Best Western Rewards: How To Earn Automatic Elite Status and Awesome Perks

CREDIT CARDS - HOTEL & AIRLINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS
Best Western offers great perks like no blackout dates and no points expiration right away and the credit card welcome bonus is almost enough for up to nine free nights.
Updated Feb. 7, 2024
Fact checked
Enthusiastic couple in hotel room

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Best Western is a global hotel chain with more than 70 years’ experience serving hotel guests. The hotel offers more than 4,500 locations in almost 100 countries, and its 13 different brands cater to travelers of all styles. The hotel's loyalty program, Best Western Rewards, was created to reward travelers staying at Best Western properties and spending with its partners.

As a member of Best Western Rewards, you will benefit from worldwide free night redemptions with points that never expire. If you have status with another hotel brand, Best Western will match that status. And you'll receive exclusive member rates to save even more while enjoying your hotel stays.

In this article

The basics of the Best Western Rewards program

The Best Western Rewards program offers five levels of elite status to earn based on total qualifying stays or points earned. All members start out with Blue status, which includes benefits such as points that don't expire, no blackout dates on award bookings, and early check-in and late check-out when available.

Your loyalty to Best Western will be rewarded as you move up through the elite tiers. Diamond Select is the highest tier and offers 50% bonus points on stays, as well as additional perks like room upgrades and a thank you gift or points upon arrival.

Which brands participate in this program?

Thirteen brands participate in the Best Western Rewards hotel loyalty program. Each of these unique brands caters to a different type of traveler. You can earn points at the following properties and then redeem your points for a hotel stay with no blackout dates:

  • Best Western
  • Best Western Plus
  • Best Western Premier
  • Vib
  • GLo
  • Executive Residency by Best Western
  • BW Signature Collection
  • BW Premier Collection
  • Sadie
  • Aiden by Best Western
  • SureStay
  • SureStay Plus
  • SureStay Collection

The perks as a Best Western Rewards member

When you're a member of the Best Western Rewards loyalty program, you can expect two types of benefits. All members who sign up for the hotel loyalty program receive a base level of benefits each time they book a reservation. Members also receive additional benefits as they build elite status. Here are some elite benefits you will receive through this program:

  • Points that never expire
  • No blackout dates when booking award stays
  • Free night redemptions count towards elite status
  • Early check-in
  • Late check-out

One caveat: Early check-in and late check-out are based on availability. If the hotel is full, it may not be able to offer this benefit.

How to earn Best Western Rewards points

If you want to earn a lot of Best Western Rewards points, you have several options to build your balance. Once you've earned those points, you can redeem them for free hotel nights, transfers to airline partners, or many other options. Here’s how to start earning.

Earn points on Best Western stays

Best Western Rewards members earn points on their hotel stays based on how much they spend on their reservations. Base level Blue members earn 10x points for staying at a Best Western property. For example, if their hotel room was $300, they would earn 3,000 points for that stay.

As you move up the elite tiers, you will earn even more Best Western Rewards points. When members achieve Gold status, the first elite tier, they earn 10% more points than Blue level members. When members reach Diamond Select, the highest elite tier, they earn 50% more points. For example, Diamond Select members would earn a total of 4,500 points on the Best Western hotel stay discussed above.

Sign up for Best Western Business Advantage

Best Western Business Advantage is a free rewards program that was created for small to medium-sized businesses and their employees. This additional program offers benefits like 10% off the best available rate, Diamond status for the owner, Gold status for all employees, and exclusive perks. Additionally, the company gets a bonus of 10% of all points earned by employees.

Sign up for Best Western Service Rewards

Best Western is supporting our active-duty military, veterans, and government employees with a special program. The Best Western Service Rewards Program provides an automatic upgrade to Gold status and the ability to earn 10% additional points. Plus, Best Western donates an extra 10% of the points earned by members to military charities.

People who qualify for this program include:

  • Federal and state government employees when showing government ID
  • Active-duty military, veterans, and civilian-military personnel
  • Tax-funded hospital and university personnel
  • Cost reimbursable contractors

Additionally, Best Western offers these benefits for similar classes of Canadian government personnel.

Earn bonus points on hotel stays through promotions

Like most hotel chains, Best Western Rewards offers promotions on a regular basis. With these promotions, you can earn extra points or award nights. To learn about these valuable promotions, sign up for the Best Western Rewards newsletter. Register for every promotion you are offered because there is no fee to sign up.

With some promotions, you can earn up to 4x points at participating hotels. Other seasonal promotions provide a free night after staying a certain number of nights. For example, the Rewards Rush promotion ending November 17, 2019, offers one free night after a two nights’ stay.

Go Green during your stay

You can earn additional Best Western Rewards by declining housekeeping services during your stays at Best Western properties. For every day you decline housekeeping services, you'll receive 500 Best Western Rewards points. Or, if there is an on-site restaurant, you may get an equivalent food and dining credit instead. This offer applies for a minimum two-night stay, and requires that members place the Go Green hanger on their door before housekeeping comes by in the morning.

Spend money with Best Western Rewards partners

Spending money with Best Western rewards partners will also help you maximize your points. Best Western has partnered with rental car agencies, retailers, and airlines so that members can earn even more points through different credit cards and rewards programs.

Six rental car agencies offer discounts and hotel points for Best Western Rewards members. Depending on which rental car company you choose, you can earn up to 3x rewards points or up to a flat 2,000 points with your rental.

You can earn additional Best Western Rewards points when you shop at select retailers. Teleflora and Vinesse Wines offer up to 12,500 points for members who make a purchase through Best Western's referral link. And Diners Club cardholders can also choose to earn Best Western hotel points.

The Best Western Rewards program also has 29 airline partners. Unfortunately, you won't earn Best Western Rewards points on your flights, but you can earn airline miles for your hotel stays with Best Western — a valuable perk if you’re a frequent flier.

Use the Best Western Rewards credit card

If you frequently stay at Best Western properties, the company's co-branded card might be the best hotel credit card for you. Signing up for the Best Western Rewards credit card is also a great way to earn points towards free stays and automatic elite status. There are two versions of the card, and both offer a 10% discount when booking at BestWestern.com:

Card name Reward details Annual fee
Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard 20 points per dollar spent on Best Western stays (10 points as a Best Western Rewards member and 10 points for using the card), and 2 points per dollar spent everywhere else $89
Best Western Rewards Mastercard 13X points per dollar on Best Western purchases (10 points as a Best Western Rewards member and 3 points for using the card), plus 2X points per dollar on all other purchases $0

The Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard comes with a generous welcome bonus; new cardmembers can earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in first 3 billing cycles Plus, there's an opportunity to receive another 20,000 bonus points annually if you spend at least $5,000 on the card each year. Together, that's enough for eight 8,000-point free night vouchers.

With the Best Western Rewards Mastercard, new cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. You can redeem those 32,000 points for up to four free night certificates.

Best Western Rewards tiers, explained

There are five elite status levels available in the Best Western Rewards program. The Gold (2nd level) and Diamond Select (top tier) offer the same benefits, except for the bonus points you earn from each stay. And if you have elite status with another hotel loyalty program, Best Western will instantly match your status at no charge.

Blue

All members start out with Blue status. At this level, you'll earn 10x points on Best Western hotel stays and enjoy great benefits, such as:

  • Points that never expire
  • No blackout dates when booking award stays
  • Access to an exclusive reservation line
  • Free night redemptions count towards elite status
  • Early check-in (when available)
  • Late check-out (when available)

Gold

To move up to Gold status, you'll need to stay 10 nights, have seven qualifying stays, or earn 10,000 points. At this level, you'll earn a 10% bonus on points earned during your stay and receive all of the Blue level benefits plus:

  • Your choice of a thank you gift or points upon arrival
  • Complimentary room upgrade

The no annual fee Best Western Rewards credit card offers automatic Gold status.

Platinum

Platinum level benefits are the same as Gold level benefits, except this membership tier earns a 15% bonus on points instead of a 10% bonus.

To earn Platinum status, you'll need to have 15 nights, 10 stays, or 15,000 points earned.

Diamond

Members earn Diamond status when they stay 30 nights, have 20 qualifying stays, or earn 30,000 points. Business owners signed up for Best Western Business Advantage receive Diamond status as a complimentary perk. The benefits are the same as Platinum, except Diamond members earn a 30% bonus on their points.

Diamond Select

Diamond Select is the top-level status in the Best Western Rewards program. This elite status offers the same benefits as Gold status and above, but members earn a 50% bonus on points for Best Western hotel reservations.

How to qualify for premium membership tiers faster

It can take a while to move up elite tiers by staying at Best Western properties. Fortunately, there are ways to climb the ladder more quickly that don't require a lot of money or time.

The first option is to get a Best Western Rewards credit card. The Best Western Rewards Mastercard comes with a Gold status perk, while the Premium card offers automatic Platinum status.

If you’re a business owner, signing up for the Best Western Business Advantage program earns you automatic Diamond status. Plus, you get automatic Gold status for your employees. Military and government workers receive Gold status when they show their ID at check-in.

Best Western Rewards program FAQs

As with any loyalty program, common questions come up. The following are some frequently asked questions from new and existing members of Best Western's hotel loyalty program.

How many points do you need to get a free night at Best Western?

Like most hotels, pricing is based on the property's tier level and the type of room you choose. Prices for free nights at Best Western start at 8,000 and can go as high as 36,000 per night. To redeem for a free night, purchase a free night voucher from Best Western's Redemption Mall, then book your night using that certificate.

How much are Best Western Rewards points worth?

The value of your points depends on what you are redeeming them for. You can redeem points free nights at Best Western hotels, gas cards, dining, shopping, and more.

On average, your Best Western Rewards points are worth 0.7 cents each, but the value can dip much lower for certain redemptions. For example, a $50 Best Western Rewards prepaid Mastercard requires 13,100 points. This redemption equates to a value of less than 0.4 cents per point. You'll want to compare offers to find the best travel credit card that meets your needs.

Can I book free nights for other people?

Yes. Best Western allows members to gift free nights to friends and family. You'll buy a free night certificate and give it to your recipient. Then, they'll call customer service to book their stay.

Can I transfer Best Western points to airlines?

Yes. Travel is one option to redeem your points. Redemptions start at 5,000 Best Western Rewards points, and Best Western has 16 airline partners, including American Airlines, AirFrance KLM Flying Blue, British Airways, and Southwest Airlines.

Can I buy Best Western points?

Yes. You can buy up to 10,000 points per transaction. There is a minimum purchase amount of 1,000 points for $10.

Do Best Western points expire?

No, your Best Western Rewards points will never expire. Other hotel loyalty programs may require that you earn or redeem points to keep your account active. That is not the case with Best Western.

Can Best Western points be transferred?

Yes. You can transfer points to anyone who shares the same physical address as you. To transfer points, contact the Best Western customer service team.


The final word on Best Western Rewards

Best Western has over 4,100 hotels around the world. Though you may already have a favorite loyalty program, such as Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt, it’s good to have a backup option you can turn to. And no matter where you are traveling, there's a good chance Best Western will have an affordable property at your destination.

The Best Western Rewards program also comes with lots of perks. You can status match into Best Western Rewards, your points never expire, it’s free and easy to join, and there are no blackout dates on award nights. Sign up today — you won’t regret it!

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
  • Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
  • Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Apply Now
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card
4.1
Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it

Want to learn how to make an extra $200?

Get proven ways to earn extra cash from your phone, computer, & more with Extra.

You will receive emails from FinanceBuzz.com. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

  • Vetted side hustles
  • Exclusive offers to save money daily
  • Expert tips to help manage and escape debt