Ep 006 – The Most Rewarding Hotel Loyalty Program + Q&A

/ Podcast / Ep 006 – The Most Rewarding Hotel Loyalty Program + Q&A

Mastering Hotel Loyalty Programs: Strategies, Tips, & Real-World Insights

In Episode 6 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Jeff, and Quentin dive deep into the world of hotel loyalty programs, featuring a detailed analysis of the big three programs including Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt. 

Throughout the episode, the team explores strategies for maximizing points earnings in hotel loyalty programs, redemption opportunities, and the value that hotel program elite statuses can offer to travelers. 

The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire review of listener-submitted questions on Avios, Aeroplan, Alaska Miles, and US credit cards.

(00:39) Episode Overview

For this episode, the big three hotel loyalty programs will be the focus of discussion: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt. Where do these programs excel, and which program is best for earning points, redeeming points, and for their elite status benefits?

(01:44) Memorable Hotel Redemptions

The team shares their most memorable hotel redemptions, and how they made them happen through the power of miles and points.

(08:54) Earning Hotel Loyalty Points

Earning hotel loyalty program points is a critical part of being able to make a future redemption. The team explores some of the main options for Canadians to earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs.

(13:34) Strategies for Earning Hotel Loyalty Points on U.S. Credit Cards

US credit cards are magnitudes more powerful when it comes to accruing hotel loyalty program points as there are more options for earning and they often have outsized welcome bonuses.

(23:15) Redeeming Hotel Loyalty Points

Each hotel loyalty program has some unique value angles for making good redemptions, whether offering the fifth night free on a points booking or having non-dynamic room redemption pricing.

(26:43) All-Inclusive Resort Redemptions

While they are not often talked about in the world of miles and points, all-inclusive properties are a draw for many consumers, and World of Hyatt is the best way to book many of these properties.

(28:21) Hotel Loyalty Program Unique Partnerships

While the big three hotel loyalty programs have properties that range from basic to extreme luxury, two of them also have unique partnerships that open up a whole other segment of luxury hotels and resorts to consider staying at.

  • Read More: Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) partnered with Hilton Honors
  • Read More: Mr. & Mrs. Smith partnered with World of Hyatt

(32:33) Hotel Loyalty Program Elite Status & Hilton Honors Elite Status

Elite status is a major aspect of what makes these hotel loyalty programs valuable, as they introduce benefits like suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and even more perks.

(34:41) Comparing Breakfast Benefits Across Hotel Loyalty Programs

Complimentary breakfast is the biggest hotel loyalty elite status benefit, as it can add up to hundreds in savings over the course of a vacation. Each program handles this benefit a bit differently, with Marriott Bonvoy being the most difficult to understand.

(36:25) Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status & Benefits

While Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status can be earned by holding a US credit card, earning the nights required for status is actually much more straightforward thanks to credit card benefits and semi-frequent Marriott Bonvoy promotions for double elite qualifying nights.

(38:40) World of Hyatt Elite Status & Benefits

World of Hyatt is the hardest program to earn meaningful elite status with, but the benefits are the best. Even if you can’t earn Globalist status, there are a few tricks you can implement to enjoy the benefits on your next stay.

(42:50) Strategies for Maximizing Hotel Loyalty Programs

It can be worth diversifying earning points and participating in different hotel loyalty programs, but it will ultimately depend on your travel desires and habits. While it can be easier to start with and understand one program, long-term diversity should always be the goal.

(51:02) Listener Question: Finding Avios Award Availability

Roger asks how to best find seat availability when using British Airways Avios points, as opposed to just waiting for windfall award seat releases.

(53:39) Listener Question: Aeroplan Tips

Roger also wants to know how to find Aeroplan flights from the United States that avoid Aeroplan dynamic pricing.

(56:05) Listener Question: Earning & Using Alaska Miles in Canada

Taylor asks how best to earn and use Alaska Miles in Canada since both of the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercards are no longer available for new applications. 

For now, American Express Membership Rewards (US) can be transferred to Hawaiian Airlines Miles at a rate of 1:1, which can then be transferred to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at a rate of 1:1. We don’t expect this opportunity to be available forever.

(57:52) Listener Question: Managing Membership Rewards Points

Gordon asks how to reinstate American Express Membership Rewards points after canceling a Membership Rewards earning credit card.

(01:00:31) Listener Question: Verification Texts for U.S. Credit Cards

Teresa asks how to receive verification texts for US credit cards and if it is possible for Canadian phone providers to receive these text messages, or if a US phone number is required.

(01:04:36) Conclusion & Next Episode Preview

Submit episode-specific questions on the episode page and if you have any questions you would like us to answer on Miles Ahead, submit them here.

Join us for the next episode, where we will be discussing everything you need to know about US credit cards for Canadians.

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2 comments on “Ep 006 – The Most Rewarding Hotel Loyalty Program + Q&A

  1. Great episode!! After this episode I’m getting interested in the US credit Card ecosystem.

    Just wondering after youre all set up as far as obtaining the ITIN and getting few credit cards generally how much do you need to pay the IRS income taxes every year?

    Regards

    Reply
    • Hey Mike,

      Thanks for listening. US cards is the next episode! But to answer your question, you only pay the first year.Then, optionally, you can pay once every 3 years for a small return to keep the ITIN in active status. You can also allow it to go inactive and typically suffer no consequences.

      Regards,
      Reed

      Reply