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?
- Read More: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, & World of Hyatt
(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.
- Josh: Conrad Tokyo – 5 night stay for 380,000 Hilton Honors Points
- Jeff: Al Maha – 2 night stay for 115k Marriott Bonvoy points + 85,000 Free Night Certificate
- Quentin: Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort for a cash rate, earning 12 Hilton Honors points on every dollar spent
- Reed: Renaissance Koh Samui – 5 night stay using Marriott Bonvoy 50k Free Night Certificates + Conrad Singapore Orchard – 2 night stay with Hilton Free Night Certificates
(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.
- Read More: The two main accessible hotel credit cards for Canadians – American Express Marriott Bonvoy card & American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card
- Read More: American Express Membership Rewards, American Express Canada Transfer Partners Guide & Everything You Need to Know About Transfer Bonuses
(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.
- Read More: Our favorite starting US credit card – American Express Hilton Honors card (US)
- Read More: Best American Express Hilton Honors Credit Card Strategy
- Read More: Chase Ultimate Rewards & Applying for Chase Business Credit Cards
- Read More: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status, & Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime status
(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.
- Read More: Earn Hilton Honors Diamond Status just by holding the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire card (US)
- Read More: Earn Hilton Honors Gold Status just by holding the American Express Hilton Honors Surpass card (US)
(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.
- Read More: Marriott Bonvoy Breakfast Benefit Guide
- Read More: Hilton Honors Breakfast Benefit Guide
- Read More: World of Hyatt Breakfast Benefit Guide
(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.
- Read More: Earn an automatic 40 elite qualifying nights annually by holding both the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card (US) and the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US)
- Read More: Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards
- Read More: Earning Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status with Stay Edmonton Promotion & Mattress Running for Status 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.
- Read More: Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Read More: World of Hyatt Globalist Status Guide & World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards Guide
- Read More: World of Hyatt Free Night Awards Guide
- Read More: How to Get US Credit Cards as a Canadian
(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.
- Listen: Miles Ahead Episode 4 – All About Avios
- Read More: Ultimate Guide to Flight Award Release Dates
- Read More: Positioning Flights
(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.
- Listen: Miles Ahead Episode 5 – Air Canada Aeroplan
- Read More: How to Avoid Aeroplan’s Dynamic Pricing
- Read More: Understanding the Aeroplan Award Chart
- Read More: Flight Award Search Tools Compared & Seats.Aero Guide
(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.
- Read More: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Guide
(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.
- Read More: Google Fi
(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.
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
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