Stay, Earn, Repeat: Here’s Your Guide to the Best Hotel Rewards Programs of 2024 According to Data from NerdWallet!

In the world of travel, loyalty pays off—literally.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional vacationer, hotel rewards programs are one of the best ways to get more out of your stays.

From free nights, room upgrades and exclusive perks, these programs offer travelers a variety of benefits that make every trip a little sweeter.

But with so many options out there, how can you know which ones are worth your time?

Most travelers narrow down their choices by focusing on these two factors:

• The number of points you earn for every dollar spent
• The actual value of those points when redeemed

For example, if you earn one point per dollar spent, and each point is worth one cent, you're effectively getting a 1% return on your spending.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we got you covered!

We’ve rounded up the best hotel rewards program of 2024 based on data from NerdWallet, so you can find the perfect fit for your travel style!

Let us first take a look at the hotel rewards program that offers the most value:

1. Wyndham Rewards:12%
2. World of Hyatt:11.5%
3. Choice Privileges:10%
4. IHG One Rewards:8%
5. Marriott Bonvoy:8%
6. Best Western Rewards:7%
7. Hilton Honors:5%

So, what does this mean? Essentially, if you spend USD 100 at a Wyndham hotel, you can receive around USD 12 in rewards points—a solid return, assuming you actually use the points.

On the other hand, spending USD 100 at a Hilton hotel might only yield about USD 5 in rewards.

But of course, other factors, such as elite status benefits and the overall quality of the hotel must be considered as well. This is simply a comparison of hotel chains to determine which ones offer the best value through the core rewards product: rewards points.

The rankings mentioned above focus on earning and using points through standard hotel spending. But what if you're evaluating a points promotion or a credit card offer that provides a large sum of points upfront?

For instance, deciding between a promotion offering 100,000 Hyatt points versus 100,000 Marriott points requires a different approach.

Take a look at the point values of these hotel rewards program:

1. World of Hyatt:2.3 cents
2. Wyndham Rewards:1.2 cents
3. IHG One Rewards:0.8 cents
4. Marriott Bonvoy:0.8 cents
5. Radisson Rewards:0.8 cents
6. Best Western Rewards:0.7 cents
7. Hilton Honors:0.5 cents

The value of hotel points can vary greatly, so it’s important to carefully consider the true value of any promotion by multiplying the cent-per-point value by the number of points you expect to earn.

It’s quite similar to comparing different currencies—USD 150,000 is not the same as GBP 150,000.

In the same way, earning Hyatt points typically offers more value than earning the same number of Marriott points.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the most valuable program, which also offers the second-most valuable points: Wyndham Rewards.

One major factor on why Wyndham Rewards stood out in 2024 is that members are guaranteed to earn a minimum of 1,000 points on every qualifying stay and potentially much more for pricier stays.

This is because you’ll either earn 10 points per dollar spent or 1,000 points, whichever is higher, for each qualifying stay.

But those 10 points aren’t just worth USD 10.

Wyndham points values at 1.2 cents each, so you get considerably more value back compared to other hotel programs.

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It can be overwhelming to navigate the complexities of hotel rewards, especially if you’re new to the points and miles game.

However, understanding these concepts gives you a solid foundation for maximizing the value of your hotel rewards programs.

With this, you can take note of how hotels like Wyndham and Hyatt showcase their commitment to loyalty by offering substantial value through their points programs.

By taking the time to compare the true worth of points across different programs—whether you're booking a stay, considering a promo, or evaluating a credit card offer—you can make more informed decisions that significantly enhance your travel experiences.

Now, it's time to let your points take you on your next great adventure. Have a great trip!