What Is Best Western Rewards?
Best Western Rewards is the loyalty program for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, covering over 4,700 properties in nearly 100 countries. Unlike programs focused on aspirational luxury, Best Western Rewards targets practical travelers, offering a massive footprint in secondary cities, national park gateways, and European historic centers. Its defining feature is that points never expire, making it the ideal “secondary program” for travelers who may not stay frequently enough to maintain activity in other chains.
Why You Should Care About Best Western (Even if You Love Hyatt)
Most points enthusiasts focus on World of Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy for luxury stays. However, ignoring Best Western is a strategic error for 2026. The program fills a critical gap in a balanced travel portfolio: availability.
When you visit National Parks like Zion or the Grand Canyon, or small European villages in France or Italy, you often won’t find a Park Hyatt or Ritz-Carlton. You will, however, likely find a Best Western Plus or a BW Premier. Having a stash of Best Western points protects your cash flow when you’re forced to stay in locations where luxury chains have no footprint.
Furthermore, because points never expire, you can accumulate them slowly over years without the pressure of an arbitrary 18-month deadline. This makes it the perfect “safety net” program.
Best Western Elite Status: The Easiest Tier to Earn
Best Western uses a five-tier system. The requirements for 2026 remain at the accessible “reduced” thresholds established in previous years, making top-tier status remarkably easy to attain.
| Tier | Nights Required | Points Bonus | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 0 | 0% | Points Never Expire |
| Gold | 5 | 10% | Preferred Room Choice |
| Platinum | 7 | 15% | Early Check-In / Late Check-Out |
| Diamond | 15 | 30% | Welcome Gift (Points or Snack) |
| Diamond Select | 25 | 50% | Highest Bonus Earning |
The “Status Match… No Catch” Strategy
Do not earn status the hard way. Best Western has run its “Status Match… No Catch” promotion for years, and it remains active in 2026. If you have Gold or Platinum status with Marriott, Hilton, IHG, or Hyatt, Best Western will match you to the equivalent tier instantly.
How to do it:
- Fill out the form on the Best Western website.
- Upload a screenshot of your current elite status statement from a competitor.
- You are typically upgraded within 2-3 business days.
This is particularly useful if you have a credit card that grants you status elsewhere, such as the Hilton Honors Aspire or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. You can leverage that single card to get top-tier status across multiple programs. For more on maximizing credit card perks, check our guide on Credit Card Authorized Users: Pros & Cons.
Earning Points: The Math
The earning structure is simple compared to the complex multipliers of airline programs. You earn 10 base points per $1 USD spent on the room rate. Taxes and fees generally do not earn points.
Elite Bonuses
If you match to Diamond Select, you earn a 50% bonus, bringing your total to 15 points per $1. On a $200 stay, a base member earns 2,000 points, while a Diamond Select member earns 3,000 points. At a valuation of 0.7 cents per point, that’s a return of roughly 10.5% on your spend—a respectable rebate for a budget program.
Credit Cards
The credit card portfolio has recently changed. The cards are no longer issued by FNBO; they are now issued by First Bank & Trust (managed by Mercury Financial). This shift brought improved earning rates and benefits for 2026.
- Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card: Annual fee approx. $89. Earns 10x points on BW stays (stackable with the 10x base for 20x total). Includes automatic Platinum status and the ability to earn free night awards.
- Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card: No annual fee. Earns 4x points on BW stays (increased from the old 3x rate). Good for keeping the account active and earning automatic Gold status.
If you are considering downgrading a card with an annual fee, read our analysis on Product Changing: When to Downgrade Your Card to avoid hurting your credit score.
Redeeming Points: Sweet Spots & Valuation
Best Western uses dynamic pricing, meaning the points cost correlates with the cash price. However, unlike Hilton or Marriott, the correlation isn’t perfectly fixed, which allows for outsized value if you look carefully. Ranges typically go from 5,000 to 70,000 points per night.
Sweet Spot 1: European Historic Hotels
The “Best Western Premier” and “BW Signature Collection” brands in Europe are often independently owned historic properties. For example, staying in a 4-star hotel in Venice, Italy or a boutique hotel in Paris, France can cost $300+ USD per night during peak summer months. If you can book these for 36,000 to 40,000 points, you are getting nearly 0.8 to 1.0 cents per point in value.
Sweet Spot 2: Southeast Asia Luxury
In countries like Thailand and Indonesia, Best Western offers high-end properties that rival traditional luxury brands. A Best Western Premier in Bangkok might cost just 12,000 to 16,000 points per night. If you are planning a trip to the region, combine these cheap stays with our Steal My Asia Travel Itinerary to mix budget nights with luxury experiences.
Sweet Spot 3: National Park Gateways
Hotels near Zion, Yellowstone, or Yosemite are notoriously expensive, often exceeding $400 for a basic room in high season. Best Western has a massive presence in these gateway towns. While point rates will be high (often capped at 70,000), this can still save you a tremendous amount of cash. If you are road-tripping with a family, this is one of the best uses of points.
Warning: The “Pay with Points” Trap
Best Western allows you to use points to partially pay for a room. The rate is fixed at 1,000 points = $5.00 off (0.5 cents per point). Avoid this. You effectively lose 30-40% of the value compared to redeeming for a full free night award where you can often get 0.7-0.8 cents per point. Always aim for a full redemption to maximize your return.
Best Western vs. Wyndham Rewards
The closest competitor to Best Western is Wyndham Rewards. Both target the budget/road-trip demographic. Here is how they stack up in 2026:
- Expiration: Best Western points never expire. Wyndham points expire after 18 months of inactivity and have a hard expiration of 4 years regardless of activity. Winner: Best Western.
- Luxury Cap: Wyndham has a flat redemption chart (7.5k, 15k, 30k), meaning you can book a $600 resort for 30k points. Best Western is dynamic. Winner: Wyndham.
- Footprint: Both are massive, but Best Western generally has higher quality control in Europe (Best Western Premier) compared to Wyndham’s European portfolio. Winner: Best Western (for Europe).
For a deeper dive into the competition, read why we think Wyndham is also a strong contender in our guide: Wyndham Rewards: Why It Is Underrated.
Gotchas & Hidden Rules
While the program is simple, there are nuances you must know to avoid disappointment.
1. Resort Fees on Award Stays
Unlike Hilton and Hyatt, Best Western does not have a global policy waiving resort fees on award stays. While many individual properties may waive them as a courtesy to elites, they are not required to do so. Always call the specific property to confirm before booking if you are visiting a destination known for these fees (like Las Vegas or Orlando). See our analysis on The Truth About Resort Fees on Award Stays.
2. The “North America” Rate Discrepancy
Redemption rates in North America are significantly higher than in the rest of the world. A 20,000-point night in the U.S. is often a roadside motel, whereas 20,000 points in Bali or Vietnam could be a 4-star resort. Adjust your expectations based on geography.
3. Lack of Transfer Partners
Best Western is not a transfer partner of Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi. Unlike Marriott or Hilton, you cannot top up your account by transferring flexible bank points. You must earn points through stays or the co-branded credit cards. This makes your existing stash of BW points more precious, as they are “closed loop” currency.
Advanced Strategy: Buying Points
Best Western occasionally sells points. The standard price is ~1.1 cents per point, which is too high. However, during promotions, they may offer a 50% discount or 100% bonus, dropping the price to ~0.55 cents. If you have a specific redemption in mind where the value exceeds 0.8 cents (like a peak-season European hotel), buying points can be cheaper than paying the cash rate. This is a form of “arbitrage” similar to How to Hack Hotel Best Rate Guarantees.
Conclusion: Is Best Western Rewards Worth It?
In 2026, Best Western Rewards remains the unsung hero of the loyalty world. It isn’t sexy, and you won’t find overwater villas or butler service. But for the 99% of trips that involve practical logistics—weddings, road trips, airport layovers, and European backpacking—it is invaluable.
The fact that points never expire means you can join today, credit a random stay, and use those points five years from now without stress. Combine that with the generous Status Match, and there is virtually no reason not to be a member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Best Western points expire?
No, Best Western Rewards points do not expire. This policy applies to all members regardless of elite status or account activity level. This is a unique benefit that separates Best Western from competitors like Marriott and Hilton.
How do I status match to Best Western?
You can request a “Status Match… No Catch” by completing the form on the Best Western website. You will need to provide proof of your current elite status with another major hotel chain. Matches are typically processed within a few business days.
Can I transfer Amex points to Best Western?
No, Best Western Rewards is not a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards (US), Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Capital One. You must earn points directly through hotel stays or the Best Western co-branded credit cards.
Are resort fees waived on award stays?
No, Best Western does not have a corporate policy waiving resort or destination fees on award nights. While some individual hotels may waive them, you should expect to pay these fees unless the specific property confirms otherwise.
