It pays to be Loyal to Loyalty programs

It pays to be loyal to a Hotel chain. I’m Platinum elite with IHG, so they give me extra points for each stay:

I got this email before I checked in: –“Thank you for being an IHG® Rewards Club Platinum Elite Member.     This email has been sent to notify you that points have been deposited into your account by InterContinental . Point Deposit Type: Welcome Amenity
Points Deposited: 600 “

My Marriott Platinum status is more rewarding because it allows me to go to the club lounges, where I get free  hors d'oeuvres and breakfast. IHG does not offer this perk. (Marriott Rewards is now called Marriott Bonvoy.) most Hotel loyalty programs get you to earn “elite level” benefits including room upgrades, bonuses, and gifts.

It’s a lot of work to read the small print, but doing your homework can earn extra hotel or airline points. Occasionally, Hotels send out promotional offers to earn extra points. IHG Hotels sent me some good offers. Elite members' points don't expire, plus many other benefits of being elite. You can reach spire elite IHG status with 73,000 +  qualifying points or 71 more qualifying nights. IHG elite status starts with Gold then Platinum then Spire Elite and the highest is InterContinental Ambassador status

I booked a Cash + POINTS stay because I had received an offer to get extra points for that Cash + POINTS stay offer, but, to my annoyance, I discovered after my stay that I did not get any points for this stay. It was a “Non-Qualifying Stay: Discounted Rate **” If I had seen the small print, I would not have made this reservation because the rates were cheap on that date and it would have counted as a stay:

Non-Qualifying Stay: Discounted Rate ** † Non-qualified spending. Points are calculated based on total qualified spending less any applicable fees and taxes.
** Thanks for staying with us. Because your room rate was discounted, it's not eligible for points.

You can combine your points with cash to redeem for a Reward Night at your choice of IHG® hotels and resorts, starting at 5,000 points. BUT DON’T TRUST THE TRICK TO DO THIS, if you are doing this from an offer to earn extra points. You will not get any points for the paid (cash) part of the points & cash
I actually like the least expensive brand the best. the Holiday Inn Express, because they have free breakfast. I stayed at the Glasgow Airport, Glasgow, last week and enjoyed the wonderful breakfast. It is a short walk from the airport to the Hotel and the Scottish Staff are all very nice. They even let me take my airport trolley up to my room, despite signs posted to the contrary.  It’s also nice to have luxury at the InterContinental hotels, if I have time to enjoy it.
IHG REWARDS CLUB offer points at these hotel BRANDS:

Glasgow Holiday Inn Express is a practical Hotel