Loyalty is rewarded in the travel industry. Major airlines, hotels and car rental agencies alike offer reward programs that hook repeat customers up with free flights, upgrades and other perks.
As a savvy, seasoned traveler, you may already be a member of an airline loyalty program or two. But if you aren’t a member of a hotel rewards club — the often overlooked secret weapon of budget travelers — you are missing out on some serious savings, as well as perks like free stays, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades.
On a mission to find the hotel rewards programs with the most value, the RetailMeNot team has compared and contrasted the programs of major hotel chains. After pouring over the many programs, we were able to narrow our list down to four favorites. Ahead, find the hotel loyalty programs that give you the most bang for your buck.
The Wyndham Hotel Rewards Program: Wyndham Rewards
The Wyndham Hotel Rewards club covers more than 50,000 hotels, resorts and vacation rentals in 80 countries. Wyndham properties range from wallet-friendly brands like La Quinta to luxury properties like Wyndham Grand. Wyndham also has a partnership with Caesar Rewards, which allows members to earn points on stays at casino destinations like Harrah’s or Flamingo in Las Vegas and Caesars Atlantic City.
How the Wyndham Hotel Rewards Program Works
Wyndham Rewards is free to join. As a member, you earn points on qualifying stays and activities. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Earn 10 points per $1 or 1,000 points, whichever is more, for every qualifying stay at a Wyndham property or Caesers casino destination
- Redeem points for free or discounted stays at participating Wyndham properties and Caesers casino destinations
- Choose from three free stay tiers: 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 points per night
- Choose from three discounted stay tiers: 1,500, 3,000 or 6,000 per night
- Option to use the Wyndham Rewards Earner credit card to earn points on hotel and everyday purchases
The Wyndham Hotel Rewards Program Member Levels
Wyndham Rewards is divided into four membership levels. The more qualifying nights you book with Wyndham per year, the higher your level. Here’s how you can achieve the different membership statuses:
- Blue: Sign up for Wyndham Rewards
- Gold: Stay 5 qualifying nights per year
- Platinum: Stay 15 qualifying nights per year
- Diamond: Stay 40 qualifying nights per year
Higher membership levels unlock new perks, like late checkout (Gold level), early check-in (Platinum level) and suite upgrades (Diamond level).
The Choice Hotel Rewards Program: Choice Privileges
The Choice Hotel Rewards club, Choice Privileges, follows a similar structure. The program lets members earn points on stays at the chain’s 7,000 properties in more than 40 countries. Choice hotels range from budget to upscale and include brands like Quality Inn, EconoLodge, Cambria, Radisson and MainStay Suites.
How the Choice Hotel Rewards Program Works
It’s free to sign up for Choice Privileges. As a member, you’ll earn points on stays you can redeem for free nights, gift cards and more. Here’s a breakdown of how Choice Privileges works:
- Earn 10 points per $1 for every qualified stay at a Choice hotel
- Book Point Accelerator Packages to earn up to 5,000 bonus points per night
- Redeem points for free or discounted stays at participating Choice hotels
- Free nights at Choice Hotels properties start at 8,000 points
- Discounted nights at Choice Hotels start at 6,000 points
- Option to exchange points for gift cards or charitable donation
- Option to transfer points to Choice partner airlines and cruises to exchange for miles or cruise credits
The Choice Hotel Rewards Program Membership Levels
Much like Wyndham Rewards, Choice Privileges is divided into four membership levels. The more qualifying nights you book per year, the higher your level. Here’s how you can achieve the different Choice Privileges membership statuses:
- Member: Sign up for Choice Privileges
- Gold: Stay 10 qualifying nights
- Platinum: Stay 15 qualifying nights
- Diamond: Stay 40 qualifying nights
Higher membership levels unlock new perks, like room upgrades (Gold and Platinum level) and complimentary breakfast (Diamond level).
The Preferred Hotel Rewards Program: I Prefer Hotel Rewards
I Prefer is the rewards program of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, a collection of more than 600 luxury hotels in 80 countries. Their portfolio includes unique properties, from luxury ranches in Wyoming to palaces in India.
How I Prefer Hotel Rewards Works
The free-to-join I Prefer Hotel Rewards program hooks members up with points, perks and special rates. As a member, you’ll earn points on stays you can redeem for free or discounted nights. Here’s a breakdown of how I Prefer works:
- Earn 10 points per $1 for every qualified stay at a Preferred hotel
- Redeem points in increments of 12,500 for $25 certificates that can be applied toward stays and other hotel purchases
- Get free room upgrades where available
- Get early check-in and late check-out
- Get free enhanced internet access where available
I Prefer Hotel Rewards Membership Levels
I Prefer is divided into four membership levels. The more qualifying nights you book, the higher your level. Here’s how you can achieve the different I Prefer membership statuses:
- Silver: Sign up for I Prefer
- Gold: Earn 25,000 to 49,999 points
- Titanium: Earn 50,000+ points
Higher membership levels unlock new perks, like additional points per stay (Gold and Titanium level) and a complimentary meal (Titanium level).
The Marriott Hotel Rewards Program: Marriott Bonvoy
As the world’s largest hotel chain, Marriott boasts more than 8,700 hotels in more than 100 countries. Its 20 brands include names like Westin, Aloft, The Ritz Carlton and the Sheraton.
How the Marriott Hotel Rewards Program Works
It’s free to sign up for Marriott Bonvoy. You know the drill: As a member, you earn points per stay, in addition to enjoying other exclusive benefits. Here’s a breakdown of how Marriott Bonvoy works:
- Earn up to 10 points per $1 for every qualified stay at a Marriott hotel
- Earn up to 10 points per $1 on qualified hotel purchases, including dining, drinks, golf, spa services and more
- Redeem points for free or stays at participating Marriott hotels
- Option to redeem points for hotel upgrades, dining, drinks, spa services and more
- Free nights range from 5,000 to 100,000 points, depending on the property
- Get your fifth night free if you book five consecutive nights with Bonvoy reward points
- Option to use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card to earn bonus points, free nights and luxury experiences
It’s worth noting that select Marriott brands earn points differently. For example, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels earn 5 points per $1 spent at qualifying stays and purchases, while Marriott Executive apartments earn 2.5 points per $1 spent, plus an elite night credit for every three nights stayed.
The Marriott Hotel Rewards Membership Levels
Marriott Bonvoy is divided into four membership levels. The more qualifying nights you book, the higher your level. Here’s how you can achieve the different Marriott Bonvoy membership statuses:
- Member: Sign up for Marriott Bonvoy
- Silver Elite: Stay 10 qualifying nights per year
- Gold Elite: Stay 25 qualifying nights per year
- Platinum Elite: Stay 50 qualifying nights per year
- Titanium Elite: Stay 75 qualifying nights per year
- Platinum Elite: Stay 100+ qualifying nights and spend $23,000+ per year
Higher membership levels unlock more point-earning power, plus new perks, like additional late checkout (Silver Elite), a welcome gift (Platinum Elite) and Ambassador Service (Ambassador Elite).
The post Travel Like a Rockstar for Less With These Hotel Rewards Programs appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.