With a busy summer travel season expected and consumers looking for ways to cut costs amid inflation and tariffs, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its study on 2025’s Best Hotel Rewards Programs to help travelers maximize their savings.
WalletHub’s study ranks the nine largest U.S. hotel chains’ rewards programs based on 21 key metrics, including the average value of a point, point expiration policies, and the volatility of award-night pricing. WalletHub’s study also includes a handy calculator that allows travelers to customize the results based on their specific spending habits.
Key Findings
- Best Hotel Rewards Program: Choice Privileges is the best hotel loyalty program overall, earning a WalletHub Rating of 64 out of 100.
- Significant Savings Available: The five best hotel rewards programs save their members an average of 11%. In some cases, members can save as much as 14% at select hotels.
- Award Nights at Any Property: Six of the top nine hotel rewards programs allow members to redeem points for award nights at all brands/properties (Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges and IHG One Rewards are the exceptions).
- Rewards That Never Expire Are Rare: Best Western is the only major hotel chain whose points do not expire due to account inactivity.
- Best Hotel Credit Card: Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® is 2025’s best hotel credit card, according to WalletHub’s editors. It stands out because it can save the average person roughly $4,148 over the course of two years.
“Many Americans have serious concerns about their ability to afford summer travel this year, thanks to the cumulative effect of stubborn inflation and tariff-induced angst. The good news is that cash-strapped vacationers still have plenty of savings opportunities. For example, if your travel plans include hotel stays, you can save up to 14% by joining one of the best hotel loyalty programs for free. You can also save thousands of dollars per year with one of the best hotel credit cards. That is a powerful combination, especially when combined with comparison shopping for other aspects of your trip, from flights to clothes to food. The bottom line is that it isn’t too late to save on summer travel.”
– John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor
More from WalletHub
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