’ll remember long after I’ve checked out.
I do not have an affiliate relationship with these hotel loyalty programs. Links are provided for the reader’s convenience.
