Best Hotel Rewards Programs of 2025: Compare Points, Perks and Flexibility
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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Enrolling in the best hotel rewards programs can pay off. You can boost your travel budget with free nights at your favorite hotels, but it’s even better when you have the choice. You can use your rewards for airline miles, gift cards, free spa treatments and best of all, free nights at your favorite hotels.
So, which hotel has the best rewards program? This rewards program comparison, covering nine top programs, will help you decide.
Quick Comparison of Hotel Rewards Programs
| Program | Hotels | Free Nights With | Key Perks | Points Expire? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western Rewards | 4,200 across 100 countries | 8,000 points | Tier matching with other hotel loyalty programs | No expiration |
| Choice Privileges | 7,100 | 6,000 points | Other perks such as Amazon gift cards and airline miles | No expiration |
| Hilton Honors | Over 5,000 | 5,000 points | Points pooling, elite gifting | After 12 months |
| Hotels.com | 297,000 | Stay 10 = 1 free | No brand loyalty needed | No expiration |
| World of Hyatt | Over 700 | 5,000 points | Lounge access, late checkout | After 24 months |
| IHG One Rewards | Over 5,200 | 10,000 points | Bonus points, elite gifting | After 12 months |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Over 6,700 | 7,500 points | No blackout dates, tier upgrades | After 24 months |
| Stash Hotel | 150 | 5 nights; earn 5 points for every $1 | No blackout dates, can earn points for non-partner hotels | No expiration |
| Wyndham Rewards | Over 9,000 | 7,500 points | Loyalty status matching | After 60 months of inactivity |
Best Western Rewards
- Best for: International and domestic travelers looking for an affordable mid-range hotel with no blackout dates
- Hotel network size: 4,200 hotels across 100 countries
- Free night starting at: 8,000 points
- Elite tiers:
- Gold: 10 nights, 7 qualifying stays or 10,000 points
- Platinum: 15 nights, 10 qualifying stays or 15,000 points
- Diamond: 30 nights, 20 qualifying stays or 30,000 points
- Diamond Select: 50 nights, 40 qualifying stays or 50,000 points
Learn more about the Best Western Rewards Program — see how the five tiers compare.
Pros
- Points never expire
- No blackout dates
- Will match your Elite status in other hotel loyalty programs
Cons
- Somewhat complicated tier structure
- Not as many hotels as some competitors
Choice Privileges
- Best for: Travelers looking for rewards, such as Amazon gift cards or airline miles, beyond just free hotel stays
- Hotel network size: 7,100
- Free night starting at: 6,000 points ($1 spent = 10 points)
- Elite tiers:
- Gold: 10 nights
- Platinum: 20 nights
- Diamond: 40 nights
Pros
- Points never expire
- Earn extra rewards for midweek stays
Cons
- Your Extras discounts and bonuses are only available for midweek nights
- Weekend travelers won’t maximize their rewards
Hilton Honors
- Best for: People who want a wide range of hotels, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly suites, as well as boutique-style brands
- Hotel network size: Over 8,000
- Free night starting at: Start redeeming points when you earn 5,000
- Elite tiers:
- Silver: 10 nights
- Gold: 40 nights
- Diamond: 60 nights
Pros
- Redemption options like airline miles, dining, vacation packages or points donation
- Ability to buy, gift or pool your points
Cons
- Somewhat complicated tier structure
- Points expire if your account is inactive for 12 months
Hotels.com Rewards
- Best for: People who don’t want to be locked into one hotel network
- Hotel network size: 297,000
- Free night starting at: After 10 nights, earn one free night
- Elite tiers:
- Silver: 10 stamps
- Gold: 30 stamps
Pros
- Partnered with Capital One Venture and Venture One credit cards
- More property choices than other rewards programs
- Members have access to Secret Pricing for more savings
Cons
- Benefits are modest compared to many brand-affiliated hotel programs
- Must book through the platform, not directly with the hotel
- Points expire if your account is inactive for 12 months
World of Hyatt
- Best for: Travelers who also want to earn access to exclusive experiences, Club lounge access and luxury spas
- Hotel network size: Over 1,300
- Free night starting at: 3,500 points
- Elite tiers:
- Discoverist: 10 nights or 25,000 points
- Explorist: 30 nights or 50,000 points
- Globalist: 60 nights or 100,000 points
- Lifetime Globalist: 1 million Lifetime Base Points
Pros
- Fast-track “Discoverist” status with a World of Hyatt credit card
- Tons of perks and bonuses at the higher tiers
Cons
- Points expire if your account has been inactive for 24 consecutive months
- Not as many hotel choices as some other brands
Keep In Mind
You can maximize your points by pairing a loyalty program with one of the best hotel credit cards.
IHG Rewards Club
- Best for: Frequent travelers looking for a variety of redemption options
- Hotel network size: Over 6,000
- Free night starting at: 10,000 points
- Elite tiers:
- Silver Elite: 10 nights
- Gold Elite: 20 nights or 40,000 points
- Platinum Elite: 40 nights or 60,000 points
- Diamond Elite: 70 nights or 120,000 points
Pros
- No blackout dates
- Earn points on reward nights
- Points never expire for Elite tiers
Cons
- Milestone Rewards must be selected within 90 days
- Points don’t apply in Greater China, which encompasses Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Marriott Bonvoy
- Best for: Travelers who want flexibility to convert points to airline miles or share points with friends
- Hotel network size: 9,361
- Free night starting at: 7,500
- Elite tiers:
- Silver Elite: 10 to 24 nights per year
- Gold Elite: 25 to 49 nights per year
- Platinum Elite: 50 to 74 nights per year
- Platinum Premier Elite: 75 to 99 nights per year
Pros
- A variety of redemption options, including gift cards
- No blackout dates
Cons
- Points expire after 24 months of account inactivity.
- The affiliated credit card has a $95 annual fee.
Stash Hotel Rewards
- Best for: Travelers seeking unique independent hotels in the U.S. and the Caribbean
- Hotel network size: 150, plus earn points for non-partner hotels
- Free night starting at: Five nights, when you earn 5 points per $1 spent
- Elite tiers: None
Pros
- No blackout dates
- Points never expire
Cons
- The number of partner properties is limited.
- Redemption rate varies based on the season and the hotel’s occupancy rate.
Wyndham Rewards
- Best for: Travelers seeking anything from budget hotels to all-inclusive luxury resorts or Caesar Rewards perks
- Hotel network size: Over 9,000; 60,000 if including resorts and Caesar’s Casinos
- Free night starting at: 7,500 points (or trade in 750 points for discounted stays)
- Elite tiers:
- Gold: 5 nights
- Platinum: 15 nights
- Diamond: 40 nights
Pros
- Wyndham will match your status with other hotel loyalty programs
Cons
- Your account may be terminated after 60 consecutive months of inactivity
Did You Know?
Additionally, many of the best hotel loyalty programs also offer perks such as free WiFi, late checkout and early check-in, preferred parking, and a goodie bag of snacks and beverages when you check in for their elite-level members.
How Hotel Loyalty Programs Work
While hotel loyalty programs may have unique quirks or qualification requirements, essentially, they offer points or dollars when you stay at a partner hotel. Those points or money can be redeemed for free or discounted nights at partner hotels. Some also let you exchange points for airline miles or redeem them for things like gift cards, rental cars or donations to charity.
Most programs also let you work your way up through “elite tiers,” where you get even better benefits the more you stay and the more points you earn. In essence, these programs reward loyalty to a single hotel chain or booking platform.
How To Choose the Best Hotel Loyalty Program for You
The right hotel loyalty program for you depends on your individual needs. The best hotel rewards program for business travelers might not be attractive to vacationers. The best hotel rewards program that’s stretched across multiple properties might not appeal to someone loyal to a specific brand.
- Prefer lots of brand options? Try Hotels.com.
- Want elite perks like late checkout and upgrades? Go with Marriott or Hyatt
- Need rewards without blackout dates? Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt.
- Travel infrequently? IHG or Wyndham, with low entry rewards and credit card perks.
- Travel midweek for business? Choice Privileges rewards will go further.
- Love exploring boutique hotels? Stash is a solid choice.
Final Take
Choosing the best hotel rewards program depends on how frequently you travel, your general travel budget, and the perks and rewards you’re looking for. If you find yourself drawn to a specific hotel brand every vacation, business trip or weekend getaway, there’s probably a clear choice for you.
If you’re interested in earning more rewards for your trips, click to find the best travel credit cards.
Best Hotel Rewards Program: FAQ
Planning your next vacation? Here are more answers to your frequently asked questions about the best hotel rewards programs.- What hotel rewards program gives you free nights the fastest?
- Wyndham Rewards has hotels available to book for free after just five stays. Marriott Bonvoy offers your fifth night free if you book a four-night consecutive stay in one of their hotels.
- Do hotel points expire?
- Hotel points may expire or may not have an expiration date, depending on which hotel you choose. If you travel infrequently and don't want to be pressured into redeeming your points within a certain time frame, enroll in a program where points never expire.
- Which hotel program is best for international travel?
- Best Western has hotels at various price points in 100 countries, making it a solid choice for international travel. World of Hyatt, Choice Privileges, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt also have extensive options for international travel.
- Can I combine points from different loyalty programs?
- Generally, you can't combine points from different hotel loyalty programs. But some hotel rewards programs allow you to redeem points for airline miles or gift cards, instead. Wyndham Rewards will match your elite status with other hotel loyalty programs, so you can earn perks before you reach the required number of stays.
Barb Nefer contributed to the reporting for this article.
GOBankingRates.com identified the best hotel rewards programs by analyzing membership tiers, rewards, perks, participating properties and credit card offerings. All fees and rates are subject to change at the hotels’ discretion, and some bonus offers might no longer be available on the hotels’ websites, depending on how you access the web page.
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