Is Hotel Status Worth It?

As someone who used to think loyalty programs didn’t mean much, I can tell you I was completely wrong! From the ability to make changes to non-refundable reservations for friends to upgraded suites, I can assure you that hotel status definitely has its perks! Let’s look at arguably the two largest hotel chains and their respective programs:

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is divided in to 4 levels from member to Diamond, with top tier Diamond status requiring either the Hilton Aspire credit card(150K point sign up bonus via my link) or 60 nights in a calendar year. In the chart below you will see all of the different benefits, however you can start earning before you even stay by simply singing up for free! I personally have Diamond status with Hilton and it certainly makes a difference. On a recent trip, we booked a standard room and were upgraded to a room that typically costs $550 a night!

Marriott Bonvoy

First things first, it is pronounced “marry-it” and if you don’t believe member of the Marriott Family confirmed it themselves a few years ago :). Their program is called Marriott Bonvoy and I can honestly say it is my favorite in terms of earning and redemption. As someone who travels a decent amount for work, I actually chose Marriott over Hilton as they are normally higher end hotels at reasonable prices for my destinations. A typical weekend night reservation at a beach front property like The Westin Jekyll Island Beach Resort will run you 30K Bonvoy points, which is great considering rates are north of $400.

The real benefits of Bonvoy come once you hit Gold Elite status are you are eligible for room upgrades and 2PM late checkout. These benefits can be especially beneficial when traveling at resort locations with nicer amenities that can be a day of vacation in themselves!

Personal examples of status making a difference

There are far too many instances that I have personally benefits from having status, however here are a few recent examples that saved either myself or others hundreds of dollars!

1. A few weeks ago, some friends mistakenly booked the wrong dates for an upcoming Marriott stay on a nonrefundable rate. They contacted the hotel, but were met with a firm “nothing can be done”, to which I picked up the phone and called the Platinum Elite line. Although the reservation was nonrefundable, the Platinum Elite specialist offered a one-time courtesy to change the dates…. Keep in mind I wasn’t even traveling! This saved them $200+ dollars as they would have had to eat the cost of the original room.
2. Two weeks ago we booked a pre cruise hotel room via points at a Hilton in West Palm Beach via my free night credit from the Hilton Aspire. We booked a standard room and following my tips on hotel upgrades we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite for free! We also were given $30 a day($15 per person) in food and beverage credit, which is customary at many Hilton properties. TIP!! Even if you are traveling alone say 2 guests as it is $15 per person. I did this during a recent sales trip and was able to buy coffee for several of my colleagues on the credit.
3. While on a work trip all of my colleagues were stuck waiting for their rooms until 4PM for normal check-in. I was able to check in and select my room on my way to the hotel and had a room waiting for me around noon due to my Hilton Diamond status.

Do you have hotel loyalty status? What hotel chains do you normally stay at? Drop a comment below on any benefits you have experienced!