World of Hyatt is the best hotel rewards program for travelers in 2024, according to new research from WalletHub.
The personal finance website compared the nine most popular hotel loyalty programs across more than 20 metrics, including factors such as points value and blackout dates, among others.
Earning an average rating of 72 out of 100, World of Hyatt took the top spot, edging out Wyndham Rewards and Sonesta Travel Pass. WalletHub found that the latter offers up to $14.72 in rewards value per $100 spent, which is the most among major hotel loyalty programs.
Marriott Bonvoy ranks fourth, followed by Hilton Honors, Choice Privileges, IHG One Rewards and Best Western Rewards. Drury Rewards finished last among the nine programs that WalletHub analyzed.
Best Western is the only major hotel chain whose points do not expire due to account inactivity, WalletHub found, while six of the top nine hotel rewards programs allow members to redeem points for award nights at all brands and properties. The exceptions are Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges and IHG One Rewards.
World of Hyatt, which has seen membership numbers quadruple since 2017, ranked first for earning policies and redemption options and second for rewards value and other features. Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy ranked first for geographic coverage while Choice Privileges is the best hotel rewards program for status level.
A couple booking travel with a credit card. (Photo Credit: Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock)
"When people look for ways to save on summer travel, taking advantage of hotel loyalty programs usually isn¡¯t at the top of the list, but maybe it should be. Hotel rewards programs are free to join, and WalletHub¡¯s latest research shows that the five best programs save members an average of 10 percent on their hotel spending," WalletHub Editor John Kiernan said in a statement.
"Members can get discounted room rates and earn free nights over time, just to name a couple of perks. If you pair membership in one of the best hotel loyalty programs with one of the best hotel rewards credit cards, you can really take your savings to the next level," he added. "For example, you could get a few free nights just as a signup bonus, then earn thousands more in savings over the next couple of years. Fortunately for travelers this summer, the best loyalty program and the best credit card are affiliated with the same hotel chain: Hyatt."
WalletHub's editors recommend The World of Hyatt Credit Card, naming it 2024¡¯s best hotel credit card because it can save the average person roughly $4,778 over the course of two years.
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