Smart travelers savvy in the ways of finding cheap travel deals,such as cheapairplane tickets, cheapfares, discounthotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, cheapdeals, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, knowthe importance of signing up for the most lucrative hotel loyalty programs.
While hotel loyalty programs are nowhere near as popular asairline frequent flier programs, they remain an important benefit for frequenttravelers.
The following are the top hotel loyalty programs according toSmarter Travel:
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BestWestern Rewards provide members with 10 points per in hotel dollar spent,excluding some discounted room rates and reservations booked through travelagents and online. Points do notexpire. Members can earn airlines vs.hotel points if so desired and hotel points can be transferred to selectairline programs. Free nights are basedon a point range of 8,000 to 36,000 depending on the location, season, andexpected occupancy.
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ChoicePrivileges points can be redeemed at most hotels in all Choice brands,including Ascend, Comfort Inn, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites,MainStay Suites, Suburban, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn. Members earn 10 points per in hotel dollarspent at most brands and five points per dollar at Econo Lodge, MainStay,Rodeway, and Suburban. Points expireafter two calendar years. Redemptionlevels are similar to Best Western and require a similar number of points. Points can be transferred to variousairlines. Entry level benefits includelate check-in, high speed Internet (except at Rodeway), local calls and free newspaperat most brands.
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HiltonHHonors is available at all Hilton brands including Conrad, DoubleTree, EmbassySuites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton, Home2 Suites, Homewood Suites,and Waldorf Astoria. Members earn 15points per dollar spent at the hotels except Hampton and Homewood (whichdistribute only half as many points) and Home2 which distributes only a quarteras many points.
While there are a few free night stays at5,000 points, most redemptions are in the 20,000 to 50,000 point range. Entry level benefits in its program includelate checkout and no additional charge for a spouse. Substantial benefits kick in at the Gold levelwhich requires 40 nights in a calendar year and include access to fitnesscenters, no charge Wi-Fi at select locations, complimentary breakfast at HiltonGarden Inn, and room upgrades at Conrad.
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HyattGold Passport is available with all Hyatt brands. Five points are earned for every hotel dollarspent. Points expire after two years ofnot earning or spending points. Airlinepoints can be earned if preferred. Costof reward points per night varies from 5,000 to 39,000. Hyatt points can also be transferred toselect airlines. Entry level benefitsinclude late check-in, high speed Internet, local calls, and free newspaper.
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IHGRewards Club is available at all IHG brands including Candlewood Suites, CrownePlaza, Even, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, Hualuxe, InterContinental, andStaybridge Suites. 10 points are earnedfor every hotel dollar spent at most brands, with five points per dollar atCandlewood and Staybridge. Points do notexpire. If desired, points can be earnedalternatively on select airlines. Awardnights cost in the 10,000 to 50,000 point range. Entry level benefits come with free Internet,late checkout, and free newspaper.
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MarriottRewards can be earned at all Marriott brands including AC Hotels, Autograph,Courtyard, Edition, Fairfield Inn, Gaylord, JW Marriott, Marriott, Moxy,Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, SpringHill Suites, Towneplace Suites,Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay. Earn 10 points for every hoteldollar spent at JW Marriott, Autograph, Renaissance, and Marriott, five pointsper dollar at Residence Inn and Towneplace Suites, and 1.5 points other brands.
Points expire after 24 months of not earningpoints. Guests may alternatively earnpoints for hotel stays at select airlines. Marriott points can be transferred to miles in select airline frequentflier programs. There are no entry levelbenefits.
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StarwoodPreferred Guest program is available for all Starwood brands including Aloft,Element, Four Points, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Sheraton, St. Regis,W Hotels, and Westin. Two points areawarded for every hotel dollar spent. Points expire if member does not earn or spend points. Most free hotel stays require between 10,000to 35,000 points. Hotel points can betransfered to select airline programs.
The following are additional strategies you should employ tomaximize your hotel points/rewards:
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Based on anticipated future business and leisuretravel try to concentrate your hotel stays with as few hotel brands as possible,thereby increasing the value of those points.
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Look into signing up for that chains creditcard. Hotel affiliated credit cards canearn as much as an additional 12 points per dollar spent at the hotel when paidfor by that credit card.
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If you have the luxury of choosing betweenmultiple hotel rewards programs, find out which one is offering the greatestsign up rewards inducement for signing up for its credit card.
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Sign up for rewards programs at any hotel you areplanning to stay at. Enrollment costsnothing and several programs provide at least minor benefits as soon as youjoin.
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