Best Hotel Rewards Programs

Whether I’m traveling for business or pleasure, hotel stays are an integral part of a journey. I’ve stayed at dozens, if not hundreds around the world, from the big hotel chain names to boutique hotel experiences.

Whatever the type of hotel, here’s something I’ve learned over the years – if you aren’t using hotel rewards programs, you’re missing out.

Hotel rewards schemes act like supercharged loyalty programs. You could earn free room upgrades, access to exclusive lounges, complimentary breakfasts, free nights, and more. Seriously good rewards, though not all of these programs are equal.

Which is best for you? Read on to find out my best hotel rewards programs.

Marriott Bonvoy

Best for:Frequent travelers who appreciate a wide variety of hotel options from luxury to budget-friendly, and who value flexibility in how to earn and use rewards.

Marriott Bonvoy is the world’s largest hotel chain, offering a range of more than 8,700 hotels across 30 brands in around 140 countries. Whether you’re looking for luxury or budget-friendly accommodation, Marriott Bonvoy caters for you.

The key features of the Marriott Bonvoy program include its tiered membership levels: Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite. Each level offers progressively more generous benefits, including complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and lounge access.

Earning rewards is easy: you accrue points with each hotel stay, by spending on Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, and via partnerships with airlines and other services.

You’ll earn points for each stay in a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, and these can be redeemed for free nights and flights (thanks to its partnership with several airlines), as well as experiences like exclusive concerts or cooking classes with renowned chefs.

Pros	Cons
Extensive selection of hotels worldwide, catering to all budgets.	Benefits and point valuations can vary widely between properties.
Valuable fifth-night-free benefit on award bookings.	Some members find it challenging to use points for high-value redemptions during peak periods.
Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline partners.	Achieving and maintaining higher tiers of Elite status requires significant travel.

How To fast-track Marriott Bonvoy rewards

To accelerate your earnings and enjoy enhanced benefits quickly, consider applying for one of the Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

You could earn significant welcome bonuses and earn on everyday spending, as well as be granted automatic Elite status – an immediate boost to your rewards journey.

Hilton Honors

Best for: If you frequently stay in cities around the world, and you desire easy status achievement along with a wide variety of redemption opportunities to enhance your travel experiences.

Hilton Honors is the loyalty program for Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The group has more than 7,000 properties across 22 brands in more than 120 countries.

Whether staying overnight on business, wanting a luxury break, or seeking a more casual stay, I’ve always found Hilton to have the answer to my accommodation needs.

The Hilton Honors program features four membership levels: Member, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. These tiers offer escalating rewards, including room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast or food and drink credits.

As a Gold or Diamond member, you could enjoy extra-value benefits like luxury room upgrades and executive lounge access where available.

You’ll earn points each time you stay at a Hilton property. You can also earn points by spending on Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards, and via partnerships, including car rentals and flights with partner airlines.

You can also redeem points for free nights, experiences, and more. Something I particularly like about the Hilton Honors program is that you can pool your points with family and friends – this makes it even easier to enjoy benefits from the scheme.

Pros	Cons
Broad global footprint with properties in major cities and vacation destinations.	High-tier properties require a substantial number of points for redemption.
Easy to achieve and maintain Elite status, especially through credit card partnerships.	Compared to some other programs, day-to-day point earning rates on stays can be lower.
No blackout dates for reward stays and a wide array of redemption options.	Benefits like room upgrades are subject to availability and may vary significantly by property.

Tip for fast-tracking Hilton Honors rewards

Hilton co-branded credit cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, offer significant welcome bonuses and complimentary Elite status. This will improve your benefits such as room upgrades and complimentary breakfast.

World of Hyatt

Best for: If you prefer premium-quality hotel experiences with generous rewards in popular destinations around the globe.

World of Hyatt may only have around 1,200 hotels globally, but they are among the best in the world, including gems like Park Hyatt, Andaz, and the Unbound Collection. The focus is on high-quality accommodation and exceptional personal service.

The World of Hyatt program encompasses four membership levels: Member, Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist, with each tier offering progressively richer benefits.

Noteworthy benefits include complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, and access to exclusive rates. At the top end of membership, you’ll enjoy lavish benefits such as free breakfast, suite upgrades, and waived resort fees on award stays, making it a standout for how it treats its elite members.

Earning rewards with World of Hyatt is straightforward. You’ll accumulate points through hotel stays, dining, and spa services at Hyatt properties, as well as through spending on the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Like many other hotel reward programs, World of Hyatt has also partnered with airlines and other travel services to offer alternative ways to earn points. You can redeem your points for a wide range of options to suit your unique preferences.

Pros	Cons
Exceptional quality of properties, focusing on luxury and upscale experiences.	Smaller footprint compared to other major hotel loyalty programs, which may limit options in certain regions.
Generous elite status benefits, including complimentary breakfast and suite upgrades for Globalist members.	Higher tier status requires a significant amount of spending, or nights stayed, which may be challenging for less frequent travelers.
Points can be transferred to airline partners, increasing the flexibility of reward usage.	Limited number of lower-tier properties, making it harder to find budget-friendly redemption options.

Tip for fast-tracking World of Hyatt rewards

To maximize your World of Hyatt points and quickly climb the ladder of membership levels, apply for the World of Hyatt Credit Card. It offers a substantial welcome bonus, additional points on Hyatt stays, and automatic Discoverist status, as well as earning points on everyday spending.

IHG One Rewards

Best for: If you enjoy staying at a variety of hotel options, from luxurious escapes to budget-friendly accommodation, and you want a program with easy-to-earn points options.

IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program of InterContinental Hotels Group, encompassing a network of more than 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries. It stretches from prestigious brands like InterContinental to everyday hotels like Holiday Inn.

This broad range means you can find suitable accommodation for any trip.

The IHG program features tiered membership levels: Club, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Diamond Elite, each offering escalating rewards. Members enjoy benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and points earning on stay.

The higher tiers offer additional benefits like complimentary breakfast and lounge access. You accumulate points for hotel stays, dining, and using other activities at IHG properties.

Points can be redeemed for free nights, flights, and various experiences, providing members with a plethora of options to utilize their rewards.

Pros	Cons
Vast portfolio of hotels ranging from luxury to economy, catering to all types of travelers.	Points value can vary, sometimes requiring a high number of points for free night redemptions at top-tier hotels.
Recent program enhancements have added valuable benefits like confirmable suite upgrades.	Some members may find the program’s elite status benefits less competitive compared to those of other hotel loyalty programs.
Partnerships with airlines and other services offer diverse ways to earn and use points.	Higher-tier status levels, which unlock the most valuable benefits, require significant travel frequency or spending.

Tip for fast-tracking IHG One rewards

To fast-track your path to points accumulation and higher membership levels, sign up for the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. With an attractive welcome bonus and complimentary Platinum Elite status, you’ll benefit from points earning rates and better chances for room upgrades.

Wyndham Rewards

Best for: If you want a straightforward way to earn and redeem points, and prefer to stay in budget to mid-range hotels.

With more than 9,000 hotels, several brands, and a global reach, you’ll never be short of accommodation options wherever you travel. Wyndham’s extensive portfolio includes brands like Wyndham, Days Inn, and Super 8 – covering major cities, small towns, and roadside accommodation.

No wonder it’s a favorite choice with both leisure and business travelers.

Its rewards program may be the simplest of all. Like other hotel loyalty schemes, it provides escalating benefits for a tier of membership levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

Benefits include late check-out, preferred room choice, and point bonuses on stays.

Earning rewards with Wyndham is easy. You can accumulate points through hotel stays, using Wyndham Rewards credit cards, and through its partnerships with other travel services.

I especially like the simplicity of redeeming points. You don’t need to search through different accommodation options to get the best value – whatever accommodation you book, there’s a flat redemption rate for free stays across the board.

You can also use your points when booking car rentals, buying gift cards, and more.

Pros	Cons
Wide range of properties including budget and mid-scale hotels, ideal for travelers looking for value.	Limited luxury hotel options, which may be a drawback for those seeking high-end accommodations.
Simple, flat-rate redemption for free nights makes it easy to use points without complex calculations.	Benefits at lower membership tiers are modest compared to other loyalty programs.
Offers a clear path to earning free nights, with all properties requiring the same number of points for redemption.	Point earning rate on everyday spending is lower without the use of a Wyndham Rewards credit card.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Use a Wyndham Rewards Credit Card to boost points accumulation and enjoy immediate status upgrades. As an example, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card gives automatic Gold status, a generous point bonus on Wyndham stays and gas purchases, and a sizable welcome bonus.

Choice Privileges

Best for: If you travel alone or with your family and prefer budget to mid-tier accommodation with a simple and flexible rewards program.

The Choice Hotels network is especially strong in the United States and Scandinavia, with around 7,500 hotels including brand names that include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and the Ascend Hotel Collection.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for reliable, affordable accommodation, whether you’re on a road trip, family holiday, business travel, or exploring new cities.

The Choice Privileges program is structured around four membership tiers: Member, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Benefits escalate through each level, and include express reservations and check-in, extended check-out times, and bonus points on stays.

Earning rewards with Choice Privileges is straightforward: points accumulate through hotel stays, purchases with the Choice Privileges Visa Card, and spending with program partners that includes airlines and car rental companies.

You can redeem your points for free nights, unique experiences, gift cards, and air miles. It’s flexibility that you’ll love, though redemption rates do vary by property and season.

Pros	Cons
Extensive hotel network, especially strong in the U.S. and Scandinavia, offering great coverage for travelers.	Elite status benefits can feel underwhelming compared to those offered by higher-end hotel loyalty programs.
Points can be redeemed for free nights, experiences, and more, offering diverse usage options.	Some high-demand properties and periods may require a considerable number of points for redemption.
No blackout dates on reward nights, enhancing the ease of redeeming points for stays.	The earning rate on stays and activities outside of hotel bookings can be modest without strategic use of the Choice Privileges Visa Card.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Applying for the Choice Privileges Visa Card is a savvy move. You’ll earn points on your everyday spending and Choice hotel stays, plus you’ll get automatic elite status.

Best Western Rewards

Best for: If you want reliable, comfortable accommodation but wouldn’t call yourself a frequent traveler. Great for domestic and international trips.

Best Western is one of my favorite hotel chains. I’ve never been disappointed by the standard of accommodation, and with a choice of almost 4,500 hotels around the world, there’s always a Best Western hotel available.

Brands include Best Western, Best Western Plus, and Best Western Premier.

The rewards program is easy to understand, and offers terrific value with consistent benefits. Membership is structured into five tiers: Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select. As you move up through each level, you’ll enjoy improved benefits like room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out, as well as higher points on stays.

You can earn points in a number of ways – through hotel stays, spending on the Best Western Rewards Mastercard, and through partnerships with airlines and other travel services.

Redeem your points for free nights at any Best Western property worldwide, gift cards, merchandise, and more.

You don’t need to worry about when you book free nights with this rewards program either – while many hotels reward schemes have blackout nights when you cannot use your points in exchange for a free night’s stay, Best Western does not have any blackout dates.

Pros	Cons
No blackout dates for reward nights, enhancing flexibility for members.	Perceived value of benefits and rewards may be lower compared to luxury-focused loyalty programs.
Points never expire, allowing members to save up for larger redemptions without pressure.	The diversity of the hotel portfolio means experiences can vary widely from one property to another.
Accessible elite status tiers, making it easier for occasional travelers to enjoy enhanced benefits.	Limited presence of high-end luxury properties within the network.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

The Best Western Rewards Mastercard is the best way to accelerate points accumulation on Best Western stays and everyday spending. Plus, you’ll receive automatic elite status.

Watch for frequent promotions and point purchase offers; a fantastic way to boost your points balance.

All – Accor Live Limitless

Best for: If you travel to Europe and Asia and prefer higher-end accommodation and bespoke experiences.

ALL – Accor Live Limitless is the rewards program for the Accor group of more than 5,000 worldwide properties including brands like Fairmont, Sofitel, and Banyan Tree. However, it also includes the budget-friendly IBIS brand (one of my go-to hotels when I’m traveling for business).

The ALL rewards program escalates across four status levels: Classic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Benefits include room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.

As a Platinum member, you’ll have access to benefits such as access to executive lounges and complimentary breakfast at select properties.

You earn rewards through hotel stays, dining and spa services at participating properties, and spending on Accor’s partnership platforms. It’s a highly flexible scheme – redeem your points for free nights (no blackout dates) or experiences, and you can even convert to airline miles with its partner airlines.

Pros	Cons
Expansive luxury and upscale hotel selection, especially strong in Europe and Asia.	Limited presence in some regions, such as North America, which might restrict options for travelers in these areas.
Points can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including hotel stays, experiences, and airline miles.	Earning and redeeming points may seem complex compared to more straightforward loyalty programs.
Offers unique experiences and premium benefits, particularly for Platinum members.	Without a dedicated Accor credit card in many markets, it can be challenging to accelerate point earnings outside of hotel stays.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Unlike most other hotel rewards programs, ALL does not offer a globally available branded credit card. But this doesn’t mean you can’t boost your points accumulation.

I’d recommend that you book stays during promotional periods that offer bonus points, and consider booking experiences through Accor’s lifestyle and experiences platform. You can also link other rewards programs from its partners to accumulate ALL rewards points faster.

iPrefer Hotel Rewards

Best for: Luxury independent and boutique hotels in far off destinations where you get to experience local culture.

Sometimes you want something different, a new and unique hotel experience, in a faraway place where you can embrace a different culture and pace of life. Welcome to Preferred Hotels & Resorts, an exclusive collection of over 650 independent hotels and resorts in more than 80 countries.

Its rewards program provides a pathway for you to enjoy incredible hotels that range from urban retreats to luxury resorts. Membership is straightforward, and you’ll enjoy some benefits such as complimentary internet, priority early check-in and late check-out, and room upgrades based on availability immediately.

You’ll earn points for every dollar you spend on points-earning opportunities. These include accommodation, dining, and spa services at participating properties.

As you might expect, redemption options are not standardized. The iPrefer program operates an innovative auction scheme for redeeming rewards for experiences, and you’ll also benefit from exclusive benefits like complimentary welcome amenities and exclusive food and drinks offers.

Pros	Cons
Highlights unique, independent, and boutique hotels, offering distinctive stays.	Limited global footprint compared to larger hotel loyalty programs, potentially limiting options in certain destinations.
Instant benefits for all members, ensuring immediate value from the program.	Absence of tiered status levels may limit long-term loyalty incentives compared to other programs.
Points can be used for a variety of rewards, including room upgrades and dining, enhancing the flexibility of redemptions.	Earning rate may vary by property, affecting consistency in reward accumulation.

Tip for Fast-Tracking Rewards

Book your stays through the iPrefer app, and take advantage of exclusive offers and promotions that frequently provide bonus points.

How to Select the Best Hotel Rewards Program for You

Still confused which is the best hotel rewards program for you? Here’s are the four key things that I suggest you consider:

1. Your Travel Patterns & Hotel Preferences

Think about how often you travel, the destinations you visit, and the types of hotels you prefer.

2. Flexibility of Rewards

Do you need a rewards program that gives you more flexibility? Examine redemption options and benefits of membership, including free nights, upgrades, or even experiences, to match your travel preferences.

3. Points Earning Potential

How fast do you need to earn points, and how easy is it to accumulate points through stays, credit card spending, and partnerships? Think about your everyday spending, and consider how this could enhance your points accumulation.

4. Benefits of Programs with Partners

Remember that programs with extensive partnerships can offer additional ways to earn points and enjoy benefits beyond hotel stays.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a globetrotter, business traveler, or someone who prefers unique vacation experiences, there is a hotel reward program for you. To choose the right one, you’ll need to consider what matters most to you – is it the ease of earning points, variety of redemption options, or exclusive member benefits?

Choose wisely and you’ll soon discover your hotel stays are transformed into unforgettable experiences.