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Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, IHG, Choice, Accor: Which Hotel Loyalty Program Is Worth the Most in 2026?

Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, IHG, Choice, Accor: Which Hotel Loyalty Program Is Worth the Most in 2026?
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2026 has been a pivotal year for the major hotel loyalty programs: World of Hyatt overhauled its award chart in May, Wyndham Rewards did the same in September, and Marriott Bonvoy has been showing signs of a quiet increase in points pricing since July. Accor announced its partnership with American Express. With so many changes happening at once, it is hard to tell which of these programs still genuinely pays off for a Canadian traveller. Here is our data-backed comparison, based on the real value of each program’s point, the perks specific to each one, and how hard it is to earn elite status.

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Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$1,050

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.

Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points

Ends Nov 25, 2026

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on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avion points, worth up to $1,500 in travel.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 15,000 points on the first anniversary of your account

You can redeem your Avion points for flights with more than 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and WestJet Rewards.

The card earns you 1.25 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all your other eligible purchases. It also includes extensive insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, collision coverage for rental vehicles, and mobile devices.

The annual fee is $120.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xTravel
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,369
2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

The real cost of a night, program by program

Here is the value we assign to each point, based on our internal assessments of typical redemptions (standard to high-end nights) and revised periodically.

ProgramPoint value (CAD)2026 devaluationKey takeaway
World of Hyatt2.5¢Up to 67% on upper categories (May 2026)Still the most valuable point despite the steepest percentage drop
Wyndham Rewards1.0¢New entry tier at 5,000 points, -33% (Sept. 15, 2026)Only program with a clear improvement at its entry level
Marriott Bonvoy0.9¢Reported increase of 2.4% to 16%, not officially confirmed (July 2026)Most opaque program, with no published award chart since 2022
IHG One Rewards0.7¢No documented one-off devaluationDynamic pricing since 2022, erosion hard to measure
Choice Privileges0.6¢“New Rewards Experience” revamp under wayEconomy chains (Comfort, Quality, Cambria), limited presence in Canada
Hilton Honors0.5¢No documented one-off devaluation100% dynamic, but status thresholds relaxed in 2026
ALL Accor Live Limitless3.1¢ (fixed, guaranteed rate)None, fixed rate since the program’s creationHighest value on paper, but no award chart or sweet spot: each point is worth exactly this amount, at every hotel

This ranking may come as a surprise: Hyatt posted the worst percentage devaluation of all these programs, and yet its point still pays off the most. The reason is simple: at 2.5¢ CAD, a Hyatt point is worth 2.5 to 5 times more than a Hilton or IHG point. Even after losing 67% on its most expensive categories, it still delivers a better return than the other programs in the mid-range and high-end segments.

ALL Accor Live Limitless posts an even higher value on paper (3.1¢ CAD), but the comparison is not entirely fair: the other six programs run on award charts, where a point’s value varies by the night selected, with sweet spots that can multiply that return. At Accor, the rate is fixed: each point is worth exactly 3.1¢, whether for a standard room or a Raffles suite. No upside surprises, but no bad surprises either.

Handing over a key card at a hotel front desk
Each program rewards loyalty differently, from suite upgrades to priority status on arrival.

The perks specific to each program

Point value does not tell the whole story. Each program leans on different perks to keep its members loyal, and for a frequent traveller those often matter more than the exchange rate itself.

Marriott Bonvoy

Five tiers, from Silver (10 nights) to Ambassador (100 nights and US$23,000 in spending). The Platinum tier (50 nights) unlocks a suite upgrade subject to availability, executive lounge access, a 50% points bonus and a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout. The Titanium tier (75 nights) adds Premier Silver status with United Airlines. Ambassador provides a dedicated representative and the Your24 benefit, which lets you choose your 24-hour check-in and checkout window.

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990

Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.

Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points

Ends Sep 22, 2026

Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply 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”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Hilton Honors

Good news that went largely unnoticed: Hilton relaxed its thresholds in 2026, dropping Gold from 40 to 25 nights and Diamond from 60 to 50 nights. A new Diamond Reserve tier (80 nights and US$18,000 in spending) has been added at the top, with a confirmed upgrade (not merely subject to availability), a 120% points bonus and access to about a dozen Hilton Premium lounges. Diamond remains generous: executive lounge, 48-hour room guarantee, 100% bonus.

World of Hyatt

Only three tiers (Discoverist, Explorist, Globalist), but Globalist (60 nights) is still considered the best hotel status in the industry: free breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children, lounge access, upgrades that can include standard suites, waived resort fees and free parking on points stays. Since July 2026, a partnership with Aeroplan has also made access easier for Canadians: premium Aeroplan cards grant complimentary Discoverist status, and a 90-day challenge lets you reach Globalist in only 20 nights.

Wyndham Rewards

The fastest status to earn of the seven programs: Gold from just 3 nights, Diamond at 40 nights. The perks remain modest by comparison (20% points bonus, suite upgrade on request, complimentary snack), a direct reflection of the network’s economy positioning.

IHG One Rewards

Diamond Elite requires 70 nights, the highest threshold of the seven programs for a “standard” status. In return: 100% points bonus, upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, plus a dedicated booking line.

Choice Privileges

The 2026 revamp speeds up status considerably: Gold from just 5 nights, Diamond at 35 nights, and a new Titanium tier at 55 nights. Titanium unlocks a benefit unique in the industry: a room for a 7-night stay at half price in points, at more than 400 premium hotels in the network.

ALL Accor Live Limitless

Four tiers, from Silver (10 nights or €800) to Diamond (€10,400 in annual spending, with no nights-based option). Gold (30 nights or €2,800) unlocks a 25% points bonus and a personalized welcome. Platinum (60 nights or €5,600) adds lounge access and free breakfast. Diamond offers a suite upgrade subject to availability and 24-hour concierge service.

Since July 22, 2026, holders of the American Express Platinum Card® will also automatically receive Gold ALL status later in 2026, without needing to stay a single night.

How hard it is to earn elite status

The number of nights required for upper-tier status varies by a factor of two depending on the program. Here is how the seven compare, from fastest to most demanding.

ProgramBase statusStandard upper tierNew super-elite tier (2026)Headline top-tier perk
Choice PrivilegesGold, 5 nightsDiamond, 35 nightsTitanium, 55 nightsHalf-price room for up to 7 nights (400+ hotels)
Wyndham RewardsGold, 3 nightsDiamond, 40 nights20% bonus + upgrade on request
Marriott BonvoySilver, 10 nightsPlatinum, 50 nightsAmbassador, 100 nights + US$23,000Dedicated Ambassador representative + Your24
Hilton HonorsSilver, 10 nightsDiamond, 50 nights (down from 60)Diamond Reserve, 80 nights + US$18,000Confirmed upgrade + 120% bonus
World of HyattDiscoverist, 10 nightsGlobalist, 60 nightsBreakfast, suite and waived resort fees
IHG One RewardsSilver, 10 nightsDiamond, 70 nightsUpgrade + early check-in/late checkout
ALL Accor Live LimitlessSilver, 10 nights or €800Platinum, 60 nights or €5,600Diamond (€10,400 in annual spend, no nights option): suite upgrade + 24/7 concierge

Three things stand out. First, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards compete on speed: their upper tier takes 35 to 40 nights, against 50 to 70 nights elsewhere. Second, the super-elite tiers added in 2026 (Ambassador at Marriott, Diamond Reserve at Hilton, Titanium at Choice) almost all require a minimum annual spend on top of the nights, a first for the two programs that had historically been based on stay counts alone. Third, ALL Accor Live Limitless stands out for its Diamond status, reachable only through spending (€10,400), with no nights-based option unlike the other six programs.

The devaluations that defined 2026

World of Hyatt: new 5-tier chart (May 20, 2026)

Hyatt moved from 3 to 5 category tiers, with sharp increases at the upper levels: up to 67% more points for a “Top” category night. A number of properties also changed category, including three Canadian hotels. The full breakdown is in our article on the World of Hyatt award chart change.

Wyndham Rewards: new 5,000-point entry tier (September 15, 2026)

Unlike the other programs, Wyndham improved its entry level: the new 5,000-point tier replaces the former 7,500-point threshold, a 33% decrease for economy hotels. A new 45,000-point tier does, however, affect a small number of premium hotels. The details are in our article on the new Wyndham Rewards award chart.

Marriott Bonvoy: unconfirmed increase (July 2026)

Several specialist sites report a quiet increase in the points cost of many Marriott Bonvoy nights, without any official confirmation from the hotel group. Marriott has not published a fixed award chart since March 2022, which makes any devaluation difficult to document formally. We are following the situation closely.

Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards: invisible erosion

These two programs have run on 100% dynamic pricing for several years. With no published reference chart, it is impossible to measure a one-off devaluation: points prices drift quietly with demand, without ever being announced. Hilton partly offsets this with its relaxed status thresholds in 2026.

Which program to choose based on your traveller profile

  • Budget traveller (motels, mid-range chains): Wyndham Rewards, especially since its new 5,000-point tier, or Choice Privileges depending on the destination.
  • Generalist traveller who wants a simple card: Marriott Bonvoy, the only program with a direct co-branded credit card in Canada and a vast network of properties.
  • High-end value hunter: World of Hyatt, despite the May 2026 devaluation, still has the most rewarding point in the upper categories.
  • Traveller who wants status quickly: Choice Privileges or Wyndham Rewards, where the upper tier takes 35 to 40 nights rather than 50 to 70 elsewhere.
  • Traveller aiming for the best possible status: World of Hyatt Globalist or Hilton Diamond Reserve, for the most generous upgrade and lounge benefits in the industry.
  • Holder of a general-purpose Amex card: American Express Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and since July 22, 2026, at a 2:1 ratio to ALL Accor Live Limitless, which opens up all three programs without a dedicated co-branded card.
  • Traveller who wants guaranteed value without a complicated award chart: ALL Accor Live Limitless, where each point is worth a fixed amount (about 3.1¢ CAD), now accessible from Canada through the American Express Membership Rewards transfer (2:1 ratio, since July 22, 2026).

How to access them from Canada

Marriott Bonvoy is the only one of these seven programs to offer a co-branded credit card directly in Canada. Since July 2026, World of Hyatt can also be accessed directly through the 10 Aeroplan credit cards (TD, CIBC, American Express), which earn bonus Hyatt points and grant complimentary base status: see our article on the Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership for all the details.

For Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, the simplest route remains transferring American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio, available with the American Express Cobalt® Card or the American Express Platinum Card®.

Since July 22, 2026, that same transfer also grants access to ALL Accor Live Limitless, at a ratio of 2 Membership Rewards points to 1 Reward point (1,000-point transfer minimum), and Platinum Card® holders will automatically receive Gold ALL status later in 2026.

Wyndham Rewards, IHG One Rewards and Choice Privileges remain the only three programs without a co-branded card or direct transfer partner in Canada.

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Frequently asked questions

Which hotel program offers the best value in 2026?

World of Hyatt, with a point value of roughly 2.5¢ CAD, remains the best value despite its May 2026 devaluation. Marriott Bonvoy and Wyndham Rewards follow, with points worth between 0.9 and 1.0¢. ALL Accor Live Limitless posts an even higher value on paper, at about 3.1¢ CAD, but under a different model: each point is worth that exact amount, with no possible sweet spot.

Which program has the easiest elite status to earn?

Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards, where the standard upper tier takes 35 and 40 nights respectively. At the other end, IHG One Rewards requires 70 nights for its Diamond status, the highest threshold of the seven programs.

Which program offers the best elite status benefits?

World of Hyatt Globalist (60 nights) and Hilton Diamond Reserve (80 nights, new in 2026) are generally considered the most generous statuses: suite upgrades, lounge access, breakfast included and waived fees. ALL Accor Live Limitless Diamond, though reachable only through spending (€10,400 per year, with no nights-based option), offers comparable perks: suite upgrades and 24/7 concierge service.

How are these point values calculated?

We compare the points cost of a night with its cash equivalent, across a sample of representative properties for each program. These values are revised periodically to reflect award chart changes and devaluations. For ALL Accor Live Limitless, whose rate is fixed and not based on an award chart, the value corresponds directly to the program’s official conversion rate (2,000 points = €40).

Why does Hyatt remain the best program despite its worst devaluation?

Because its starting point was considerably higher than that of the other programs. Even after losing 67% on its most expensive categories, a Hyatt point still delivers a better return than a Hilton, IHG or Choice point.

Is there a Canadian credit card for each of these programs?

Marriott Bonvoy is the only one to offer a co-branded credit card directly in Canada. Since July 2026, World of Hyatt has gained a card-based route in through the Aeroplan partnership: the 10 Aeroplan cards (TD, CIBC, American Express) earn bonus Hyatt points and grant complimentary base status. For Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, transferring American Express Membership Rewards points (Cobalt Card or Platinum Card) remains the simplest route, at a 1:1 ratio. Since July 22, 2026, that same transfer (at a 2:1 ratio) also grants access to ALL Accor Live Limitless, with automatic Gold status for Platinum Card® holders later in 2026. Wyndham, IHG and Choice have neither a co-branded card nor a direct transfer partner in Canada.

Is the price increase at Marriott Bonvoy confirmed?

No, not officially. Several specialist sites report an increase of 2.4% to 16% in the points cost across a sample of hotels, but Marriott has issued no statement on the matter. The program has had no fixed award chart published since March 2022.

Which program should I choose for budget travel?

Wyndham Rewards is best positioned since the addition of its 5,000-point entry tier in September 2026, a 33% decrease from the former threshold. Choice Privileges remains an option for economy chains such as Comfort Inn or Quality Inn, depending on the destination.

Why have Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards not announced a devaluation?

Both programs have used 100% dynamic pricing for several years, with no published reference chart. Points prices shift quietly with demand, which makes any one-off devaluation difficult to document or announce formally.

Do these point values change often?

We revise these values at least once a year, or sooner if a program announces a major award chart change or a confirmed devaluation.

Learn more

See the full profile of each program for details on earning and redeeming points: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Wyndham Rewards and ALL Accor Live Limitless.

If Marriott Bonvoy is your program of choice, check our roundup of current Marriott Bonvoy promotions for welcome bonuses and bookable offers this month.

If you mostly stay at independent or boutique hotels in Europe or Asia, a program like GHA DISCOVERY is also worth a look: it remains free to join and gives access to more than 2,500 local experiences, with no requirement to stay at the hotel.

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.