Hotel Points: Are They Worth Collecting?

Hotel loyalty programs promise free nights and elite perks. But are they actually worth your attention—or should you use bank points instead?

The Case for Hotel Points

Elite status perks:

• Room upgrades
• Late checkout
• Free breakfast (Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum)
• Bonus points on stays

Award availability: Generally better than airline awards. Most hotels have some award availability.

Best Strategy by Program

Hyatt: Worth collecting. Transfer Chase points 1:1. Excellent value.

Marriott: Collect through stays and Amex card. Don’t transfer bank points.

Hilton: Get status through Amex cards. Use Hilton-specific cards for points.

IHG: Niche use only. Don’t prioritize.

Last updated: January 2026 Affiliate disclosure: ShortcutBest may earn a commission when you apply through our links.