Hotel chain affinity programs

[glc]

I figured I'd start a thread on these because from reading her posts, Donna seems to say that Choice has a good program for getting free nights and it looks to be a lot more generous than Wyndham, which I have.

Wyndham Rewards - you get 10 points for every $USD you spend. Free nights start at 15000 points. So - if you stay at a lower end Wyndham such as Super 8, Microtel, or Knights Inn, it will take you around 25 stays to get a free night.

Anyone care to share details such as these about their programs?

[Midwest Michael]

Choice is really the only one I use. They very frequently have a "get your 3rd stay free" promotions, or something of similar value.

For example, right now, they've got a 2 stays get a $50 gift card (for a variety of chain restaurants and stores) promotion. How it works is that your 2nd stay will bump you up to 8,000 points, which you can exchange for the gift card, however, 8,000 points is also enough to get a free night at many choice hotels. There's remarkably little fine print with the deal too. At the low end choice properties (Econolodge, Rodeway Inn), you have to stay 2 nights in a row for it to count as a stay, but otherwise it's very easy to rack up free stays. It's especially valuable if you typically only stay in a place for one night, as it basically becomes a get the 3rd night free deal. If you stay at a hotel for a week, it only counts as one stay and isn't as good of a deal.

Best Western actually has a similar promotion going on right now too, I believe. In fact, it is a pretty common banner ad on RTA. I haven't actually used that one myself though, just because Best Westerns are usually at a price point higher than I want to pay.

I really don't use any other hotel loyalty program, because they just aren't worth it to me. Nearly every hotel I stay at, I'm using some kind of discounted rate - usually coupons or priceline - and thus am ineligible to get loyalty points. But the discounted rate is still a much better deal than getting a free room after 8-10 stays at the rack rate, which seems pretty common for a loyalty program payout.

[glc]

I do get the points when I use AARP rate, but not when using coupons out of rest area coupon books.

[Midwest Michael]

Yes, AARP and AAA discounts typically will still earn rewards points with all of the loyalty programs. That's true with Choice as well. Those discounts usually are only 5-10% off the regular rate, and many times, you can still find the same prices just by booking online with an "internet user" rate.

Coupons books and priceline/hotwire rates are usually significantly cheaper - of course they also come with strings attached.

[DonnaR57]

We actually haven't been able to take Choice up on their offer. One thing about them, the "offer ends soon" is a reality: they often have an expiration date on the 3rd night. However, Choice *will* give us points if we come in on a coupon, or at least they have in the past. Last summer, we stayed at a Quality Inn in Springfield, Ohio, and when I looked at our account with Choice, points were given for that stay despite the fact that we came in on a coupon. (That particular hotel also accommodated our request for a first floor room without batting an eyelash!)


Donna

[Midwest Michael]

I think you are mistaken Donna, as there isn't an expiration for the 3rd night. I've still got points/free nights from last year, that I'm planning on using this summer.

There are clearly listed expiration dates for when you have to make your two stays. For example, the current promotion says the 2 stays have to be between May 7 and August 19, but once you've made those stays, the points are yours to keep.

Interesting point on the coupon, though. Usually points fall under the "can't be used with other offers" restriction, but that's a good reminder that it never hurts to ask!

Actually, if the stay where you used a coupon was one of the places you were hoping to use as one of your "2 stays," that probably explains why you didn't get a free night. You have to book online or through the 800 number to qualify for the promotion.