The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Chains and Their Loyalty Programs
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There are so many hotel brands, hotel chains and hotel loyalty programs that it is normal to get lost and not know which one to choose.
Here is a summary of the features of each, which will help you select the best hotel and loyalty program for your trip.
Note: there are other smaller hotel rewards programs, but the following are the main groups that include the largest number of hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the only hotel chain in Canada that has credit cards tied to its loyalty program. So it’s much easier to earn points, get accelerated perks, and free night certificates with Marriott Bonvoy.
- Based on dynamic pricing. The more popular the date and location are, and the more upscale the hotel is, the higher the points required will be.
- Free transfer of up to 100,000 points/year to another account (friend, spouse)
- Ability to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to other airline programs (Aeroplan, Flying Blue, etc.)
| Number of hotels | 8,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels and more |
| Name of the loyalty program | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Number and name of brands | 36: Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, StudioRes, Marriott Executive Apartments, Element, Courtyard, Four Points, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Springhill Suites, City Express, Fairfield, Protea Hotels, AC Hotel, Aloft, Moxy, Marriott, Sheraton, Marriott Vacation Clubs, Delta, Westin, Le Méridien, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, Edition, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, St.Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Homes & Villas, Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy, MGM Collection et StudioRes. |
| Status tiers | Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Marriott Bonvoy ont une valeur de 9 $ |
| Échange de points | |
| Expiration des points | Après 24 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Marriott Bonvoy sont parfaits pour | Pour tous les budgets, selon le type de voyage et pour tous les types de voyageurs. Les hôtels Marriott Bonvoy sont presque partout. Pour les voyageurs en quête d’un hôtel à budget en bordure d’autoroute avec cuisinette, tout comme pour les personnes en quête de luxe dans les plus beaux coins de la planète. |
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $700
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- Up to 80,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Accor
| Number of hotels | 5,800 Accor hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | ALL (Acronym for Accor Live Limitless) |
| Number and name of brands | 45+. Raffles, Orient Express, Faena, Banyan Tree, Delano, Sofitel Legend, Fairmont, Emblems Collection, SLS, SO, Sofitel, Rixos, Onefinestay, Mantis, M Gallery, 21c Museum Hotel, Art Series, Mondrian, Pullman, Swissôtel, 25h Hotels, Angsana, Movenpick, Grand Mercure Hotels and Resorts, Peppers, The Sebel, Aparthotel Adagio Premium, Manta, Novotel, Mercure Hotels, Aparthotel Adagio Original, Mama Shelter, Tribe, Breakfree, Ibis, Ibis Styles, Aparthotel Adagio Access, Greet, Ibis Budget, Jo&Joe, HotelF1, Thalassa, Huazhu Hotels Groups Ltd, Handwritten Collection, The Hoxton |
| Status tiers | Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points ALL ont une valeur de 30 $ |
| Échange de points | Il n’y a pas de catégorie de points. Il suffit simplement d’un échange d’au moins 2 000 points Reward pour diminuer la facture de 40 Euros (ou environ 60 $ CAD). Les points peuvent couvrir en partie ou entièrement la chambre d’hôtel. |
| Expiration des points | Après 12 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Accor sont parfaits pour | Les voyageurs d’affaires ainsi que les personnes qui recherchent un certain mode de vie et un standard élevé en voyage. |
Best Western
- According to a dynamic pricing system.
- Free transfer of up to 100,000 points/year between accounts of different people at the same address
- Ability to transfer Best Western Rewards points to other airline programs (Aeroplan, British Airways, Flying Blue, etc.)
| Number of hotels | About 4,500 Best Western hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | Best Western Rewards |
| Number and name of brands | 18. Glo, Vib, Best Western Plus, BW Premier Collection, Best Western Premier, Sadie Best Western, Best Western, BW Signature Collection, Executive Residence by Best Western, Aiden by Best Western, World Hotels Luxury, World Hotels Elite, World Hotels Distinctive, World Hotels Crafted, SureStay Plus, SureStay, SureStay Signature Collection, SureStay Studio |
| Status tiers | Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Diamond Select. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Best Western ont une valeur de 8 $ |
| Échange de points | |
| Expiration des points | Jamais |
| Les hôtels Best Western sont parfaits pour | Hôtels situés dans les plus petites villes et de moyenne gamme en grande majorité. Possède quelques marques luxueuses. Les hôtels Best Western sont destinés aux voyageurs qui ne veulent pas dépasser leur budget limité, qui veulent avoir une bonne valeur et de la qualité. |
Choice Hotels
| Number of hotels | 7,100 Choice Hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | Choice Privilege (officially merged with Radisson Rewards Americas since July 18, 2023) |
| Number and name of brands | 21. Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Red Radisson, Ascend Hotel Collection, Radisson Collection, Radisson Individuals, ParkPlaza by Radisson, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Everhome Suites, Woodspring Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn |
| Status tiers | Member, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Choice Privilege ont une valeur de 7 $ |
| Échange de points | Entre 6 000 et 35 000 points par nuit |
| Expiration des points | Après 18 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Choice Hotels sont parfaits pour | Les gens d’affaires et les voyageurs qui surveillent leur budget en voyage. Les hôtels de Choice Hotels vont de la gamme de service limité jusqu’aux hôtels à service complet. Ils sont en majorité de milieu de gamme, pour les séjours prolongés et plus économiques. |
Coast Hotels
| Number of hotels | 36. They are located mainly in Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon) and in Washington State, Alaska, California and Hawaii. |
| Name of the loyalty program | Coast Rewards |
| Number and name of brands | 1. Coast Hotels |
| Status tiers | Pink, Purple, Silver, Gold, Platinum. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Coast Rewards = 40 $ |
| Échange de points | 1 000 points Coast Rewards sont requis pour déduire 40 $ sur n’importe quelle réservation de chambre. L’échange peut se faire sur la totalité du coût de la chambre ou sur une partie seulement. L’échange minimum est de 250 points Coast Rewards (10$). |
| Expiration des points | Après 24 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Coast Hotels sont parfaits pour | Les voyageurs qui recherchent un bon équilibre entre un séjour économique et une valeur raisonnable, lors de leur séjour dans de petites ou moyennes villes dans l’ouest du Canada et des États-Unis. |
Hilton
- According to a dynamic pricing system.
- Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors points at a rate of 5 Membership Rewards points = 2.5 Hilton Honors points
- Transfer Hilton Honors points to other airline programs (Aeroplan, Flying Blue, etc.)
- Free transfer of up to 500,000 points/year to another account (friend, spouse)
- Possibility of pooling points together between different members
| Number of hotels | 7,000 Hilton hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | Hilton Honors |
| Number and name of brands | 21. Hilton Grand Vacations, Home2Suites, Homewood Suites, Tru, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Motto, Tempo, Embassy Suites, Tapestry Collection, DoubleTree, Curio Collection, Hilton, Signia, Spark, Canopy, Conrad, LXR, Waldorf Astoria, LivSmart, Graduate Hotels. |
| Status tiers | Member, Silver, Gold, Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Hilton Honors ont une valeur de 7 $ |
| Échange de points | |
| Expiration des points | Après 24 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Hilton sont parfaits pour | Pour tous les budgets, selon le type de voyage et pour tous les types de voyageurs. Varie entre l’hôtel respectable à petit budget pour les voyageurs de passage jusqu’à un séjour de luxe aux meilleurs endroits du monde. |
Le Germain Hotels
| Number of hotels | 19 in Canada, located between Newfoundland and Calgary. The head office is located in Montreal. |
| Name of the loyalty program | None. Le Germain Hotels prefer to focus on attentive, personalized service for each guest. Check-out time is flexible and all the best rooms are available to everyone at booking. Their free cancellation policy is very flexible. Everyone is treated equally and everything is set up to meet each guest’s needs. |
| Number and name of brands | 3. Le Germain Hotels, alt Hotels, Escad Hotels |
| Status tiers | N/A |
| Earning Points | N/A |
| Points Value | N/A |
| Redeeming points | N/A |
| Expiration of points | N/A |
| Le Germain hotels are perfect for | For people who travel for pleasure and for business travelers. Le Germain hotels exude a certain lifestyle and refinement, thanks to their attentive staff and trendy hotels. |
Hyatt
| Number of hotels | About 1,400 hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | World of Hyatt |
| Number and name of brands | 27. Mrs. and Mr. Smith Alila, Alua Hotels & Resorts, Andaz, Breathless Resorts, Caption by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Residence Club, Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Ziva, JdV by Hyatt, Miraval, Park Hyatt, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Sunscape Resorts & Spas, Thompson Hotels, The Unbound Collection, UrCove by Hyatt, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts |
| Status tiers | Member, Discoverist, Explorist, Globalist. |
| Earning Points | 5 points per $1 USD at all hotels |
| Points Value | 1,000 World of Hyatt points are worth $22 |
| Redeeming points | It’s the only major hotel chain that still has a fixed award chart for points redemptions. World of Hyatt has 8 hotel categories, split by peak or off-peak season. Points required range from 3,500 to 45,000 points. |
| Expiration of points | After 24 months of account inactivity |
| Hyatt hotels are perfect for | Travellers with a high travel budget, business travellers, companies and other guests looking for upscale. |
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
- According to a dynamic pricing system.
- Paid transfer between IHG Rewards accounts, at a cost of $5 USD per 1,000 IHG points, with no limit.
- Earn only when staying at IHG hotels for cash and purchasing points.
- No IHG credit card available in Canada and no transfer option from external loyalty programs.
| Number of hotels | Approximately 6,000 IHG hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | IHG One Rewards and InterContinental Ambassador (only for InterContinental hotels) |
| Number and name of brands | 18. Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Atwell Suites, Avid, Even Hotels, Hualuxe, Six Senses, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Vignette Collection, Indigo, Voco |
| Status tiers | Member, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points IHG One Rewards ont une valeur de 7 $ |
| Échange de points | |
| Expiration des points | Après 12 mois d’inactivité au compte. Jamais pour les membres Élite. |
| Les hôtels IHG sont parfaits pour | IHG possède une grande variété d’hôtels et de différentes catégories. Sa marque d’hôtels la plus connue est Holiday Inn. Ils visent les budgets moyens, mais a aussi d’intéressants hôtels haut de gamme avec Crowne Plaza et l’InterContinental. L’introduction prochaine de sa nouvelle marque de tout-inclus Iberostar est à surveiller. |
Sandman
| Number of hotels | 61 in Canada (57), in the United Kingdom (1) and in the United States (1) |
| Name of the loyalty program | RSVP Rewards |
| Number and name of brands | 3. Sandman Signature, Sandman Hotels & Suites et Sandman Inns. |
| Status tiers | Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points RSVP Rewards ont une valeur de 10 $ |
| Échange de points | 1 000 points RSVP Rewards sont requis pour déduire 10 $ sur une réservation de chambre en tout temps. L’échange peut se faire sur la totalité du coût de la chambre ou sur une partie seulement. |
| Expiration des points | Après 18 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Sandman sont parfaits pour | Proches des autoroutes, les hôtels Sandman sont destinés aux voyageurs d’affaires pour des séjours de moyenne gamme, principalement au Canada. Ils sont associés avec des restaurants déjà établis (Denny’s, Moxies et autres Bar & grill locaux) pour faciliter la vie des clients. |
Wyndham
| Number of hotels | More than 9,000 hotels |
| Name of the loyalty program | Wyndham Rewards |
| Number and name of brands | 24. AmericInn, Baymont, Days Inn, Dazzler, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, EchoSuites, Esplendor, Hawthorn, Howard Johnson, La Quinta, Microtel, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Registry Collection Hotels, Super 8, Trademark Collection, Travelodge, Tryp, Vienna House, Wingate, Wyndham, Alltra, Wyndham Garden, Wyndham Grand. They are also partners with: Club Wyndham, WorldMark, Shell Vacations Club, Margaritaville Vacation Club, Cottages.com, Landal GreenParks, Vacasa, Caesars Palace, Eldorado at the Row Reno, Harrahs, Horsehoe, Tropicana, Flamingo, The Cromwell, the LINQ, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Rio, Harveys Lake Tahoe, Circus Circus, Silver Legacy at the Row, Lumière Place, Isle of Capri, Isle Casino, Nobu Hotel. |
| Status tiers | Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. |
| Earning Points |
|
| Valeur des points | 1 000 points Wyndham Rewards ont une valeur de 15 $ |
| Échange de points | De 7 500 à 30 000 points Wyndham Rewards sont nécessaires pour chaque nuit gratuite dans un hôtel Wyndham. |
| Expiration des points | Après 18 mois d’inactivité au compte |
| Les hôtels Wyndham sont parfaits pour | Les petits et moyens budgets, surtout avec les hôtels Days Inn, La Quinta, Super 8 qui comptent pour plus de la moitié de son portefeuille d’hôtels. |
Conclusion
To take advantage of all the benefits of hotel loyalty programs, you need to book directly with them on their website or by phone. A booking made through a booking platform (like Hotels.com, Expedia, etc.) doesn’t count.
Depending on your travel experience, whether you want to have breakfast included at the hoteland your budget, you can choose what you want!
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $700
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- Up to 80,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
What is the best hotel chain in the world?
Popular hotels include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Wyndham.
The best hotel brand depends on your travel style and budget.
For a small budget, a Quality Inn (Choice Hotels), a Best Western or a TownePlace Suites (Marriott) can do the trick.
For the ultimate travel experience, a Fairmont (Accor), Waldorf Asstoria (Hilton) or Ritz-Carlton (Marriott) are excellent choices.
What is the difference between a hotel and a motel?
The purpose of the hotel and the motel is the same: to accommodate travelers.
A hotel often has more floors, more rooms, and offers several services (conference rooms, pool, restaurant, elevators, doorman, valet, etc.).
A motel generally has limited service, rooms are on one or two floors, and parking is right in front of the room’s exterior front door. Its big advantage is that it’s much cheaper than a hotel and located right by the highway for quick access.
For your next Hilton stay, see the Hilton Honors American Express® Card available in Canada and the terms of its current offer.