Best Hotel Rewards Programs for Canadians

Not all hotel rewards programs are created equal, and Marriott Bonvoy has the best hotel-specific program in Canada. It's also the only program that offers hotel-branded credit cards that help with earning rewards.

This article reviews the best hotels with rewards programs, shows which ones offer the most value, discusses how to earn and redeem points with each program, and much more. There's also a list of the best hotel credit cards for Canadians.

What's the best hotel rewards program?

With a 12.4% return on spending, Marriott Bonvoy has the best hotel rewards program in Canada.

To find the best hotel rewards program, we looked at how many points you'd get for booking a typical hotel night stay, how much those points are worth, and what your average rate of return is.

Keep in mind that while we ranked hotel programs by the value of their reward points, other perks or aspects of the program might make some more valuable based on your travel preferences.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is one of the biggest hotel rewards programs, with over 9,700 properties worldwide. It's officially operated by Marriott International, with 30 participating chains that allow you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

As you earn points for travel, you'll also earn Elite Night Credits that count toward status, perks, and free reward stays.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (1.24 CPP): cash + points, instant redemption, pay with points, PointSavers destinations
• Travel (0.56 CPP): car rentals, cruises, flights
• Charity (0.41 CPP)

Choice Privileges

Over 7,400 properties worldwide are part of the Choice Privileges program, operated by Choice Hotels. You can earn points for qualifying stays and redeem them for reward nights, gift cards, events, or transfer them to other reward programs.

Unfortunately, the sole co-branded credit card is only available to U.S. citizens. Many of the program's perks and benefits aren't offered to Canadians either.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (1.09 CPP)
• Events and experiences (value varies): CFL and VIP racing experiences
• Gift card (0.31 CPP)

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham hotels and resorts operate the Wyndham Rewards program, which rewards you for stays, travel bundles, meeting and event space reservations, tours and activities, car rentals, and online shopping. You can purchase points or even earn them for taking surveys.

As with many hotel rewards programs, redeeming points for hotel stays is your best option, but your runner-up choices offer roughly the same value.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (0.9 CPP)
• Transfer to airline partners (0.4 CPP): 9 airline partners available
• Gift cards (0.37 CPP): 4 denominations offered

IHG One

When you think of luxury hotels and resorts, you're probably imagining an IHG hotel. If you're an IHG One member, you'll earn points and status for your stays. Members also enjoy no blackout dates, access to member rates and offers, free Wi-Fi, and late check-out.

Note that as you earn status, you'll get accelerated rewards and free nights at IHG properties.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (0.84 CPP)
• Transfer to airline partners (0.4 CPP)
• Merchandise (0.31 CPP)

Best Western Rewards

If you're looking for a reward program with no blackout dates and points that never expire, Best Western Rewards is worth considering. This is the loyalty program for Best Western hotels and properties. Members earn points for hotel stays, car rentals, and flights with airline partners, which they can redeem for reward stays and more.

Best Western has an extensive network of affordable hotels, as well as some higher-end options when you want to splash out.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (0.83 CPP)
• Best Western gift cards (0.67 CPP)
• Digital Visa or Amazon gift cards (0.42 CPP)

Hilton Honors

Hilton, the global luxury chain, operates the Hilton Honors rewards program. Members can earn points for qualifying stays, car rentals, Lyft rides, using eligible Amex credit cards, and more.

As you earn reward points, you'll also earn status within the program. With elite status, you'll earn points faster, enjoy discounts on your stays, get free bottles of water, and enjoy discounted spa treatments.

Best redemption options:

• Hotel stays (1.61 CPP)
• Honors experiences (0.5 CPP)
• Car rentals (0.2 CPP)

Hyatt Rewards

The World of Hyatt loyalty program, managed by Hyatt hotels is the only rewards program on our list where a hotel stay isn't your best redemption option. You can only earn points by booking stays at Hyatt properties or car rentals through Avis, so the program is a bit limiting.

However, if you're someone who makes a lot of purchases at Hyatt properties for dining, spa treatments, event spaces, or experiences, you might be able to accumulate points a little faster.

Best redemption options:

• Car rentals (1.3 CPP): Avis
• Transfer points to airline partners (0.8 CPP)
• Hotel stays (0.3 CPP)

How to choose a hotel rewards program

To choose the hotel rewards program that best works for you, you should consider where the hotel properties are located, the types of perks the program offers, and, of course, how valuable the rewards actually are.

Of course, you don't have to choose just one rewards program to participate in, but to make the most of any program, you should study the following details:

Hotel locations

It doesn't matter if a hotel chain has an amazing rewards program if there aren't any hotel locations in places where you travel.

Take a moment to see which hotels are in areas that you frequently visit, so you're more likely to actually use the program.

Types of properties offered

Next, consider what your hotel needs are. Are you travelling for work, or are you looking for a luxury travel experience? Maybe you just need a basic room to crash as you continue travelling to your destination. If you're travelling with your family, does the hotel offer the amenities you need?

Perks

Once you've narrowed down the types of rooms or hotels you're looking for, pay attention to any perks the programs offer. You might prefer hotels that offer free breakfast, for instance, or maybe you travel at odd hours and need a late checkout.

Especially if you're deciding between a few options, perks like free room upgrades or a voucher for drinks could be enough to tip the scales.

Rewards value

Most Canadians don't want to put in the effort to join and participate in a program that doesn't offer real value. Take a look at the table above to see how much each rewards program's points are worth. The higher the CPP, the better.

Consider how you'd like to redeem your rewards, too. Are you looking for simple cash back or lots of flexible redemption options? This can help narrow your choices down.

Rewards transfer partners

Many people don't mind joining and staying within a single hotel rewards ecosystem, but if you like to move your rewards around, choose a program that allows you to transfer points to partners.

For instance, you might rack up Amex Membership Rewards points by using a credit card for everyday purchases. Then, you can move the points to Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy and redeem them for your next big trip.

Best hotel credit cards

Unsurprisingly, the best hotel credit card in Canada is the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. It may not be the best for your personal needs, but this card and its business counterpart, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, have earn rates that are much higher than other cards on the list.

Still, Marriott might not be right for you, so consider these top hotel credit cards:

FAQ

What hotel chain offers the best rewards program?

The best hotel chain rewards program is Marriott Bonvoy. This is largely because, at 12.4%, it offers the most generous rate of return. You'll also be able to stay and earn at over 9,700 properties, including 30 unique chains, all over the world.

Are Marriott or Hilton rewards better?

Between these close competitors, Marriott Bonvoy gives a better rate of return, more reward options, and more earning opportunities. Each Marriott Bonvoy point is worth 50% more than a Hilton Honors point, although Hilton does have more participating properties – 8,300 to Marriott's 9,700.

Is IHG or Bonvoy better?

Marriott Bonvoy offers a much better rate of return than IHG One – 12.4% compared to 8.4%. It also offers a few affiliated credit cards, making it even easier to earn rewards. Marriott points last longer than IHG One, and there are more participating hotels to choose from.

What's the best hotel rewards program for free nights?

The Marriott Bonvoy program is the best choice for a hotel rewards program if you want to rack up free reward nights. Stays earn you Elite Night Credits, and you can gain status (and reward nights) faster by using a Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card.

What's the best hotel credit card?

The best hotel credit card for you depends on which rewards program you plan to participate in. That said, if you're strictly looking for a hotel card with the best average rate of return, go with the American Express Cobalt Card for an average 4.5% earn rate.