Best hotel rewards programs: How to choose in 2026


For those who’re not reserving by means of resort loyalty packages, you’re lacking out on nice offers and leaving cash on the desk. These packages supply free upgrades, complimentary breakfast, entry to unique lounges and even free nights when you accumulate sufficient factors. Now the query is, which resort program fits you greatest?

For the 2024 TPG Awards, our data-driven honor for the Finest Lodge Loyalty Program went to Marriott Bonvoy, which eked out the highest spot over the opposite main chains because of its large international footprint, useful elite standing and intensive bank card portfolio. (Keep tuned for the 2025 TPG Awards announcement!)

Nevertheless, the perfect resort program for you will depend on your preferences and priorities. Right here, we’ll cowl the highest resort rewards packages and aid you resolve which one(s) to spend money on.

Associated: The best hotel loyalty programs for families

How to decide on a resort rewards program

There are various elements to contemplate when selecting a resort rewards program, together with:

  • The resort model’s footprint: Do you largely journey internationally or within the U.S.? Do you frequent main cities or small cities?
  • Sorts of properties supplied: Do you like luxurious stays, no-frills funds manufacturers or boutique properties with loads of character?
  • Facilities: Is elite status essential to you? Whether it is, which perks are most dear?
  • Bank cards: What cobranded cards does the resort program supply that will help you earn extra factors?
  • Transfer partners: Which transferable currencies do you gather, and which resort packages do they switch to?

Let’s dive into the professionals and cons of every program.

Associated: Best hotel credit cards

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Marriott Bonvoy: Finest for luxurious vacationers

buildings towering of park with fall leaves during orange and blue sunset
JW Marriott Essex Home New York in Manhattan. MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Marriott is a world resort megachain. Its portfolio options 30-plus manufacturers and greater than 9,000 properties throughout 143 international locations and territories, starting from commonplace choices to safari camps and cabins. Irrespective of the place you’re going, there’s sure to be a Marriott close by.

A key perk of the Marriott Bonvoy program is its fifth-night-free profit. You’ll obtain the lowest-priced night time for zero factors while you e book 5 or extra consecutive reward nights. This may prevent a ton of factors on costly stays, particularly in the event you redeem your factors in a high-end vacation spot just like the Maldives.

One other notable profit is that members can transfer Bonvoy points to 37 airline partners, together with some with hard-to-earn currencies.

You may get much more from this system in the event you attain one in all its five elite status tiers. Advantages embody room upgrades, lounge entry and Nightly Upgrade Awards (previously Suite Evening Awards).

There are a number of Marriott credit cards you need to use to earn Bonvoy factors. Marriott can also be a 1:1 switch accomplice of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, providing you with loads of methods to earn factors through transferable currencies.

Marriott Bonvoy is nice for vacationers who:

  • Aren’t positive the place on the planet they plan to journey
  • Need an enormous assortment of luxurious properties
  • Need a collection of distinctive, non-cookie-cutter lodges
  • Steadily redeem factors in five-night increments
  • Wish to e book extended-stay resort rooms
  • Wish to flip their factors into airline miles

Associated: Your complete guide to earning Marriott Bonvoy points

Hilton Honors: Finest for Amex cardholders

CANOPY BY HILTON CANCUN LA ISLA/HILTON

Hilton is one other international resort chain, with over 9,000 properties throughout 25 manufacturers and 141 international locations and territories. Couple its measurement with the relative effortlessness of earning Hilton Honors points, and the Hilton Honors program stands out as the most all-around handy resort rewards possibility.

Like Marriott, Hilton affords the fifth consecutive award night time free — however you could have not less than Hilton Honors Silver elite status to unlock this profit. Fortunately, you’ll be able to obtain this just by holding any Hilton credit card. Some playing cards additionally supply useful free night certificates or statement credits.

Hilton is an Amex Membership Rewards transfer partner. For each Amex level you switch, you’ll get 2 Hilton Honors factors — or extra in the event you discover a transfer bonus. It’s also possible to switch Bilt Rewards Factors to Hilton, although at a decrease 1:1 ratio.

Hilton Honors is nice for vacationers who:

  • Acquire Amex factors
  • Aren’t positive the place on the planet they plan to journey
  • Steadily keep in five-night increments
  • Wish to e book extended-stay resort rooms
  • Are happy with a modest assortment of (superb) luxurious lodges
  • Are highway warriors

Associated: How much value does the Hilton Honors program provide when you book directly?

World of Hyatt: Finest worth

The front entrance of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

World of Hyatt is a favourite resort loyalty program among the many TPG workers, largely as a result of it nonetheless makes use of an award chart and has comparatively low cost award charges in comparison with different resort packages. For instance, Hyatt’s most upscale lodges (excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith properties) price, at most, 45,000 factors per night time, whereas a luxurious Hilton property might price as much as 150,000 factors.

The draw back is that Hyatt’s footprint is comparatively small. Greater than 1,300 lodges (and some glamping sites) take part within the World of Hyatt loyalty program, however most are in standard locations and cities. For those who usually go to rural areas, World of Hyatt factors seemingly won’t serve you effectively.

Plus, since World of Hyatt solely affords two cobranded credit cards, factors aren’t fairly as straightforward to accrue as within the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy packages. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. And Hyatt just lately teased that further cobranded playing cards might come as a part of its expanding partnership with Chase.

TPG workers members and readers have repeatedly confirmed Hyatt Globalist status to be essentially the most useful resort elite standing. With free breakfast, waived resort and parking charges on award nights, constant suite upgrades and extra, this standing is about as near a VIP expertise as you may get within the hospitality world.

World of Hyatt is nice for vacationers who:

  • Acquire Chase or Bilt factors
  • Need luxurious stays in standard locations
  • Don’t usually e book lodges in smaller cities or distant areas
  • Need a ton of all-inclusive resort choices

Associated: World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it

Wyndham Rewards: Finest for small-town America

Secluded pool at the Viva Wyndham Azteca
VIVA AZTECA BY WYNDHAM/WYNDHAM

There’s no higher resort program for stays in small-town America than Wyndham Rewards. Wyndham affords over 9,000 lodges throughout 25 manufacturers in 95 international locations, lots of that are funds manufacturers — comparable to Tremendous 8, Days Inn and Microtel — ubiquitous in areas the place you gained’t discover a Hyatt or Marriott. In case your journey targets contain getting off the overwhelmed path or road-tripping by means of cities with populations underneath 10,000, the Wyndham Rewards program is a good one to deal with.

Sadly, Wyndham’s loyalty program took successful when members misplaced the power to redeem Wyndham points for Vacasa trip leases, which used to supply nice worth.

Wyndham offers three cobranded credit cards, all issued by Barclays, that will help you earn free nights. Moreover, you’ll be able to transfer Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to Wyndham Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

Wyndham Rewards is nice for vacationers who:

  • Acquire Capital One miles or Citi factors
  • Steadily journey to small cities
  • Are inquisitive about budget-friendly lodging

Associated: How to earn Wyndham points for your next redemption

IHG One Rewards: Finest for highway warriors

KIMPTON HOTEL ENSO/FACEBOOK

As a consequence of dynamic pricing, IHG lodges are sometimes a poor worth for the factors. Nevertheless, IHG One Rewards factors are straightforward to earn, and IHG has properties in virtually as many areas as Hilton, together with some Six Senses resorts which might be bookable with IHG factors. These are extraordinarily sought-after properties and an important win for IHG factors collectors.

IHG offers three cobranded credit cards, all of which allow you to e book a fourth award night for free. That’s distinctive amongst loyalty packages and a greater worth than Marriott and Hilton’s fifth-night-free insurance policies.

You may switch Chase Final Rewards factors and Bilt Rewards factors to IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, although you’ll be able to usually buy IHG points at a steep low cost, which may very well be a greater possibility.

IHG One Rewards affords a stable elite status program, and elite members can earn Milestone Rewards — like an annual lounge membership, bonus factors and confirmed suite upgrades — by staying a sure variety of nights in a calendar 12 months.

IHG One Rewards is nice for vacationers who:

  • Acquire Chase or Bilt factors
  • Are highway warriors
  • Are happy with a small assortment of luxurious lodges

Associated: How to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program

Accor Reside Limitless: Most respected resort factors

Fairmont Century Plaza exterior
FAIRMONT CENTURY PLAZA/FACEBOOK

Accor’s portfolio consists of over 5,000 properties in 110-plus international locations, with many upscale and luxurious choices. Factors within the Accor Live Limitless program are essentially the most valuable — and simple — of all the foremost resort rewards currencies. For each 1,000 factors you redeem, you’ll get 20 euros (roughly $23 on the time of writing) off your resort invoice. That comes out to a price of simply over 2 cents per level.

Though the simplicity of this program might attraction to many vacationers, there are two areas during which ALL underdelivers: The overwhelming majority of its properties are concentrated in Europe and Asia, and it doesn’t supply a cobranded bank card that will help you earn factors shortly.

You may transfer Bilt points to ALL at a less-than-ideal 3:2 ratio; Capital One miles and Citi factors switch at a good worse ratio of two:1. Nonetheless, Accor could be a excellent place to earn resort factors in the event you primarily journey in Asia or Europe.

This system has 4 ranges of elite standing, with top-tier Diamond standing providing free breakfast on weekends (or on daily basis within the Asia-Pacific area), Suite Evening Upgrades and govt lounge entry. You’ll additionally discover brand-specific advantages at every standing tier, comparable to complimentary bike leases at Fairmont properties.

Accor Reside Limitless is nice for vacationers who:

  • Journey to Europe and/or Asia usually
  • Need an enormous collection of luxurious properties
  • Favor an easy factors redemption course of

Associated: Accor’s first Orient Express train through Italy now open for reservations

Alternative Privileges: Finest for no-frills stays

WoodSpring Suites in Everett Washington
CHOICE HOTELS

With practically 7,500 properties worldwide, together with Radisson Rewards Americas hotels, Alternative’s footprint rivals that of extra well-known factors chains like Hilton and Marriott. Nevertheless, the Choice Privileges program can serve you equally to Wyndham Rewards in that its collaborating lodges are extra prolific in smaller cities.

Alternative Privileges is famously useful for anybody staying in Scandinavia, as its award charges stay extraordinarily cheap regardless of the area’s usually pricey lodges. And in 2025, this system expanded its award booking window from 100 days to 50 weeks — bringing it extra in step with the opposite packages on this record.

When it comes to incomes factors, Alternative affords two cobranded credit cards. You may switch Amex Membership Rewards factors and Capital One miles to Alternative at a 1:1 ratio, however you’ll be able to switch Citi ThankYou Rewards factors and Wells Fargo Rewards factors at a greater 1:2 ratio.

Traditionally, Choice Privileges elite status has supplied few perks; there are restricted room upgrades, and solely a handful of manufacturers supply complimentary breakfast to top-tier elite members. Nevertheless, Alternative just lately introduced that elite standing enhancements and different positive changes are coming to this system in 2026.

Alternative Privileges is greatest for vacationers who:

  • Acquire Citi or Wells Fargo factors
  • Are highway warriors
  • Journey to Scandinavia and small-town America
  • Aren’t involved about free stays in luxurious lodges
  • Don’t worth intensive elite standing perks

Associated: The ultimate guide to redeeming Choice points

Finest Western Rewards: Finest without cost breakfast

Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate
BEST WESTERN PREMIER HOTEL ARISTOCRATE/FACEBOOK

With round 4,300 lodges in over 100 international locations and territories, starting from funds to boutique, Finest Western’s portfolio is in the midst of the pack. The Best Western Rewards program doesn’t get a lot consideration within the factors and miles world, partly as a result of it affords solely two credit cards and has no transferable rewards forex companions, nevertheless it’s value exploring in the event you usually keep at Finest Western properties.

One of many highlights is Finest Western’s status match program, which makes it straightforward to earn top-tier elite standing when you’ve got even mid-tier standing with a competing resort chain. Nevertheless, as with Alternative Privileges, Finest Western’s elite standing tiers supply comparatively small advantages.

Finest Western Rewards is nice for vacationers who:

  • Need free breakfast with out elite standing
  • Don’t care about free luxurious resort stays
  • Don’t earn factors with any of the foremost bank card rewards packages

Associated: The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards

Radisson Rewards: Finest for Radisson loyalists

Malta Hotels 2021_RadissonBlu Malta Golden Sands_FB
RADISSON BLU RESORT & SPA, MALTA GOLDEN SANDS/FACEBOOK

Radisson Rewards was an unimaginable loyalty program, however many adjustments, together with a move to dynamic pricing, have stripped a lot of its worth over time.

The excellent news is that since Alternative Lodges acquired Radisson’s Americas operation in 2022, you’ll be able to earn and redeem Alternative factors at these lodges. The remainder of Radisson’s portfolio nonetheless makes use of the Radisson Rewards program.

This worldwide bent means Radisson Rewards now not affords a cobranded bank card within the U.S. and has no switch companions. You may solely earn these factors by staying at Radisson lodges exterior of the Americas. This has made it tough for a lot of U.S.-based vacationers to get a lot worth from Radisson Rewards.

Radisson Rewards is nice for vacationers who:

  • Steadily keep at Radisson properties
  • Largely journey to locations exterior of the Americas

Associated: TPG’s favorite hotels in Latin America

I Favor Lodge Rewards: Finest for followers of boutique lodges

THE WALL STREET HOTEL

Although it doesn’t supply as huge a portfolio as main resort manufacturers like Hilton and Marriott, I Prefer Hotel Rewards is nice for vacationers who wish to keep at a luxurious boutique property. If a traditionally preserved resort, an impartial premium boutique property or a former castle-turned-resort is the way you wish to trip, I Favor Lodge Rewards must be in your radar.

Sadly, not each property is on the market to e book with I Favor factors. Whereas it’s more durable to earn I Favor factors in comparison with different resort loyalty packages, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors switch to I Favor Lodge Rewards at a fee of 1:2 and 1:4, respectively.

Due to this fact, some nice offers will be discovered with these issuer switch ratios.

I Favor Lodge Rewards is greatest for vacationers who:

  • Wish to keep at boutique locations
  • Largely journey to Europe
  • Maintain eligible Capital One or Citi playing cards to switch rewards

Backside line

A resort will be excess of a spot to relaxation your head. Lodge loyalty packages can dramatically improve your trip — and even make it virtually free.

We encourage TPG readers to enroll in all resort loyalty packages, as there’s usually no price to affix, and register for hotel promotions. Even in the event you don’t suppose you’ll keep at a sure resort chain, circumstances might dictate in any other case, and also you’ll be glad you enrolled beforehand. You do not have to restrict your self to a single program, both; there are advantages to utilizing multiple hotel programs.

Whichever program(s) you find yourself utilizing, make sure to perceive when your hotel points expire and find out how to maintain them energetic.



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