Hotel Loyalty: A Beginners Guide

Hello, Adventurous Travellers! Happy Tuesday!

Hotel loyalty programmes are a fantastic way to maximise your travel rewards. You earn points with every stay that can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and even airline miles.

This guide will introduce you to the basics of hotel loyalty schemes, how to collect points and miles through them, and the best programmes to join.

Let's get started:

• 🏨 What are Hotel Loyalty Programmes, and Why Should You Join them? Your introductory guide.

• 💳 Hotel Loyalty and Credit Cards: Get Instant Hotel Status with Some Credit Cards + Earn Extra Hotel Points and Miles.

• 🏆 The Best Hotel Loyalty Programmes to Get Started: The top hotel loyalty programmes you should consider joining + how they can earn you perks and miles.

• 📋 Your Get Started Summary: Your step-by-step getting started guide.

🏨 What Are Hotel Loyalty Programmes?

Hotel loyalty programmes are unique to each hotel or chain—most loyalty schemes award points for every £1 spent on your room.

Some chains also offer points for money spent at the hotel on dining and extras.

Points can be used for free nights, room upgrades, and other benefits like late check-out, complimentary breakfast, and access to executive lounges.

Much like frequent flyer programmes, hotel loyalty schemes are designed to encourage brand loyalty.

✈️ How Can I Collect Miles with Hotel Loyalty Programmes?

Some hotel programmes allow you to convert your points into airline miles, so hotel stays can be a great way to boost your balance.

💳 Pro Tip: Get Instant Hotel Status with Some Credit Cards + Earn Extra Hotel Points and Miles

Certain credit cards offer instant elite status with hotel loyalty programmes if you want to fast-track your hotel benefits. This means you can immediately enjoy perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and late check-out — without staying a certain number of nights per year.

Some options also allow you to earn extra hotel points on everyday spending, which can help you top up your balance faster.

The American Express Platinum Card is a game-changer if you're serious about enjoying top-tier travel perks. It offers status with multiple hotel loyalty programmes and provides access to premium perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and more. Just make sure it’s worth the annual fee for you!

Tip: Double-dip by using a travel rewards credit card to book your hotel. You'll earn points from the hotel and points from your credit card at the same time!

🏆 The Best Hotel Loyalty Programmes to Get Started

First, consider the top 5 hotels you visit and make sure you're signed up for the loyalty programme.

If you're unsure where to start or want to join the loyalty programmes that will earn you the maximum rewards, here are the best ones to join!

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest hotel loyalty programmes, covering over 30 hotel brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Sheraton, and St. Regis.

You will earn 10 points per $1 spent on Marriott stays (lower with some brands). The points can be redeemed for free nights or transferred to 39 airline partners, including British Airways Avios, Emirates Skywards, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

For every 60,000 points you transfer, you’ll be awarded 5,000 bonus miles.

Perks of Higher Status:

Higher status will give you access to room upgrades, extra points on stays, late check-out and even free breakfast:

• Silver Elite (earned after 10 nights): Priority late check-out and bonus points.

• Gold Elite (25 nights): Room upgrades and bonus points.

• Platinum Elite (50 nights): Lounge access, suite upgrades, and free breakfast.

• Titanium and Ambassador Elite (75-100 nights): Concierge service, even better room upgrades + more…

Best Credit Card: American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is another popular hotel loyalty programme featuring a wide range of properties, from Waldorf Astoria to Hampton by Hilton.

You'll earn 10 points per £1 spent at most Hilton properties. The points can be redeemed for free stays across the Hilton brands.

Hilton Honors points can be transferred to several airline loyalty programmes, including British Airways Executive Club and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Perks of Higher Status:

• Silver (4 stays or 10 nights): Fifth night free on reward stays and bonus points.

• Gold (20 stays or 40 nights): Room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and increased points earning.

• Diamond (30 stays or 60 nights): Suite upgrades, executive lounge access, and a 100% points bonus on stays.

Top Credit Cards for Hilton:

• American Express Gold Card: Transfer AMEX points to Hilton Points.

• American Express Platinum Card: Complimentary Gold status in Hilton Honors, which includes free breakfast and room upgrades. You can also transfer AMEX points to Hilton Points.

• Virgin Atlantic Reward and Reward+ Credit Card: You can convert Virgin Points to Hilton Honors points.

IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards coveres a variety of brands, from luxury InterContinental hotels to Holiday Inn.

IHG One Rewards points can be converted to airline miles at participating airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Perks of Higher Status:

• Gold Elite (10 nights): Earn bonus points and get priority check-in.

• Platinum Elite (40 nights): Room upgrades, bonus points, and guaranteed room availability.

• Diamond Elite (70 nights): Complimentary suite upgrades, early check-in, and 100% bonus points on stays.

IHG Ambassador: Earn immediate Platinum Elite Status and more benefits for $200/year or 40,000 points.

Hyatt Rewards

World of Hyatt is a smaller programme compared to Marriott and Hilton, but it offers exceptional value, especially for its elite members. Hyatt’s portfolio includes brands like Park Hyatt, Andaz, and Hyatt Regency.

Earn a base rate 5 points per £1 at Hyatt properties. Redeem points for free nights, starting from 5,000 points per night.

You can transfer Hyatt points to airline miles, including British Airways and American Airlines.

Perks of Higher Status:

• Discoverist (10 nights): Late check-out and bonus points.

• Explorist (30 nights): Enhanced room upgrades and bonus points.

• Globalist (60 nights): The best perks, including free suite upgrades, free breakfasts, and access to club lounges.

Accor Live Limitless

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) offers a wide range of properties, from luxury brands like Fairmont and Sofitel to budget-friendly options such as Ibis and Mercure.

Earn 25 points per £10 spent. Points can be redeemed for stays, events, or experiences.

Accor points can be transferred to a variety of airline loyalty programmes. Most partners only offer the chance to exchange miles for Accor points.

Perks of Higher Status:

• Silver (10 nights): Priority welcome and late check-out.

• Gold (30 nights): Room upgrades, welcome drinks, and early check-in.

• Platinum (60 nights): Suite upgrades and access to executive lounges.

Top Credit Card: The AMEX Platinum Card give instant Gold status with Accor. You can transfer AMEX points to Accor points from any AMEX credit card.

Radisson Rewards

Radisson Rewards is the loyalty programme for Radisson Hotel Group, which includes brands such as Radisson Blu, Park Plaza, and Park Inn by Radisson.

You’ll earn 20 points per £1 spent at most Radisson properties. Points can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, or transferred to airline miles. Partners include British Airways, SAS EuroBonus, and American Airlines.

Perks of Higher Status:

• Club Member: Entry-level membership that allows you to earn and redeem points.

• Silver (9 nights or 6 stays): Priority check-in, 2,000 bonus points, and late check-out.

• Gold (30 nights or 20 stays): Room upgrades, early check-in, free breakfast, and 15% off at restaurants.

• Platinum (60 nights or 30 stays): Suite upgrades, 48-hour guaranteed room availability, and a 75% point bonus.

📋 Your Get Started Summary

Step 1 - Sign Up: Start by joining the loyalty programmes of the hotels you stay at most often. We recommend joining Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, World of Hyatt, Accor Live Limitless and Radisson Rewards. Even if you’re not a regular hotel guest, joining these programmes is free and gives you access to exclusive perks, such as discounts and bonus points on bookings.

Step 2 - Get a Credit Card to Boost Points and Status: Choose a credit card that covers your preferred hotel loyalty programme or one that offers flexibility through transferable points (e.g., American Express). Think about whether the yearly fee is worth-it or whether to go for a free option.

Step 3: Start Earning Status and Points: Earn points on your stays and start moving through the status tiers.

Step 4: Transfer Points to Miles OR Redeem Points for Free Stays or Upgrades: Transfer to miles if you’re planning a trip that requires flights, and you need a top-up of miles in your airline loyalty account OR if there is a good redemption offer. The best value often comes from redeeming points for premium stays or during special redemption offers.

Final Words

That’s all for this week! We hope these tips help you maximise your travel rewards and have better experiences.

Safe travels, and always aim for the upgrade!

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Bye for now!