Top Rewards Programs Grant Travelers Easy Path to Free Nights and Flights, Range of Perks

Airfare and hotel prices may never return to pre-pandemic levels, which means earning a free flight or hotel stay is more important than ever. That’s where travel rewards programs can help.

Some travelers make a full-time job out of maximizing points and perks from their purchases, but for those who don’t have that kind of time (or a big travel budget), U.S. News has ranked the best travel rewards programs for everyday travelers.

Travel rewards programs that make it easy and affordable for members to book a free night or flight excel in our rankings. But the best programs also provide meaningful elite status benefits with minimal spend (think: free checked luggage for airlines and late checkout for hotels) and offer plenty of choice in terms of hotel and flight options and availability. To see the full details on all of the data that goes into determining the rankings, view our methodology page.

We’ll start with the bad news. If it seems like it’s getting more difficult to hold onto your elite status, it is. This year, both hotel and airline rewards programs have generally made it more challenging to achieve and retain elite status by increasing qualification thresholds and ending COVID-19 status extensions.

Now for the good news: Compared to data from July 2022, the average number of paid nights required to earn a free hotel night has decreased by an average of two nights. Similarly, for airlines, the average number of points needed for a flight has decreased by about 18%, according to our data.

More airline and hotel loyalty programs are also allowing members to customize the perks they receive, including the revamped JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic program’s “Perks you Pick.” In addition, as a big plus for those who don’t travel as often, programs like American Airlines AAdvantage and IHG One Rewards have added bonus perks between status levels to keep incentives within reach.

Whether you travel in luxury or on a budget, across the world or on staycations, brand allegiance is key if you want to reap the most benefits from a hotel rewards program. That’s why we’re here to help you choose the right program (or programs) for you. Boasting a combination of diversity in hotel choice, exclusive benefits and an effortless path to free nights, these rewards programs are the best overall picks in the 2023-2024 rankings.

If you’re seeking the fastest track to a free night, Wyndham is your best bet. On average, members need to stay just eight nights at any Wyndham property before earning a free night (compared to the 15-night average for all programs). While you won’t see the cushy perks of some other travel rewards programs, you’ll have your pick of 8,000-plus eligible Wyndham properties that range from budget to upscale options, including some spectacular all-inclusive resorts.

If money is holding you back from your next vacation, Choice Privileges is the program for you. These days, booking a hotel room for less than $100 might seem unbelievable. But with Choice Hotels, you can still find these elusive rates in sought-after destinations like Cancun, New Orleans and Chicago. With Choice Privileges, it’s also relatively easy to earn a free night, making even more savings possible throughout the year.

Marriott’s ever-growing brand spans 138 countries and offers more than 8,500 properties, so no matter where you’re going, you can just about guarantee you’ll be able to stay and earn at a Marriott property. Marriott’s diverse portfolio also makes the Marriott Bonvoy program great for any type of vacationer, from those who want to spring for a St. Regis suite to those who prefer a more modest Courtyard by Marriott.

If you like to feel like a member of the in-crowd when you travel, join World of Hyatt. Though it’ll take you 10 nights to achieve Discoverist status, you’ll then unlock special treatment including room upgrades, elite check-in and a 2 p.m. checkout (all depending on availability). Plus, if you’re into independent hotels, you’ll receive benefits like complimentary breakfast and a noon check-in when you stay at a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property as a World of Hyatt member. And with the program’s unique Brand Explorer Award, you’ll also earn a free night every time you stay at five different Hyatt brands.

IHG One Rewards may be more of a slow burn when it comes to rewards, but it offers a significant payout for road warriors. With five membership levels and three exclusive paid or invite-only tiers, plus extra Milestone Rewards for every 10 nights you stay, IHG One Rewards is especially enticing to those who stay 40-plus nights a year. Don’t travel often? Sign up anyway; just by being a member you’ll have access to 2 p.m. checkout at IHG properties when available.

While location is often the biggest factor in choosing the best airline rewards program for you, the top programs listed below are a cut above the rest. With these frequent flyer programs, not only can members earn a free flight with ease, but they’ll also have access to sought-after perks and an abundance of flight options.

With incredible earning power (nearly 5,000 miles earned on a typical flight), Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan outranks other full-service airlines for its ease of earning a free flight. However, there are plenty of reasons this program is the best overall. Alaska Airlines’ oneworld Alliance partnership means it’s likely you’ll find the route you’re looking for, and members can also earn elite status and benefits like lounge access, upgrades and same-day confirmed flight changes after a considerably lower spend compared to other programs.

With the highest Airline Quality Rating for 2023, Delta Air Lines has a higher percentage of on-time arrivals than any other domestic airline, along with one of the best customer satisfaction ratings. What’s more, its substantial daily flight volume and robust network can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go. And if you need to stay connected while you fly, Delta SkyMiles is the option for you. Just by signing up, you’ll receive free in-flight Wi-Fi on most domestic flights.

If you’re looking to get A-list benefits out of your frequent flyer program, sign up for the United Explorer Card. For a $95 annual fee (but $0 for the first year), the card will give you access to posh perks to whisk you through your travel day, including two United Club passes per year and credits for TSA Precheck and Global Entry. Plus, United Airline’s plethora of domestic and international hubs, and the many ways you can earn and use points, make United MileagePlus a well-rounded program overall.