Which Hotel Program Is Best For Leisure Travelers?

Which Hotel Program Is Best For Leisure Travelers?

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Picking a hotel loyalty program is very much a personal decision, as there’s not a “one size fits all” answer as to which program is best. Everyone is looking for different things from a hotel group.

In this post I wanted to compare some of the major hotel loyalty programs. While there won’t be “winners” and “losers” here, I wanted to share pros and cons of the big programs, so that people can hopefully take those points into consideration to decide what makes most sense for them.

What makes a hotel loyalty program good for leisure travelers?

I thought it would be interesting to look at hotel loyalty programs from the perspective of a leisure traveler. Why? Well, business travelers might not have to work hard at all to rack up elite nights, and for that matter their hotel stay decisions may be driven by corporate contracts, where they need to stay for work, etc.

It’s a bit of a different story for leisure travelers. Here are some of the things that I think make a hotel loyalty program good for non-business travelers:

  • Easy to earn status — leisure travelers have to earn elite status on their own dime, so it’s worth considering the amount of effort that it takes to earn status
  • Free breakfast — while business travelers typically have an expense account, leisure travelers generally appreciate perks like free breakfast, since it can save you significant money
  • Guaranteed elite perks — while perks that are “subject to availability” are better than nothing, there’s something really nice about being able to secure the perks that matter most to you in advance of your stay
  • Suite upgrades — leisure travelers often travel with family, and it’s nice to have more space on your vacations
  • A big global footprint — being loyal to a hotel group is hard, so the bigger the hotel group, the easier it is to stay loyal
Waldorf-Astoria-Maldives-48
Hotel loyalty programs can be pretty rewarding

Pros & cons of major hotel loyalty programs

Let me share what I consider to be the pros & cons of the major hotel loyalty programs. I don’t think there’s a single program that’s best for everyone, but hopefully this is a good starting place for people to decide which program makes the most sense for them.

I’ll be focusing on Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, which are the biggest hotel loyalty programs in the United States that have co-branded credit cards, lots of aspirational properties, etc.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is the best program for earning status easily, and in terms of how quickly you can rack up points.

The way I view it, the pros of Hilton Honors include:

Meanwhile the cons of Hilton Honors include:

  • Hilton Honors isn’t great when it comes to guaranteeing benefits, as late check-out isn’t guaranteed, and suite upgrades are at the discretion of the hotel
  • Of these four loyalty programs, Hilton Honors is the only program not to offer any sort of confirmed suite upgrades that can be applied in advance, which isn’t great for planning a special stay

The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hilton Honors Gold & Diamond members get breakfast

IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards is the most improved program in the past couple of years, though I’m still not sure exactly where to place it. The loyalty program was recently relaunched in 2022, and it’s much more lucrative than before.

The way I view it, the pros of IHG One Rewards include:

  • IHG has a large global footprint, with over 6,000 properties worldwide; in particular, there are lots of limited service and more economical properties, which many leisure travelers may appreciate (conversely, these properties may offer limited perks for elite members)
  • IHG One Rewards makes it easy to earn status, especially with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (review); you can earn IHG Platinum status just for having the card, and IHG Diamond status for spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
  • The IHG Milestone Rewards program offers some fantastic perks that members can pick for passing certain elite night thresholds, including confirmed suite upgrades, club lounge access, food & beverage credits, and more
  • IHG One Rewards has pretty good points earning rates, between the standard earning rates, the bonuses for elite status, and IHG’s global promotions

Meanwhile the cons of IHG One Rewards include:

  • IHG One Rewards is weak when it comes to guaranteeing benefits, as late check-out and suite upgrades are entirely at the discretion of hotels, rather than a guaranteed benefit
  • IHG One Rewards is the biggest unknown among these programs when it comes to execution of certain elite benefits, since the current implementation of the program is still new; I’ve heard a lot of reports of properties not doing a great job honoring the published perks
IHG One Rewards Diamond members receive breakfast

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is probably the most well-rounded hotel loyalty program, in terms of a combination of a big global footprint, status being easy to earn, and solid elite perks.

The way I view it, the pros of Marriott Bonvoy include:

Meanwhile the cons of Marriott Bonvoy include:

  • Marriott Bonvoy is notorious for over promising and under delivering, so in practice you might find elite benefits to be similar to what you’d get with Hilton Honors
  • Marriott Bonvoy isn’t great about consistent elite benefits across brands; for example, elite members don’t receive free breakfast at brands like Ritz-Carlton and EDITION
Marriott Bonvoy promises suite upgrades subject to availability

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is probably the strongest hotel loyalty program, but status is also the hardest to earn, and Hyatt has the smallest global footprint.

The way I view it, the pros of World of Hyatt include:

The way I view it, the cons of World of Hyatt include:

World of Hyatt suite upgrade awards are valuable

Bottom line

Which hotel loyalty program is best is highly subjective, and I don’t think there’s a single right or wrong answer. To consolidate my take and recommendations:

  • Hilton Honors is great for the super easy status and generous points earning rates, especially with constant promotions
  • IHG One Rewards is getting better, but I also have a hard time recommending IHG as someone’s sole hotel loyalty program
  • Marriott Bonvoy makes it easy enough to earn status with credit cards, and offers solid perks, but not to the level of World of Hyatt
  • World of Hyatt is the all-around best when it comes to elite status, but it’s also hardest to earn

What’s your take on what the best hotel loyalty program is?

Conversations (52)
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  1. Derek Hong Guest

    And to think, Hotels.com dominated this sector. In one fell swoop, those geniuses gutted the program to a shell of its former self, throwing themselves out of the competition entirely.

    Geniuses, I tell you!

  2. Vik Guest

    Intriguing points here.
    Honestly, if you're a leisure traveller sticking to mostly the US (or, arguably, North America), your best best bet for saving money while building up loyalty to a hotel chain is to stay at Wyndham or Choice properties.
    Plenty of value, at decent and leisure-oriwnted properties.

  3. Stanley C Diamond

    Hilton Gold members only get complimentary executive lounge access if upgraded to an executive floor, so only Hilton Diamond members are guaranteed executive lounge access.

  4. Russ Member

    Chase - just offer a card w/globalist with Hyatt similar to the Amex Marriott and Hilton cards.

    Kindly take our annual fee money, thanks.

    1. JoePro Guest

      If you want to see Globalist become as laughable as HH Diamond, this is the best way to do it.

      Hyatt does need a premium offering though. I'm thinking a 1-7 night, comp Explorist, maybe paired with 20EQN, $395.

      More importantly, they need to adjust the cat 1-4 to cat 1-5 on the WOH card. Even if it means upping the fee to $125-$150.

  5. iamhere Guest

    Marriott perks and delivery is much better than IHG or Hilton. Perhaps not as strong as Hyatt, but it has a much more global footprint and is much more diverse regarding types of hotels. Considering how easy it is to get status, it is not going to be as good as Hyatt at providing those benefits, but at least generally the benefits exist and are honored. Consider that even high level IHG status people do...

    Marriott perks and delivery is much better than IHG or Hilton. Perhaps not as strong as Hyatt, but it has a much more global footprint and is much more diverse regarding types of hotels. Considering how easy it is to get status, it is not going to be as good as Hyatt at providing those benefits, but at least generally the benefits exist and are honored. Consider that even high level IHG status people do not get lounge access. That is the tradeoff. Regarding your other comments about the program, I think people do not put as much focus on the control that the property has. If there is an under delivery they need to deal with it ASAP at the property level including the compensation and this includes talking to the correct decision making person there. I think your comment about the benefits across brands a bit much. I agree that they are not consistent between the benefits offered at brands across their offering in general, but it is public knowledge regarding the lack of elite benefits at those two particular brands, so if you choose to stay there, that is your problem! This is why many would chose other brands within their options. You can fault them for having a complicated benefits structure across their brands, in general, but you cannot fault them for what you did because they do tell people and again it is very much up to the property. I, for example, have received breakfast or lounge access at some properties of those two brands.

  6. LJS Guest

    Hilton, especially in European cities where many Executive Lounges are, unlike those in US, outstanding. Also, the airport Hiltons are good and make travel days much less hectic. That said, I prefer an Airbnb with a washer when staying at least 3 nights as we never check luggage, regardless of trip length.

  7. Mg Guest

    Leisure traveler here....(around 30-40 nights a year ) Switched to IHG from Hilton last year. I've been impressed with room upgrades (status via cc) and with normal spend on top of room points, I usually receive a free night after every three nights and this is before any additional promotions or big spends on the card

  8. glenn t Diamond

    The vast majority of leisure travellers would not travel often enough, or have sufficiently deep pockets, to achieve the kind of 'status' needed to be eligible for the perks the chains advertise.
    Secondly, if you reside outside the US you would not be eligible for the array of credit cards whick unlock the aforementioned perks.

    1. Anthony Diamond

      In terms of your first sentence, I disagree. I think hotel (or airline) status starts to matter with 20 or so nights on the road a year. Plenty of leisure only customers meet that threshold. Plus, meaningful status can be achieved with as little as $95 per year (Hilton Surpass card). A 20 night a year Hilton traveler will appreciate Gold status, even if staying at hotels with modest pricing.

    2. beachmouse Member

      Middle class leisure traveler here who currently has status with IHG, Hilton, Marriott, and Accor through assorted means and for assorted reasons. Don’t use the Marriott much- that one was gifted- but the others have specific uses for my general travel patterns.

    3. Bob Guest

      Leisure travellers have pockets.
      We don't need to beg hotels for 'elite' perks, we just buy what we want.

      What's sad is those OPM work travellers who spend half the year staying at low level chain hotels, and depend on status like a poor boy.

    4. Joseph Stewart Guest

      My wife and I have a decidedly Middle class income and are Platinum with Marriot. In Canada there's not nearly as many cards to use, our Amex does give us 15 nights a year but we stay an extra 35 nights a year for platinum. I think there's more of than you'd think

  9. Mantis Guest

    If you're a US based leisure traveler that doesn't travel often enough to get Hyatt globalist, then the easy answer is Hilton and Marriott gold status through CC. I go Hyatt globalist as primary with Hilton CC gold as backup, and Bonvoy if all else fails.

  10. Janet Guest

    I am very much a happy Hyatt Globalist. Some of my stays are still business, but I have also stayed extensively on vacation with points, mainly from credit cards. I also hugely value the Guest of Honor program, which I have used for my sons as well as other family members. Lately some of the best redemptions have been Joie de Vivre hotels and Leading Small Luxury Hotels, which offer unique stays. A 3-day long...

    I am very much a happy Hyatt Globalist. Some of my stays are still business, but I have also stayed extensively on vacation with points, mainly from credit cards. I also hugely value the Guest of Honor program, which I have used for my sons as well as other family members. Lately some of the best redemptions have been Joie de Vivre hotels and Leading Small Luxury Hotels, which offer unique stays. A 3-day long weekend is coming up on points/certificate at the Pell in RI, for which the room rate was listed at over $400/night. And it is within the Category 4 cut-off for free nights.

  11. Nevsky Guest

    Virtuoso, if you stay at luxury hotels (and do not have an American Express Platinum Card). You get early check-in/late checkout (although not necessarily guaranteed as with FHR), breakfast, upgrades, $100 amenity....

  12. David Guest

    Slight correction regarding Hilton: Elites do NOT get free breakfast any more at US hotels. They now get a voucher which rarely (if ever) covers the cost of breakfast.

  13. farnorthtrader Guest

    Nit sure why waiving resort fees is mentioned as a strength of Hyatt, but not Hilton, and not a weakness of IHG and Marriott

  14. beachmouse Member

    Accor is the Southwest of hotel programs- while the redemptions are effectively fixed rate (there’s a little bit of variation depending on exchange rates if you don’t earn and redeem in euro countries) there’s a niceness in the ability to redeem for any room or suite type, any time (no blackout dates) and any room rate that is not what they consider to be deep discounted. Accor points are especially valuable during special event and...

    Accor is the Southwest of hotel programs- while the redemptions are effectively fixed rate (there’s a little bit of variation depending on exchange rates if you don’t earn and redeem in euro countries) there’s a niceness in the ability to redeem for any room or suite type, any time (no blackout dates) and any room rate that is not what they consider to be deep discounted. Accor points are especially valuable during special event and holiday time frames when it’s difficult to impossible to find award nights with other brands.

    1. Pablo Guest

      If Accor had a stronger USA presence it would eclipse all the others. This post is very USA Centric, but I’d say in Asia/Pacific and Europe it would outperform the others.

    2. Zach B Guest

      Honestly in Europe Accor, Best Western, IHG, Choice & Scandic (Nordic Region), etc are probably the best loyalty programs for Europe.

  15. Husch Blackwell Guest

    A leisure traveler should not concern themselves with hotel rewards programs.

    Book a hotel that's near where you want to stay. Check consumer reviews to make sure the rooms are clean and crucial amenities (such as wifi, if making a lot of video calls) are in order.

    All status benefits can be paid for as needed. Want breakfast or club lounge access? Book the package rate. Want late checkout? Ask how much it costs to...

    A leisure traveler should not concern themselves with hotel rewards programs.

    Book a hotel that's near where you want to stay. Check consumer reviews to make sure the rooms are clean and crucial amenities (such as wifi, if making a lot of video calls) are in order.

    All status benefits can be paid for as needed. Want breakfast or club lounge access? Book the package rate. Want late checkout? Ask how much it costs to check out at 2pm, 4pm, etc. Paying these as needed is cheaper than "mattress running" for hotel status and doesn't tie you to any hotel brand.

    There are markets where Hyatt is weak and Hilton is strong and vice versa.

    1. grichard Guest

      I agree with this. As a leisure traveler, it's much more important to book the place where you want to stay, and pay for what you need. Until recently, I'd have said that the best "loyalty program" for leisure stays was hotels.com. No longer, alas.

      (Hm, my brother-in-law is a partner at Husch. I wonder if you are he.)

    2. Ann Guest

      100%.
      Best comment so far.

    3. Claus Guest

      Fully agree. For leisure travel, its best to just look for best deal in the desired location / part of town for each trip regardless of hotel brand.

    4. Ethan Guest

      Having a Hilton Aspire card doesn't prevent from you doing all these stuff.
      But you get credit more than the annual fee, Diamond status, and a free night that can be more than $1000 per night.

  16. Lukas Guest

    Perhaps slightly off-topic, but am I the only one who finds a majority of Hyatt’s hotels a bit boring, design wise? I stay at a lot of different brands all over the US (on my own dime) year after year, and I think that the other chains (Hilton, Marriott, and IHG) offer more variety and a bit more interesting design than Hyatt.

    1. DWAGENT Guest

      This is true, but may be a function of their smaller footprint. As they grow, their designs will diversify.

  17. Errol Guest

    For the majority of us who don't live in the USA and can't easily access US credit cards, and whose stays are mainly outside the USA, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt aren't that great. They have small footprints globally other than in major cities. It is hard to get top tier status without staying in inconvenient locations. I find IHG has a slightly better footprint but I really don't like a lot of their hotels like...

    For the majority of us who don't live in the USA and can't easily access US credit cards, and whose stays are mainly outside the USA, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt aren't that great. They have small footprints globally other than in major cities. It is hard to get top tier status without staying in inconvenient locations. I find IHG has a slightly better footprint but I really don't like a lot of their hotels like Holiday Inns and Crowne Plazas.

    I find Accor the best due to its large footprint so tend to be loyal there.

    Having said that I generally prefer Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt properties and if they became more global I would jump to one of them.

    1. tda1986 Diamond

      Alas, you’re not really the target audience for this post.

    2. McCaron New Member

      Indeed the article is too North America centric and does not really consider international travellers

    3. Pablo Guest

      Totally agree with Accor. It’s really built the range of hotels in the past 5-10 years, points can be redeemed on pretty much any room and elite benefits for Platinum and Diamond esp outside USA (which is where it really lacks properties) is massively better than the other brands)

  18. Liz Guest

    The best is really a mix. This works best for me. Leisure travel being the key influence.
    - Hyatt card- stay one night free- fewer hotels internationally, but can always find a place to stay one night free.
    - IHG card- stay one night free- many options internationally to take advantage of this.
    - Booking- used so much, that I can usually get a better deal with them- 10-20% percent off, free...

    The best is really a mix. This works best for me. Leisure travel being the key influence.
    - Hyatt card- stay one night free- fewer hotels internationally, but can always find a place to stay one night free.
    - IHG card- stay one night free- many options internationally to take advantage of this.
    - Booking- used so much, that I can usually get a better deal with them- 10-20% percent off, free breakfasts, and many options to choose from.
    - AARP and local insurance company that includes hotel benefits- like Booking, 10-20% off, free breakfasts most of the time, and many options to choose from.
    - Chase rewards- easy to transfer to Hyatt and IHG accounts- so that is sometimes used.

    If you are a leisure traveler- it pays to always compare.

  19. McCaron Guest

    You forgot Accor with more than 5,000 hotels worldwide and a quite good program

  20. Ignacio Guest

    Accor. You get points that you can use as money (2000 points = 40 EUR). Very easy to get lots of points because there are always promotions going on. Good status benefits and hotels.

  21. Ann Guest

    The answer is simple: None

    Unless it's free status by cc or whatever, no chain is worth the loyalty without OPM.

    Boming.com 20% off Genius 3 gives access to any property worldwide with a discount far greater than any hotel points scheme.

    Besides who wants to limit themselves to vacationing in American chain hotels????

    1. Anthony Diamond

      The beauty of Hilton status (and Marriott to a lesser extent) is that it requires no loyalty - only holding a credit card

    2. Ann Guest

      Exactly, the only status worry chasing is the free one that comes with credit cards...

      Even if one was to stay 50+ nights in a hotel on vacations, limiting oneself to one chain is idiotic and limiting, but free status, sure, why not.

  22. Justin Guest

    Because I'm traveling to mid-size cities worldwide and want to pick my area to stay and be cost-effective, my "program" is google maps search and accounts with Booking.com and Hotels.com, paying with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Sadly the rewards program at hotels.com has reduced substantially. As much as I'd like to embrace a program - having points at Bonvoy, IHG and Hilton accounts, I just never get traction.

  23. Esquiar Guest

    The vast majority of leisure travelers won’t be staying 50+ nights. Now that the MGM trick is gone, too hard to get Globalist. Explorist is a waste of time, and Hyatt’s footprint rarely meets your needs if you go off the beaten path even a little

    Marriott hands-down. Can’t beat instant Platinum status from Bonvoy Brilliant. The program still works great for international stays at full-service properties. If someone is staying at Ritz, they should...

    The vast majority of leisure travelers won’t be staying 50+ nights. Now that the MGM trick is gone, too hard to get Globalist. Explorist is a waste of time, and Hyatt’s footprint rarely meets your needs if you go off the beaten path even a little

    Marriott hands-down. Can’t beat instant Platinum status from Bonvoy Brilliant. The program still works great for international stays at full-service properties. If someone is staying at Ritz, they should be using a booking service like STARs to get free breakfast

    Of course if someone is only staying at limited service properties, they should worry more about price, reviews, and location

    1. tda1986 Diamond

      Agreed on Hyatt. If this post is meant for people whose only travel is leisure, then Hyatt might as well be left off the list. Their footprint is too small and requirements too high for the program to be of any use to that type of traveler.

    2. Ethan Guest

      Brilliant's price is too high for Platinum, since it's like you're buying 85K FN+Platinum for $295 (with $25*12 credit needs to be reminded every month). Comparing to:
      Aspire looks like getting a FN for -$50 (with $250*2 easy to use Hilton resort / airline credit)

  24. derek Guest

    Until early July, hotels.com may have been the best for leisure travelers.

    How about Choice Privileges or Wyndham, haha?

  25. Santos Guest

    Obviously individual mileage may vary but in my experience casually seeking out hotels for leisure or leisure-adjacent utility (e.g., we need a hotel near a wedding or family reunion) you can't really beat World Of Hyatt. The footprint is the smallest of the big chains, sure, but the pound-for-pound quality for individual properties is the best. Bonvoy or Hilton might have 4x the properties in a metro area but half of these are extended stay...

    Obviously individual mileage may vary but in my experience casually seeking out hotels for leisure or leisure-adjacent utility (e.g., we need a hotel near a wedding or family reunion) you can't really beat World Of Hyatt. The footprint is the smallest of the big chains, sure, but the pound-for-pound quality for individual properties is the best. Bonvoy or Hilton might have 4x the properties in a metro area but half of these are extended stay places or bottom-tier brands that are less than ideal. Some of them are downright sketchy, to be honest. Haven't seen that with Hyatt. Also, getting to Discoverist through award stays was easy and I've never had an issue receiving benefits like late checkout or room upgrades since.

    1. JoePro Guest

      Concur.
      I think the question might have different answers depending on what type of "leisure travel" one is doing.
      Cross country road trip through small towns on a budget... Marriott/Hilton might fit the bill better.
      Overseas to exotic locales or major cities with a bit more cash to spare... Hyatt all the way.
      (Also, where else can you use a reasonable amount of points to secure a premium suite ahead of time?)

  26. Anthony Diamond

    Not to steal DCS’ thunder here, but the answer may actually be Hilton

    1) Extremely easy to earn points with multiple credit card sign up bonuses, Amex MR transfer bonuses, points purchases, etc

    2) Pretty good selection of hotels in a variety of leisure destinations (resorts, cities, etc). They even have coverage in the US in terms of limited service properties in national parks, etc

    3) Free breakfast / dining credit available at the Gold...

    Not to steal DCS’ thunder here, but the answer may actually be Hilton

    1) Extremely easy to earn points with multiple credit card sign up bonuses, Amex MR transfer bonuses, points purchases, etc

    2) Pretty good selection of hotels in a variety of leisure destinations (resorts, cities, etc). They even have coverage in the US in terms of limited service properties in national parks, etc

    3) Free breakfast / dining credit available at the Gold level

    4) Fifth night free on redemption

    5) Strong earnings potential on paid nights

    The weak points are suites and late checkout, but I think the accessibility of the program makes up for it. It’s pretty attainable, for example, for a couple to get enough points to stay at Conrad or Waldorf Maldives or whatever from scratch and get a great experience as a Diamond. Much harder to do that with, say, Hyatt, where you need to be a Globalist to get anything really meaningful and points are harder to earn.

    1. Regis Guest

      You get no meaningful benefits with Hilton in the US. Their breakfast credit does not cover more than a cup of coffee and a muffin. Their "upgrades" are a joke. The late check-outs are not honored. Same with Marriott. I am currently at the Le Meridian in SF and my Titanium breakfast benefit was a greek yogurt and a stale croissant. Hyatt status is more difficult to attain but at least their hotels don't play games with you about elite benefits

    2. Andrew Diamond

      I agree with Regis. The US breakfast benefit cut a few years ago knocked Hilton off my list. The only time I book with them now for leisure is an impresario rate.

    3. Anthony Diamond

      A few responses to Andrew / Regis

      1) Don’t miss the forest from the trees - free stays that are more easily attainable are worth a lot more than free breakfast

      2) At some of the US luxury properties, like Waldorf, the benefit was always $25 per person, well before Covid

      3) Breakfast benefit is unchanged at international properties

      4) In terms of Hyatt, the cost of getting any breakfast benefit is significant

    4. dms11 New Member

      That's why Marriott is the best, in my opinion. Like Hilton, you get a fifth night free for every 4 nights booked on points but unlike Hilton, you always get a free breakfast at most Marriotts (Ritz and EDITION excepted). The vouchers you now get at US Hiltons are kind of a slap in the face to elites, who used to get free breakfasts but now get only a discount. Plus, many more Marriott properties to choose from pretty much anywhere you go.

    5. Bennybuche Guest

      As a european (belgian) leisure traveller, I'd tend to say that the equation is quite different. I can't get a co-branded credit card and get instant top tier elite status (other than AmEx Centurion, that I can't afford); it doesn't exist! So, in order to get status, I have to stay and pay... and I do. I'm lucky to stay (and pay) about 60+ nights per year (mostly in Europe, USA & Asia) in hotels,...

      As a european (belgian) leisure traveller, I'd tend to say that the equation is quite different. I can't get a co-branded credit card and get instant top tier elite status (other than AmEx Centurion, that I can't afford); it doesn't exist! So, in order to get status, I have to stay and pay... and I do. I'm lucky to stay (and pay) about 60+ nights per year (mostly in Europe, USA & Asia) in hotels, and I am Diamond member at Hilton and IHG One (& Ambassador also). How so? Due to the pandemic, I was able to keep my status at Hilton and even get a status match at IHG (as Spire elite). I was then able to extend that Spire/Diamond status by becoming Ambassador

      So, for now, I'm hesitating between these to chains because each of them have great perks (and quite good pricing) but not the same... For me, 'free breakfast' is important and I don't get free breakfast at US Hilton's (but nice full breakfast everywhere else). Upgrades are similar in both chains (I always received at least a one level upgrade). Early check-in are always easy to get also, in my experience. Late check-out was always granted at IHG, fewer times at Hilton. Hilton executive lounges were great but they tend to vanish (especially in the USA); I don't consider that being a perk anymore. Lately, points options were much more attractive at IHG than at Hilton; and buying points also...

      So, for now, my preference would probably go to IHG One if I can secure the Diamond status. I'll know that at the end of the year.

  27. GetToThePoints Guest

    Marriott was my go to due to the SPG ( the best program ever in the world) points conversion. However, they are slipping and points rates are outrageous and using free nights usually tees me off due to limits on how many points the rooms can cost. IHG has a great footprint. They seem to have upgraded a lot of hotels. But, the biggest plus, they make earning points so easy. Here is my upvote for IHG.

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Errol Guest

For the majority of us who don't live in the USA and can't easily access US credit cards, and whose stays are mainly outside the USA, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt aren't that great. They have small footprints globally other than in major cities. It is hard to get top tier status without staying in inconvenient locations. I find IHG has a slightly better footprint but I really don't like a lot of their hotels like Holiday Inns and Crowne Plazas. I find Accor the best due to its large footprint so tend to be loyal there. Having said that I generally prefer Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt properties and if they became more global I would jump to one of them.

3
Ann Guest

The answer is simple: None Unless it's free status by cc or whatever, no chain is worth the loyalty without OPM. Boming.com 20% off Genius 3 gives access to any property worldwide with a discount far greater than any hotel points scheme. Besides who wants to limit themselves to vacationing in American chain hotels????

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Esquiar Guest

The vast majority of leisure travelers won’t be staying 50+ nights. Now that the MGM trick is gone, too hard to get Globalist. Explorist is a waste of time, and Hyatt’s footprint rarely meets your needs if you go off the beaten path even a little Marriott hands-down. Can’t beat instant Platinum status from Bonvoy Brilliant. The program still works great for international stays at full-service properties. If someone is staying at Ritz, they should be using a booking service like STARs to get free breakfast Of course if someone is only staying at limited service properties, they should worry more about price, reviews, and location

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Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
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