Are hotel loyalty programs worth joining? The benefits and how to earn points

Travel dollars are full of untapped potential and for those in the know, hotel reward programs are one way to put yourself in the winner's circle without spending an extra cent on your accommodation. If you're a member of your hotel's loyalty program you're probably bedding down in a better room than you might otherwise, with extra perks and a brighter smile at the check-in desk – as well as earning discounts or even free nights for your next holiday. Membership is free, joining is simple and the perks start from day one. Sign up for most hotel loyalty programs and straight away you get free in-room Wi-Fi and member rates.

If you're a frequent traveller it makes sense to register for multiple loyalty programs, but loyalty to a single brand puts you in the fast lane to elite level membership. Picking a winner from the various programs depends not only on which group you are most likely to patronise but also where you want to use those points. That makes the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty program a hot pick. There are more than 4200 properties under the Accor umbrella, from the few-frills Ibis and Novotel brands to posh Sofitel hotels, the style sanctuaries of Banyan Tree and Raffles and the glamorous Onefinestay rentals, and Accor has a strong presence across the Asia Pacific as well as Europe.

Marriott Bonvoy is the King Kong of hotel reward schemes, with more than 8000 properties in 131 countries and 30 brands including Sheraton, Weston, W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton and Le Meridien. Marriott Bonvoy has its own branded credit cards to help you pile on the points and partnerships with travel operators offering plenty more ways to earn hotel points, and to convert those points for non-hotel travel rewards if you choose. One drawback – your Marriott Bonvoy membership level depends on how many nights you stay per year in Marriott group hotels. With others such as ALL your membership level rises as you accumulate points, regardless of when.

While the perks that come with hotel loyalty points rise as you stay more nights and climb the status ladder, there's no real need to chase elite titanium or diamond status. Hyatt is not one of the strongest brands in the Asia-Pacific but for travellers who spend a lot of time in North America, the World of Hyatt membership program has a relatively low threshold for elite levels. With just 10 nights' credit you move to Hyatt's Discoverist membership level, which gets you a better room within the same category as booked and a 2pm check out.

It's not just hotel stays that accrue points. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points when they fly with Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, Qatar and Japan Airlines. Hertz car rentals also earn points for Marriott members. ALL members earn points when they fly with Qatar Airways, Qantas or LATAM, shop at an Apple store, Nike or Sunglasses Hut or buy travel goods from Delsey.