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In business, it is said that “the customer is always right.” Anyone who has worked in customer service for any length of time, however, knows that the customer can — at times — most assuredly be wrong. A more appropriate adage might be “The customer always wants to feel like they are right.” This is where rewards programs come in; they have made major strides over the years building loyalty between customers and brands by ensuring the customer feels appreciated and valued. Big names in the hotel industry work diligently to get — and keep — your business using their rewards programs. Here are our readers four favorites.
1. Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program (Winner)
Marriott Bonvoy is our readers’ favorite hotel rewards program for 2022. The Marriott brand is known for luxury accommodations, and with over 30 brands in their portfolio, you are bound to find the right accommodation for your next stay. Use your rewards at Marriott, Sheraton, and even Ritz-Carlton.
Marriott Bonvoy offers six tiers in its rewards program, with an option to upgrade to lifetime status for those who meet certain requirements. A basic membership is available to any user that stays fewer than 10 nights per year, providing the member access to complimentary internet in their room, mobile check-in options, and access to reduced member rates.
Members upgrade to “Elite” status by staying a minimum of 10 nights during the year. Elite memberships begin with “Silver” and progress to “Gold,” “Platinum,” and “Titanium” levels as participants stay more nights. Elite members enjoy later checkouts, bonus reward points with each stay, and a reservation guarantee that compensates the member with a stay at a nearby hotel if they are unable to honor a reservation.
Pros
- Free to join.
- Access to over 8,000 different hotel properties in over 130 countries.
- Points can be used on rooms, upgrades, and even airfare and car rentals.
- Earn points faster when using a Marriott-affiliated credit card.
- Points can be transferred from one member to another.
Cons
- Accumulated points expire after two years if unused.
- Highest membership level is truly elite, making it difficult to achieve.
2. Hilton Honors
Hilton properties focus on providing excellent hospitality across their 18 brands. Whether you are staying at a Hilton, Doubletree, or Waldorf Astoria, you can expect great service.
Basic Hilton Honors membership is free and available to anyone staying at a Hilton property for six or fewer days. Perks to entry-level membership include member rates, digital check in and room keys, and of course free internet. Begin earning bonus points with Silver status with seven or more stays per year, and work your way up to Gold and then Diamond status with continued brand loyalty.
Gold and Diamond members earn 80% and 100% bonus points respectively during their stays, helping to rack up the points twice as fast. Diamond members can also enjoy a 48-hour room guarantee and access to executive lounges. For all members, using points is easy, with no blackout dates for booking free nights, and the freedom to use points for airfare, rental cars, and even VIP access to select concerts and events.
Pros
- Free to join.
- Access to nearly 7,000 hotel properties in over 120 countries.
- Straightforward membership levels.
- No blackout dates for booking rooms.
- Some credit cards provide automatic enrollment in certain reward tiers.
Cons
- Points expire after 15 months of account inactivity.
- Earned bonus points do not apply toward elite status.
3. Wyndham Rewards
The Wyndham portfolio contains 22 different brands in 80 countries. This means more properties, but in fewer countries than the likes of Marriott and Hilton. The primary reason for this is that Wyndham is the only hotel chain on this list that includes economy properties such as Days Inn and Super 8 in their portfolio. And only one other group has midscale properties such as Wyndham’s Ramada since Hilton and Marriott have focused on more luxurious and upper-echelon properties.
This is great news for the more budget-savvy traveler wanting to be rewarded for their brand loyalty without having to shell out the cash for regular stays at upscale and luxury hotels.
Blue members of Wyndham Rewards qualify for free Wi-Fi and earn a minimum of 1,000 points per stay, even if the stay costs less than $100. With promotion to Gold level, guests enjoy late checkout, Platinum members can check-in early, and at Diamond status, members can even gift Gold status to one friend or family member per year! Rewards members begin earning bonus points with each dollar spent.
As always, make sure to check the fine print. Blackout dates do apply at some properties, and if you are inactive and do not have a qualifying stay for 18 months, your points will expire and you will be required to re-register as a rewards member. If you plan on making a couple hotel stays per year and are okay with fewer luxury options, Wyndham may be the right choice for you.
Pros
- Free to join.
- Access to over 9,000 hotel properties in over 80 countries.
- Straightforward membership levels.
- Rollover of qualifying nights for membership upgrades.
- Earn bonus points with the Wyndham Rewards Earner card.
Cons
- In fewer than half of countries worldwide.
- Points expire four years after being earned, or after 18 months of account inactivity.
- Some blackout dates apply at select properties.
4. IHG Rewards
InterContinental Hotels Group, or IHG, boasts 17 unique brands and 6,000 properties worldwide. Despite having the smallest portfolio among competitors on this list, it actually has the most diverse range of spending options, from their midscale Candlewood Suites to the luxury of their namesake brand, InterContinental, and with plenty in between.
IHG Rewards has five membership levels, achieved by either staying a specific number of qualifying nights or by the accumulation of qualifying points. All Club and Elite Members qualify for free internet and a checkout as late as 2 p.m., with no blackout dates when booking reward stays.
Elite members begin earning bonus points with each stay, up to 100% for Diamond Elite. Once you achieve Elite status — with a minimum of 10 qualifying stays — your points will not expire. Platinum and Diamond members are rewarded for their loyalty with guaranteed room availability and complimentary upgrades.
Pros
- Free to join.
- Access to over 6,000 hotel properties in over 100 countries.
- Straightforward membership levels.
- No blackout dates when booking reward nights.
- Earn points when using your IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card.
Cons
- Not all points qualify for elite membership status upgrades.
- Few luxury brands, and no economy brands.
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