One of the largest expenses of any trip is your hotel stay. Many travelers have left brand loyalty behind in favor of using aggregator sites to compare deals and find the cheapest price. To build customer loyalty, hotel brands have implemented loyalty programs that allow you to earn free nights and exclusive member benefits.
But choosing a brand loyalty program can be complicated, with factors such as the number and location of branded properties and complex point systems. At AAA, we’ve been helping members save money on hotel rooms for decades with our AAA Discounts & Rewards® program, and we’ve used our expertise to find the best hotel rewards programs so you don’t experience hotel FOMO.
Table of Contents
- Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
- Best Western Rewards
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- MGM Rewards
- Omni Select Guest
- Radisson Rewards Americas
- Sonesta Travel Pass
- World of Hyatt
- Wyndham Rewards
- Stay With AAA Preferred Lodging Partners for Additional Savings
Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
Accor Live Limitless (ALL) is the loyalty program for Accor group’s 5,000+ hotels. They have hotels in more than 100 countries, but most are outside the United States, making it a great rewards program option for international travelers. The hotel group includes more than 40 hotel brands ranging from economy to luxury, so you’re sure to find a hotel that fits your budget.
Best for: International travelers
Credit card: None
Do points expire?: Yes, after one year of inactivity
Benefits:
- Access to special rates up to 10 percent off
- Online check-in
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- Early access to exclusive deals
Earn points by:
- Booking stays at an Accor Live Limited property (generally 25 points for every €10)
- Renting a house or villa with Onefinestay
- Booking flights with their partner airlines
- Booking train tickets with Amtrak and other partner rail lines
- Booking safaris in Africa
- Eating at partner restaurants and bars
- Purchasing tickets for concerts, exhibits, tours and more through their marketplace
- Shopping Collections by ALL (online) and Vallée Village (located in Paris)
- Taking online surveys
- Purchasing points
Redeem points for:
- Free nights
- Upgraded rooms
- Flight miles with a partner airline
- Train tickets with a partner rail line
- Concert, exhibit and tour tickets
- Merchandise
- Safaris
Best Western Rewards
Best Western Rewards is the loyalty program for Best Western. It includes 4,700 hotels in more than 100 countries. If you aren’t looking for luxury hotel stays or luxury reward options, Best Western Rewards is an excellent hotel rewards program. Plus, they’re the only hotel chain on this list whose points never expire.
Best for: Budget-minded travelers
AAA preferred lodging partner: Yes
- Save at least 5 percent on your rate
- Earn bonus points with the AAA Preferred™ BWR Program
Credit card: Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard
Do points expire?: No
Benefits:
- Access to discounted rooms
Earn points by:
- Booking a stay through their website or AAA’s partner website (generally 10 points for every $1 spent on your stay)
- Making qualified purchases on your Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard
- Flying with an airline partner
Redeem points for:
- Free nights (no blackout dates)
- Room upgrades
- Airline miles with an airline partner
- Gift cards
- Members-only experiences
Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is the loyalty program for Choice Hotels, which has more than 7,000 hotels in over 40 countries. Their 13 brands include Cambria Hotels, Quality Inn and Econo Lodge. One of the program’s biggest benefits is your ability to stay at economy hotels to earn points toward their higher-end brands, and if you don’t have enough points, you can combine points and cash for a partially free stay.
Best for: Budget international travelers
AAA Partnership: Save 10 percent with your AAA membership
Credit card: Choice Privileges Mastercard
Do points expire?: Yes, after 18 months of inactivity
Benefits:
- Members-only rates
- Exclusive members-only offers
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays at a Choice Privileges property (generally 10 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Taking surveys
- Purchasing points
- Renting cars from Avis or Budget
- Redeeming American Express, Capital One or Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Booking with cruise partners
- Shopping with partners
- Making qualified purchases with your Choice Privileges Mastercard credit card
- Purchasing points
Redeem points for:
- Free nights
- Gift cards
- Travel experiences
- Miles with airline partners
- Magazine subscriptions
- Golf tee times, equipment and apparel
- Cruises
Hilton Honors
Photo courtesy of Hilton
Hilton Honors is the loyalty program for Hilton. Hilton manages properties for more than 15 brands, and they have one of the largest presences of any other chain, with 7,000+ hotels in 120 countries. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure or staying at an economy or luxury property, Hilton brands are known for their hospitality and comfy bedding.
Best for: Business travelers
AAA preferred lodging partner: Yes
- Save up to 10 percent on your rate when booking through AAA
- Earn Honors Points when booking through AAA
Credit card: Hilton Honors American Express
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Access to discounted rates
- Free nights
- Access to members-only perks like free Wi-Fi
- Digital check-in
- Choice of room
- Access to rewards with partner brands
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays (generally 10 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Making qualified credit card purchases
- Booking Lyft rides
- Dining at restaurant partners
- Purchasing points
- Transferring Amex Membership Rewards points
Redeem points for:
- Free nights with no blackout dates
- Hilton Honors experiences
- Lyft rides
- Shopping at Amazon and through their online mall
- Rental vehicles with rental car partners
- Miles with airline partners, including United
- VIP access to experiences like concerts and sporting events
IHG One Rewards
IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program for the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), whose brands include Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites and more. Their brands are pet-friendly, and you can earn bonus reward points when you bring your dog for your stay.
Best for: Pet owners
Credit card: IHG One Rewards Mastercard
Do points expire?: Yes, after 12 months of inactivity
Benefits:
- Earn points toward free nights
- Access to member rates
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- No blackout dates
- Member promotions
- Late checkout
- Milestone rewards
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays (generally 10 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Purchasing points
- Buying from partners such as Hertz or Grubhub
Redeem points for:
- Members-only experiences and tours
- Access to sporting events, VIP passes for concerts, etc.
- Shopping through their online catalog
- Donations
- Digital rewards for subscriptions, movies, etc.
- Airline miles with partner airlines
- Free nights
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program for Marriott hotels, which includes luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis and more affordable brands like Aloft and Courtyard by Marriott. By joining their loyalty program, you have the chance to earn rewards at more than 7,000 hotels in over 130 countries — but be advised that not all of their hotels participate.
Best for: Airline travelers
AAA preferred lodging partner: Yes
- Save at least 5 percent when booking through AAA
- Gain access to exclusive AAA member-only deals when booking through AAA
Credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Chase or Marriott Bonvoy American Express
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Members-only rates
- Mobile check-in
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays
- Flying with airline partners
- Making qualified credit card purchases
- Booking tours and activities through the program
- Shopping with retail partners
- Transferring American Express or Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Booking cruises with travel partners
Redeem points for:
- Free hotel nights
- Room upgrades
- Dining, concert and sports experiences
- Flights with United MileagePlus and other partners
- Cruises
- Rental cars
- TSA PreCheck
MGM Rewards
MGM Rewards is the rewards program for MGM Resorts, which are predominantly centered in Las Vegas, but you can also find destinations in the Midwest and on the East Coast, as well as China and Japan. Their resorts are known as entertainment and gaming destinations, and while the travel destinations and rewards are limited almost exclusively to MGM properties, if you are a frequent Vegas visitor, this rewards program is worth it.
Best for: Frequent Vegas travelers
AAA preferred lodging partner: Yes
- Save at least 5 percent when booking through AAA
- Gain access to exclusive AAA member-only deals when booking through AAA
- Earn MGM Rewards points when booking through AAA
Credit card: MGM Rewards Mastercard
Do points expire?: Yes, after six months of inactivity
Benefits:
- Members-only rates
- Dedicated reservation lines
- Members-only offers at MGM destinations and on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise lines
- Members-only discounts at partner retailers
- Pre-sale access for entertainment and sporting events
- Save up to 30 percent with Avis
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays (1 point per $1 spent on your stay)
- Dining at restaurant partners
- Playing slots or table games at partner casinos
- Shopping with retail partners
Redeem points for:
- Free nights
- Dining credits at MGM properties
- Airline miles with airline partners
- Cruises with cruise partners
- Gift cards for retail partners
Omni Select Guest
Omni Select Guest is the loyalty program for Omni Hotels & Resorts. The group has a smaller property portfolio, with about 50 properties in North America, but their program is one of the easiest to understand. Instead of accumulating points, members earn a free stay after a certain number of nights. However, unlike other loyalty programs, you can’t redeem your points for anything other than hotel stays.
Best for: Travelers looking for free hotel stays
Credit card: No
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Express check-in and checkout
- Complimentary services such as pressing and shoe shining
- Daily beverages
Earn points by:
- Staying 20 nights for a free night
Redeem points for:
- Free nights at a participating property
Radisson Rewards Americas
The Radisson brand has two distinct rewards programs — one for its North and South American brands and another for the rest of its properties. Radisson Rewards Americas is the reward program for their North and South American properties, which include brands such as Country Inn & Suites and Park Plaza. In all, there are more than 600 properties.
Note that Choice Hotels recently acquired the Radisson brand, and changes to the rewards program are ongoing. Check their website for the latest benefits and partners.
Best for: North and South American travelers
Credit card: No
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Members-only rates
- Discounts at hotel restaurants
- Complimentary water
- Additional benefits with higher-status tiers
Earn points by:
- Booking stays at Radisson hotel properties (up to 35 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Purchasing points
- Renting vehicles from car rental partners
- Shopping with FTD
- Booking meetings or events at a Radisson property
- Purchasing wine with Vinesse Wine Club
Redeem points for:
- Award Nights with no blackout dates
- In-hotel services and experiences
- Airline miles with airline partners
- Gift cards for retail partners
- Prepared gift cards
- Transfers to Choice Privileges
Sonesta Travel Pass
Sonesta Travel Pass is the loyalty program for Sonesta Hotels, an up-and-coming hotel brand. Most of their hotels are located in North and South America, with a few additional locations in the Middle East. After six nights at a Sonesta property, you qualify for Preferred status, making it easy to earn points each year even though they don’t have as many properties as other loyalty programs.
Best for: Travelers who value free nights
Credit card: Sonesta World Mastercard
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Access to members-only rates
- Discounts at property restaurants and amenities
- Priority check-in and checkout
- Free upgraded Wi-Fi
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays at a Sonesta property (up to 10 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Making qualified purchases with your Sonesta World Mastercard
- Hosting events and meetings on a Sonesta property
Redeem points for:
- Free nights with no blackout dates
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt is the loyalty program for Hyatt, which has more than 1,350 properties in 69 countries. They have a smaller catalog of hotels than other hotel loyalty programs, but they have properties in many of the most popular destinations in the world. Plus, they are the only loyalty program on this list that allows you to earn both airline miles and reward points simultaneously.
Best for: Spa enthusiasts
AAA preferred lodging partner: Yes
- Save at least 5 percent on your rate when booking through AAA
- Gain access to exclusive deals when booking through AAA
Credit card: World of Hyatt Visa
Do points expire?: Yes, after two years of inactivity
Benefits:
- Access to members-only rates
- Access to exclusive offers for members
- Earn Milestone rewards every 10 nights starting at 20 nights
- Complimentary breakfast
- Waived resort and parking fees on award stays
Earn points by:
- Booking hotel stays (five points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Booking spa services at a Hyatt spa
- Dining at Hyatt restaurants
- Hosting events at a Hyatt property
- Making qualified purchases with your World of Hyatt Visa
- Booking FIND Experiences
- Booking a Lindbald Expedition
- Booking flights with 25+ airline partners
- Renting cars through Avis
- Purchasing bonus points
Redeem points for:
- Free nights at Hyatt or partnering hotel properties with no blackout dates
- Hotel upgrades
- Dining experiences
- Spa services
- FIND Experiences
- Lindbald Expeditions
- Miles with travel partners
- Rental vehicles with rental car partners
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards is the loyalty program for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel company in the world with more than 9,000 properties. Their brands include mostly budget travel options, such as Days Inn and Super 8, although they have a few luxury options.
Best for: Small town travelers
Credit card: Wyndham Rewards Earner Visa
Do points expire?: Yes, after 18 months of inactivity
Benefits:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed best rate
- Dedicated member services
- Additional benefits with higher status
Earn points by:
- Booking at Wyndham properties (generally 10 points per $1 spent on your stay)
- Booking at Caesars Rewards casinos
- Booking at Wyndham Vacation Club
- Making qualified purchases with your Wyndham Rewards Earner Visa credit card
- Shopping in their online store
- Renting a vehicle with Avis
- Purchasing points
- Taking surveys
- Booking tours and other activities with travel partners
Redeem points for:
- Free nights
- Discounted nights
- Members-only ticket discounts for sporting events
- Gift cards to retail partners
- AARP memberships
- Merchandise in their online store
- Tours and activities with their travel partners
Stay With AAA Preferred Lodging Partners for Additional Savings
Our AAA preferred lodging partners offer exclusive discounts and deals to AAA members. Sign up for a membership today to start saving on everything from hotels to tickets to rental cars.
Check out other ways you can save money on your next trip:
- How To Get Cheap Hotels
- Cheapest Way To Rent a Car
- Staycation Ideas
- How Much Are Disney World Tickets?
- How Much Are Universal Studios Tickets?
