Loyalty must be rewarded. It’s a concept we see across all types of commercial business, from mobile phone providers to supermarkets, casinos, banks cafes and more. Hotels have some of the best membership schemes; by offering guests a reason to return, international brands can ensure repeat custom. And customers can enjoy a host of exciting and exclusive benefits – we always love another excuse to book a night away! Most of these programmes work on a points-based system, earning via a combination of stays and spending. So if you are a frequent traveller, these are the most enticing hotel rewards programmes we recommend you consider joining.
Marriott Bonvoy
Six tiers of benefits await Marriott Bonvoy members who spend at Marriott’s hotels, or via their partner credit cards, car rentals and flights. Members can keep track of earnings and claim rewards through the dedicated app. In addition to the existing perks, the brand has recently relaunched its Moments scheme. This enables Bonvoyers to bid on elite experiences – such as dinners with Michelin starred chefs, hospitality at international sporting events and wellness retreats – using their points. And many of these are available virtually. So if you have a wealth of points sitting in the ‘bank’, but are not able to travel currently, you don’t have to miss out.
IHG Rewards
Encompassing almost 5,200 hotels across nine brands (including 500 boutique properties curated in partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith), IHG Rewards casts a wide net. This club is made up of four levels, all of which receive exclusive rates and Wifi across all of the group’s properties and for some of the benefits, there’s the option to combine points and cash to access a reward. And the perks here are tangible, members can shop from an extensive catalogue, stocking everything from kitchen gadgets to homewares, tech, sports equipment, toys, magazines and chocolates. So if you’re planning to stay in a hotel that falls under IHG’s span, it’s well worth signing up.
Accor: Accor ALL
Even if you’ve never booked with Accor, you only have to sign up, to be eligible for discounts via their lifestyle programme, ALL. These benefits apply to over 3000 hotels and can equate to as much as a 40% saving on top of any promotional deals. The range of hotels in the chain’s portfolio is large – so this will suit travellers of every budget. Once you start earning points, you can also buy items from ALL’s e-store, shop with their partners and claim VIP perks. Points are earned through both leisure and business spending – even by checking into one of Accor’s co-working spaces.
Hyatt: World of Hyatt
Hyatt’s flexible cancellation options are especially welcome in the current climate and members can enjoy an extra 10-15% off rates while accruing points. Free nights, complimentary parking, upgrades and club access are on offer as you move from Discoverist to Explorist, Globalist and finally, Lifetime Globalist. Milestone Rewards run parallel to this system, providing treats after a set number of nights stayed. WoH currently has a promotion – stay at one of its newest hotels and you can grab an extra 500 bonus points.
Hilton: Hilton Honors
Hilton’s elevator rewards scheme takes you through the traditionally titled ranks of Member, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Book online or via the app for preferential rates, to pick your room (up to 24 hours before your stay), access to free Wifi and to earn points toward further stays. For the equivalent of every $1 spent, hotel guests accrue 10 Points. Like Marriott’s Moments, Hilton has its own auction-based reward system on which members can bid, and a Milestone programme like Hyatt’s, as well as a selection of evergreen Honors, offers and gifts.
Hotels.com Rewards
Operating a simple system, this covers the largest number of properties – a staggering 1,000,000 hotels and resorts. Members collect a stamp for every night booked. A free night can be claimed once ten stamps have been collected (the reward night’s value is calculated as the average spend on the 10 stamps you’ve collected). Members can increase their rate of collection by booking on behalf of friends and relatives. Once you have 20 stamps you’ll rise to the silver level and at 30 stamps you’ll be a gold member with free room upgrades. Secret prices are revealed on selected properties via Hotels.com too.
