Ready to see what the financial gurus at WalletHub have to say about the best hotel rewards programs?
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Whether or not you’ve joined a travel rewards program before, now might be the perfect time. More and more travelers are pivoting away from private rentals to (re)focus on quality hotel stays. They’re after perks like daily cleanings, unique events, and personalized attention from staff.
There’s just one catch: Hotels aren’t cheap. Even mid-range hotels can have nightly rates in the $300s in larger hubs.
In short, joining a hotel rewards program lets you earn something unique with each night’s stay. You can accrue points, earn bonuses, and reap the benefits of being a preferred member—but not all rewards programs are created equally.
Here are the top hotel rewards programs of 2026, according to a deep dive from WalletHub.
Best hotel rewards programs in 2026 from WalletHub
WalletHub analyzed 21 metrics to uncover which hotel rewards programs deliver consistent, valuable perks. These include factors like blackout dates, point values, and how these benefits pan out for casual and light travelers compared to frequent travelers.
Choice Privileges takes first place. Choice Hotels, which covers budget and mid-range brands like Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, and Radisson properties, offers just over $14 in rewards per $100 spent. There are also nine ways to redeem points, and tons of Choice Hotels to earn at across the country.
Wyndham Rewards comes in second place, which includes brands like Travelodge, Super 8, Ramada, Dazzler, and more. It has plenty of participating hotels across the country, making it easy for you to earn with each stay. Wyndham Rewards also offers more unique ways to redeem points, including stays at any of its hotel brands.
World of Hyatt takes third place. Like Wyndham Rewards, you can use points and earn points at any of Hyatt’s properties, including its upscale brands like Alila, Andaz, Alula, and The Unbound Collection. The program delivers value thanks to Hyatt’s massive, global portfolio (there are 30 brands and counting), along with its unique multi-tier rewards setup.
Hilton Honors is ranked in fourth place by WalletHub when it comes to hotel rewards programs. While there are limited status perks and redeeming points isn’t the easiest, its statuses aren’t overly complicated, making it great for beginners. Plus, Hilton comes out first in WalletHub’s ranking of global properties. You can find them all over the world, from South Africa to Australia to Chile.
Marriott Bonvoy takes fifth place. The catch is that not all Marriott brands are eligible for earning/spending points as part of its rewards program. That being said, you should have access to the majority of its brands and be able to redeem points flexibly. There are also several levels to its loyalty program, letting you build up toward high-value rewards.
If you want to learn more and dig into the results, check out the full study from WalletHub.
