Hotel loyalty programs are an excellent way for frequent travelers to save money, enjoy perks, and enhance their overall travel experience. With benefits ranging from room upgrades to free nights, joining a hotel loyalty program can be a game-changer when it comes to booking your stays. Whether you’re a business traveler or a vacationer, leveraging these programs can lead to significant savings and added value during your hotel bookings. Here’s how to use loyalty programs effectively to save on your next hotel stay.
1. Join Popular Hotel Loyalty Programs
The first step in using loyalty programs to save on hotel stays is to join the right programs. Some of the most renowned hotel chains offer rewarding loyalty programs that allow you to earn points for every stay. Popular hotel brands with great loyalty programs include:
- Marriott Bonvoy (for Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, and Westin hotels)
- Hilton Honors (for Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and DoubleTree hotels)
- World of Hyatt (for Hyatt, Park Hyatt, and Andaz hotels)
- IHG Rewards (for InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza hotels)
These programs are free to join and can be accessed through the respective hotel chain’s website or mobile app. Signing up allows you to start earning points with your first stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, or even dining credits.
2. Accumulate Points by Booking Directly
One of the most important rules of loyalty programs is to book directly through the hotel’s official website or app. This ensures you earn maximum points and often guarantees access to exclusive perks. Many hotel chains, like Marriott and Hilton, offer bonus points for booking directly, making it more rewarding than booking through third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com.
For example, Hilton Honors offers members exclusive discounts on room rates when booking directly on their website, along with extra points for the stay. Marriott Bonvoy similarly provides best-rate guarantees and additional points when booking via its website.
3. Take Advantage of Elite Status Benefits
Most loyalty programs offer tiered membership levels, where you can unlock additional benefits the more you stay. As you progress through these tiers, you’ll receive perks such as:
- Complimentary Room Upgrades: Members with higher status in programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hyatt World of Hyatt are often given complimentary upgrades to better rooms or suites.
- Free Breakfast: Many programs, including Hilton Honors and IHG Rewards, offer free breakfast for elite members.
- Late Check-out: As an elite member, you may have the luxury of a late check-out, allowing you to extend your stay for a few extra hours without additional charges.
Achieving elite status may take time, but it’s well worth the effort if you travel frequently. These extra perks enhance your hotel stay and provide significant value on each visit.
4. Redeem Points for Free Stays and Discounts
Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for free nights at participating hotels. Hotel loyalty programs often have a tiered points redemption system, allowing you to use your points for a variety of rewards. Some popular ways to redeem points include:
- Free Night Stays: For example, Marriott Bonvoy offers free night stays starting at 5,000 points for a standard room. As you accumulate more points, you can redeem them for higher-tier rooms or premium hotels.
- Discounted Stays: If you don’t have enough points for a full free night, programs like Hyatt’s World of Hyatt let you use points to reduce the cost of your stay. You can also combine points with cash to book a stay at a discounted rate.
- Experiences and Gift Cards: Some programs, like IHG Rewards, allow you to redeem your points for experiences, airline miles, or even gift cards.
Using points strategically, whether for free nights or discounts, can save you hundreds of dollars over time.
5. Look for Seasonal Promotions and Bonus Offers
Hotel loyalty programs frequently run seasonal promotions or special offers that allow you to earn extra points or redeem them for special benefits. For instance, Hilton Honors often runs promotions where you can earn double or triple points for stays during certain periods, while Marriott Bonvoy offers bonus points for booking specific destinations or packages.
Keep an eye on email offers and promotions sent by hotel chains to take advantage of limited-time deals. Additionally, Expedia and other booking sites may feature loyalty programs that offer extra perks when you book through them, so it’s worth exploring those options too.
6. Use Partner Programs to Earn More Points
Many hotel loyalty programs allow you to earn points not just for hotel stays but also for purchases with their partner companies. For example, Marriott Bonvoy partners with Air Canada, American Airlines, and Hertz, allowing members to earn points on flights, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
Hilton Honors and IHG Rewards also have similar partnerships with airlines, car rental companies, and retail brands. By earning points for purchases outside of your hotel stays, you can build up your points balance even faster.
7. Maximize Rewards with Credit Cards
Many hotel chains offer co-branded credit cards that help you earn points faster. Cards like the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card or American Express Hilton Honors Card allow you to earn bonus points for every dollar you spend on the card, with special rewards for hotel stays and purchases at the affiliated chain.
Additionally, these credit cards often come with sign-up bonuses that can be redeemed for free nights or other rewards. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers up to 100,000 points as a welcome bonus, which can be used for a few nights at a Marriott property.
