Checking In & Out: Reevaluating My Hotel Loyalty Program Elite Strategy

Hotel Loyalty Program Elite Status

After defining my goals, my second-most important effort in the points and travel hobby is periodically reevaluating them.  So much is consistently changing in our shared, dynamic fascination.  One of many areas I must routinely review is my hotel loyalty program elite strategy.  Where do things currently stand with each program, how do my updated goals align (or not), and how should I optimally adapt?  Here’s how I’m currently feeling about our elite status with the following hotel loyalty programs.

Hilton Honors

After a few months at “lowly” Hilton Honors Gold status (which I actually consider the best mid-tier hotel elite level), I recently returned to top-tier (as of right now) Hilton Honors Diamond status.  I did so by upgrading a Hilton Amex Surpass card to an Aspire, which automatically grants Diamond.  While our Amex card moves will remain as busy, I’ll stay at Diamond for the foreseeable future.  That’s because my wife and I value Hilton Honors cards more than other Amex cobranded product.  Not surprisingly, my wife will remain at the Diamond level, as well.

The benefits of consumer Hilton cards continue to deliver for us, and we appreciate the ease of movement between the three.  We’ll see what happens with this upcoming Diamond Reserve tier, though.  I don’t imagine we’ll ever achieve that, nor do we care to under the apparent requirements currently spreading.

Marriott Bonvoy

I still currently hold Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status thanks to a Marriott Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card.  But I’ve since closed this account, and I’ll eventually end up as a Gold again (from my Platinum card).  We haven’t stayed in Marriott properties as often in the past year as we did in the few years prior.  It turns out I might not be able to successfully redeem all of my Nightly Upgrade Awards this year.  Still, I have a few Marriott stays planned for later in 2026 and will want Platinum benefits (breakfast, particularly) for them.  I’ll look to pick up Platinum status again before then, hopefully via a no-lifetime-language, hopefully-elevated Brilliant welcome offer.

We’re gradually siphoning the wife’s Bonvoy points balance to my account at the 100k annual limit.  Similar to my situation, she’s a soon-expiring Platinum after closing her Brilliant card a few months ago.  But her returning to Platinum isn’t as integral.  Longer term, we’re primarily focusing stays from my Brilliant account.  We may fit in one or two more stays while she’s a Platinum, but there’s no urgency here.  Depending how things are going next year, she may or may not obtain Platinum again, but we have no definite plans for her to return.

IHG One Rewards

I’ve been up and down on IHG status throughout the years, and I’ve most recently enjoyed Diamond for the past couple.  In my experience, the top-tier Diamond recognition has been substantial via room and suite upgrades.  Plus, the breakfast benefit is excellent, only outpaced by Hyatt, in my view.  As recently as a few weeks ago, I planned to requalify for Diamond early next year for another almost-two years at that level.

But based on other spending priorities, I’m reconsidering.   It’s now harder to rationalize $40k spend on my Chase IHG Premier to obtain it again.  Couple this with zero concrete IHG stays planned in the next two years beyond using the Premier certs, and the return just isn’t there right now.  To be clear, I’ll see where I’m at on 1 Jan to make a (more) final decision.  But as it stands right now, I’m channeling my inner-Randy Jackson – “It’s gonna be a ‘no’ from me.”

The wife’s situation is clearer, though.  She had a great ride as a Diamond since early 2024, but the future juice just ain’t worth the squeeze.

Choice Privileges

I’ve been consistently enjoying the Choice Privileges Select Visa since opening the card shortly after its arrival a few years ago.  Indeed, I’ve primarily held onto it thanks to the solid 30k-point anniversary bonus and 5x bonus category earning.  It also comes with oh-by-the-way mid-tier Platinum status in the Choice Privileges program.  Have I experienced any substantive benefits this status?  Hardly.  But they throw me a $5 Starbucks gift card every now and then – just enough for a tall Pike Place, amirite?!

Maybe Choice Hotels knows their status levels are a bit forgettable, because the program’s getting a big refresh in 2026, including a new, top-tier Titanium elite status.  As of right now, I don’t much care, as I primarily redeem Choice Privileges points via Preferred Hotels & Resorts – where my Choice status matters zero.  But we’ll see what the new year’s changes bring.

Wyndham Rewards

We’re holding onto status by a thread here – not that we’re trying.  I don’t have any recognition in the Wyndham Rewards program, which is perfectly fine with me.  My wife has automatic Platinum status due to holding the Earner Plus card.  She keeps this card for other reasons, though:

• 7.5k anniversary bonus points
• 10% fewer reward points required for redemptions
• 4x earning at grocery stores and restaurants

Like our legacy Wyndham Rewards cards, which provide 15k anniversary bonus points each, she’ll hold onto her Earner Plus indefinitely.  We’ll keep occasionally redeeming at Wyndham properties, but also with Caesars transfers and redemptions for free rooms and incidentals.

Hotel Loyalty Program Elite Status – Conclusion

Some will notice several missing programs.  That’s not by accident.  I’m not wasting time discussing elite benefits for programs not aligned with my goals.  Hyatt Globalist is excellent (been there, done that as a Diamond in the previous Gold Passport program), but the chain’s limited footprint doesn’t match with our travel goals.  I’m curious to see what’s to come next year, though – particularly the shakeup at the top-level in Hilton Honors and the complete details of the Choice Privileges refresh.

What are your hotel loyalty program elite plans for the near future?