Hotel loyalty programs vs booking sites: which saves you more?

If you belong to a hotel chain's loyalty program, every trip raises the same question: book direct and earn points and status, or book somewhere else at a lower price? There is no single answer, but there is a quick way to work it out for each trip.

What you give up when you book elsewhere

Most hotel chains award points, qualifying nights and status benefits only for bookings made directly with the chain or through channels it approves. If you book the same hotel through a booking site such as ours, you usually will not earn points, and benefits such as upgrades or late check-out may not apply. Some hotels still recognize status at the desk, but you cannot count on it.

Put a value on the points

Take the points you would earn on this stay and estimate what they are worth to you, based on rewards you actually redeem, not the best case you have read about online. If you rarely redeem points, their value to you is close to nothing.

Then compare

Take the direct price and subtract the value of the points you would earn. Compare that with the lower price elsewhere for the same room, dates and cancellation terms. If the lower price still wins, take it. If you are close to a status level whose benefits you will use this year, paying a little more to book direct can make sense.

When loyalty usually wins

• You stay with the same chain often, for work or regular trips.
• You are close to a status level whose benefits you use.
• The price difference is small.

When the lower price usually wins

• You travel a few times a year and rarely redeem points.
• You are staying at an independent hotel, or with a chain you are unlikely to use again.
• The difference is big enough to matter for this trip.

Member prices and rewards on myhoteloffers.com

When you are signed in, many hotels on our site show a member price below the public rate, and the saving is shown on the stay. You can see current member prices and deals.

Our rewards program counts your completed stays toward tiers. At participating properties, members can get offers such as breakfast with selected rooms, or a room upgrade or late check-out request that the property confirms if it can. Benefits vary by property, and we show the exact offer before you book.

A quick rule

If you can name a loyalty benefit you will actually use on this trip, look at booking direct. If you cannot, take the better price and keep the difference.