Hotel Loyalty Programs Ranked: An Honest Comparison for 2026

Hotel loyalty programs reward you for sleeping. That sounds like a good deal, and compared to airline loyalty programs, it often is. Hotel points are generally easier to earn, more predictable to redeem, and less subject to the wild devaluation cycles that plague frequent flyer programs.

But not all hotel programs are created equal. The difference between a great hotel loyalty program and a mediocre one comes down to practical questions: How much are the points actually worth? How realistic is it to earn elite status? Do the elite benefits actually improve your stay? Is the hotel portfolio good enough that you want to stay in their properties?

I have held elite status in five of the six major programs at various points. Here is my honest assessment of each, scored on the criteria that actually matter when you are standing at the front desk.

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Scoring Criteria

Each program is scored on a 1-10 scale across six categories:

• Points Value: How much each point is worth when redeemed for free nights
• Elite Status Tiers: How achievable status is and how meaningful each tier feels
• Free Night Redemptions: How easy it is to find and book free nights, and whether peak/off-peak pricing is fair
• Portfolio Quality: The range and quality of hotel brands in the program
• Credit Card Tie-Ins: How effectively co-branded credit cards accelerate earning and provide shortcuts to status
• Suite Upgrade Probability: How likely you are to actually receive a suite upgrade with elite status (the benefit everyone wants most)

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The Rankings

1. World of Hyatt

Points Value: 9/10 | Elite Tiers: 8/10 | Free Nights: 8/10 | Portfolio: 6/10 | Credit Cards: 8/10 | Suite Upgrades: 9/10

Overall: 48/60

World of Hyatt wins by a significant margin, and it wins for one fundamental reason: Hyatt points are worth more per point than any other hotel program. While Marriott and Hilton points hover around 0.5-0.8 cents per point, Hyatt points consistently deliver 1.5-2.0 cents per point in value.

Why it is the best:

• Points value is unmatched. A standard room at a Category 4 Hyatt costs 15,000 points per night. If that room's cash rate is $250, your points are worth 1.67 cents each. Try getting that kind of value from Marriott or Hilton.
• Globalist status is genuinely elite. At 60 qualifying nights per year, it is not easy to earn. But the benefits are real: confirmed suite upgrades (subject to availability at time of booking, not check-in), free parking, waived resort fees, free breakfast (any meal at any restaurant in the hotel, not a buffet-only limitation), and a dedicated Globalist phone line with minimal hold times.
• Suite upgrade confirmation rate is the highest in the industry. Hyatt's system confirms suite upgrades for Globalist members when suites are available, rather than leaving it to front desk discretion. This transparency is unique and deeply valued.
• Guest of Honor bookings allow Globalist members to book award nights for friends and family, and those guests receive Globalist benefits during their stay.

The drawback: Hyatt's portfolio is the smallest of the major chains. Roughly 1,300 properties worldwide versus 8,000+ for Marriott and 7,000+ for Hilton. In many smaller cities and countries, there simply is not a Hyatt property. This is the trade-off for superior quality.

Credit card strategy: The World of Hyatt Chase Visa earns 4x points at Hyatt and 2x on dining, and its anniversary free night certificate (up to Category 4, or Category 1-7 with the business card) delivers outsized value. The card also counts qualifying night credits toward status.

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2. Marriott Bonvoy

Points Value: 5/10 | Elite Tiers: 6/10 | Free Nights: 6/10 | Portfolio: 10/10 | Credit Cards: 7/10 | Suite Upgrades: 4/10

Overall: 38/60

Marriott Bonvoy is the biggest hotel loyalty program in the world by a massive margin. Over 8,000 properties across 30+ brands, from the budget-friendly Fairfield Inn to the ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. No matter where you travel, there is probably a Marriott property within driving distance.

Why it ranks second:

• Unmatched global footprint. Whether you are in rural Wyoming or downtown Tokyo, Marriott has a property. This ubiquity is genuinely valuable for frequent travelers who need a loyalty program that works everywhere.
• Brand diversity. The portfolio includes economy (Fairfield, SpringHill), midscale (Courtyard, AC Hotels), upscale (Westin, Sheraton, Marriott), luxury (JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, St. Regis, EDITION), and everything in between.
• Transfer to airlines. Marriott points can be transferred to 40+ airline partners at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 points. This is mediocre value for hotel point-to-mile transfers, but it provides flexibility.
• Suite Night Awards. Platinum Elite and above earn Suite Night Awards (SNAs) annually that can be used to confirm suite upgrades in advance. These are valuable but limited in quantity and frequently not confirmed.

The drawbacks:

• Points are worth significantly less than Hyatt. A typical Marriott point is worth 0.6-0.8 cents. Category 8 properties can cost 85,000-100,000 points per night, and cash rates at those properties are often only $300-500, meaning you are getting less than 0.5 cents per point.
• Suite upgrades are unreliable. Suite Night Awards must be requested and are subject to confirmation at the hotel's discretion. Confirmation rates vary wildly by property. Some Platinum members go years without a single confirmed SNA.
• Platinum status requires 50 nights. That is nearly one week per month in a Marriott hotel. For most travelers, this requires deliberate mattress runs or credit card night credits.

Credit card strategy: The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ($650 annual fee) earns 6x at Marriott and provides a free night certificate up to 85,000 points. The Chase Marriott Boundless ($95 annual fee) is a more accessible option with a free night up to 35,000 points. Both contribute qualifying night credits toward status.

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3. Hilton Honors

Points Value: 4/10 | Elite Tiers: 8/10 | Free Nights: 7/10 | Portfolio: 9/10 | Credit Cards: 9/10 | Suite Upgrades: 5/10

Overall: 42/60

Hilton Honors is the easiest program to earn points and status in, by far. Hilton's credit card ecosystem showers you with points, and the status thresholds are the most achievable in the industry. The trade-off is that Hilton points are worth the least per point of any major program.

Why it ranks third:

• Earning speed is unmatched. The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card earns 12x at Hilton and 6x at grocery stores and restaurants. The Aspire card earns 14x at Hilton. Combined with Hilton's base earning rate of 10x for members, it is possible to accumulate hundreds of thousands of points per year through normal spending.
• Diamond status is achievable. 60 nights or 30 stays qualifies you for Diamond, Hilton's top tier. But here is the real shortcut: the Hilton Honors Aspire card grants Diamond status automatically with no stay requirement. This is the easiest path to top-tier status in any hotel program.
• Fifth night free on award stays. When you book five consecutive nights with points, the fifth night is free. This effectively gives you a 20% discount on all longer award stays.
• No blackout dates. Hilton award availability is excellent. Standard room awards are available whenever rooms are available for purchase.

The drawbacks:

• Points are worth approximately 0.4-0.6 cents each. A "free" night at a Conrad or Waldorf Astoria can cost 80,000-120,000 points, which sounds enormous, but earning rates are also enormous. The math works out to roughly the same as Marriott in effective value per dollar spent.
• Diamond status has been diluted. Because it is so easy to earn (especially through credit cards), Diamond members are everywhere. When everyone is Diamond, nobody gets special treatment. Suite upgrades for Diamond members are inconsistent.
• Brand quality varies enormously. A Hilton Garden Inn and a Waldorf Astoria are in the same loyalty program but offer completely different experiences. The midscale brands (Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, DoubleTree) make up the bulk of the portfolio.

Credit card strategy: The Hilton Honors Aspire ($450 annual fee) is arguably the best hotel credit card in existence. It provides automatic Diamond status, a free weekend night certificate, $250 in Hilton resort credits, $250 in airline credits, and Priority Pass lounge access. The annual fee effectively pays for itself through the credits alone.

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4. IHG One Rewards

Points Value: 5/10 | Elite Tiers: 6/10 | Free Nights: 7/10 | Portfolio: 7/10 | Credit Cards: 6/10 | Suite Upgrades: 3/10

Overall: 34/60

IHG One Rewards has improved significantly in recent years, but it remains a step behind the big three. The program's strength is in its midscale properties (Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express) and its genuinely excellent fourth-night-free benefit on award stays.

Why it is worth considering:

• Fourth night free on award stays. Book four consecutive nights with points, and the fourth night is free. This 25% discount is the most generous among major programs.
• Massive midscale footprint. IHG operates over 6,000 properties, with Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express providing reliable, affordable options in nearly every city.
• Milestone Rewards provide bonus points and free nights as you accumulate nights within a calendar year. These stack meaningfully.
• InterContinental and Kimpton properties provide luxury options within the portfolio.

The drawbacks:

• Suite upgrades are virtually nonexistent. IHG does not have a formal suite upgrade benefit at any status tier. Upgrades are entirely at the hotel's discretion and rarely involve suites.
• Points value is mediocre. Approximately 0.5-0.6 cents per point, similar to Marriott.
• Diamond Elite status (top tier) requires 70 nights or 40 stays. The benefits at Diamond are modest: guaranteed room type, late checkout (subject to availability), and bonus points.

Credit card strategy: The IHG One Rewards Premier card ($99 annual fee) earns a free night certificate annually, provides Platinum Elite status, and earns a solid 26x at IHG properties. The card's fourth-night-free benefit stacks with the program's existing fourth-night-free for all members.

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5. Wyndham Rewards

Points Value: 6/10 | Elite Tiers: 7/10 | Free Nights: 8/10 | Portfolio: 4/10 | Credit Cards: 5/10 | Suite Upgrades: 2/10

Overall: 32/60

Wyndham Rewards is the dark horse of hotel loyalty programs. Its flat-rate redemption structure makes it one of the most predictable and straightforward programs in the industry. The catch: Wyndham's portfolio is overwhelmingly budget and midscale properties.

Why it surprises people:

• Flat-rate redemptions. Free nights cost 7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points depending on the property tier. No peak/off-peak confusion. No dynamic pricing. Predictable and simple.
• Go Free and Go Fast awards provide genuine value. A 15,000-point night at a La Quinta or Ramada can represent strong value when cash rates are $150+.
• Generous earning rate. 10x points per dollar at Wyndham properties is standard for members.
• Status is easy to earn. Diamond status requires just 15 qualifying nights or three stays.

The drawbacks:

• Portfolio quality is limited. Wyndham's brands include Super 8, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, La Quinta, Ramada, and Wyndham. There are few luxury options. If you want high-end properties, Wyndham is not for you.
• No meaningful suite upgrade benefit. Most Wyndham properties do not have suites, so this point is somewhat moot.

Who it is best for: Budget-conscious travelers who stay in roadside hotels, road trippers, and anyone who values simplicity and predictability over luxury.

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6. Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

Points Value: 4/10 | Elite Tiers: 5/10 | Free Nights: 5/10 | Portfolio: 8/10 | Credit Cards: 3/10 | Suite Upgrades: 4/10

Overall: 29/60

Accor Live Limitless covers a stunning range of brands, from budget (ibis) to ultra-luxury (Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel). The portfolio is strongest in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. But the loyalty program mechanics lag behind the competition.

Why it matters:

• Incredible brand diversity. ibis, Novotel, Pullman, MGallery, Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, and Banyan Tree are all under the ALL umbrella. The quality ceiling is very high.
• Strong European and Asia-Pacific presence. In cities where Marriott and Hilton have two options, Accor might have ten.
• ALL Plus subscription (a paid add-on) provides room upgrades, late checkout, and welcome drinks. It is a budget-friendly way to access benefits that other programs lock behind 50+ nights of status earning.

The drawbacks:

• Points earning and redemption is complicated and underwhelming. The points-to-value ratio is among the worst in the industry. Earning rates are low. Redemption rates are high. The program feels like an afterthought bolted onto an otherwise excellent hotel company.
• No meaningful US-based credit card tie-in. American travelers cannot earn Accor points efficiently through credit card spend.
• Status benefits are inconsistent. Benefits are delivered at the hotel's discretion, and enforcement varies dramatically by brand and region.

Who it is best for: Travelers who spend significant time in Europe, the Middle East, or Asia-Pacific and appreciate Accor's brand diversity.

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Tips for Earning Status Faster

Regardless of which program you choose, here are strategies that accelerate your path to elite status:

Credit Card Night Credits

Most hotel credit cards award qualifying night credits just for holding the card. The Chase World of Hyatt card gives 5 qualifying nights. The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant gives 15 nights. These are not counting spending-based night credits. They are free just for being a cardholder.

Status Challenges and Matches

Most programs offer status matches to members who hold elite status in a competing program. If you are Marriott Platinum, you can request a match to Hilton Diamond or Hyatt Explorist. The hotel programs want your business and will give you temporary status to prove it.

Status challenges take this further: the hotel gives you a reduced threshold (e.g., 20 nights instead of 50) to earn status within a set time period (usually 90 days). If you have a heavy travel period coming up, request a challenge and concentrate your stays.

Double-Dip Promotions

Hotel programs regularly run promotions offering double or triple points, bonus qualifying nights, or reduced status thresholds. Stack these with credit card promotions and corporate rates for maximum value. Sign up for email alerts from each program to catch these.

Meetings and Events

If you organize meetings, conferences, or events at a hotel, the meeting planner typically earns qualifying nights and bonus points for every room night in the block. A single conference at a Marriott property can generate 50+ qualifying nights.

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The Bottom Line

If you can stay at Hyatt, stay at Hyatt. The points value, the elite benefits, and especially the suite upgrade probability make World of Hyatt the best program for travelers who prioritize quality.

If Hyatt is not available in your travel patterns, choose based on footprint. Marriott for global coverage. Hilton for the easiest status and credit card ecosystem. IHG for budget-friendly international coverage. Wyndham for domestic road trips.

If you travel primarily in Europe or Asia-Pacific, do not overlook Accor. The portfolio quality is exceptional, even if the loyalty program mechanics are not.

The best hotel loyalty program is the one whose properties you actually want to stay in, in the cities you actually visit. All the points value analysis in the world means nothing if you are forcing yourself into a worse hotel to earn points in a "better" program. Stay where you want. Earn what you can. Redeem strategically.