Find the Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards of 2021
Once you’ve experienced the extra perks of hotel elite status, it’s hard to go back. Room upgrades, for extra space or a special view, can make your trip extra memorable. Complimentary breakfast, late checkout and welcome amenities save members money, too. In other words, your loyalty is rewarded—sometimes handsomely.
However, it’s nearly impossible to maintain status with every hotel program out there even if you’re a very frequent traveler. And, that doesn’t even factor in the thousands of properties worldwide that don’t belong to a loyalty program at all. In other words, you’re bound to have a hotel stay where you’re not eligible for extra perks.
Luckily, there’s a workaround. Booking through specialty programs and the right travel agent can add all sorts of little extras to your reservation, no elite status required and, more importantly, with no extra charges.
What Can You Expect By Booking Through VIP Programs
While the exact benefits vary by the specific program (and even the specific hotel) that you’re booking, guests may receive early check-in and late check-out, complimentary breakfast, space available room upgrades and on-site credits toward food, beverage or spa treatments. You can confirm your specific benefits when you make the reservation. Take note of which benefits are guaranteed and which will only be offered if the hotel has availability.
In order to qualify for these special benefits, you have to book through the corresponding program. You cannot add these benefits to an existing reservation and you can’t book directly through the hotel. That may mean a little more planning ahead or picking up the phone to make a reservation rather than clicking a few buttons online.
Since you can’t book directly, there are a few potential downsides to booking through these programs. For one thing, programs may require you to book the hotel’s “best available rate”, which doesn’t include discounted rates available to you through AAA, corporate negotiations or other organizations. Travelers who qualify for cash savings rather than public prices may be better off booking through other methods and foregoing the benefits.
These programs ordinarily allow you to take advantage of loyalty perks simultaneously, such as earning rewards points or nights toward elite status. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t redeem loyalty points for free nights when booking through the majority of these specialty platforms. You’ll have to budget the old-fashioned way.
Assuming you’re planning on paying full price for your hotel stay, these programs can add up to serious savings and special treatment. That’s well worth the extra minute or two it’ll take to book your stay.
Most Popular Specialty Booking Programs
Virtuoso
Of the specialty booking programs, Virtuoso is one of the best because there’s no membership or qualification required to be eligible. They have partner hotels worldwide and focus on luxury four- and five-star properties.
Anyone booking a partner hotel through a Virtuoso travel agent receives:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- A hotel amenity (varies by hotel, but is often a $100 property credit or perk of similar value)
There’s no minimum stay required, so even a one-night reservation would qualify for the hotel amenity which can lead to some spectacular deals.
To book, you’ll need to work with a Virtuoso travel agent.
American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts
Available only to eligible U.S. The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or Centurion® Card from American Express* cardholders, the Fine Hotels & Resorts program is very similar to booking through Virtuoso. Participating properties lean toward luxury hotels.
When booking with American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, guests may receive:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (guaranteed until 4pm)
- A hotel amenity (varies by hotel, but is often a $100 property credit or perk of similar value)
- Complimentary WiFi
Reservations can be made online and cardholders have the option to redeem Membership Rewards toward the cost of their room. If you prefer not to use points, you’ll need to pay with an American Express card.
Chase Luxury & Resort Collection
For Chase cardholders, the Chase Luxury Hotel program offers some additional perks at member hotels, although benefits are less consistent in value than Virtuoso or Amex’s programs. However, nearly every Chase credit card qualifies for eligibility.
Chase Luxury Hotel Benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- A hotel amenity (varies by hotel)
Some properties include an extra hotel amenity, which may include on-site credits of $25 to $100 per stay or more targeted perks like complimentary greens fees or an airport transfer. In some cases, there’s no extra hotel amenity at all, which makes programs like Virtuoso a better option if your preferred property participates.
Reservations can be made online easily. The best part of Chase’s program vs. Amex FHR is that many cards qualify, even some with no annual fee.
Visa Infinite Hotels
If you hold a U.S.-issued Visa infinite card (such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card*), you have access to Visa Infinite Hotels, another program similar to the other credit card booking programs discussed.
Visa Infinite Benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- $25 food and beverage credit (once per stay)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Some, but not all, Visa Infinite Hotels also include additional property credits toward spa, golf or other purchases charged to your room.
If you have a qualifying credit card, you can book your stay online.
Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services Luxury Hotels and Resorts
Mastercard’s version of a VIP booking program has both pros and cons. On the one hand, nearly any Mastercard provides access to the program, including several cards with no annual fee. However, the travel search engine leaves a lot to be desired.
Travelers need to be diligent when searching and booking through Mastercard Travel: hotel results come intermixed with participating luxury properties as well as standard hotels with no extra perks. Take the extra step to filter for the “Hotel Collection”. Rates and special amenities are also all over the place, sometimes featuring great value and other times offering meager benefits and no discounts.
Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
Some properties may offer additional perks, especially if you register with a World Elite Mastercard. You’ll need to check property benefits one by one, as some hotels offer nothing more than a vague “welcome amenity” while others specify bonus spa treatments, meals or credits.
Hotel-Specific Programs
Several hotel chains offer their own specialized booking programs for extra benefits at their higher-end properties. In fact, even if you hold elite status with that hotel program, you’ll want to look into booking with one of their designated agents for the chance to receive on-site property credits in addition to your elite benefits.
Hyatt Privé
While not all Hyatt properties participate in the Hyatt Privé program, all Park Hyatt, Andaz and Miraval hotels do—as do select properties from their other brands.
On-site benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability and confirmed within 24 hours of booking)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- Hotel credit of $50 to $100 per stay
Be aware that some properties require a two-night minimum stay in order to receive these extra benefits. Reservations need to be made with a Privé-certified agent.
Hilton Impresario
Hilton’s VIP program, known as Hilton Impresario, features nearly all Waldorf-Astoria, Conrad and LXR properties worldwide.
On-site benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- $100 property credit once per stay
Some properties also include double Hilton Honors points on your stay.
Booking a Hilton Impresario stay requires working with and reserving your stay through an Impresario agent.
IHG Luxury and IHG Lifestyle
IHG Hotels breaks out its specialty booking programs into two separate categories, based on the hotel brand. IHG Luxury provides benefits at InterContinental, Regent and international Kimpton hotels while IHG Luxury offers benefits when booking select Hotel Indigo or U.S. Kimpton properties.
IHG Luxury benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (guaranteed until 2pm)
- On-site property amenity (varies by property, and is typically valued around $100 per stay)
- Complimentary basic WiFi
IHG Lifestyle benefits include:
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (guaranteed until 2pm)
- On-site property amenity (varies by property, and is typically valued around $50 per stay)
- Complimentary basic WiFi
Many properties in these programs require a minimum two-night stay to qualify and all reservations must be made through a preferred advisor.
Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous
Marriott has two separate booking programs that offer special amenities. The Marriott STARS program focuses on the upper echelon of luxury brands while the Marriott Luminous program focuses on brands on their other premium brands.
Marriott-family luxury hotels, including the BVLGARI, EDITION, Luxury Collection, Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands, participate in the Marriott STARS program.
Marriott premium brands that participate in Marriott Luminous include Autograph Collection, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, Renaissance, Tribute Portfolio, Westin and W Hotels.
The primary difference between the two programs is that only Marriott STARS guarantees a hotel credit. With Luminous, select hotels may optionally provide one.
Marriott STARS benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Property credit valued at $100 once per stay
- Complimentary basic WiFi
Marriott Luminous benefits include:
- Daily breakfast for two guests per room
- Room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- Complimentary basic WiFi
Many agents will be able to help you with both Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous, though be sure to double check while booking.
Other Preferred Partner Programs for Hotel Bookings
While we’ve rounded up some of the most popular hotel booking programs, you’ll find similar programs for other brands including Belmond Hotels, Four Seasons, Langham, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Relais and Chateau, Shangri-La, Leading Hotels of the World and more.
If you have plans to stay at a luxury hotel in the future, it’s worth reaching out to affiliated travel agents to inquire about potential programs and benefits.
How to Find Booking Representatives
While the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and Chase Luxury Hotel collections both allow online booking, most of these programs do not. You’ll need to work with a travel advisor to book your stay.
If you already have an agent you’ve worked with before and trust, they should be your first stop: It’s possible they’re already a preferred partner for your intended program and can assist with your reservation. Luxury advisors tend to be part of several hotel programs rather than specializing with a single one so you can contact them for help with multiple trips.
If you normally don’t work with an advisor, finding someone can be as simple as googling for advisors in that program. For instance, Virtuoso offers a directory of travel advisors online. However, like anything in travel, asking your friends and family for personal referrals is always a great place to start.
Once you find an advisor you like, reach out to them for all your trips. Even when you have a stay that won’t qualify for benefits in any of these programs, a good advisor can still provide local recommendations and other travel tips.
Bottom Line
While you won’t find bonus perks at all properties, many luxury hotels participate in one or more of these booking channels to offer you extra on-site benefits. All you need to do is contact the right representative for help booking through the right program in order to add VIP treatment to your next hotel stay, all at no extra cost.
Find the Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards of 2021
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