You’ve finally decided on an all-inclusive resort for your much-needed vacay, but still overwhelmed with so many choices?
There’s a ton of competition in the all-inclusive industry, with the big-name brands lining up to convince you to spend your hard-earned cash with them. One of the most popular ideas to appeal to travelers is through loyalty programs.
So, which all-inclusive powerhouse has the best customer loyalty program? Read on to find out!
AMResorts (Unlimited Vacation Club)
AMResorts is the parent company for a number of luxury all inclusive resort brands like Secrets, Dreams, Breathless, Zoetry, and more, offering a variety of experiences from romantic escapes to family-friendly adventures. Their resorts are primarily located in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Membership in their Check PricesUnlimited Vacation Club includes guaranteed minimum discounts, access to special promotional rates, VIP upgrades and perks, discounts on resort amenities like spa treatments, and more.
Pros:
- Dedicated program for AMResorts brands like Secrets, Dreams, and Zoetry.
- Earn points for stays, dining, and spa services, unlocking benefits and discounts.
- Higher tiers offer exclusive amenities and priority access to reservations.
- Great program for travelers who prefer variety and flexibility in their hotel choices as they can be utilized across a number of brands, including both adults-only and family-friendly options, as well as a variety of budgets.
Cons:
- Points cannot be used outside of AMResorts properties.
- Limited program benefits for casual or infrequent guests.
- May not be suitable for travelers who prefer variety and flexibility in their hotel choices.
Bahia
With all-inclusive resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, Bahia Principe offer a clearly defined tiered points-based loyalty program — Check PricesMy Bahia — rewarding guests with points for each night they stay. Four reward tiers from Blue to Black increasingly reward travellers for their custom. Benefits include a 5 – 10% discount, free transfers, premium Wi-Fi access, discounted premium drinks and more. At the highest Black level, guests can enjoy access to other Bahia Principe hotels, a free night and unlimited a la carte dinners. Not bad!
Pros
- One of the more generous programs, with rewards starting immediately.
- Savings of up to 10% on future bookings AND a free night.
- Earn additional reward points by booking direct.
Cons
- 10,000 points needed to reach Black, with an average of just 135 points per night awarded – that’s a lot of vacations!
Barcelo
Barcelo mainly own resorts in Spain, with some properties in the Caribbean and Mexico. Barcelo’s Check PricesMy Barcelo loyalty program has three tiers, with the top tier reached in just 4 stays, making it far easier to achieve than other loyalty programs. All tiers offer an exclusive member-only discount of up to 20% off depending on the tier, as well as a best rate guarantee and a 10 – 20% discount on other hotel services. And the top tier also provides booking flexibility, a welcome minibar, VIP amenities and more.
Pros
- Very achievable top tier, reached in just 4 trips.
- Savings of up to 20% on vacation bookings.
Cons
- A less exciting array of rewards, and no discounts on experiences or special meals.
Club Med
Founded in 1950, Club Med is a pioneer in the all-inclusive space, with 80 (and growing) resorts in gorgeous locations across the globe, offering a fun and activity-filled all-inclusive experience. Their loyalty program – called Check PricesClub Med Great Members – has four statuses (levels): Turquoise, Silver, Gold, & Platinum. Member Status is based on total points accumulated over a 3-year lookback window, and each level features a unique set of benefits. Points are earned in three different ways – nights stayed, dollars spent, and referrals that book a stay. Member status is valid from January 1st to December 31st of the each year, and points are valid for a total of 3 years from the day your Club Med stay ends or your referral is processed.
Pros:
- Dedicated loyalty program specifically for Club Med Resorts.
- Earn points for stays and activities, unlocking exclusive rewards and discounts.
- Higher tiers offer benefits like priority booking and room upgrades.
Cons:
- Points cannot be redeemed outside of Club Med Resorts.
- Program may not be ideal for travelers who rarely stay at Club Med.
- Limited elite status benefits compared to broader hotel chain programs.
Couples
Couples Resorts may be small by brand standards, with just four resorts across the Caribbean island of Jamaica, but is beloved by its guests, enjoying one of the industry’s highest repeat guest rates of any brand. Thanks to their Check PricesCouples Romance Rewards program, guests accrue points per night stayed at any Couples resort, with rewards starting from the very first night once signed up to the program! Benefits include special repeat guest dinners, resort credits that can be used for Spa services and much more, ‘trading places’ day passes at the company’s sister resorts on the island, free t-shirts and a free bottle of Jamaican rum.
Pros
- Opportunity to explore the other Couples Resorts on your vacation.
- VIP pre-arrival check-in and can pre-select your mini-bar items.
- Rewards start with first stay.
Cons
- Not as generous as others – no free nights.
Hilton
Hilton is another recognisable hotel brand that is dabbling in the all-inclusive market, with resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Curacao. Hilton’s loyalty program is called Check PricesHilton Honors and allows guests to earn points on the company’s all-inclusive resorts and more than 7,000 traditional hotels whenever they stay. Benefits for all members included a discounted rate, digital check in, the ability to choose your room, a digital room key and complimentary Wi-Fi. As regular visitors move up through the tiers from Member to Silver (10 nights stayed), Gold (40 nights stayed) and Diamond (60 nights stayed), the benefits improve further. Diamond benefits include room upgrades, lounge access, premium Wi-Fi and more. Points can also be redeemed with Hilton partners, including Lyft, Amazon, Alamo, Enterprise and several major airlines.
Pros
- The top tier is easier to reach than many competitors.
- Points can be spent on a range of products and services, Amazon being notable.
Cons
- Diamond rewards aren’t particularly exclusive – no luxury experiences or dining etc.
Hyatt
Hyatt offers all-inclusive stays in destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain, Greece and Costa Rica. Check PricesWorld of Hyatt is a typical loyalty program in that guests earn points every time they spend with the brand. This can be on hotel stays, dining, or any other Hyatt service. These can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades or gourmet meals and experiences, giving a great degree of flexibility. Benefits of being a member of World of Hyatt also include savings of up to 10% at any Hyatt hotel or resort and savings with connected brands such as American Airlines. Guests can move up the four tiers of World of Hyatt membership, culminating in ‘Globalist’ which rewards travellers with bonus points, room upgrades, lounge access and late checkout.
Pros
- Flexible rewards starting with free nights at just 3,500 points.
- Save with a string of connected brands, not just Hyatt.
Cons
- Good benefits of the lower tiers but these don’t scale – the rewards for the higher tiers aren’t as generous as competitors.
Marriott
One of the world’s most recognizable hotel brands, now offering all-inclusive vacations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil. Marriott also advertises their loyalty program as the “best in the world”…that’s entirely subjective, of course, but it’s certainly among the top!
The Elite Membership tiers are decided based on nights stayed, ranging from 10 nights for Silver up to 100 nights and $23,000 spend for Ambassador Elite tier. You also accrue points which can be spent on a wide array of hotel stays, flight and car rentals, shopping, experiences and more, giving great flexibility. Benefits of climbing up the tier ladder include the opportunity to earn bonus points, late checkouts, welcome gifts, room upgrades, lounge access and more. A downside compared to other brands is that the tiers are based on stays in a calendar year. And although travellers aren’t instantly kicked out of their tier, it does seem that benefits are more easily forfeit at Marriott than at other brands. It’s a more generous system, but only for EXTREMELY loyal customers!
Pros
- The widest array of opportunities to spend accrued points – not just on more vacations.
- Some useful benefits such as free in-room Wi-Fi just for signing up.
- Can be earned and used at any Marriott location, not just their all-inclusive resorts.
Cons
- Not a long shelf-life on points so you can lose your tier comparatively quickly compared to other brands.
RIU
Offering all-inclusive vacations across the world, RIU operate in the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain & Portugal, Cape Verde, Morocco, Tanzania, the Maldives and elsewhere. The Check PricesRIU Class loyalty program is another points-based system, allowing members to accrue points that they can spend on future stays, upgrades or experiences. Other benefits of being a member of RIU Class include a 10% discount when booking direct, airport lounge access, free massages, and complimentary airport transfers. Plus, travellers can enjoy free room upgrades as well as early and late checkout at RIU Plaza all-inclusive hotels.
Pros
- Discounted rates and special offers for members.
- Complimentary airport transfers for a hassle-free vacation.
- Did we mention free massages?
Cons
- Big jump from RIU Class Classic to the second tier, Gold – requires 30 nights within two years.
Sandals
Sandals Resorts is the big-daddy in Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Curacao, Grenada, Antigua and the Bahamas. Check PricesSandals Select Rewards is the company’s point-based loyalty program, with guests receiving an immediate 5,000 point bonus on sign up. Points can be put towards the cost of a vacation, and there are plenty of additional benefits too. From just 1 stay, members are rewarded with exclusive events and discounts on experiences. After 70 nights stayed, a free 7-night stay is awarded and the tiered reward level goes all the way up to Ambassador Level, reached on 400 nights stayed.
Pros
- Immediate rewards for new members.
- Monetary incentives in the form of cheaper vacations and/or upgrades.
- Can earn free stays.
Cons
- A lot of vacations are needed to reach the highest levels.
We’ll add to this list as we come across great loyalty programs that can be used on all-inclusive stays at the resorts you know and love.
