you’re a frequent traveler, you should consider joining a hotel rewards program. Almost every major hotel chain offers a program for frequent guests, and many of them feature a free night’s stay after you accumulate a certain number of points. You can also apply for various hotel rewards credit cards, which award you points for every purchase you make. Here is a detailed list of the top eight hotel reward programs, so you can start benefitting from hotel freebies today.
Marriott Rewards– The Marriott Rewards program is very generous. Marriott, JW Marriott, Fairfield Inn, Renaissance, Mariott Courtyard, and Residence Inn participate in this hotel rewards program. You earn between 5 and 10 points per dollar spent at one of these hotels, and you can get a free night for 7,500 points.
Starwood Preferred Guest Program- Sheraton, Westin, Four Points, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, and Le Meridien participate in this hotel rewards program. You can earn 2 points for every dollar you spend at one of these hotels, and you earn a free night for 2,000 points. You can also apply for an Amex Starwood Preferred Guest Card and earn up to 6 free nights at one of the cheaper hotels.
Best Western Gold Crown Club International- The Gold Crown Club International program is run by Best Western, a midrange hotel chain with over 4,000 locations worldwide. With a Gold Crown Club membership, you earn 10 points for every dollar you spend on a hotel room. When you accumulate 8,000 points, you get one night free. You can also earn 250 frequent flier miles for each night you stay.
Choice Privileges- The Choice Privileges program includes Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, and MainStay Suites, so you get flexibility and more bang for your buck. When you spend a dollar, you get 10 points, and you get one night free for 5,000. You can also apply for the Choice Privileges Visa Platinum card, which is a credit card with a points program. In addition to 8,000 bonus points when you first use the card, you can earn 15 points for every dollar you spend at participating hotels. For any other purchases, you receive 2 points for every dollar you spend.
Club Carlson formerly GoldPoints Plus- Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza, Park Inn, and the Radisson participate in this rewards program. You can earn a minimum of 15 points for every dollar you spend, and you get a free night at one of these hotels with 15,000 points. This plan is basic, but if you like the participating hotels, it’s a hassle-free program to join.
Hilton HHonors– If you prefer midrange to luxury hotels, Hilton HHonors is a good choice for you. Double Tree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and the Waldorf Astoria are all participating hotels under this program. You get 10 points and 1 frequent flier mile for every dollar you spend. You earn a free night’s stay with 7,500 points. You can also apply for the Hilton HHonors Platinum Amex card, where you can earn 5 points for every dollar charged at qualifying hotels, grocery stores, drugstores, and gas stations. You can also earn 3 points for any other purchases. Citibank offers a Hilton HHonors Visa card, and you can earn 6 points for purchases at a Hilton hotel, 3 points for participating stores, and 2 points for other purchases.
Hyatt Gold Passport– The Hyatt, AmeriSuites, and Hawthorn Suites are found in 470 locations, and you can earn a free night at any Hyatt hotel with 5,000 points. For every dollar you spend at the Hyatt, you earn 5 points. You earn 3 points per dollar spent at AmeriSuites and Hawthorn Suites. You only need 3,000 points to stay at AmeriSuites or Hawthorn Suites for a free night.
TripRewards- TripRewards is the most popular and largest hotel rewards program. You can choose from 6,000 locations with several budget hotels, including Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Super 8, Ramada, Knights Inn, Travelodge, and Wingate Inn. You can earn 10 points or 2 frequent flier miles for every dollar spent at these hotels. For only 6,000 points, you earn a free night.
