Hotel Loyalty Programs Compared: Which Is Best?

Hotel loyalty programs are one of the most reliable ways to earn free nights, room upgrades, late checkouts, and other perks that elevate your travel experience. But the major hotel chains have built very different loyalty ecosystems, and the program that is best for one traveler might be a poor fit for another. Understanding how each program works, what the points are worth, and how achievable elite status actually is helps you invest your loyalty in the right place.

This comparison covers the four largest hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and IHG One Rewards. We evaluate each on point value, earning potential, elite status benefits, program footprint, and overall value for travelers in 2026.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott is the largest hotel company in the world, with over 8,500 properties across 30 brands in 139 countries. That sheer scale is both Marriott Bonvoy’s greatest strength and a factor in some of its weaknesses.

Point value: Marriott Bonvoy points are worth approximately 0.7 to 0.8 cents each on average. This is on the lower end among major hotel programs, but the value varies widely depending on the property category and whether you are booking during peak or off-peak periods.

Earning rates: Members earn 10 points per dollar at most Marriott brands, with higher earn rates at certain premium brands and lower rates at extended-stay and budget brands. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card earns 6x at Marriott properties and 2x on everything else.

Elite status tiers: Marriott has five elite tiers: Silver (10 nights), Gold (25 nights), Platinum (50 nights), Titanium (75 nights), and Ambassador (100 nights plus $23,000 in qualifying spend). Gold status is achievable for moderate travelers and provides late checkout and enhanced earning. Platinum and above unlock room upgrades, lounge access, and suite night awards.

Strengths: The enormous footprint means you can find Marriott properties almost anywhere in the world. The brand diversity ranges from budget-friendly Fairfield Inn to ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. The fifth night free on award stays is a valuable perk that effectively gives you a 20% discount on stays of five or more nights. Points can be transferred to over 40 airline partners.

Weaknesses: Point values are low compared to Hyatt and even Hilton in some cases. Elite status has become harder to achieve and the benefits less consistent. Suite upgrades at popular properties are difficult to secure even at the Titanium level. The sheer size of the program means experiences vary dramatically between properties.

Best for: Travelers who want maximum geographic coverage and brand diversity. Marriott Bonvoy is the safest choice if you travel to many different destinations and want to earn and redeem at properties wherever you go.

Hilton Honors

Hilton is the second-largest hotel company with over 7,500 properties across 22 brands. Hilton Honors has made significant improvements in recent years, making it competitive with programs that traditionally outranked it.

Point value: Hilton points are worth approximately 0.5 to 0.6 cents each, the lowest per-point value among major programs. However, Hilton compensates with higher earning rates and generous point promotions, so the effective value of the program is better than the per-point number suggests.

Earning rates: Members earn 10 points per dollar at Hilton properties. Hilton co-branded credit cards can earn up to 12x to 14x at Hilton, and the Hilton Aspire card earns 14x at Hilton properties plus 7x on dining, flights, and select other categories. The accelerated credit card earning makes it relatively easy to accumulate large Hilton point balances.

Elite status tiers: Hilton has four elite tiers: Silver (10 nights or 25,000 base points), Gold (40 nights or 75,000 base points), and Diamond (60 nights or 120,000 base points). Notably, Gold status is automatically granted to holders of certain Amex cards, including the Amex Platinum and the Hilton Surpass. Diamond status can also be earned through credit card spending shortcuts.

Strengths: The easiest elite status to achieve among major programs. Free Gold status through credit cards is a tremendous value that includes free breakfast at most properties and room upgrades when available. The fifth night free on award stays mirrors Marriott’s perk. Hilton regularly runs promotions offering double or triple points, making it easy to accumulate large balances. The Hilton Aspire card’s annual free night certificate has no category cap, meaning you can use it at top-tier properties.

Weaknesses: The low per-point value means you need more points for equivalent stays. Award pricing is dynamic, so rates can spike during high-demand periods. The ease of earning Gold status means the tier is crowded, and upgrades are not guaranteed. Some travelers find the quality inconsistent across Hilton’s budget brands.

Best for: Travelers who want easy, credit-card-accessible elite status with tangible benefits like free breakfast. Also excellent for infrequent hotel travelers who want a solid loyalty program without committing to 50 or more nights per year.

World of Hyatt

Hyatt is the smallest of the four programs by property count, with approximately 1,300 properties across 24 brands. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in point value and program quality.

Point value: Hyatt points are worth approximately 1.7 to 2.0 cents each, the highest in the industry. At premium properties and all-inclusive resorts, the value can exceed 2.5 cents per point. This means your points go significantly further at Hyatt than at any other major hotel chain.

Earning rates: Members earn 5 points per dollar at Hyatt properties. The World of Hyatt credit card earns 4x at Hyatt and 2x on dining, local transit, and fitness. While the base earning rate is lower than Marriott or Hilton, the higher point value means each earned point is worth more.

Elite status tiers: Hyatt has four tiers: Discoverist (10 nights), Explorist (30 nights), and Globalist (60 nights). Globalist is widely regarded as the best top-tier hotel status in the industry, offering confirmed suite upgrades (subject to availability at booking, not check-in), free breakfast at all properties, waived resort fees, free parking, and guest of honor privileges that let you share benefits with others.

Strengths: The highest point values in the industry make every redemption stretch further. Globalist status benefits are genuinely excellent and more consistently delivered than top-tier status at larger chains. The World of Hyatt credit card provides an annual free night at Category 1-4 properties and a path to earning qualifying nights through spending. All-inclusive Ziva and Zilara properties offer outstanding point value. The partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) adds hundreds of boutique properties to the Hyatt network.

Weaknesses: The smallest property footprint means fewer options in many destinations. Some cities and regions have limited or no Hyatt presence. The earning rate per dollar spent is lower than competitors, so accumulating large balances takes longer. Reaching Globalist status requires significant commitment.

Best for: Travelers who prioritize point value and elite status quality over geographic coverage. Ideal for those who stay at hotels 30 or more nights per year and want the most rewarding top-tier status available. Also excellent for anyone who enjoys all-inclusive resorts.

IHG One Rewards

IHG operates over 6,200 properties across 19 brands, including InterContinental, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza. The IHG One Rewards program has undergone significant revamps and is now more competitive than its historical reputation suggests.

Point value: IHG points are worth approximately 0.5 to 0.6 cents each, similar to Hilton. Dynamic pricing means values fluctuate, but the introduction of reward night pricing tiers has added more predictability.

Earning rates: Members earn 10 points per dollar at most IHG properties, with bonuses for elite members. The IHG One Rewards Premier card earns up to 26x at IHG properties and includes a free night certificate annually.

Elite status tiers: IHG has four tiers: Silver (10 nights), Gold (20 nights), Platinum (40 nights), and Diamond (70 nights). Diamond status provides room upgrades, late checkout, welcome amenities, and a guaranteed room type at check-in.

Strengths: Strong presence in the mid-range hotel segment, making it practical for both business and leisure travelers. The IHG Premier card’s annual free night certificate and milestone rewards add value. IHG runs frequent point sales and promotions, often selling points at 0.5 cents each, which can yield excellent value when redeemed at premium properties. The Kimpton and InterContinental brands offer luxury options that redeem at competitive point rates.

Weaknesses: Point values are generally lower than Hyatt and comparable to Hilton. Elite status benefits, particularly upgrades, are less consistently delivered than at Hyatt. The program has undergone multiple rebrands and changes, which can create confusion.

Best for: Business travelers who frequently stay at mid-range hotels and want to earn toward free nights at IHG’s luxury brands. Also good for travelers who want to buy points during sales for specific redemptions.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When stacking these programs against each other on key criteria, a few patterns emerge.

Best point value: World of Hyatt, by a significant margin. Your points stretch further at Hyatt than anywhere else.

Best footprint: Marriott Bonvoy. With 8,500 properties, you will almost always find a Marriott option.

Easiest elite status: Hilton Honors. Free Gold through credit cards is unbeatable for accessibility.

Best top-tier status: World of Hyatt Globalist. The benefits are the most generous and most consistently honored.

Best for budget travelers: IHG One Rewards. The Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands offer solid value, and the points program adds meaningful savings.

Best credit card ecosystem: Hilton Honors. The tiered Amex card lineup offers something for every spending level, and the Aspire card is one of the most valuable hotel cards ever issued.

Choosing Your Primary Program

Most travelers benefit from having one primary hotel loyalty program where they concentrate stays and elite status pursuit, supplemented by one or two secondary programs for destinations where the primary chain has limited presence.

If you travel primarily to major cities and international destinations, Marriott Bonvoy’s scale makes it a reliable primary choice. If you prioritize getting the most value from your points and prefer smaller, higher-quality properties, World of Hyatt is the clear winner. If you want elite status without logging 50 or more nights, Hilton Honors gives you Gold just for carrying the right credit card.

The best loyalty program is ultimately the one whose properties are located where you travel and whose elite benefits align with what you value most. A traveler who stays 60 nights a year at full-service hotels has different needs than someone who stays 15 nights at beach resorts. Match the program to your travel pattern, and you will get the most from your loyalty.