Hotel Loyalty Programs: Which Ones Are Actually Worth Joining in 2026

Hotel loyalty programs promise free nights, room upgrades, and VIP treatment. But with so many programs competing for your attention, which ones actually deliver value? After years of testing every major program, I can tell you which are worth joining and which are just marketing hype.

The hotel loyalty landscape has changed dramatically. Programs that were once generous have been devalued. Others have improved. Some offer genuine value for occasional travelers, while others only benefit road warriors. In this comprehensive guide, I'll break down the major programs, their real-world value, and help you decide where to focus your loyalty.

The Big Five: Comprehensive Analysis

Marriott Bonvoy - Best for Variety

**Hotels:** 8,000+ properties across 30 brands (Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, and more)

• Free WiFi (basic tier)

• Mobile check-in

• Earn 10 points per dollar spent

• Member-only rates

• Silver (10 nights): 10% bonus points, late checkout

• Gold (25 nights): 25% bonus points, room upgrades, 2 PM late checkout

• Platinum (50 nights): 50% bonus points, suite upgrades, 4 PM late checkout, lounge access

• Titanium (75 nights): 75% bonus points, enhanced benefits

• Ambassador (100 nights + $20K spend): Personal ambassador, guaranteed benefits

**Points value:** 0.7-0.9 cents per point

• Massive footprint means you can use it almost anywhere

• Gold status is achievable (25 nights) and provides real value

• Points transfer to airlines (though at poor rates)

• Fifth night free on award stays

• Huge variety of brands from budget to ultra-luxury

• Program has been devalued multiple times

• Award pricing is dynamic and often expensive

• Customer service can be inconsistent

• Too many brands make it confusing

• Elite benefits vary wildly by property

**Best for:** Travelers who want flexibility and stay at different types of hotels

**My take:** Marriott Bonvoy is the safe choice. With 8,000 properties, you'll almost always find a Marriott option. Gold status (25 nights) is the sweet spot—you get meaningful benefits without needing to be a road warrior. Platinum requires 50 nights, which is a lot unless you travel constantly for work.

**How to get status fast:** Get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card (automatic Gold status) or the Bonvoy Business card (15 elite nights per year).

Hilton Honors - Best Value for Points

**Hotels:** 7,000+ properties across 18 brands (Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, and more)

• Free WiFi

• Digital key

• Earn 10 points per dollar spent

• Member rates

• Silver (4 stays or 10 nights): 20% bonus points, late checkout

• Gold (20 stays or 40 nights): 80% bonus points, room upgrades, breakfast, 2 PM late checkout

• Diamond (30 stays or 60 nights): 100% bonus points, suite upgrades, lounge access, 4 PM late checkout

**Points value:** 0.4-0.6 cents per point

• Points are easier to earn (you get more points per stay)

• Award nights start at just 5,000 points

• Fifth night free on award stays

• Gold status includes free breakfast (huge value)

• Diamond status is achievable with credit card

• No award chart devaluation in recent years

• Points are worth less per point than competitors

• Fewer luxury properties than Marriott or Hyatt

• Elite benefits can vary by property

• Some properties charge resort fees on award stays

**Best for:** Frequent travelers who want free breakfast and achievable status

**My take:** Hilton Honors offers the best value for mid-tier travelers. Gold status (40 nights) includes free breakfast, which alone can save $15-30 per day. The points are worth less individually, but you earn them faster, so it balances out. Diamond status is easier to achieve than Marriott Platinum.

**How to get status fast:** Get the Hilton Honors Aspire card (automatic Diamond status) or the Surpass card (automatic Gold status).

World of Hyatt - Best Premium Program

**Hotels:** 1,200+ properties across 20+ brands (Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, and more)

• Free WiFi

• Mobile check-in

• Earn 5 points per dollar spent

• Member rates

• Discoverist (10 nights): 10% bonus points, late checkout

• Explorist (30 nights): 20% bonus points, suite upgrades, club lounge access, 2 PM late checkout

• Globalist (60 nights): 30% bonus points, confirmed suite upgrades, club lounge access, free breakfast, 4 PM late checkout, guest of honor awards

**Points value:** 1.5-2.0 cents per point

• Points are worth significantly more than competitors

• Smaller footprint means more personalized service

• Elite benefits are consistently applied

• Globalist status includes free breakfast and club lounge

• Award pricing is reasonable and predictable

• Excellent luxury properties (Park Hyatt, Andaz)

• Only 1,200 properties (vs. 8,000 for Marriott)

• Limited options in some cities

• Globalist requires 60 nights (challenging for most)

• Fewer budget options

**Best for:** Travelers who prioritize quality over quantity and stay in major cities

**My take:** World of Hyatt is the best program if you can achieve Globalist status. The benefits are genuinely valuable, and the points are worth 2-3x more than Marriott or Hilton points. However, the small footprint is limiting. If there's no Hyatt where you're going, the program doesn't help you.

**How to get status fast:** Get the World of Hyatt credit card (5 elite nights per year) and stay 55 nights. Or do a status match from another program.

IHG Rewards - Best for Budget Travelers

**Hotels:** 6,000+ properties across 17 brands (InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and more)

• Free WiFi

• Mobile check-in

• Earn 10 points per dollar spent

• Member rates

• Club (10 nights): 10% bonus points, late checkout

• Gold (20 nights): 40% bonus points, room upgrades, 2 PM late checkout

• Platinum (40 nights): 60% bonus points, suite upgrades, lounge access, 4 PM late checkout

• Diamond (70 nights): 100% bonus points, enhanced benefits

**Points value:** 0.5-0.7 cents per point

• Huge footprint with many budget options

• Points don't expire as long as you earn or redeem once every 12 months

• Award nights can be very cheap (10,000-15,000 points)

• Fourth night free on award stays

• Platinum status is achievable (40 nights)

• Inconsistent property quality

• Elite benefits vary significantly by property

• Customer service is hit-or-miss

• App is clunky and unreliable

• Many properties feel dated

**Best for:** Budget-conscious travelers who stay at Holiday Inn Express and similar properties

**My take:** IHG Rewards is underrated for budget travel. If you're staying at Holiday Inn Express for work, the program offers decent value. Platinum status (40 nights) gets you meaningful benefits. However, the program lacks the polish of Marriott or Hyatt.

**How to get status fast:** Get the IHG Rewards Premier credit card (automatic Platinum status).

Accor Live Limitless - Best for Europe

**Hotels:** 5,400+ properties across 40+ brands (Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Ibis, and more)

• Free WiFi

• Earn 2 points per euro spent

• Member rates

• Access to experiences and events

• Silver (15 nights): 10% bonus points, late checkout

• Gold (30 nights): 15% bonus points, room upgrades, 2 PM late checkout

• Platinum (60 nights): 20% bonus points, suite upgrades, lounge access, 4 PM late checkout

• Diamond (100 nights): 30% bonus points, enhanced benefits

**Points value:** 0.5-0.8 cents per point

• Dominant in Europe, Middle East, and Asia

• Unique "lifestyle" benefits (concerts, events, dining)

• Points can be used for non-hotel experiences

• Good variety of brands from budget to luxury

• Strong presence in secondary cities

• Limited presence in North America

• Complex program structure

• Award availability can be limited

• Elite benefits less generous than US programs

• App and website are confusing

**Best for:** Travelers who spend significant time in Europe

**My take:** If you travel to Europe frequently, Accor is worth joining. The footprint in Europe is unmatched. However, for US-based travelers, it's not a primary program.

**How to get status fast:** Status matches are sometimes available from other programs.

The Credit Card Strategy

The fastest way to elite status isn't staying 50 nights—it's getting the right credit card:

• Hilton Honors Aspire Card → Instant Diamond status

• IHG Rewards Premier Card → Instant Platinum status

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex → Instant Gold status

• Hilton Honors Surpass Card → Instant Gold status

• World of Hyatt Card → 5 elite nights per year

• Marriott Bonvoy Business Card → 15 elite nights per year

**My strategy:** Get the Hilton Aspire card for instant Diamond status, then focus your stays on Hyatt to build toward Globalist. This gives you top-tier status at two programs without needing 100+ nights.

Which Program Should You Choose?

**If you travel 10-20 nights per year:** Join all free programs, but focus on one. Get a credit card for instant status. Marriott Bonvoy with Gold status (via credit card) is your best bet for flexibility.

**If you travel 30-50 nights per year:** Pick one program and commit. Hyatt offers the best value if they have properties where you travel. Otherwise, Marriott for flexibility or Hilton for breakfast benefits.

**If you travel 60+ nights per year:** You can achieve top-tier status. Hyatt Globalist offers the best benefits, but Marriott Platinum is more practical due to the larger footprint. Consider splitting between two programs.

**If you're budget-conscious:** IHG Rewards or Hilton Honors. Both have many budget properties and achievable status tiers.

**If you travel to Europe frequently:** Accor Live Limitless is essential. Pair it with Marriott or Hyatt for US travel.

The Multi-Program Strategy

You don't have to choose just one. Here's my recommended approach:

**Primary program:** Where you focus most stays (Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton)

**Secondary program:** For when your primary doesn't have properties (usually Marriott if your primary is Hyatt, or vice versa)

**Credit card status:** Get instant status at Hilton or IHG via credit card

**Regional program:** Accor if you travel to Europe

This gives you flexibility while still concentrating enough stays to earn meaningful status in your primary program.

Status Matches and Challenges

Many programs offer status matches or challenges:

**Hyatt:** Frequently offers status matches from other programs. You provide proof of status elsewhere, and they match it for 90 days. Complete a challenge (stay a certain number of nights), and they extend it for a year.

**Marriott:** Occasionally offers status challenges. Requirements vary.

**Hilton:** Rarely offers status matches, but sometimes has promotions.

**IHG:** Occasionally offers status matches.

**Strategy:** Achieve status in one program (via credit card or stays), then status match to others. This can give you elite status in multiple programs without staying 50+ nights in each.

The Bottom Line

**Best overall program:** Marriott Bonvoy (flexibility and footprint)

**Best value program:** Hilton Honors (points and breakfast)

**Best premium program:** World of Hyatt (quality and benefits)

**Best budget program:** IHG Rewards (affordable redemptions)

**Best for Europe:** Accor Live Limitless (footprint)

• Primary: World of Hyatt (aiming for Globalist)

• Secondary: Marriott Bonvoy (Gold via credit card)

• Backup: Hilton Honors (Diamond via credit card)

• Europe: Accor Live Limitless (basic membership)

This gives me top-tier status at Hilton without any stays, Gold at Marriott for flexibility, and I'm building toward Globalist at Hyatt for the best benefits.

**For most travelers, I recommend:** 1. Get the Hilton Aspire card for instant Diamond status 2. Join Marriott Bonvoy for flexibility 3. Focus stays on whichever program has properties where you travel most

Remember: loyalty programs are only valuable if you actually use them. Don't chase status at a program that doesn't have hotels where you travel. Pick the program that matches your travel patterns, achieve a realistic status tier, and enjoy the benefits.

The best loyalty program is the one you'll actually use.