What is your favourite hotel loyalty program, and why?

[Rhirhi]

As the title says! I’m curious to hear which loyalty program people are considering most worthwhile, and why.
I am Accor platinum, Hilton Diamond and haven’t ventured any further than that. I like the lounges at Accor more than the Hilton properties I’ve stayed at, but find other supposed perks very hit and Miss (e.g. welcome amenity).
would love to hear pros and cons from others.

 

[cove]

We use Marriott and IHG. Their points work.

 

[SYD]

Hilton used to be one of best and HH Gold probably still is the best mid tier level out there (with comp B’fast of some sort) and generally easy to get a SM from another program. But the redemption rates have been enhanced beyond recognition.

ALL Accor has gone from ugly duckling to semi reasonable. In APAC, status recognition for Gold and up is generally pretty good. You can’t however milk the system since 2000 pts is only ever worth €40, so you’ll never get any oversized return - like scoring an over water bungalow for X pts vs $$$$$.

IHG still seems to be ok at recognising elites but redemptions have also been enhanced. It’s still 1 of 2 (with Accor) for me at the moment.

 

[Human]

As someone who almost exclusively pays for my own accommodation and who isn't on a huge income, ALL is the way to go for me. I like how EITHER nights OR spend earns elite status, so even stays at budget hotels such as Ibis count towards qualification and re-qualification for (in my case) ALL Gold. Their room upgrades are very much hit-and-miss (sometimes it's as little as an "upgrade" to exactly the same room but in an allegedly nicer location within the hotel building), but at their best they're very nice and I've had the occasional very pleasant surprise.

If someone else such as my employer were paying, I'd be looking at Hilton or one of the other programmes. But for spending as little as possible for benefits as big as possible, I'm reasonably happy with Accor.

 

[Rhirhi]

Hilton used to be one of best and HH Gold probably still is the best mid tier level out there (with comp B’fast of some sort) and generally easy to get a SM from another program. But the redemption rates have been enhanced beyond recognition.

ALL Accor has gone from ugly duckling to semi reasonable. In APAC, status recognition for Gold and up is generally pretty good. You can’t however milk the system since 2000 pts is only ever worth €40, so you’ll never get any oversized return - like scoring an over water bungalow for X pts vs $$$$$.

IHG still seems to be ok at recognising elites but redemptions have also been enhanced. It’s still 1 of 2 (with Accor) for me at the moment.

Great points. I might need to consider IHG. I think I’m ready to farewell HH…

 

[Rhirhi]

As someone who almost exclusively pays for my own accommodation and who isn't on a huge income, ALL is the way to go for me. I like how EITHER nights OR spend earns elite status, so even stays at budget hotels such as Ibis count towards qualification and re-qualification for (in my case) ALL Gold. Their room upgrades are very much hit-and-miss (sometimes it's as little as an "upgrade" to exactly the same room but in an allegedly nicer location within the hotel building), but at their best they're very nice and I've had the occasional very pleasant surprise.

If someone else such as my employer were paying, I'd be looking at Hilton or one of the other programmes. But for spending as little as possible for benefits as big as possible, I'm reasonably happy with Accor.

You make such a good point about the two different ways to attain ALL status. I also like that Accor has such a range across price points, e.g. Ibis up to Fairmont etc. I just wish their status recognition was more consistent!

 

[sudoer]

You can’t however milk the system since 2000 pts is only ever worth €40, so you’ll never get any oversized return - like scoring an over water bungalow for X pts vs $$$$$.

You can't milk the system the "usual way", but you can buy ALL points at a ~30% discount through ALL Signature, and then use them on discounted rates via Accor Plus. Put together it's not difficult to get 50% off the public rate.

ALL Signature also gets you nearly all the way to Platinum, meaning free breakfast (in APAC), lounges where available, a couple of suite night upgrades, and the other usual perks.

Once you consider the benefits of Accor Plus, ALL Signature and ALL Platinum combined, it's a much more attractive program. It also needs to be mentioned that Accor Plus easily has the best coverage of Australia, and widest coverage of price points, compared with the other big international chains.

Outside of Australia I'll usually preference Hilton, as the US Amex (Surpass/Aspire) setup is quite lucrative.

 

[Flyerwin]

ALL - because of Accor Plus free from Amex Platinum, and its coverage.

 

[SYD]

You can't milk the system the "usual way", but you can buy ALL points at a ~30% discount through ALL Signature, and then use them on discounted rates via Accor Plus. Put together it's not difficult to get 50% off the public rate.

ALL Signature also gets you nearly all the way to Platinum, meaning free breakfast (in APAC), lounges where available, a couple of suite night upgrades, and the other usual perks.

Once you consider the benefits of Accor Plus, ALL Signature and ALL Platinum combined, it's a much more attractive program. It also needs to be mentioned that Accor Plus easily has the best coverage of Australia, and widest coverage of price points, compared with the other big international chains.

Outside of Australia I'll usually preference Hilton, as the US Amex (Surpass/Aspire) setup is quite lucrative.

Yeah, I meant to mention the coverage/range of ALL in APAC is also handy over HH and IHG (the later is pretty decent also).

I’ve not tried the Signature route yet but may ponder it now my ALL Ibis has expired. Also looking a A+ (which I couldn’t do with ALL Ibis).

 

[drron]

I started off with the Sheraton gold Club back in the 80s. simple but good benefits, Was a life gold member but they then joined SPG and all that disappeared.
As later in he 80s we began travelling to the USA I signed on with HH. Easy to get to diamond on nights and stays with 3-4 week stays in the US. Was treated very well initially but they began ignoring me. very few upgrades and not getting lounge access at ADL, KL and dubai in the one year I decided to do status match with SPG. The first time I compared was on a trip to Spain. In Barcelona stayed at the Hilton diagonal. no upgrade and had to fight for EL access. The first stay for SPG was the Westin Madrid. Upgraded to the 9 room Royal Suite. The result was SPG won my loyalty.

SPG was a very good program for us and I got to LTP. but then taken over by Marriott and apar from places we had stayed with frequently when with SPG the upgrades etc were pretty hit and miss. Then early 2023 they had changed GMs at the SGS and it went down hill. old staff were sad with the changes so on the next time in Bangkok gave marriott a chance staying at the Westin and ROS. treated very well. But I also added a stay at the IC Bangkok - I did have an Ambassador membership and a bit surprisingly the gave us Club access. The rest is history.

So I find it easy to maintain diamond with IHG by buying bonus points with stays so I requalify on points. I make sure I get to 40 nights so that I get annual lounge access. With ICs this means if you don't want to spend extra on food or alcohol you are covered. Experience with upgades is consistent even with HIs. At present my hotel loyalty is IHG until our hotels stays become infrequent or I win the lotto.

 

[Human]

You can't milk the system the "usual way", but you can buy ALL points at a ~30% discount through ALL Signature, and then use them on discounted rates via Accor Plus. Put together it's not difficult to get 50% off the public rate.

ALL Signature also gets you nearly all the way to Platinum, meaning free breakfast (in APAC), lounges where available, a couple of suite night upgrades, and the other usual perks.

Once you consider the benefits of Accor Plus, ALL Signature and ALL Platinum combined, it's a much more attractive program. It also needs to be mentioned that Accor Plus easily has the best coverage of Australia, and widest coverage of price points, compared with the other big international chains.

Outside of Australia I'll usually preference Hilton, as the US Amex (Surpass/Aspire) setup is quite lucrative.

I'd never heard of ALL Signature and I am now officially intrigued. From a Google search it seems to be an overseas subscription programme that Australians can access? Can you point me in the direction of a guide to the programme and/or any hacks such as special offers or deals?

 

[bellroy26]

IHG. Got the glitch Diamond in 2022 and has never let go of it since. Was a bit lucky as I haven't stayed 70 nights per year or close to it. Got extended to 2024 with the Ambassador trick. Was ready to let it go this year but last year they offered the buy points to stay Diamond for 2025. I reached 40 nights last year so managed to get the lounge access and 2 CSU awards.

Some of the most memorable stays I've had:

• Regent Phu Quoc for 3 nights using points. The welcome amenity in-room was mindblowing. Got 3x cakes + 1x anniversary cake + welcome fruits, + bottle of wine on top of free minibar. It was our anniversary and they gave us a free 35-minute couple foot massage in their spa. The lounge was next legel, didn't have to spend anything during that 3 nights stay.
• InterContinental Sydney for 2 nights using points last week during Vivid. I used my CSU voucher, agent said she can only see 1 Bedroom Suite City View. I asked if there's any way I can get the Bridge View, and agent added it to the notes to the hotel. 1 week prior, IC Sydney upgraded that stay to a Bridge View (which was more than $2K in value).
• InterContinental Hanoi Westlake for 4 nights using points this year during Easter. I wanted to use CSU to upgrade to a suite, but decided to message hotel and asked nicely if they can consider upgrading us to a suite. They did a week prior to my stay there which was again almost $2k in value.

I have been luckier this year than the previous years but the value I have been getting with IHG has been through the roof. The free breakfast, room upgrades, and lounge access are my favourite benefits.

 

[oz_mark]

At the moment, I would say Accor ALL. Teamed with Accor Plus it gets me to Platinum, which is a pretty good spot to be in. Around APAC generally has the best coverage and prices.

I also use IHG - used to be a big user, but the program evolved away from throwing free nights at you (remember the promotions that offered buckelloads of points, the pointsbreak offers etc). That said, I still like the InterContinental Hotels.

GHA Discovery is bit of an up and comer - especially as there is now breakfast at a bunch of their brands for titanium members.

 

[jase05]

Accor Plus for me. As a Diamond we get treated pretty well in Australia and exceptionally well in Asia and the ME. Their coverage is good in Australia even though Perth and Canberra are a bit of a black spot IMO.
I’d love more upmarket properties in Europe but the ones they do have treat us well and some absolute gems in there.
First trip to the US this year and unfortunately it looks fairly bleak there but managed to book a few stays there but aren’t expecting much.
Never had any Marriott status before but it seemed the best option for us and I’ve applied for the Platinum challenge and already have 20 nights booked but again not expecting much.
Had HH Diamond for a while but was a bit nonplussed by it and likewise IHG but I might look at giving them another go.
I’ve been GHA Titanium for a while and they too look after us well and as mentioned above, now they are adding breakfast to their hotels it makes them more attractive

 

[Rhirhi]

A few people have mentioned GHA and I’ve only just started looking at their program. It looks interesting! Only need to stay at three different ‘brands’ to qualify for elite status. It seems very achievable, and the benefits sound like they are improving.

 

[jase05]

A few people have mentioned GHA and I’ve only just started looking at their program. It looks interesting! Only need to stay at three different ‘brands’ to qualify for elite status. It seems very achievable, and the benefits sound like they are improving.

Easiest group to get status with.
Status benefits can be patchy but I’ve found them pretty good especially in Asia

 

[serfty]

Guaranteed benefits are what interest me most in deciding status opportunity/pursuit.

Generally, I go where the free breakfast is ... upgrades are nice but you can't eat a view.

I average about 40 room nights a year so need to optimise em'.

Based on guaranteed benefits, the best status of the major programs is World of Hyatt Globalist, but at 60 room nights and pretty expensive at that, it's a tough haul. In 2018 I decided it was no longer for me. (Thanks to covid I still have the last vestiges of WoH soft landing with guaranteed 2pm check out.)

Some efficiently targeted stays in Malaysia over the last three years have enabled retention of Hilton Gold breakfast and with Accor "throwing itself" at me last year I have managed to get to Platinum status with them as well. The latter now looks to be my main aim for the next year or so.

Interestingly, on a per breakfast basis, Hilton Gold works better in Europe than ALL Platinum.

 

[sudoer]

Interestingly, on a per breakfast basis, Hilton Gold works better in Europe than ALL Platinum.

Accor status is nearly pointless outside APAC.

 

[Rhirhi]

Accor status is nearly pointless outside APAC.

Yes, I recently found that throughout the UK and France. No status recognition at all, beyond the in-app welcome drinks. It was really disappointing actually, although not unsurprising given accounts I had read before my trip.

 

[jase05]

Yes, I recently found that throughout the UK and France. No status recognition at all, beyond the in-app welcome drinks. It was really disappointing actually, although not unsurprising given accounts I had read before my trip.

As always, it’s inconsistent.
Some of the best status recognition, perks and upgrades I’ve had has been in Europe but likewise I’ve had plenty of stays where you get nix.