Hotel loyalty programmes can be incredibly rewarding. For frequent travellers, elite status can mean better rooms, late check out, lounge access, and recognition that genuinely improves a stay. For many people, sticking with one brand simply makes travel easier and more familiar.

At the same time, hotel status is not always the right goal for everyone. Whether or not it is worth chasing depends on how you travel, how often you travel, and what you value most from a stay.

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When hotel status makes sense

If you travel often for work or have predictable travel patterns, hotel status can be a smart strategy. Staying within one programme can unlock meaningful benefits over time, especially if you are regularly staying in cities where your preferred brand has strong coverage.

Loyalty also brings familiarity. Knowing what to expect from a brand can remove friction from travel and create a sense of comfort, particularly on busy or short trips.

For these travellers, hotel status is not about chasing perks. It is about consistency and ease.

When it may be worth staying flexible

For more occasional travellers, or those travelling for leisure a few times a year, chasing status can sometimes limit the experience.

Choosing hotels solely to maintain status might mean staying in locations that are less ideal, paying more than necessary, or missing out on unique properties that better suit the trip. In these cases, flexibility can lead to better value and more memorable stays.

No hotel loyalty programme is perfect, and no single hotel group has the best option in every destination. Coverage, quality, and benefits can vary widely from city to city.

Status is not the only way to receive great treatment

Elite status is one way to unlock benefits, but it is not the only path to a better stay.

At many hotels, travellers can also receive added value through preferred booking programmes available via travel advisors. These can include:

Hotel credit, typically US$100 to spend on F&B or Spa
Daily breakfast for two guests
Priority for room upgrades, with some hotels guaranteed room upgrade at time of booking
Welcome amenities
Early check in or late check out, subject to availability
Earn hotel loyalty points and elite night credits

It is also worth noting that some leading hotel brands, such as Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, do not operate a traditional points based loyalty programme. In these cases, preferred booking benefits are often the main way travellers receive added value and on property recognition. These hotels also maintain guest profiles, recording stay history and preferences to help personalise future visits.

For some trips, especially shorter stays or special occasions, these perks can meaningfully enhance the experience and may offer similar value to mid tier status benefits. For travellers who already hold status, these programmes often sit alongside existing loyalty benefits rather than replacing them.

This approach offers flexibility. You can enjoy added recognition and value when it makes sense, while still earning points and elite nights with your preferred hotel programme

A more balanced approach to choosing hotels

Rather than focusing purely on status, many travellers find it helpful to look at each trip individually.

This means considering:

Location and how it fits your plans
Overall value, including what is included in the rate and third night free
The style and feel of the hotel
Your budget and how you want to spend it
The kind of experience you want from the stay

Sometimes that will align perfectly with your loyalty programme. Other times, it may not.

How I help

My role is not to replace hotel loyalty programmes or discourage them. It is to help you choose the best hotel for each trip.

That might mean recommending a property within your preferred brand when it makes sense. It might also mean suggesting a different option when it offers better value, location, or overall experience for your specific plans and budget.

For travellers who are on the fence about loyalty, I can help compare options clearly and explain where status matters and where it does not.

So, should you chase hotel status?

There is no single right answer.

Hotel loyalty can be valuable, but it should support your travel, not dictate it. The best stays often come from a balance of familiarity, flexibility, and thoughtful choice rather than loyalty alone.

If you would like help deciding what makes the most sense for your travel style, I am always happy to talk it through and offer recommendations tailored to you.

Contact Ken to Book Hotels

Should You Chase Hotel Status?