A LOOK AT FIVE PUBLIC HOTEL COMPANIES' LOYALTY PROGRAMS

A hotel loyalty program or hotel reward program is a plan typically operated by a hotel chain. It is a fundamental strategy from the hotel chain in attracting business to its resources. It serves to attract business travelers or other regular hotel guests to support that particular brand or group of hotels above others when choosing a hotel for their stay.

The loyalty programs are successful in the hospitality industry and every new hotel is organizing such programs to get more customers. According to the U.S. Census, about 328 million people populate the United States in the coming year. Five hotel companies openly reported loyalty program memberships that spanned more than 375 million guests combined in 2018, and are increasing by about 4 million members a month.

There are many loyalty programs planned by several hotel chains but some of them have already become very successful.

Marriot International

The Marriott Rewards program provides services to both the business and leisure travelers who visit major cities in the United States. As a program member, you will receive rewards points when you stay with one of 18 affiliated brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard Marriott, Renaissance and more. You can get extra points by shopping with one of Chase Visa's Marriott- or Ritz-Carlton-affiliated credit cards.



Including hotel stays and room upgrades, you can cover points for spa and dining gift cards, merchandise or for unique experiences, such as concerts and sporting events. Members of the Marriott Rewards program can also link their accounts and transfer points to the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Additionally, the two programs offer status matching for members.

Marriott also partners with The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program, so you can accrue and redeem points with either program and use them mutually. Plus, Marriott Rewards points can be used to pay for TSA Precheck applications and flights through more than 40 airline rewards programs like United MileagePlus and Delta Smiles.

Wyndham Hotel and Resorts

The Marriott Rewards program provides services to both the business and leisure travelers who visit major cities in the United States. As a program member, you will receive rewards points when you stay with one of 18 affiliated brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard Marriott, Renaissance and more. You can get extra points by shopping with one of Chase Visa's Marriott- or Ritz-Carlton-affiliated credit cards.


Including hotel stays and room upgrades, you can cover points for spa and dining gift cards, merchandise or for unique experiences, such as concerts and sporting events. Members of the Marriott Rewards program can also link their accounts and transfer points to the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Additionally, the two programs offer status matching for members.

Marriott also partners with The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program, so you can accrue and redeem points with either program and use them mutually. Plus, Marriott Rewards points can be used to pay for TSA Precheck applications and flights through more than 40 airline rewards programs like United MileagePlus and Delta Smiles.

InterContinental Hotels Group

The InterContinental Hotels Group's Rewards Club contains more than 5,200 properties throughout nearly 100 countries and has numerous hotels in major cities like New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and London. Through the IHG Rewards Club, you can earn rewards within IHG's extensive network of hotels, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites properties. The program offers a variety of ways to use your accumulated points, ranging from paying for hotel stays and air travel to purchasing goods and services online. You can also earn points on hotel stays and everyday purchases with the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card from Chase. Though Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, the IHG Rewards Club will continue to operate independently of the Kimpton Karma Rewards program for the foreseeable future.


Hilton International

The Hilton Honors program is most advantageous for business and luxury travelers who frequently fly to and stay in major cities in the United States, Europe and Asia. Hilton Honors members can redeem points at more than 4,800 hotels and resorts across 14 different brands in more than 100 countries and territories. And because Hilton has a partnership with the United MileagePlus program (as well as more than 60 other airline and rail partners), you can cash in points for miles. Points can also be used to purchase tickets to concerts and sporting events, gift cards, cruise certificates and items sold on Amazon and Hilton Honors' shopping portal. Additionally, you can earn points for everyday purchases with the Hilton Honors American Express and Citi Visa credit cards.




Choice Privilege

The Choice Privileges program from Choice Hotels caters to families and business travelers who prefer to travel the world on a budget. There are more than 6,500 hotels participating in the program, with properties throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Choice Privileges members can earn points that can be used toward free stays at Choice Hotels brands like Cambria hotels & suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, and Econo Lodge, among others. You can also cash in your rewards at participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties. If you have the Choice Privileges Visa Signature credit card, you can earn Choice Privileges points for every dollar spent on hotel stays and everyday purchases.