It can be tempting to only use one hotel loyalty program for most of your stays. Do you primarily use a standalone program because you have a high level of elite status, are comfortable earning and redeeming rewards, or your favorite resort is part of the program? You might notice.
However, even if you have one of the highest hotel elite status tiers in your program, you may also want to take advantage of one or more secondary programs. Learn why and how to use multiple hotel loyalty programs.
Why use multiple hotel loyalty programs?
Before we explain how to use multiple hotel loyalty programs, let’s explain why you should use multiple hotel loyalty programs.
Get the best value for your stay
The main reason I use multiple hotel loyalty programs instead of sticking to just one is because of the value I get from doing so. Some programs offer better value than others for certain destinations and dates, whether you’re redeeming points or booking for a paid rate. This is especially true now that some hotel loyalty programs are taking full advantage of it. Other companies still use benefit charts but employ dynamic benefit pricing.
For example, if I need to stay near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) before or after a flight, I almost always use Hyatt points to stay at one of the two Category 1 airport hotels. To do. Category 1 Hyatt hotels require you to redeem between 3,500 and 6,500 points per night. TPG values these points between $60 and $111, which is lower than you can book a comparable hotel in the area for most dates.
By considering reward and premium rates across multiple loyalty programs, you have more options when it comes to booking deals. You can also often earn more points on current hotel promotions if you take advantage of multiple programs during your stay.
Related: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Hotel Points
Stay in destinations not offered by major programs
Major hotel loyalty programs like World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards have accommodations all over the world, but there are still destinations where you can’t find accommodations in one or more of these programs. There are several.
For example, if you want to visit Kanab, Utah, you can stay at an IHG or Hilton hotel. However, if you only want to consider Marriott hotels, you should stay at a hotel near Zion National Park, which is an hour away. If you only want to consider Hyatt hotels, you should stay in Page, Arizona, which is a 70-minute drive away.
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Some hotel loyalty programs have limited accommodation options in some destinations. In these destinations, you may find it more valuable to use programs other than the major loyalty programs.
Related: Which credit cards offer the best perks for hotel stays?
Diversity of elite benefits
If you have elite status or other benefits from multiple hotel loyalty programs, we recommend staying in specific programs for specific stays to take advantage of specific benefits.
For example, let’s say you want to guarantee late checkout until 4pm on a particular stay. In that case, I usually choose World of Hyatt (top tier Globalist members are guaranteed late checkout until 4pm on most stays) or Marriott Bonvoy (Platinum elites are guaranteed late checkout until 4pm on most stays). Late check-out is guaranteed. members and above).
Similarly, I typically avoid Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotels that offer food and beverage credits in lieu of complimentary breakfast for their upper-tier elite members. However, if you don’t plan on eating breakfast at the hotel, but your stay is eligible for food and beverage credits, consider staying at a hotel that you know offers such credits as an elite benefit. For example, I often use my Marriott Moxy hotel food and beverage credit for evening drinks in the lobby.
Related: What to do if a hotel doesn’t want to honor your elite benefits
protect against decline in value
If you use multiple hotel loyalty programs, you can protect yourself from write-downs for certain programs. For example, Marriott Bonvoy is your primary program, but you also occasionally use World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards. In that case, even if the program were to reduce the value of elite perks and perks, it would have less of an impact than someone who was fully committed to Marriott.
RELATED: 8 TPG staffers share their favorite redemptions that still stand today
Take advantage of various transferable benefits
If you have transferable points, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One miles, or Bilt Rewards points, you can transfer these benefits to some airline and hotel partners. You probably know that.
If you only consider World of Hyatt when considering award stays, you are limited to transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Built Rewards points for award stays. However, if you’re considering multiple hotel loyalty programs, you may get better value by transferring other benefits for some stays. For example, you can transfer Citi points, Capital One miles, or American Express points to Choice Privileges to book high-value Choice stays.
Strategies for using multiple hotel loyalty programs
If you have elite status with a major hotel loyalty program, you may be hesitant to stay with another loyalty program that doesn’t offer elite benefits. But credit cards offer a variety of ways to earn elite status, at least for mid-range hotels.
While each traveler’s exact situation is different, here are three situations you can use to develop your strategy.
Amex Platinum or Business Platinum Card Member
if you have American Express Platinum Card® or American Express Business Platinum Card® — including authorized users — enroll in Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status for free. If you have one of these premium American Express cards and primarily stay at Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors properties, you might find these two statuses useful.
However, if you just have a credit card and want a higher level of Marriott Bonvoy status; Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card in your wallet. After all, Bonvoy Brilliant cardmembers can earn complimentary Platinum elite status (and 25 elite night credits each year toward higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status tiers). If you’re looking for a higher level of Hilton Honors Elite status, you can automatically receive Hilton Honors Diamond status as a cardmember of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Hilton Aspire Card information was independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been verified or provided by the card issuer.
Alternatively, you can add the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or World of Hyatt Credit Card to your wallet to earn perks and bonus income when you stay with these programs.
Related: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
Currently focused on one program
If you’re focused on one hotel loyalty program, consider joining another, whether you currently have first-tier status or frequently use partner hotel credit cards. Please consider doing so. This could be something as simple as considering which hotel loyalty programs you can transfer your points to if you have a card that earns transferable points.
Or, take a bigger step toward diversifying your loyalty (and options) by getting an affiliated hotel credit card with a decent sign-up bonus and at least mid-tier elite status in another program. You can also.
For example, if you’re currently eyeing World of Hyatt and have one or more Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, you might want to get the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. IHG Premier cardholders automatically earn Platinum Elite status and enjoy her 4th Night Reward benefit when they redeem their IHG Points on stays of 4 nights or more. You can also transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to his IHG at a 1:1 ratio.
Or, let’s say you’re currently focused on a program that uses dynamic reward pricing. In that case, he may benefit from adding a program like World of Hyatt, which still uses a benefit chart, as his second program. When you add the World of Hyatt Credit Card to your wallet, you automatically receive Discover List status and earn one free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort on each cardmember anniversary.
Related: 3 reasons why you need a credit card from your favorite hotel brand
free agent
Perhaps you are a free agent and tend to book the most convenient or best value hotel in each destination you visit. In this case, you may benefit from adding one or more of the following cards to your wallet:
- world of hyatt credit card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Additionally, you can earn up to an additional 30,000 Bonus Points by making purchases that would normally earn you 1 Bonus Point (up to $15,000) for a total of 2 Bonus Points per dollar spent in the first six months of account opening.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Earn 3 free nights (each night worth up to 50,000 points) when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn up to $100 in statement credits on purchases at IHG Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months of account opening.
Each of these cards offers annual free nights that can be redeemed for significantly more than the card’s annual fee. Each card also includes low to mid-tier elite status, allowing you to enjoy higher earning rates and benefits during your stay. When you use your card to pay for hotel stays and everyday purchases, you can also earn points toward your next redemption.
Related: Top 3 Picks for the Best Affiliated Hotel Credit Cards