With all of the recent buzz about the devaluation of many hotel loyalty programs I thought it would be the perfect time to review exactly what has changed and where each hotel loyalty program stands.

Starwood

In January, Starwood announced that its Cash & Points redemption options will change on March 5, 2013.

SPG’s new cash and points redemption levels.

New changes:

20% increase in all redemption levels (new category chart here)

New option to redeem Cash & Points for upgraded rooms and suites, but the changes also are going to

Cash & Points redemption at all Category 1 and 2 hotels worldwide--not just in the US, Canada and Asia-Pacific

The Bottom Line: The devaluation of Starwood’s points will make it harder to get high value yielding redemption (often 3 cents per point in value when using the Cash & Points redemption). The new option to redeem Cash & Points for upgraded rooms and suites will make upgrades for elites harder to come by. On the other hand, Cash & Points redemption can now be made at all Category 1 and 2 hotels worldwide and non-elites will be able to redeem Cash & Points for suites if they so choose to desire a bigger room.

Marriott

Last week, both Marriott and Ritz-Carlton programs announced major changes that will begin on May 16, 2013--both of which were not good news for loyalty program members.

Marriott’s updated award level categories.

New Changes:

New top tier category - Category 9 - with a redemption rate of 45,000 points per night

Category changes for over 35% of their worldwide properties (full list of property changes here)

36% of the hotels are being moved to a higher category, while only 1% or hotels are dropping down a category

73% of properties remain in Marriott’s lower-run 1-4 Categories

The Bottom Line: With only 35% of the Marriott properties moved to a higher category, the devaluation is not as broad as some other programs, but the percentage of devaluation may be greater for properties that were elevated up more than one category. If you plan on booking a stay with Marriott using your points, it would be wise to take a look at the category changes that go into effect. If your property is being moved to a higher category, make a reservation before the change takes place on May 16, 2013.

Hilton

Hilton recently announced a major devaluation of the HHonors program that goes into effect March 28, 2013.

Hilton's new award chart

New changes:

New (more expensive) tiers--expanding to a total of ten hotel reward categories

Seasonal (more expensive) hotel reward pricing--amount of points needed for a Standard Room Reward and a Points & Money Reward will vary during certain times of the year

5th night free benefit for elite members--Silver, Gold or Diamond elite status members will get a free night when they book a Standard Room Reward stay of five or more consecutive nights.

New hotel category chart with 10 categories

The Bottom Line: While award redemption with the new 10 category chart start at only 5,000 points, the amount of points needed for top tier hotels went up considerably. For example, some Conrad properties that used to be 50,000 per night are increasing to 95,000--a significant and unfriendly increase for consumers. The ‘seasonal’ hotel reward pricing is very vague and doesn't provide any rules or dates--Hilton only offers you to search on their search tool to determine what this means. On the other hand, the 5th night that will be given on award bookings of five or more nights matches what Starwood and Marriott already offer. There is also no word on how award pricing will change for Hilton Amex cardholders (AXON) and discounted awards for elite member (GLON).

Priority Club

Priority Club’s new award chart went into effect on January 18.

IHG's new award chart

New Changes:

Points required to book some hotels will increase--as much as 40% for some Crown Plaza/Indigo branded Hotels

Award chart is no longer in categories by hotel brands, now there is a new nine category chart

The Bottom Line: Yet another devaluation and increase in redemption categories. Although the devaluations are not across the board, it ultimately shows that there is a move to increase the amount of points for the most desirable hotel tiers--Crown Plaza, Indigo, and Intercontinental. Priority Club is offering a grace period and if the amount of points needed to book your award night increases, you can call Priority Club directly through March 18 to ask for the original point price.

Unchanged: Both Club Carlson and Hyatt remain unchanged and hopefully do not take suit and follow the rest of the loyalty programs devaluations.

A Cost Evaluation to Earn a Free Night with Each Program

With all of these new changes and increases in the number of points needed to book a room, how much do you have to spend at the hotel to earn one free award night at a top-tier hotel in each chain? Hat tip to The Points Guy for the numbers.

To earn a free night you would have to spend:

$2,500 for a free night at a top-tier Club Carlson property like a Radisson Blu (50,000 points earned at 20 points per dollar)

$4,400 for a free night at a top-tier Hyatt (22,000 points at 5 points earned per dollar spent)

$4,500 for a free night at a top-tier Marriott (45,000 points at 10 points per dollar spent)

$5,000 for a free night at top-tier Priority Club property (50,000 points at 10 points per dollar spent)

$6,333 for a free night at a top-tier Hilton (95,000 points at 15 points earned per dollar spent)

$15,000 for a free night at a Starwood Category 7 property (30,000 points at 2 points per dollar spent) or $7,775 for Cash & Points for 15,000 points (at 2 points per dollar) plus the $275 co-pay.

The Bottom Line: With the exception of Club Carlson, you are going to have to spend a lot more money to earn a free night at your hotel that you are a loyalty member of.

Top Sign up Bonuses Offered for Each Program

US Bank Club Carlson Premier card: 85,000 points after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card: 2 free nights at any Hyatt after spending $1,000 within 3 months

Chase Marriott Premier card: 50,000 bonus points + 1 free night (category 1 to 4) after spending $1,000 within 3 months

Chase Priority Club Visa: 80,000 bonus points through this link on FlyterTalk after spending $1,000 within 3 months

Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card: 2 free weekend nights after spending $2,500 within 4 months

Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card: 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1,000 within 4 months

American Express Personal SPG card: 25,000 points after spending $5,000 within 6 months

2013: The Year of Hotel Devaluations and Alternative Options for Stays?

Thus far 2013 has been an incredibly bad year as far as devaluations in the hotel points industry, and it occurred across the board with the exceptions of Club Carlson and Hyatt. Hopefully the hotel brands realize that they are going to lose customers to other programs with a more competitive loyalty program and one that actually values loyalty members. Although there are free stays to be earned from welcome bonuses, when the numbers are crunched it shows that it takes a lot of spending at your hotel of choice to earn a free night at a top-tier hotel in their program. The programs certainly are not being generous to their loyal customers and I think they will see a backlash from that customer base.

With all of the loyalty program devaluations, 2013 may be the year many of us look for other options for stays--boutique hotels can be found at cheaper prices and offer more unique experiences and amenities, Airbnb is constantly growing and provides some great places for less than the big hotel chains, and VRBO is a wonderful way to book a place for a longer stay or for a larger place.

How have the recent changes made you rethink your hotel stay strategy in 2013?