10 Best Hotel Loyalty Programs and How to Make Your Own

If you work in hospitality, getting a good grasp on the best hotel loyalty programs out there isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Whether you want to benchmark your property against the industry’s top players or design a loyalty program that truly resonates with your guests, knowing what works is key. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top 10 hotel loyalty programs for 2025, spotlighting what makes each one stand out. Then, we’ll dive into a straightforward, step-by-step process to help you build your own hotel loyalty program that keeps guests coming back, boosts repeat bookings, and makes your property their go-to choice.

Top 10 Hotel Loyalty Programs in 2025

1. Marriott Bonvoy: The Industry Giant

Marriott Bonvoy is a heavyweight in the world of hotel rewards programs, boasting over 8,500 properties across more than 30 brands globally. Their tiered elite status system rewards loyal guests with perks like suite upgrades, lounge access, and the much-loved fifth night free on reward stays. Plus, Marriott’s partnerships with various credit cards and airlines make earning points and enjoying exclusive member rates easier than ever.

2. World of Hyatt: Best Value for Luxury Travelers

World of Hyatt is famous for its clear award chart that caps redemption costs, delivering impressive point value. Their Globalist elite tier offers confirmed suite upgrades, free breakfast, and waived resort fees. One of their coolest perks? The Guest of Honor benefit, which lets you share elite perks with friends and family. With partnerships with Chase and Bilt Rewards, earning Hyatt points is a breeze.

3. Hilton Honors: Ideal for Amex Cardholders

Hilton Honors shines with its massive portfolio of 8,600+ properties and strong ties to American Express. Diamond status members enjoy executive lounge access, complimentary breakfast, and guaranteed room upgrades. The fifth-night-free perk for all elite members and flexible redemption options—including Amazon and Lyft—make Hilton a favorite among many travelers.

4. IHG One Rewards: Tailored for Business Travelers

IHG One Rewards covers over 6,000 hotels worldwide, focusing on business-friendly locations. Their fourth night free on award stays and customizable Milestone Rewards program offer practical benefits like suite upgrades and bonus points. Frequent guests can also take advantage of the InterContinental Ambassador membership, which adds a layer of luxury perks.

5. Accor Live Limitless: Luxury and Point Value

Accor Live Limitless features more than 5,000 properties, mainly in Europe and Asia, with points valued at about 2 cents each. Their elite tiers unlock perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, and exclusive experiences. The program’s extensive airline transfer partnerships and luxury hotel portfolio make it a great choice for discerning travelers.

6. Wyndham Rewards: Coverage for Budget and Small-Town Stays

Wyndham Rewards operates over 9,000 hotels, excelling in small-town and budget markets. Their flat redemption rate and partnerships with vacation rental services give members flexible options. Multiple cobranded credit cards and point transfers from Capital One and Citi help guests rack up rewards points beyond just hotel stays.

7. Choice Privileges: Best for Road Warriors

Choice Privileges includes more than 7,400 properties, including recent additions from Radisson Hotels Americas. Its simple earning and redemption process, practical elite benefits like early check-in and late checkout, and strong presence in rural and highway markets make it a solid pick for frequent road travelers.

8. Best Western Rewards: Simplified Status Matching

With over 4,300 hotels worldwide, Best Western Rewards makes it easy to match status to Diamond Select, unlocking perks like free breakfast and room upgrades. Their footprint in rural and suburban areas and straightforward points system appeal to travelers who value simplicity and good deals.

9. Radisson Rewards: Growing Through Partnerships

Radisson Rewards, now partly integrated with Choice Hotels in the Americas, offers expanding options for earning and redeeming points across luxury and midscale properties. Its international focus and evolving partnerships make it a program worth watching for hospitality professionals.

10. Accor Live Limitless: Emphasis on Luxury Experiences

Accor’s program also targets luxury and business travelers with benefits like late checkout, welcome drinks, and VIP experiences. Their strong European presence and partnerships with airlines and car rental companies add richness to their rewards ecosystem.

How to Create Your Own Hotel Loyalty Program

Building a hotel loyalty program that truly connects with your guests and encourages repeat business takes some thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of your audience. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define Your Loyalty Goals and Customer Profile

First things first: figure out what loyalty means for your property. Are you aiming to boost repeat stays, encourage direct bookings, or increase spending on extras like dining and spa services? Get to know your typical guest—their preferences, habits, and what rewards would genuinely motivate them.

Example: If you run a boutique hotel in a bustling city, your goal might be to attract more repeat business from local professionals and business travelers. These guests might value perks like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, and points for dining at your restaurant. Tailoring your rewards to these preferences can make your hotel loyalty program much more appealing.

2. Choose a Program Structure

Decide if you want a points-based system, a tiered elite status program, or a mix of both. Points-based programs reward guests for every dollar they spend, while tiered systems offer escalating perks for frequent stays. Combining the two can keep both occasional and regular guests engaged.

Example: A mid-sized hotel catering to both leisure and business travelers might offer points for every dollar spent on rooms and dining, while also providing elite status tiers with benefits like free breakfast, guaranteed upgrades, and lounge access for the most loyal guests.

3. Establish Clear and Simple Earning Criteria

Make it easy for guests to understand how to earn points or status credits. Define what spending counts—room rates, dining, spa treatments, or partner offers—and consider teaming up with local businesses or credit card companies to broaden earning opportunities beyond just hotel stays.

Example: A beach resort might award 10 points per dollar spent on rooms and 5 points per dollar on dining and spa services. Partnering with a local car rental company and credit card issuer could help guests earn points on those purchases too, making the program more attractive and rewarding.

4. Design Attractive and Relevant Rewards

Offer rewards that truly matter to your guests and enhance their stay. Popular options include free nights, room upgrades, food and beverage credits, early check-in, late checkout, and exclusive member rates. You can also get creative with charitable donations or unique experiences to set your program apart.

Example: A city hotel might offer free breakfast or complimentary Wi-Fi as standard rewards, while a resort could provide spa credits, beach cabana rentals, or exclusive local tours. For frequent guests, consider perks like guaranteed room upgrades, priority check-in, or access to an executive lounge.

5. Develop a User-Friendly Technology Platform

Invest in a reliable loyalty management system that integrates smoothly with your property management and booking systems. Make sure guests can easily track points, redeem rewards, and access exclusive offers through a mobile app or website.

Some popular platforms in the hospitality industry include LoyaltyLion, Antavo, SessionM (now part of Salesforce), Yotpo Loyalty & Referrals, and CrowdTwist. Choosing the right one can streamline your program and enhance guest engagement.

6. Communicate and Promote Your Program Effectively

Spread the word about your hotel rewards programs through multiple channels. Train your staff to mention the program during check-in and check-out, use email campaigns to highlight exclusive offers and bonus points, and leverage social media to engage your audience. In-hotel signage and digital displays also help keep the program top of mind.

Partnering with local businesses or travel influencers can expand your reach. The key is consistent, clear communication that builds excitement and encourages guests to join and actively participate.

7. Personalize Rewards Based on Member Preferences

Use data to tailor your rewards and communications. Understanding your guests’ booking patterns, preferred room types, spending habits, and feedback allows you to create targeted promotions that resonate personally.

Personalization might include sending tailored emails or app notifications with relevant offers, customizing room preferences during booking, or offering exclusive discounts on favorite services. This approach deepens guest loyalty and encourages repeat visits.

8. Monitor, Evaluate, and Evolve

Keep a close eye on your program’s performance by tracking enrollment, redemption rates, guest satisfaction, and feedback. Use these insights to tweak earning structures and rewards, ensuring they stay attractive and relevant.

Stay up to date with industry trends and competitor programs to keep your hotel rewards programs competitive. Evolve by adding tiered elite status benefits, partnering with new businesses, or adopting innovative technology to enhance the guest experience.

Conclusion

Knowing the best hotel loyalty programs out there gives hospitality professionals a solid foundation to build or improve their own. By learning from successful programs like Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and Hilton Honors, you can adopt proven strategies and tailor them to fit your property’s unique needs.

A well-crafted hotel loyalty program not only drives repeat business but also builds lasting relationships with guests, boosting your brand’s reputation and revenue in a competitive market. Start planning your program today, focusing on meaningful rewards, guest preferences, and ongoing adaptation. With the right approach, your hotel rewards programs can become a powerful tool for customer loyalty and business growth.