Hotel Chains: Offering Different “Footprints” for Different Types of Travelers

A great way to save money in the points and miles game is to combine a co-branded hotel credit card with a hotel loyalty program. You get points for your stays, and you can get significant spending bonuses for using the co-branded card when staying with that chain. The offers for co-branded hotel credit cards often come with attention-getting sign-up bonuses (SUBs). Currently, Mariott Bonvoy has an SUB of 150,000 Mariott Bonvoy points; IHG has an SUB of 140,000 IHG points. But, the decision to pursue free rooms should be based on more than a cards ability to generate points. A key question to ask is “Will the hotel chain’s loyalty program and co-branded credit card provide the types of accommodations I need when I travel?”
 
Even the largest hotel chains cannot be all things to all travelers. This post discusses some of the key differences you might want to take into consideration before pursuing a specific program.

Mariott Bonvoy

This chain is the largest in the world with 8700 properties in 139 countries. The chain encompasses 30 brands including Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, Aloft, Courtyard, and Residence Inn.

An interesting feature of this program is, if you redeem points for four consecutive nights, the fifth night is free.
 
There are several co-branded credit cards offered by both American Express and Chase. https://www.travelrewardsoptimizer.com/marriott-bonvoy-credit-cards-five-cards-from-two-issuers Given this relationship, you can transfer both Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points and Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to dozens of airlines.

A key strength of this program is its versatility. It offers properties throughout the world, at a range of price points and amount of luxury, and for short as well as extended stays.

Hilton

Hilton is also a chain with a large footprint as it offers 7400 properties in 124 countries. Its portfolio of brands includes Waldorf-Astoria, DoubleTree, and Hampton.
 
Like the Marriott Bonvoy program, the Hilton program lets you add a fifth night when you redeem four consecutive nights.
 
Hilton’s co-branded cards are issued by American Express. https://www.travelrewardsoptimizer.com/hilton-credit-cards-delivering-value-at-different-price-points-for-the-right-traveler You can also transfer Amex MR points to your Hilton account.

This is another comprehensive chain that offers properties in many places and at many price points.

Intercontinental Hotels Group

This large chain has 6000 hotels in over 100 countries. IHG’s brands include InterContinental, Holiday Inn Express, and Crowne Plaza.
 

For lengthier stays, the IHG rewards program surpasses the Marriott and Hilton programs by adding a fourth free night with redemptions of three consecutive nights.

Chase offers three co-branded credit cards and your IHG account can take point transfers from either Chase or Bilt. https://www.travelrewardsoptimizer.com/hyatt-and-ihg-cards-basic-cards-with-an-annual-free-night

World of Hyatt
 
While not having the footprint of Marriott or Hilton, this is a popular program. Hyatt has 1200 properties in 70 countries. Brands include Hyatt Place, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, and Hyatt Regency. The portfolio includes many all-inclusive resort properties. Properties are most likely to be found in larger cities.

Chase offers two World of Hyatt credit cards (personal and business). https://www.travelrewardsoptimizer.com/hyatt-and-ihg-cards-basic-cards-with-an-annual-free-night The program takes transfers of both Chase and Bilt points. As Hyatt points tend to be worth more than the points of other chains, getting the 1-to-1 transfers from Chase yields some of the best hotel redemptions.

As Hyatt properties tend to be in and near cities, World of Hyatt is not a good choice for those looking for accommodation in smaller cities or rural areas.

Wyndham

This is a very large chain – 9000 properties in 95 countries – which is oriented toward midscale and economy travel. Its two dozen brands include La Quinta, Super 8, Days Inn, and Howard Johnson.
 
There are three credit cards offered by Barclays that can help you add to your Wyndham Rewards account. Additionally, you can transfer Citi Thank You points and Capital One points to the Wyndham program.
 
This chain is especially useful for those looking for economy hotels in small town, rural America.

Choice Hotels

This chain also focuses on travelers looking for value. Choice has 7000 properties in over 40 countries. Its brands include Comfort Inn and Quality Inn.
 
Wells Fargo offers two co-branded credit cards and the program takes points transfers from Citi, Capital One, Amex, and Wells Fargo.

Like the Wyndham program, this is for travelers who are not concerned with luxury and are traveling to small town America.

As with many aspects of travel, people have unique needs and preferences when choosing hotels. When we create a Travel Rewards Optimizer plan for you, we take your travel plans, destinations, and travel style into consideration so that you can get the most out of any hotel program recommendations that we might make.

We are ready to help you turn your routine credit card spending into the travel of your dreams.