The Best Travel Rewards Programs for 2019-20 Part 2
2019-09-24The Best Hotel Rewards Programs
Taking into account the number of participating hotels, member benefits, geographic coverage, property diversity and the ease with which travelers can earn and redeem a free night, U.S. News determined the Best Hotel Rewards Programs. See what types of perks most appeal to your travel style, and consider signing up for the program or programs that best fit your needs.
15. I Prefer Hotel Rewards
The loyalty program for Preferred Hotels & Resorts interests those who enjoy staying in independent properties. Members who join I Prefer Hotel Rewards automatically have access to perks like free Wi-Fi access, early check-in and late checkout, and free room upgrades based on availability. However, earning a free night through this program is difficult since there are limited ways to earn points and the number of points required to redeem a free night is often quite high; the total points needed to redeem a free night also varies widely by location.
14. Le Club AccorHotels
Le Club AccorHotels most benefits travelers who stay in properties in major European cities, such as Paris, London and Berlin. Basic member benefits include free internet access and room rate discounts. However, there are limited ways to earn points within this program and points expire after 12 months of inactivity. Plus, the program can be a bit confusing: Members earn 25 points for every 10 euros, or $11, spent. For every 2,000 points members collect, they’ll receive a hotel reward voucher worth 40 euros.
13. Omni Select Guest
The rewards program for Omni Hotels & Resorts is stay based rather than points based. That means once you stay 20 qualifying nights (on full-price stays), you’ll earn a free night certificate to use in the future. While earning a free night can take awhile in the Omni Select Guest program, basic membership comes with perks like free Wi-Fi access, members-only offers and express check-in and checkout.
12. Leaders Club
The new Leaders Club program was introduced in September 2018, and it is now a points-based program for the 400-plus properties that are part of The Leading Hotels of the World. Members can earn one point per dollar spent on stays (for up to three rooms), and membership includes daily complimentary breakfast for two. The Leaders Club program does require an annual membership fee (unlike the majority of other hotel rewards programs), and earning a free night can be challenging since the rate at which members earn points is low.
11. Stash Hotel Rewards
The Stash Hotel Rewards network is on the smaller side (only about 150 boutique properties participate), meaning there are fewer opportunities to earn and redeem points because the hotel pool is so limited. However, there are several program perks: Members can earn five points per dollar spent on up to two rooms at a time, Stash points never expire and there are no blackout dates when redeeming a free night.
10. Hilton Honors
The Hilton brand encompasses more than 5,000 hotels worldwide, available at various price points and located in numerous kinds of settings (from beaches and mountains to cities and small towns). Hilton Honors members can earn points in a variety of ways – with hotel stays, purchases made with a co-branded credit card, Lyft rides and more – and can redeem points for a Hilton stay, retail purchases, airline tickets and experiences. Hilton Honors members earn 10 points per dollar spent on rooms, and those with elite status can earn more. Elite status comes with perks like complimentary breakfast and executive lounge access. However, points do expire after 12 months of account inactivity and redeeming free nights can cost a lot of points.
9. Sonesta Travel Pass
Basic membership with the Sonesta Travel Pass comes with several perks, including free premium Wi-Fi access, express check-in and checkout and discounts on Sonesta hotels. Members earn 10 points per dollar spent on stays at Sonesta properties and purchases made with the Sonesta credit card. Keep in mind, though, that there are a limited number of Sonesta properties (fewer than 100) and redeeming a free night requires filling out a form rather than booking directly.
8. INVITED
The INVITED loyalty program, for those who stay at Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties, features a portfolio of more than 500 hotels around the world. Basic members can take advantage of exclusive room rates and promotions, plus complimentary in-room Wi-Fi access, daily breakfast for two and early check-in and late checkout (when available). INVITED is a stay-based program, meaning members earn a complimentary night after every fifth stay or by spending $6,000 in a calendar year.
7. Radisson Rewards
Radisson Rewards is available at more than 1,100 hotels across the globe. Radisson encompasses a plethora of brands in different locations and at varying price points, so it can accommodate many types of travelers. Members earn 20 points per dollar spent on rooms and dining at Radisson hotels; Radisson Rewards also features partnerships with car rental agencies and co-branded credit cards, both of which assist travelers in earning points. Accrued points can be redeemed for free nights, food and drinks at Radisson hotels, travel and retail gift cards, and TSA Precheck application fees.
6. IHG Rewards Club
With a massive network of more than 5,600 properties in 100-plus countries, the IHG Rewards Club program offers plenty of hotels where members can earn and redeem points. Program members earn five to 10 points per dollar spent (depending on the property). Members can also earn points through car rental partners, dining programs like OpenTable and by making everyday purchases with a co-branded credit card. IHG Rewards Club members can use points to cover free nights, flight costs, gift cards and magazine subscriptions. Elite membership tiers grant even more perks, such as minibar credits, welcome amenities and priority check-in and checkout.
5. Best Western Rewards
One of the biggest draws of the Best Western Rewards program is that redeeming a free night will cost – at the most – 36,000 points, with most free nights requiring fewer points. Since Best Western Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent, achieving a free night is well within reach for most participating travelers. Points never expire, there are no blackout dates on award nights, Best Western’s network includes more than 4,500 participating properties and basic membership comes with early check-in and late checkout privileges. Members of the program’s elite tiers enjoy perks like room upgrades, thank you gifts and point bonuses.
4. Choice Privileges
Another program that features free night options at low point rates (it often costs between 8,000 and 30,000 points to redeem a free night), Choice Privileges is popular with budget travelers. Members can earn points on hotel stays, car rentals, cruises, flower deliveries and co-branded credit card purchases. All members earn five to 10 points per dollar spent and can use points on hotel stays at Choice hotels and partner hotels (including select Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties and Bluegreen Vacations resorts), or redeem points for retail and dining gift cards, cruise credits and free flights with airline partners. What’s more, basic members enjoy privileges like free high-speed Wi-Fi access, express check-in and late checkout, plus additional benefits for weeknight stays, such as bonus points, coffee gift cards, Uber discounts and more.
3. World of Hyatt
Hyatt’s network of hotels spans more than 700 properties worldwide (at varying price points), and World of Hyatt members have numerous ways to earn points. Members can earn points through stays at Hyatt hotels and select MGM Resorts and Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties, in addition to earning points on Lindblad Expeditions trips, car rentals and via purchases made with a co-branded credit card. Members earn five points per dollar spent (those with elite status earn even more). Not only can travelers save points to redeem for a free night (which requires anywhere from 5,000 to 60,000 points), but they can also stay at five different Hyatt brands in a calendar year to receive a free night award. What’s more, World of Hyatt members can use points for room upgrades and experiences.
2. Wyndham Rewards
Although free nights with Wyndham Rewards previously cost 15,000 points across the board, the revamped program still offers plenty of affordable redemption options (a free night now requires between 7,500 and 30,000 points). Members earn 10 points per dollar spent or 1,000 points per stay, whichever is higher. Wyndham boasts a network of 9,000 properties around the world, plus partnerships with Caesars Entertainment, Marathon Gas, shopping portals, food delivery services and car rental agencies allow members to rack up points beyond their hotel stays. Those points can be redeemed for free nights or for gift cards, merchandise, tours, activities and more.
1. Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the No. 1 Best Hotel Rewards Program for the third consecutive year. One of the world’s largest hotel chains, Marriott boasts 6,500-plus hotels across more than 20 different brands in locations across the globe. Earning points in the Marriott Bonvoy program is easy, and there are several ways to do so: Members earn five to 10 points per dollar spent on Marriott-affiliated hotels; travelers can also earn points by making purchases with a co-branded credit card, car rentals and cruise and airline partners. Points can be redeemed for free stays, experiences like concerts and culinary events, retail gift cards, flights and more. Basic members enjoy benefits like free Wi-Fi access and room discounts, plus the fifth night of your stay is free when booking with points.
Courtesy of USNews
