Complete guide to earning reward points when booking multiple hotel rooms

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

If you’re booking multiple hotel rooms, it makes sense that you’d want to maximize your earnings. Unlike airlines, which generally only credit miles to the traveler’s account, you may be able to earn points and/or elite credits even if you book rooms for others. As always, remember that exceptions may exist.

If you’ve earned more points or elite credits than expected in the past, that’s great. However, don’t assume it will always happen if it goes against the program’s terms. Additionally, companies frequently update their terms and change their websites, so be sure to check the current policy before your stay.

Now, let’s explore the policies of major hotel chains regarding earning points for multiple rooms.

FAIRMONT CENTURY PLAZA

Accor Live Limitless lets you earn points on two rooms, though you only earn an elite qualifying night for just one room. From Section 7.2.2 of the terms and conditions:

Expenses for Member accommodation in a room in the hotel and, if applicable, for one other room at the same hotel on the same date (for a maximum of two invoiced rooms), provided that (i) the Member is staying in one of these rooms and that (ii) the second room is not occupied by another Member. Note: The Member may be able to earn on accommodation expenses for both rooms, but the number of Status Nights is based only on the Member’s room.

Related: Citi adds Accor as a new transfer partner

Best Western Rewards

Per its terms and conditions, Best Western Rewards lets you earn points on up to 10 rooms in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and up to three rooms outside these regions. You’ll need to occupy the room, pay for all rooms, be the only member to receive points and include your Best Western Rewards number at booking or check-in:

You can earn Points for up to ten (10) rooms per stay in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and up to three (3) rooms per  stay outside of the United States, Canada and the Caribbean provided that: (a) one (1) room is occupied by you; (b) you pay for all the rooms; (c) Points for that room have not been issued to another Member; and (d) you presented your Best Western Rewards® membership number at the time of booking or at check-in.

Related: Complete guide to current hotel elite status match and challenge offers

Choice Privileges

With Choice Privileges, the terms and conditions state you earn points for up to four rooms booked under your name and member number:

You may earn points for up to four rooms per night at the same hotel. To qualify for points, the rooms must be in your name and the reservations must include your Member Number. Additionally, you must stay in one of the rooms and the rooms must be paid in full. You only receive any applicable bonus points (for promotions or other bonuses) on one room and, if you’re an Elite Member, you only earn Elite status bonus points on one room per stay.

Related: Choice Hotels aims to acquire Wyndham in $7.8 billion hostile takeover

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors allows you to earn base points on up to four rooms per stay. Per the terms and conditions:

A Member may earn Base Points for up to four rooms per stay (“Earning Rooms”) if all eligible charges for Earning Rooms are paid on one folio. Base Points will be earned for all eligible folio charges incurred on Earning Rooms. The term “eligible folio charges” is defined below. Bonus Points issued on Base Points, including tier bonuses (20%, 80% or 100%, depending on Member tier), Bonus Points earned through double or triple Base Point promotions, will apply to the total Base Point credit earned for Earning Rooms. For any other bonuses, including Hilton Honors Marketing Partner Bonus Points and other promotional bonuses (e.g. promotional miles), Bonus Points will be awarded on one room only. For purposes of obtaining tier status, a Member will receive stay and night credit for one room only.

Related: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

IHG One Rewards

Like Best Western, IHG One Rewards has one of the more lenient, customer-friendly policies for earning points for booking multiple IHG hotel rooms. Per section 35 of the terms and conditions:

Except at InterContinental Alliance Resorts, Members may earn Points on all Eligible Charges for multiple hotel rooms (up to 9) provided those rooms are used in conjunction with the Member’s Stay at the same hotel, and the Member’s IHG One Rewards account number is recorded on each reservation, or the charges from those multiple room reservations are referred to on the hotel room bill associated with the Member’s reservation.

This can be a terrific way to earn a slew of IHG points if you’re traveling with a large group — and it appears that you don’t even need to pay for all nine.

Related: How to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program

Marriott Bonvoy

With Marriott Bonvoy, you earn points on up to three total rooms. Per the terms and conditions, Section 2.1.b.i, you can earn points on the following:

Charges incurred during a stay in a guest room at a Participating Property by a Member on their folio and up to two (2) additional guest rooms with same check-in and check-out dates, including, without limitation, charges for:

A. Qualifying Rates for Stays;

B. Food and beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages where prohibited by law) and may exclude charges incurred at outlets that are not managed or operated by the Participating Property;

C. Direct-dialed in-room telephone and direct-dialed in-room fax;

D. In-room movies and video games;

provided the Member provides his/her Membership Number at the time of reservation or at check-in, stays in one of the reserved guest rooms, and pays for the charges.

However, the terms say that the member must occupy one of the guest rooms and pay for the charges. As a result, if you’re visiting a hotel with your friends or family, be sure to pay the entire bill.

Related: 8 places to maximize an 85,000-point Marriott award night certificate

World of Hyatt

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

With World of Hyatt, you can earn points on up to three total rooms. From the World of Hyatt terms and conditions, Section 1.a.8:

A Member may earn points for up to three (3) rooms per night (Member’s room and two (2) additional rooms) within the same hotel or resort. The Member must be a registered guest, occupy at least one of the rooms, and pay an Eligible Rate for all applicable rooms. The Member will earn Base Points for each of the rooms, but the Member will only earn Tier-Qualifying Nights (defined in Appendix B) for one (1) room. In addition, only the room occupied by the Member will count toward current Program promotions and receive Program benefits and services. The occupant(s) of the additional room(s) will not receive points (or any partner credit offered to Members in lieu of points). Member may earn on up to two (2) additional rooms only once per stay – as measured by Member’s occupancy of their own room. For purposes of clarification and without limiting the foregoing, once a member has earned points on two (2) additional rooms, they may not earn points on any further room other than the one which they are occupying for the remainder of their stay, regardless of the duration of that stay.

Like Marriott, this policy indicates that the member must pay for all three rooms.

Related: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

Wyndham Rewards

The Wyndham Rewards terms and conditions allow you to earn points for up to three rooms. From Section II.B.2:

A Member is eligible to earn Wyndham Rewards points for Qualified Stays and Go Fast award stays at Participating Properties pursuant to these Terms and Conditions for up to three (3) rooms/condos per night (provided that such Member’s Member number is associated with each such room/condo).

Related: 17 ways to earn Wyndham Rewards points for your next redemption

Other considerations

To maximize your points for multiple hotel rooms, it is crucial to adhere to the specified policy of the hotel chain mentioned above. If the program fails to credit your points correctly, you should submit supporting evidence demonstrating compliance with the requirements and referencing the exact wording to support your claim.

When traveling with your family, it might be worth considering alternative accommodations. Remember that many hotel chains offer one- or two-bedroom suites, which can be booked using hotel points.

Related: What hotel loyalty program is best for business travelers?

Bottom line

Hotel chain policies vary greatly regarding earning points for multiple hotel rooms. Some chains allow you to earn points on two rooms, while others go as far as 10 rooms. However, each chain has its own unique rules, so you should carefully review each program’s policy if you intend to earn points on multiple hotel rooms during your upcoming stay.

Remember that, among the chains mentioned here, you will only receive an elite-qualifying night (counted toward earning elite status) for one room. Additionally, only your room will typically be eligible for elite benefits such as room upgrades and lounge access, even if you book multiple rooms. However, it may be possible to negotiate additional perks by simply requesting them at check-in.

Now, you can earn hotel points for multiple rooms on your next trip.