Key Points
- Best Western Rewards points are worth approximately 0.6 cents each when redeemed for hotel stays starting at 8,000 points per night.
- Free membership includes automatic points earning on stays, with elite status available after just 5 qualifying nights per year.
- Two co-branded credit cards offer accelerated earning and elite status, with the Premium card providing automatic Platinum status and annual free night awards.
Introduction
Best Western might not get the attention of Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, but this loyalty program deserves a closer look. With over 4,500 properties worldwide and award nights starting at just 8,000 points, Best Western Rewards offers straightforward value for budget-conscious travelers. The program's simplicity stands out in an industry of increasingly complex redemption charts, and achieving elite status requires fewer stays than most major hotel programs.
Here's what makes Best Western Rewards worth your attention: reasonable redemption rates, attainable elite status, and two credit cards that actually enhance your earning potential without breaking the bank. Whether you're a road warrior staying at affordable properties or a leisure traveler maximizing your points, this guide covers everything you need to know about Best Western Rewards.
Quick Answer
Best Western Rewards is a free hotel loyalty program where members earn 10 points per dollar spent on eligible stays. Points can be redeemed for free nights starting at 8,000 points, with each point worth approximately 0.6 cents. Elite status begins at just 5 qualifying nights annually, and two co-branded credit cards accelerate earning with welcome bonuses up to 80,000 points. Learn more about maximizing hotel points across all major programs.
How Best Western Rewards Works
Joining the Program
Best Western Rewards membership is completely free. Sign up online at bestwestern.com/rewards and start earning points immediately on your next stay. Unlike some hotel programs that charge fees or require credit cards for premium tiers, Best Western keeps the barrier to entry nonexistent.
New members start at the Blue tier with a base earning rate of 10 points per dollar spent on eligible room rates and charges. This applies across all Best Western brands, from budget-friendly SureStay properties to upscale BW Premier Collection hotels.
Earning Points on Hotel Stays
The core earning structure is straightforward: 10 points per dollar spent on the room rate at participating Best Western properties. This base rate applies to all members, regardless of elite status, though elite members receive percentage bonuses on top of this.
What counts as eligible spending? Your room rate, resort fees (if applicable), and other charges posted to your room like dining or spa services at the property. Taxes typically don't earn points, but most other charges do.
Best Western occasionally runs promotions offering double, triple, or even quadruple points at select properties. These targeted offers appear in the "Earn Bonus Points" section of the Best Western website and can significantly accelerate your points balance.
Credit Card Earning
Best Western offers two co-branded Visa Signature cards issued by Mercury Financial (formerly First Bank & Trust):
Best Western Rewards Premium Visa Signature Card
- Welcome bonus: 20,000 to 80,000 points (offer varies by application)
- Annual fee: $89
- Earning rates:
- 10 points per dollar on Best Western purchases (plus 10 points as a member = 20 total)
- 4 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores
- 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum elite status
- One free night award per account anniversary
- Additional free night after spending $10,000 in a card year
- 20,000 bonus points each account anniversary after spending $5,000
Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Welcome bonus: 10,000 to 40,000 points (offer varies by application)
- Annual fee: $0
- Earning rates:
- 4 points per dollar on Best Western purchases (plus 10 points as a member = 14 total)
- 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Automatic Gold elite status
- 10,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in a card year
Both cards include no foreign transaction fees and trip protection benefits. For frequent Best Western guests, the Premium card's $89 annual fee pays for itself quickly through the free night award and enhanced earning rates. If you're comparing hotel credit cards, these Best Western options offer value specifically for travelers loyal to this chain.
Partner Earning Opportunities
Best Western partners with three major car rental companies for bonus points:
- Alamo, Enterprise, and National: 3 points per dollar on time and mileage charges when booking through the Best Western portal
- Sixt: Up to 1,000 points per rental
- Sixt limousine service: Up to 2,000 points per booking
These partnerships won't make you rich in points, but they're useful for padding your balance when you're planning a hotel stay anyway.
Best Western Rewards Elite Status
Status Tiers and Requirements
Best Western's four-tier elite structure requires relatively few stays compared to major competitors:
Blue (Base Tier)
- Automatic upon joining
- 10 points per dollar spent
Gold
- 5 qualifying nights per calendar year
- 10% bonus points on stays (11 points per dollar total)
- 500 bonus points at check-in
- Complimentary bottled water
- No blackout dates on award redemptions
Platinum
- 10 qualifying nights per calendar year
- 25% bonus points on stays (12.5 points per dollar total)
- 500 bonus points at check-in
- Complimentary bottled water
- Space-available room upgrades
- Early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability)
- Exclusive reservation line
Diamond Select
- 15 qualifying nights per calendar year
- 50% bonus points on stays (15 points per dollar total)
- 500 bonus points at check-in
- Complimentary bottled water
- Space-available room upgrades
- Early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability)
- Exclusive reservation line
- Access to exclusive Diamond Select promotions
Status Duration and Qualification Period
Status earned in a calendar year remains valid through the end of that year plus the entire following calendar year. For example, if you achieve Platinum status in December 2025, you'll keep that status through December 31, 2026.
This generous status extension gives you nearly two full years to enjoy your benefits, making the low qualification thresholds even more attractive.
Fast-Track Status with Credit Cards
Both Best Western credit cards provide instant elite status:
- The no-annual-fee card grants Gold status automatically
- The $89 Premium card grants Platinum status automatically
This means you skip the qualification requirements entirely and enjoy elite benefits from day one. For travelers who stay 5-10 nights annually at Best Western properties, earning status organically isn't difficult. But the credit card shortcut makes sense for occasional guests who want elite perks without the stays. This strategy mirrors what you can do with other hotel credit cards for earning elite status.
Redeeming Best Western Rewards Points
Award Night Redemptions
Hotel stays represent the best value for your Best Western points. Award nights range from 8,000 to 70,000 points per night, with pricing based on the property, location, and travel dates.
According to The Points Party's valuations, Best Western points are worth approximately 0.6 cents each. At 8,000 points for an entry-level award night, you're getting $48 worth of value—enough for a night at many Best Western properties in secondary markets. Premium properties at popular destinations reach 70,000 points, representing about $420 in value.
Best Western uses dynamic pricing for award nights, meaning rates fluctuate based on demand and cash rates. During peak travel periods, you'll pay more points. During low-demand periods, the same room might cost fewer points. This system mirrors the hotel's cash pricing, so you're not locked into rigid award charts.
Pro tip: Unlike some programs, Best Western doesn't charge resort fees on award stays. If a property normally charges a $30 daily resort fee, you avoid that expense entirely when booking with points.
Pay with Points
For partial redemptions, Best Western offers a "Pay with Points" option. You can apply points toward the room rate in 5,000-point increments, with each 1,000 points valued at $5. This works out to exactly 0.5 cents per point—lower than redeeming for full award nights but useful when you're slightly short on points or want to preserve some balance.
The Pay with Points option caps at 20,000 points per booking, limiting your maximum discount to $100 per stay.
Airline Mile Transfers
Best Western partners with nine airlines for point-to-mile transfers:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: 7,000 Best Western points = 2,000 Alaska miles
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 7,000 Best Western points = 2,000 AAdvantage miles
- Delta SkyMiles: 7,000 Best Western points = 2,000 SkyMiles
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles: 14,000 Best Western points = 5,000 HawaiianMiles
- JetBlue TrueBlue: 3,500 Best Western points = 1,000 TrueBlue points
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: 3,500 Best Western points = 1,200 Rapid Rewards points
- United MileagePlus: 7,000 Best Western points = 2,000 MileagePlus miles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 3,500 Best Western points = 1,000 Virgin points
- Frontier Airlines: 10,000 Best Western points = 3,500 Frontier miles
These transfer ratios are terrible. You're getting roughly 0.31 to 0.34 cents per Best Western point when transferring to airlines—about half the value of redeeming for hotel stays. Only transfer to airlines as a last resort to top off an account for a specific redemption.
Gift Card Redemptions
Best Western offers two types of gift card redemptions:
Best Western E-Gift Cards
- 10,000 points = $50 gift card (0.5 cents per point)
- 20,000 points = $100 gift card (0.5 cents per point)
- 50,000 points = $250 gift card (0.5 cents per point)
U.S. Digital Select Gift Cards (various retailers)
- 16,000 points = $50 gift card (0.31 cents per point)
- 32,000 points = $100 gift card (0.31 cents per point)
- 64,000 points = $200 gift card (0.31 cents per point)
Gift cards offer poor value compared to hotel stays. Only consider these options if you have orphaned points you can't otherwise use or if you're no longer staying at Best Western properties.
Merchandise and Charity Donations
The Best Western Rewards redemption portal includes options for merchandise (electronics, home goods, etc.) and charitable donations. Both offer poor value per point—typically 0.3 cents or less—but the charity option at least benefits good causes if you're looking to clear out your account.
Best Western Brands and Properties
Best Western operates 18 distinct brands across different price points and travel segments:
Budget-Friendly Brands
- SureStay Hotel by Best Western
- SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western
- SureStay Collection by Best Western
Core Brands
- Best Western
- Best Western Plus
Upper-Midscale Brands
- Best Western Premier
- Executive Residency by Best Western
Upscale/Boutique Brands
- BW Premier Collection
- BW Signature Collection
- Vīb (urban locations with modern design)
- GLō (lifestyle-focused properties)
- Sadie Hotel (boutique experiences)
International Brands
- WorldHotels Luxury
- WorldHotels Elite
- WorldHotels Distinctive
- WorldHotels Crafted
- WorldHotels Collection
All brands participate in Best Western Rewards with the same earning and redemption rates. A stay at a budget SureStay property earns points at the same rate as a premium BW Signature Collection hotel, though the award redemption cost will differ based on the property's category and location.
Maximizing Best Western Rewards Value
Strategic Credit Card Usage
The Best Western Premium card's $89 annual fee essentially pays for itself with the annual free night award alone. If you value that certificate at a standard 20,000-point redemption (worth $120 at 0.6 cents per point), you're already ahead.
Add the 20,000 anniversary bonus points after spending just $5,000 annually, and the card becomes even more valuable. That bonus alone is worth $120, bringing your total annual benefits to $240 before counting any earning on purchases.
For maximum value:
- Use the Premium card for all Best Western stays to earn 20 points per dollar
- Use it for gas and groceries (4 points per dollar) until you hit other category bonuses on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom Flex, or American Express Gold
- Hit the $5,000 spending threshold for the 20,000 bonus points
- Stretch toward $10,000 for the second free night award if you have enough Best Western stays planned
Consider pairing your Best Western card with a flexible points card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred for travel purchases outside of Best Western properties.
Booking During Promotions
Best Western regularly offers targeted promotions for bonus points at select properties. Before booking any stay, check the "Earn Bonus Points" section on the Best Western website. Some promotions offer double, triple, or even quadruple points, dramatically accelerating your earning.
These promotions typically target specific regions or property types. If you're flexible on location, you can often find properties offering bonus points in areas you want to visit.
Combining Points and Elite Status
Elite status becomes particularly valuable when you're earning bonus points on paid stays. Here's the math on a $150 hotel stay at different elite tiers:
- Blue member: 1,500 points (10 per dollar)
- Gold member: 1,650 points (10% bonus)
- Platinum member: 1,875 points (25% bonus)
- Diamond Select member: 2,250 points (50% bonus)
Over 10 nights at $150 average, that's the difference between 15,000 points (Blue) and 22,500 points (Diamond Select)—enough for an extra free night or two.
Reach for at least Gold status (5 nights) to unlock the 10% bonus and complimentary water. The jump to Platinum (10 nights) adds valuable upgrade opportunities and early check-in/late checkout benefits.
Point Transfer Between Members
Best Western allows you to transfer up to 150,000 points per rolling calendar year to other members. This feature enables households to consolidate points in one account for larger redemptions or to help a family member reach an award threshold.
Transfers are free but must be made in 1,000-point increments with a 1,000-point minimum. Use this feature strategically when you're close to an award level and a family member has a small balance sitting idle.
Best Western Rewards vs. Competitors
How It Compares to Major Hotel Programs
Best Western Rewards occupies a unique position in the hotel loyalty landscape. While programs like Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards offer more premium properties and transfer partners, Best Western excels at accessibility and simplicity.
Advantages of Best Western Rewards:
- Lower elite status thresholds (5 nights vs. 10-30 at competitors)
- Straightforward earning structure without complicated multipliers
- No resort fees on award stays
- Point transfers between family members
- Extended status validity (current year plus following full year)
Disadvantages of Best Western Rewards:
- Fewer luxury properties globally
- Poor airline transfer ratios
- Limited redemption flexibility beyond hotel stays
- Smaller global footprint than major competitors
- Fewer premium credit card benefits
Point value comparison:
- Best Western: ~0.6 cents per point
- Marriott Bonvoy: ~0.7-0.9 cents per point
- Hilton Honors: ~0.5-0.6 cents per point
- World of Hyatt: ~1.5-1.8 cents per point
- IHG One Rewards: ~0.5-0.7 cents per point
Best Western's value proposition shines when you're staying at mid-tier properties in secondary markets. For luxury redemptions or aspirational travel, other programs offer better value. Read our comparison of IHG vs Marriott vs Hilton hotel programs to see how major chains stack up.
Who Should Use Best Western Rewards?
Ideal Member Profile
Best Western Rewards makes the most sense for:
Budget-Conscious Road Warriors: Frequent business travelers staying at affordable properties will accumulate points quickly and benefit from easy-to-achieve elite status.
Families and Leisure Travelers: Best Western's widespread presence in suburban and highway locations makes it convenient for family road trips, with properties offering practical amenities like complimentary breakfast at many locations.
Secondary Market Travelers: Best Western dominates in smaller cities and towns where major luxury brands don't operate. If your travel takes you to these locations, Best Western becomes the de facto choice.
Credit Card Strategists: The low annual fee on the Premium card and instant Platinum status create value even for occasional Best Western guests who want a dedicated hotel card for road trips. If you're new to travel credit cards, start with our guide on choosing your first travel credit card.
When to Skip Best Western Rewards
Consider other programs if:
You Prioritize Luxury Properties: Best Western's upscale brands are solid but don't match the true luxury offerings from Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Park Hyatt, or similar brands in other programs. Check out our guides to best credit cards for Marriott hotels, best credit cards for Hyatt hotels, or best credit cards for Hilton hotels for luxury-focused strategies.
You Want Point Transfer Flexibility: Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards offer far more redemption versatility. Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold for flexible travel rewards.
You Travel Internationally to Major Cities: Best Western's international presence is growing but still trails Marriott, Hilton, and IHG in major global destinations.
You're Chasing Premium Airline Redemptions: The poor airline transfer ratios make Best Western a dead end for maximizing travel rewards across categories.
Common Questions About Best Western Rewards
Do Best Western points expire?
No, Best Western Rewards points never expire as long as your account remains active. There's no need to worry about using points within a certain timeframe or maintaining activity to prevent forfeiture.
Can I use points for someone else's stay?
Yes, you can book award stays for anyone using your points. The reservation can be under a different name, and you don't need to be present during the stay. This makes Best Western points useful for booking travel for family members or friends.
How many credit cards can I have?
Best Western doesn't publish restrictions on holding multiple personal cards simultaneously, but most members report being limited to one personal card at a time. You could potentially hold both the regular and Premium versions over time by upgrading or downgrading, but simultaneous applications likely won't be approved for both.
Are taxes and fees waived on award stays?
Best Western charges taxes on award stays, which is standard across most hotel programs. However, you'll avoid resort fees, parking fees, and other incidental charges that properties might normally add. This makes Best Western award stays particularly valuable at properties that charge substantial resort fees on cash rates.
Can I cancel or change award reservations?
Yes, Best Western award reservations can typically be cancelled or modified without penalty if done before the property's cancellation deadline (usually 24-48 hours before check-in). Points are returned to your account immediately upon cancellation.
How do I check my points balance?
Log into your Best Western Rewards account at bestwestern.com/rewards to view your current points balance, see transaction history, and track progress toward elite status. The mobile app also provides access to your account information.
Do Best Western credit cards have foreign transaction fees?
No, both Best Western credit cards include no foreign transaction fees, making them useful for international travel when you'll be staying at Best Western properties abroad. For more options, see our list of best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Getting Started with Best Western Rewards
Step 1: Join the Program
Sign up for free at bestwestern.com/rewards. The enrollment process takes about two minutes and requires only basic information. You'll receive your member number immediately.
Step 2: Book Your First Stay
Make your first Best Western reservation through bestwestern.com or the mobile app while logged into your account. Ensure your member number is attached to the reservation. Points typically post 3-5 business days after checkout.
Step 3: Evaluate Credit Card Options
If you stay at Best Western properties regularly, consider one of the co-branded credit cards:
- Choose the no-fee card for Gold status and basic earning
- Choose the Premium card for Platinum status, free nights, and accelerated earning
The Premium card makes sense if you stay 3+ nights annually at Best Western properties, thanks to the annual free night award offsetting most of the fee.
If Best Western doesn't align with your travel patterns, consider these alternatives:
- For flexible hotel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture X
- For Marriott loyalists: Best Marriott credit cards
- For Hyatt properties: World of Hyatt Credit Card
- For Hilton stays: Hilton Honors credit cards
- For IHG properties: IHG One Rewards Premier
Step 4: Monitor Promotions
Check the Best Western Rewards promotions page regularly for targeted bonus opportunities. Register for any promotions that align with your planned travel before booking stays.
Step 5: Plan Your First Redemption
Once you accumulate 8,000+ points, start exploring award availability for upcoming trips. Book award stays at least a few weeks in advance when possible to ensure availability at your preferred properties.
Final Thoughts
Best Western Rewards won't replace your primary hotel loyalty program if you're pursuing luxury travel or maximizing point transfers to airlines. But for frequent stays at mid-tier properties, the program delivers solid value with minimal complexity.
The low elite status thresholds, straightforward earning structure, and credit card benefits create a compelling package for road warriors and budget-conscious travelers. Best Western's extensive North American footprint makes it particularly useful for domestic travel to secondary markets where major hotel chains don't operate.
If your travel patterns align with Best Western's property locations and you value simplicity over flashy redemption options, this program deserves a spot in your rewards strategy. The credit cards, especially the Premium version, offer enough benefits to justify holding even as a secondary hotel card for road trips and affordable stays.
For a broader perspective on hotel loyalty programs, check out our complete guide to hotel points. And if you're building your overall credit card strategy, explore our recommendations for the best hotel credit cards and best travel credit cards for 2025.
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