More Noncents! My Updated Rankings of Hotel Points Programs

Hotel Points Programs

When it comes to our points and travel hobby, I generally don’t care about cent per point (CPP) valuations.  Personal situations are all different, something CPP valuations don’t address.  Your bajillion cents per point redemption at insert-your-hotel here is worth zero to me because I don’t want to go there, anyway.  Besides, there’s so much else to take into account with hotel points programs other than a particular redemption.  In this spirit three or so years ago, I ranked these programs based on everything else.  But much has changed since, and I’m here to update my personal standings.

Note:  Again, this list is based on my own situation.  I expect others’ rankings will widely vary.  Also, this isn’t an all-encompassing reference piece covering each characteristic of every program.  Finally, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all hotel points programs.

My Rankings of Hotel Points Programs

#8. Sonesta

Previous Ranking:  #8

I was tempted to leave this program off today’s list.  Like Spirit Airlines, I used virtually all of my Sonesta rewards balance years ago on one redemption without any concrete plans to return to the program.  But unlike that recently-dead airline, I left enough points with Sonesta to maybe get a one-night stay at a lowest-tier property.  Or maybe not.  Perhaps they’ve devalued to the program and I no longer have enough.  I’m too apathetic to check anymore, so that should tell you what I think of this one.

#7. Hyatt

Previous Ranking:  #4

Based on recent events, perhaps a few less of you are spitting out your coffee right now than would have several months ago.  But I’m fairly confident a few Hyatt die-hards will question this ranking regardless.  Perhaps a minor amount of that headshaking is valid.  But that’s nothing compared to the sunk cost fallacy tied up with certain individuals’ years of Hyatt and Chase behavior.  I have less than 1k points in my World of Hyatt account, and I strongly doubt it will ever increase.  I’ll choose to remember the good times as a top-tier elite under the Hyatt Gold Passport program many years ago rather than the surreal breakfasts which only seem to exist for grinding Globalists and weary airline crews.

#6.  Best Western

Previous Ranking:  #7

I can’t remember my last Best Western stay.  But I do recall a delightful one at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort next to PCH along California’s Central Coast many years ago (back when it was still a BW).  Best Westerns can be in the darndest places, including locations which don’t have any other points hotels.  Quality can vary widely, but hidden gems abound.  It’s just a matter of doing the work, something I’m surprisingly up for with Best Western.  Perhaps some of this ranking has to do with my desire for what I can’t have.  Over time, I’ve been declined for various versions of the Best Western credit card perhaps more than any other product.  But I’ll keep chasing the dragon.  If I ever arrive, I’m confident this ranking will improve.

#5.  Wyndham

Previous Ranking:  #6

Speaking of things I can’t recall, I couldn’t tell you the last time we spent any money on either of our Wyndham credit cards (the Earner+ or the legacy 2x everywhere card).  But we pick up 22.5k points annually thanks to anniversary bonuses, 7.5k on the former and 15k on the latter.  With our modest redemptions, this more than makes up for the annual fees.  We’ll keep enjoying our infrequent redemptions at Club Wyndham properties and Caesars Rewards (hotels and everything else).  It’s just enough redeeming to avoid what’s the worst expiration policy among hotel points programs.

#4.  Choice

Previous Ranking:  #2

I still enjoy Choice Privileges, so much so that I spent $22k on my Wells Fargo Choice Select to reach Titanium, the new top-tier from the program’s recent refresh.  But the program has glaring holes.  Diamond and Titanium elites have a new complimentary breakfast benefit, but only about 1.6% Choice Privileges properties participate.  Few aspirational properties exist, and the award booking process via the Preferred Hotels and Resorts partnership has been remarkably buggy for years.  I’m still busy with this program.  But despite the recent refresh with positive developments, I’m oddly having less fun now than I did years ago.

#3.  Marriott

Previous Ranking:  #3

It seems like the connotation of “Bonvoy” – noun, verb, whatever – will never recover to mean something not negative.  Many have justifiably quit this hotel points program, but perhaps some others were too quick to pile on and went elsewhere.  Regardless, I’m cool sticking around with tempered expectations for most everything.  Quietly, Marriott properties continue to deliver for me.  With a bit of flexibility, I’ve been able to book attractive properties – think St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and JW Marriott – in the 50k nightly points neighborhood.  The inexcusably-convoluted Platinum breakfast benefit remains, but it continues to deliver in a pleasing fashion.

#2.  IHG

Previous Ranking:  #5

What others consider to be point value and this ranking are more at odds than any other program on this list.  Almost two years ago, the Regent Santa Monica opened, charging way over 100k IHG points per night.  That hasn’t really changed.  It’s not hard to find similar examples, but plenty of reasonable redemption exist elsewhere.

Meanwhile, I spent my way to IHG One Rewards Diamond status in early 2024, which lasted through 2025.  After I clarified unrelated endeavors, my decision to do so again early this year was easy.  That’s because I’ve experienced remarkable elite recognition, room upgrades and otherwise, as a Diamond.  IHG properties, particularly Kimpton and Hotel Indigo properties, make me feel valued more than any other program, even #1.  That’s why I’ll keep cobbling together justifications for spending on my Chase IHG Premier card beyond $40k with Chase offers, targeted spend bonuses, etc.

#1.  Hilton Honors

Previous Ranking:  #1

I can’t ignore that nightly award stays have gotten more expensive.  Hilton Garden Inns which cost 40k or so not long ago are somehow in the 70k range these days, or worse.  I also can’t ignore that I generally avoid these higher rates by steadily earning considerable amounts of Hilton Honors points and, more importantly, buckets of Hilton free night certificates – the best version among hotel points programs.  Also, Hilton Honors continues do add new properties to its portfolio – distinctive, higher-end, or both.

Perhaps more than any other hotel points program, I can find a Hilton Honors property at each of my travel destinations.  Most of my stays have been as a Diamond member, and I’m confident I’ll never attain the new-highest tier, Diamond Reserve.  But since that new tier arrived, I haven’t seen any huge devaluation in benefits – in my experiences, at least.  The program’s combination of footprint, value, and elite benefits still comes out on top for me.

Conclusion

My top, bottom, and third rankings are the same, but five others changed.  Choice tumbled from #2 to #4 rather recently and quickly.  More than any other chain, my experiences at IHG carried it up the list.  Hilton’s grasp at #1 is fragile, though; I suspect a devaluation of benefits and/or free night certificates could substantially impact my view of the chain.  I doubt my Hyatt ranking will ever recover.  On the flip side, I’m confident Choice could with a few relatively simple fixes.  I would view no Marriott news as good news.

How do you rank the hotel points programs these days?