Loyalty program explainers

The single best transfer partner across Chase UR and Amex MR for premium-cabin Star Alliance redemptions.

Best partner program for ANA business and first class. Also the easiest Delta One award redemptions on points.

Both are Hyatt's premium brands but they cater to different travelers. Here's how to pick.

Marriott's luxury brands (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION, Bulgari) deliver but Bonvoy's dynamic pricing makes the math unpredictable.

30,000 points per night for top-tier luxury. The most-redeemed price point in the entire program.

15,000 points per night for surprising luxury. The best Hyatt sweet spots aren't the cat 7 properties, they're cat 4.

Both are the top transferable-bank-points currencies. Each has unique strengths. Most points-and-miles travelers should have both.

Maldives is one of the most-aspirational points redemptions. Here's the program-by-program math.

The most under-used Bonvoy redemption tactic. Cuts effective points price by 20% on any 5+ night award stay.

The single feature that makes IHG points competitive. Cuts effective points price by 25% on any 4+ night award stay.

The world's largest hotel loyalty program, but the points-per-dollar value runs lower than World of Hyatt.

The highest-value chain hotel program. Fixed award chart, transparent categories, and the best elite tier benefits.

The largest hotel loyalty program by member count. Dynamic pricing, weak point value, but strong elite breakfasts.

Sleeper program with the IHG Premier card's 4th-night-free benefit on award stays.

60 nights/year for the most aggressive elite benefits in hotel loyalty. Almost always yes, if you stay 30+ nights anyway.