If you regularly stay in hotels around the world it makes sense to see if you can be rewarded for such frequent custom by getting discounts and room upgrades. One good way of ensuring that you get the star treatment that you deserve is to sign up to a hotel loyalty program, but how do you know which one works best for you?
Here are some pointers on how to get the best rewards from a hotel loyalty program.
Equal benefits for all?
One of the first things that you need to check when you are considering signing up for a loyalty program is whether there are different tiers within the scheme. You will quickly discover that the majority of hotel loyalty programs start out by offering their lowest-tier members basic perks like free WiFi and promotional discounts.
These are still worth having of course, but if you are after priority check-in and free room upgrades it can often require your spend to be over a certain annual figure in order to reach that higher and more elite status. If you are going to subscribe to several loyalty programs compare the basic perks and see which ones might be more worthy of your custom.
Booking directly with the hotel
It is also worth taking the time to understand the way each rewards program works and how you have to use the system to get all the benefits you are entitled to as a member. For example, if you are a Marriott Rewards member and book direct to stay at somewhere like the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, the scheme aims to offer you the lowest price available. It also offers to match a cheaper rate if you find a better price and give you an added discount.
Booking direct can often be one of the best ways of getting the best rate for your room and that is particularly the case if you are using a loyalty program.
Check the value of your points
Another key point to bear in mind is that not all points you accumulate on rewards programs are equal.
You need to check what the value of your points really are for each amount you spend staying at a hotel. Accumulating thousands of points on your card might look good but what is more relevant is what perks and discounts these points really equate to, so do your homework.
A good choice of hotels
Another salient point to consider is that you want to be able to enjoy a good variety of offers and a wide choice of hotels where you can use your reward points and get that extra level of treatment when you check in.
Check how many hotels are covered in each loyalty program as a greater choice will often give you more options when you next need to stay somewhere in the world and want to get the best possible deal and treatment.