Chicago Hotel Reviews

Before you look on my hotel reviews according to Reward programs I would like to indicate:

Also, I would like to specify that hotels without Rewarding program is not the best choice in big city’s where you never been before.

I pay huge respect to small family hotels, but they fit better in some small villages where you can join all the benefits from the host himself. I like such places and I have been in many of those through out Europe, but for big city like Chicago I recommend to fallow the bold sentence above.

This is the first ever hotel loyalty program, launched in 1983 by IGH InterContinental Hotel Group. Priority Club is also one of the largest hotel chains in the world with 4100 hotels in nearly 100 countries.

Let’s look on Priority Club Hotel Reviews!

In Chicago program offers you 73 hotels within 35 miles around the Loop and it represents 7 hotel brands.

Earn points with Hotels in Chicago

First where you will feel the touchable benefits from Reward program is points which you will get from stay in hotel.

Each time you stay in hotel you earn points based on your hotel bill. If you are some airline frequent flyer program member, then instead of earning points you can choose to earn miles.

Priority Club offers to earn 10 points for each dollar spent in:

• Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
• Hotel Indigo
• Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts
• and Holiday Inn Express.

In Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites you will earn 5 points for each dollar spent.

For stay in InterContinental Hotels & Resort you will receive 2000 points.

Price range for Chicago

In Chicago Priority Club offers hotels with the price range from $65 per night till $329. The average price is around $120,-

Earning points by Dining in Chicago Restaurants

This is the only one hotel program, which participates in Dining program organized by Rewards Network. By joining this program, you will have opportunity to earn points each time you will dine in participating Chicago restaurants, bistros, and bars or by going out to the night clubs. In Chicago you will find more then 150 such a places, where you can gain with this program.

Priority Club Dining programs works very simple. After you submit your registration to Priority Club and receive your member number, you are ready to register for Dining program. Dinning program requires you to register separately. You will find it in Priority Club earning in US part and look on section Other Point Opportunities.

You can use this program through out US, so you will definetly benefit from it.

Other points earning options

I just name some other earning options offered by Priority Club:

• airlines
• online shopping options
• credit cards
• car rentals
• flowers and gifts
• meetings
• American Express Membership rewards
• Diner Club rewards
• and more others.

Spending or Reward part

After your Chicago visit you will have some point balance, so now you can use them in some kind of reward, like:

• Branded merchandise
• CDs and DVDs
• you can donate your points to some non-profit organization
• stay in some hotel
• change the points for airline miles
• use car rental
• magazine subscription
• And many others.

So, in order to see more of the program and also look closer on each hotel review I invite you to visit Priority Club Web site

Back to the top

Marriott Reward is presented by Marriott International Inc. with 3100 hotels in 68 countries. It represents 12 brands, but in Chicago you will find 10 of them.

In Chicago Marriott offers 76 hotels within 35 miles of The Loop.

Earning points with Hotels in Chicago

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago and its area Marriott offers hotels with the price range from $79 till $329. If you wish to stay in downtown you will need to pay at least $180 per night. The average price is around $160 per night.

Other earning options

This program doesn’t have any other earning offers for Chicago, but in this hotel reviews I would like to name some general earning possibilities:

• earn miles for more then 30 airlines frequent flyer programs
• earn with Sixt and Hertz car rentals
• shop in SkyMall online store
• use Luggage Club services
• buy some gifts and flowers
• order Marriott Visa Signature or Visa business credit cards
• More other options.

Spending or Reward part

After some trips you will have point balance, which you can decide to use for some reward or you can hold them up to 24 months. In this hotel review I will just name some Reward options:

• transfer points to participating airline frequent flyer program
• rent a car, take some travel with train or use it for cruise
• use for some hotel services – spa, dining
• golf and other leisure activities
• order some travel package
• use it for Luggage Club services
• stay in Marriott or some partner hotel (includes Ritz-Carlton – the most deluxe hotel in 2008)
• and do some shopping.

I think that the Reward offer is huge, so I invite you to visit Marriott website

Back to the top

Hilton HHonors® Hotel Reviews

Hilton HHonors® Reward program offers you around 3000 hotels in 70 countries under the following hotel brands: Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club®, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, and Waldorf=Astoria Collectreg;.

In Chicago the Hilton family has around 70 hotels within 40 miles from downtown.

First in this hotel reviews I would like to mention that this program is the only one which offers to earn both – points for this program and miles for your airline frequent flyer program. HHonors called this as Double Dip® Earnings and each of the members can join it.

Earn with Hotels in Chicago

You will earn 10 points for each dollar spent in the following the Hilton Family hotels in Chicago:

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago and its area Hilton HHonors offers you hotels with the price range from $85 till $300. In The Loop it will be around $220 - $240. The average price is $141.

Earn with Chicago Car Rentals

In Chicago you can earn 250 points per rental with these companies: Alamo Rent a Car, Avis Car Rental, Budget Rent a Car, Europcar and National Car Rental.

Other earning options

Besides earnings above which are related with Chicago, you can earn points also with these options:

• mobile phone calls
• credit cards
• shopping
• magazines
• mortgage & real estate
• And rail travel.

HHonors also offers you the point calculator, so that you can see the earning before your stay.

Spending or Rewards part

After your Chicago visit or some time – up to 12 months, you can choose some reward for yourself or family. HHonors offers the following point redeeming options:

• hotel stay in The Hilton Family hotels
• Experience Rewards – Helicopter tour above New York city, choose your dream job, EagleRider motorcycle rentals, snow covered adventures, exclusive tour in China, F1 race car driving and more
• Car rentals
• Cruises
• Disney and Universal studio
• Shopping.

For more hotel reviews I invite you to visit Hilton HHonors® web site

Back to the top

Starwood Preferred Guest® Hotel Reviews

Starwood Hotels & Resorts with its 860 hotels in 95 countries and its Reward program offers a unique range of brands - Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts, Four Points® by Sheraton, aloft^SM, W Hotels®, Le Méridien®, The Luxury Collection®, element^SM, Westin Hotels & Resorts®, St. Regis® Hotels & Resorts.

In Chicago Starwood Preferred Guest® offers you 23 hotels within 35 miles from The Loop.

Earn points in Chicago Hotels

As a program member you will earn 2 points for every dollar spend in the following Chicago hotels: Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels®, Westin Hotels & Resorts®, Four Points® by Sheraton and aloft^SM.

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago Starwood Preferred Guest program offers hotels with the price range from $116 till $305. In the downtown of Chicago you will need to spend at least $240. The average price is $193.

In Chicago you can also earn points with Avis Car Rental.

Other earning options (not related to Chicago)

You can earn Club Rewards® points from Diners Club® when you stay at a participating Starwood hotel or resort and pay with your Diners Club Card.

American Express® Card members who are enrolled in Membership Rewards® will earn Membership Rewards points whenever they stay at participating Starwood Preferred Guest hotels or resorts and pay with an eligible enrolled American Express Card.

You can also earn points if you purchase some Hartmann luggage.

Spending or Reward part

Starwood Preferred Guest program offers great range of possible rewards, so let’s take short overview:

• use it for stay in Starwood hotels & Resorts
• transfer points to airlines miles
• transfer points to charity
• transfer points to Amtrak Guest Reward program (trains)
• purchase merchandise in shops like Amazon, Banana Republic, iTunes and more
• participate in PGA tour sponsorship
• rent a car from Avis and Sixt

Anyway, I invite you to visit Starwood Preferred Guest® web site for more hotel reviews

Back to the top

Hyatt Gold Passport^TM Hotel Reviews

Global Hyatt Corporation with headquartered in Chicago presents 365 hotels in 45 countries under following brands - Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Resorts^TM, Grand Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Hyatt Place7reg;, Hyatt Summerfield Suites7reg; and Andaz^TM.

In Chicago Hyatt presents you to discover 14 hotels in some of the hottest places.

Benefits in Hyatt Chicago hotels

When you will enroll for this program you will have Gold Passport membership level. Here are the main touchable benefits you will get:

• Five Hyatt Gold Passport points for every eligible dollar spent at Hyatt
• Private Hyatt Gold Passport Reservation and Account Information Line
• Complimentary newspaper and your choice of coffee or tea every morning.
• Complimentary use of Hyatt Fitness Centers, including the 24-Hour Stay Fit Gym (where available), featuring the latest Life Fitness® weight-training and cardio equipment.
• 2:00 p.m. late check-out upon request (subject to availability).
• Exclusive communications from Hyatt Gold Passport with account information, program updates and special offers.
• Use of the Hyatt Web Check-in via PDA or other web-enabled device as early as 1:00 p.m. ET on the day of your arrival at participating Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (U.S. and Canada only)
• USD$250 check-cashing privileges per stay
• Special offers from Hyatt and its Partners.

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago Hyatt offers hotels with the price range from $87 till $361 per night. In downtown you will need to pay around $200. The average price is $177.

Earn points with Chicago Car rentals

As a Gold Passport member, you can earn 300 points per rental in AVIS car rentals.

Spending or Rewards part

After some great stay in Chicago hotels, you can choose to use your points for some well deserved Reward. Hyatt Gold Passport program offers great options for your Reward choice:

• Hyatt hotel Award – free nights in any hotel
• Free night in AmeriSuites hotels
• Hyatt Vacation Club Reward – some nice vacations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Texas or Puerto Rico
• transfer your points to Charity
• use some Car Rental services – AVIS or SIXT
• transfer your points to airline frequent flyer program miles
• Combine your Gold Passport points with any Gold Passport member to redeem an award.

For more hotel reviews I invite you to visit Hyatt Gold Passport web site

Back to the top

Choice Privileges® Hotel Reviews

Choice Hotels International with around 5000 hotels is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. It presents 10 hotel brands: Cambria Suites®, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge®, and Rodeway Inn®.

Choice Hotels have 29 hotels in Chicago area, starting with Comfort Inn & Suites just in The Loop.

Earn points with Chicago Hotels

For qualifying stay in Choice Privileges hotel you will earn:

• 10 points for Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion® and Quality®
• 5 points for Rodeway Inn® and Econo Lodge®.

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago and its area Choice Privilege offers hotels with the price range from $53 till $229. The highest price is for hotel in the heart of downtown, but the average price is $92.

Earn with Chicago Car Rentals

You can earn points on following car rental companies:

• AVIS – 750 per rental 1-3 days, 4+ days – 1000 points
• BUDGET - 750 per rental 1-3 days, 4+ days – 1000 points
• ENTERPRICE – 1000 points per rental.

Other earning options

You can also earn Choice Privilege points:

• by shopping
• by sign up for Lifelock
• on different kind of Cruises
• and some other options.

The program also offer you Choice Privilege Visa card with great earning opportunities.

Spending part or Rewards

You can use your Choice Privilege points in some well deserved Reward. In this hotel reviews I will show you couple of options:

• free stay in Choice Hotels
• transfer your point to airline frequent flyer program miles
• enterprise car rental Rewards
• transfer Choice Privilege point to Amtrak Guest Reward points
• redeem points for gasoline gift certificates at Exxon, Mobil, Shell and other gas stations
• transfer points to charity
• Other options.

This is just short hotel reviews. For more information I invite you to visit Choice Privilege web site

Back to the top

Wyndham Rewards® Hotel Reviews

Wyndham Hotel Group and its Reward program presents 7000 hotels in 67 countries on six continents under the Wyndham®, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate® by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge®, Knights Inn® and AmeriHost Inn® brands.

Wyndham Rewards® in Chicago offers 37 hotels within 25 miles from downtown.

Earning in Chicago hotels

You will earn 10 points per each dollar spent on following Wyndham hotels in Chicago: Wyndham®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Super 8®, Baymont Inn & Suites® and Wingate® by Wyndham.

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago and its area Wyndham Reward program offers hotels with the price range from $40 till $275. In the Loop you price starts from $150 per night. The average price is $93.

Earning with Chicago Car Rentals

As a member of Wyndham Reward program you will earn 50 points per day in Avis or Budget Car rental companies. Both are presented in Chicago.

Other earning options

You can earn Wyndham Reward points:

• by using Wyndham Rewards MasterCard
• by booking Vacations through Whydham
• by online shopping, including SkyMall
• by using Jackson Hewitt Tax Service®

Spending or Rewards part

After you Chicago visit or some other time (not later then 12 months) you can choose to use the points for some Reward. In this hotel reviews I will just mention some Reward options:

• hotel free night Reward
• book a flight
• rent a car
• transfer point to airline miles
• transfer points to Amtrak Guest Rewards Points
• vacations
• some entertainment tickets
• many different gift certificates – dining, shopping
• transfer points to Charity
• other options

For more hotel reviews let’s visit Wyndham Reward program web site

Back to the top

La Quinta Returns® Hotel Reviews

La Quinta operates 650 hotels in USA, Mexico and Canada under La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inns & Suites brands. Its reward program is very simple, but with the same importance for its customer.

La Quinta offers 13 hotels within 50 miles from Chicago and from 1st of July 2009 it will open new hotel in The Loop.

Earn with Chicago hotels

By staying in any La Quinta hotels you will earn 10 points for each dollar spent.

Price range in Chicago

La Quinta hotel rates in Chicago area (first hotel is 18 miles from the Loop) starts from $59 per night till $102. The average rate is around $84 per night.

Other benefits

In this hotel reviews I will just name the other benefits you will get by joining this Loyalty program:

• Express check-in
• Late check-out
• Members-only 800 number
• Points never expire as long as your account remains active
• Easy online redemption for the rewards you want

You can also earn La Quinta Returns® points with every purchase when you use the La Quinta® Visa® Rewards Card.

Spending of Rewards part

La Quinta Returns® program offers you several Reward options:

• Free stay in La Quinta hotels
• Transfer you points to airline frequent flyer program miles
• Great shopping offers
• Other options.

For more hotel reviews I invite you to visit La Quinta Web site

Back to the top

Best Western Rewards^SM Hotel Reviews

Best Western International is the world's largest hotel brand with more than 4000 hotels in 80 countries. In North America alone Best Western has around 2000 hotels.

In Chicago Best Western offers 20 hotels within 35 miles from The Loop.

Earn with Hotels in Chicago

You can earn 10 points per dollar spent for Best Western Hotels stay.

Price range in Chicago

Best Western Rewards offer the price range from $60 till $205 per night in Chicago area. Close to the Chicago downtown you can find 2 hotels with price from $180. The average price is $100.

Earning on Chicago Car Rental

With Best Western Rewards program you can earn points each time you book a car. Here are the details:

• with Dollar Rent A Car or Thrifty Car Rental earn 3000 points for rental at least for two days
• with AVIS Car Rental earn 2000 points for rental period

Other earning options

If you are resident of US or Canada you can apply for Best Western MasterCard and earn point on every purchase.

Also, you can use Best Western Reward program when you are buying some small gifts or you wish to send flowers to someone.

Spending or Reward options

Best Western Reward program offers you several ways how to redeem your points for well deserved Reward. In this hotel reviews I will just look on these options:

• free stay in Best Western hotels
• transfer your point to airline frequent flyer program miles
• use some car rental services
• purchase gas station gift cards
• shopping
• transfer point to charity
• Other options.

After this short introduction, I invite you to visit Best Western Web site

Back to the top

RediCard® Hotel Reviews

Red Roof Inn is US hotel chain with primarily location in the Midwest, the East and the South. It was incorporated by founder James R. Trueman in 1972. Its first Inn opened in Columbus, Ohio, with a single room rate of $8.50 in 1973. Today, Red Roof Inn has more than 325 locations. Hotel offers very simple, but useful Loyalty program – RediCard®.

In Chicago Red Roof Inn offers 11 locations within 40 miles with one location just in The Loop.

Earn with Hotels in Chicago

You will earn 10 points for each dollar you spent in any Red Roof Inn hotel.

Price range in Chicago

In Chicago Red Roof Inn offers hotels with rates starting from $40 till $102. The highest rate is in the downtown. The average rate is around $50.

Other programs benefits

As a RediCard Preferred program member you will receive the following benefits:

• A member-only toll-free reservation line
• Express check-in
• Free USA Today delivered to your door
• 5 free outbound fax pages per stay (US only)
• Regular newsletters to keep you updated on special offers and benefits exclusive to RediCard Preferred Members
• Regular summaries detailing points earned and awards issued and redeemed

Spending or Reward part

RediCard program for its members offer couple options for Reward:

• free stay in Red Roof Inn hotels
• transfer points to Delta SkyMiles program
• Use them from T-Mobile HotSpot 1-day prepaid cards.

For more hotel reviews let’s visit RediCard Web site

Back to the top

Hotel Reviews Conclusion

As I mentioned in Hotels in Chicago page, firstly, I suggest choosing the hotel according to your price requirements and only then, you need to look on reward program.

I think that from 366 hotels you can find the best hotel and the best Reward program, which will cover all your needs. This system will guide you and will help you to find best possible hotel for you.

In addition, I would like to mention that it is important to have hotels loyalty program member number before any booking. It doesn’t matter where you book your stay, just before you do that; ask if this exact hotel rate will allow you to obtain points. Via my Smart Travel Station you can obtain points for your program, so after research, described in this web page, you can book hotel wherever is cheaper for you.

From my nine years and more than 300 flight experiences to different destinations worldwide, I have found that this system works perfectly. I am the member of 15 Reward programs and I always choose the hotel according to Reward program.

Visit my Smart Travel Station