This story is a part The New Era of Work TravelThe editors of Condé Nast Traveler The following are some examples of how to get started: WIRED You can use this guide to navigate the benefits and pitfalls of a modern business trip.
The hotel rewards program is like being accepted into an exclusive club. exclusive club. You can earn points by staying in a hotel of a certain brand. These points can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, such as free or discounted room upgrades, free meals, and even free nights.
The best hotel rewards programs for you will depend on many factors. Most importantly, how and where you travel. Your travel style is also important: Do you prefer small conveniences, such as a comfortable bed? free breakfastDo you want to receive exclusive upgrades and top-tier services?
We’ve evaluated the loyalty programs of all major hotel groups, taking into account these subtleties, to find the ones that offer meaningful perks and benefits, as well as seamless upgrades. This guide will help you choose the best hotel rewards programs, whether you are traveling between business centers or looking for boutique luxury getaways.
What are the hotel rewards?
Hotel loyalty programs offer members the opportunity to earn credits or points during stays at participating properties. These points are usually redeemable for free nights or room upgrades, dining experiences and other rewards, or they can be transferred to another hotel. airline miles. In most programs, there are different levels of status that unlock extra perks such as late checkout. lounge accessPriority upgrades and enhanced benefits for frequent guests.
What are base points and qualification nights?
A qualifying night is any night that you stay at a participating hotel and pay an eligible rate—meaning the booking was made through the hotel directly or an approved partner. Base points are standard points that you earn for eligible expenditures before bonuses are applied. They often determine how far along in the elite status ladder you are.
How can I earn more points or achieve elite status faster?
Earning points is primarily a result of booking stays at the hotels in the program’s portfolio and spending money there. Some programs give bonus points when you spend money on hotel services, such as dining or spa treatmentsYou can also earn elite status faster by accumulating qualifying nights or base points quickly, often accelerated through promotions and cobranded credit card. For frequent travelers to achieve elite status quicker, they can accumulate base or qualifying points, which are often accelerated through promotions. When you book with a preferred credit card of the hotel or during promotional times, you can earn more than usual.
Hotel points are worth collecting or should I always book the cheapest hotels?
If you travel regularly—especially for business or extended leisure—hotel loyalty points can add significant value. The value of hotel loyalty points can be reduced if you are not a frequent traveler or your trips are mostly based on price. To maximize your rewards, you should choose a program that aligns with your travel habits and favorite brands.
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World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt’s loyalty program is both intuitive and generous for business travelers who alternate between boardrooms, boutique hotels and other accommodations. What sets it apart isn’t just its sense of discreet luxury or its polished properties—it’s the way the program streamlines status, upgrades, and rewards into a system that feels more like a relationship than a transaction.
Elite tiers are remarkably attainable, especially for those who log regular, if not relentless, miles: Discoverist kicks in after just 10 nights, while Globalist—Hyatt’s top-tier status—unlocks at 60 nights and delivers standout perks like 4 p.m. late checkout, free parking on stays booked using points, suite upgrades, and access to Hyatt’s Club Lounges where the free snacks and Wi-Fi make layovers feel like retreats. Milestone Rewards is a flexible way to upgrade your status. You can get it as soon as you have logged 20 nights. This allows for confirmed suite upgrades as well as Guest of Honour bookings that let colleagues, clients or family members enjoy your elite benefits. The points you earn go much further than expected, with redemptions at off-peak times starting at only 3,500 and access to luxury brands such as Park Hyatt, Alila. Andaz. The portfolio emphasizes quality over quantity but includes high-functioning hubs for business like Hyatt Regency Greenwich Connecticut has a number of different ways to get around. Thompson Washington, DCDesign-forward accommodation is perfect for off-the clock decompression.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy offers global coverage with its staggering portfolio of 8,500 properties in 30 brands across 130 countries. Bonvoy’s flexibility and depth allows business travelers to upgrade their trips at the drop-of-a-hat. The system has many tiers, but is still attainable. Silver Elite begins at 10 days, Gold at 25 nights, Platinum at 50 nights, and Titanium after 75. Once you begin to earn, expect guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, lounge access, suite upgrades, and 50% bonus points—plus Annual Choice Benefits like confirmed suite nights or the ability to gift elite status benefits to another person. The system is vast, yet navigable. Munich A legacy-rich Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo.
Bonvoy points are just as flexible as the portfolio. You can redeem your points for free nights, upgrades to flights, or “Marriott Bonvoy Moments”, which include VIP access, concerts, and more. Formula 1 races Culinary masterclasses. The point value fluctuates, but elite members receive priority in upgrades and window availability. Amex and Chase cobranded credit cards can increase point earning potential and provide benefits. automatic elite statusEven occasional travelers can benefit from these tools.
Hilton Honors
Hilton boasts over 7,600 hotel properties under 20+ brands. From the luxury name-brands Conrad and Waldorf Astoria, to business-friendly staples like Hilton Head. Hilton, DoubleTree. Canopy. The Honors program has a refreshingly simple tier system: Silver is awarded after only 10 nights of stay, Gold after 40 nights and Diamond after 60 nights or 120,00 base points. Points can be used to earn room upgrades, access the executive lounge, premium WiFI, and the golden fifth free night on bookings made with points. Hilton’s Diamond Elite tier can be more easily reached if you hold a co-branded credit card. Redemption is flexible, too—points can be used not just for rooms but for Amazon purchases, Lyft rides, concert tickets, and even charitable donations, though the highest value still comes from free nights, especially during peak conference seasons. A little research can help savvy travelers find the best value. Members can sometimes enjoy lower redemption rates when using points than paying cash. The rewards program is a strategic edge.
Alex Green
IHG One Rewards
With a refreshed system of tiers, enhanced elite benefits, and a portfolio that is global, InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza. Vignette CollectionIHG has now joined the league of its more flamboyant competitors with a charm that is quieter and down-to earth. The new rewards system, which ranges from Silver after 10 nights up to Diamond after 70 nights, provides tangible benefits quickly. Platinum unlocks at 40 nights and 60,000 points. It offers perks such as 2 p.m. checkouts, reward night discounts (ranging from early access to a percentage discount on the points needed to redeem a night for free), and rewards night deals. Diamond members can enjoy free breakfast.
What are the different types of IHG Milestone Rewards, a loyalty program where travelers choose benefits such as confirmed suite upgrades or food and drink credits, is unique. It’s not a list of pre-set options, but rather enables the program to be customized. Point redemption is also flexible: dynamic pricing can mean great deals for those who are savvy. Free nights begin at 10,000 points. IHG cobranded credit cards allow you to earn points when you are not traveling.
Choice Privileges
The company has over 7,000 global properties, including brands such Cambria, Ascend, ComfortThe recently acquired RadissonThe Choice program is ideal for those who like to stay in hotels that are reliable and often conveniently located, but still have enough personality to make the experience interesting. The program’s appeal is not in the luxury add-ons, but in its simplicity: Elite status can be quickly earned (Gold after just 10 nights) and rewards are immediately rewarded. Platinum is awarded after 20 nights and Diamond at 40. The perks are consistent and practical: room upgrades and early check-in and late checkout.
