Finding the best value hotel rewards program can be overwhelming, but it largely comes down to two key factors:
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The ability to earn points through hotel stays and credit card spend.
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How much those points are worth.
The NerdWallet travel team crunched the numbers to identify which hotel loyalty program and credit card give you the most back in exchange for spending money with them. These calculations also provided data for determining the most valuable hotel rewards program in 2026.
The top three major hotel rewards program based on how highly they reward both base members and cardholders are:
|
Hotel rewards program |
Point value (cent per point) |
|---|---|
|
World of Hyatt |
1.8 cents. |
|
Choice Privileges |
0.8 cent. |
|
Marriott Bonvoy |
0.8 cent. |
|
Wyndham Rewards |
0.7 cent. |
|
IHG One Rewards |
0.6 cent. |
|
Hilton Honors |
0.4 cent. |
What hotel rewards program has the most valuable credit cards?
To determine the return on each hotel’s credit card portfolio, we analyzed how many points each card earns per dollar spent at the hotel, based on the elite status tier it provides. Those numbers were then multiplied by the point valuation and averaged to create an average rewards rate across the hotel’s card portfolio. Only consumer cards were used in this analysis (business cards were excluded).
🤓 Nerdy Tip
If you have a higher-tier elite status than what’s provided by the card, your rate of return will also be higher than what’s presented here.
Average rate of return at Hyatt: 17.2%
Hyatt offers only one personal credit card, which earns a great return due to the high value of World of Hyatt points.
Average rate of return at Choice Hotels: 14.8%.
Choice Privileges offers two consumer credit cards. While the $0-annual-fee Choice Privileges® Mastercard® offers a decent value, Choice loyalists will find it hard to beat the outsized earnings rate on the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®.
Average rate of return at Marriott: 13.5%.
Marriott has the largest card portfolio of any major hotel brand, with cards issued by both American Express and Chase. Despite the high annual fee, Marriott loyalists will earn the most points through the Marriott Platinum status offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
on Chase’s website
Rates & Fees
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
on Chase’s website
Rates & Fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
on American Express’ website
Rates & Fees
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
on American Express’ website
Rates & Fees
Earn 2 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Average rate of return at IHG Hotels: 13.1%.
IHG offers two credit cards issued by Chase. Loyalists with IHG will earn the most points through the Platinum Elite status offered by the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Average rate of return at Wyndham 11.4%.
Wyndham offers two cards with similar earnings rates. Because the earning rates are so similar, most people will likely do better with the $0-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card.
Average rate of return at Hilton: 10.8%.
Hilton offers a boatload of points for using their cards at Hilton hotels. Unfortunately, those points are worth less than any other major hotel loyalty program.
How to maximize your rewards
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