Ok, so I realize the below post is a little long and information-heavy, but it's also easily scan-able.
knowledge is power. What I mean by this is the more you know about hotels and their affiliations, the more... a) strategy you can use to accumulate points with one provider b) save with benefits like free stays, room upgrades, restaurant/spa vouchers c) you'll get recognized and taken care of as a loyal customer.
Similar to accumulating points with airline alliances like Star Alliance or One World, when choosing a preferred hotel group to cozy-up to, consider: a) size - the bigger the group, the more hotel types and destinations offered b) lux level - do you prefer only 4 + 5 star properties, or do you like a mix c) where you travel - some hotel groups favor different continents than others
Marriott Marriott International is a lodging company with more than 3,000 properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Their brands include: [Marriott's loyalty program: Marriott Rewards] - Marriott Hotels & Resorts - JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts - Renaissance Hotels & Resorts - EDITION Hotels - Autograph Collection - Courtyard by Marriott - Residence Inn by Marriott - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - Marriott Conference Centers - TownePlace Suites by Marriott - SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Marriott Vacation Club - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. - The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club - Marriott ExecuStay - Marriott Executive Apartments
Starwood One of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies, Starwood's hotel portfolio includes approximately 942 hotels with 285,000 rooms in 100 countries. Their brands include: [Starwood's loyalty program: Starwood Preferred Guest] - Le Meridien - The Luxury Collection - Westin - W - Sheraton - St. Regis - Element - Four Points - ALoft
Hilton In 1919 Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas. Since then, Hilton has grown to over 514 properties in cities all over the world. Yes, Paris Hilton is part of 'the' Hiltons. Their brands include: [Hilton's loyalty program: HHonors] - Waldorf Astoria Collection (see full list below) - Conrad Hotels and Resorts - Hilton - DoubleTree - Embassy Suites - Hilton Garden Inn - Hampton - Homewood Suites - Home2
Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a global hospitality company with over 424 properties in 45 countries worldwide. [Hyatt's loyalty program: Hyatt Gold Passport] - Hyatt Regency - Park Hyatt - Hyatt Place - Hyatt Summerfield Suites
InterContinental The world's first international hotel brand with a portfolio of over 150 hotels in 65 countries. [Intercontinental's loyalty program: Intercontinental Ambassador] - InterContinental - Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts - Hotel Indigo - Holiday Inn - Holiday Inn Express - Staybridge Suites - Candlewood Suites
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International With the opening of the Fairmont San Francisco in 1907, this luxury global hotel company was born and continues to grow with a strong presence in Canada, the US and 50+ other destinations worldwide. [Fairmont's loyalty program: Fairmont President's Club] - Fairmont - Raffles - Swissotel
Four Seasons Synonymous with luxury (and frequent US Weekly celebrity sightings), Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has over 83 properties in 35 countries. [Four Seasons's loyalty program: unpublished and by invitation only] - Four Seasons
Waldorf Astoria (owned by Hilton) - ARIZONA BILTMORE - THE BENTLEY HOTEL - BOCA BEACH CLUB - BOCA RATON RESORT - THE BOULDERS RESORT - CASA MARINA RESORT - DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE & GOLDEN DOOR SPA - EDGEWATER BEACH HOTEL - EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT - EL SAN JUAN HOTEL & CASINO - GRAND WAILEA - LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB - LAS CASITAS RESORT - THE BEACH HOUSE MALDIVES - NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT - QASR AL SHARQ - THE REACH RESORT - ROME CAVALIERI - THE ROOSEVELT NEW ORLEANS - TRIANON PALACE VERSAILLES - WALDORF=ASTORIA