While LaQuinta Inn & Suites is not known as a luxury brand, the hotel chain provides clean, comfortable accommodations and extras for guests to enjoy, including free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. That's why U.S. News & World Report describes the brand's rewards program, LaQuinta Returns, as "best suited for budget-conscious business and leisure travelers." It's free to join, and as a member, you can earn points that can be redeemed for free stays in the future, as well as enjoy special perks.
Joining LaQuinta Returns
It's easy to sign-up for the LaQuinta Returns program. Simply visit the olnine registration page and provide the required information. You'll need to choose a password and enter your name, address and phone number. You can opt to enter multiple phone numbers and, if applicable, your company's name. Once all necessary details have been entered, simply click submit and you'll be a member.
Perks of Membership
The Free from Broke blog describes the LaQuinta Rewards program as straightforward, indicating that it is less complicated than many other hotel rewards programs. As a member, you'll receive points every time you stay at a LaQuinta Inn & Suites property. You'll earn a minimum of ten base points for every dollar you spend with the brand. These points can be applied to various benefits and redemption rewards designed to reward frequent guests for their loyalty.
Basic Membership Benefits
When you join the program, you'll have silver status right away. Benefits include:
- Ten points earned for every dollar spent
- Express (faster and easier) check-in procedures
- Later than standard check-out time
- A members-only 800 number for reservations and questions
Once you join the program, you'll periodically receive emails or direct mail pieces that provide you with opportunities to boost your points. For example, you'll be able to earn extra points for watching travel videos or playing games when special promotions are available.
Gold and Elite Status Benefits
Your status and benefits can increase based on the number of nights you stay at a LaQuinta property each year.
- Gold: You'll earn gold status when you have spent ten nights at a LaQuinta hotel in a year. Guests with this status receive a 20% points bonus and receive certificates that can be redeemed for room upgrades twice per year. Gold-level guests also get free fax privileges during stays (with a limit of 15 pages per fax).
- Elite: To earn elite status, you must stay a minimum of 25 nights at a LaQuinta hotel in a year. Members with this status receive a 30% points bonus, the other gold benefits and more. Benefits available only to elite members include an Elite Private Line phone number, free bottled water and snack upon check-in, automatic availability-based room upgrades at check-in and guaranteed availability (in most cases) with 48-hour advance reservations. Additionally, there are no blackout dates for rewards certificates redeemed by elite members.
Redeeming Your Points
Earning points can be fun, but the real reward comes from redeeming them!
Free Nights at LaQuinta
You can redeem your points for free nights at LaQuinta brand properties. The number of points required varies, with free rooms available at some locations for as few as 6,000 points, while others may require as many as 24,000. According to Wanderbat.com, LaQuinta Returns members need to spend just over $1,250 with the brand to get a free one-night stay, which is about $900 less than what is required with other major hotel rewards programs. Monster.com named the program as one of the five "hotel rewards programs that make it easiest to earn free rooms."
Luxury Resort Bookings
You can also apply your accrued LaQuinta Returns points to book stays at luxury resorts outside the brand, based on availability. The amount of points needed varies widely based on desired location and availability. You may get lucky and find a great booking for just a few thousand points, while some may require more than double the points needed for a stay at a high-end LaQuinta property.
Gift Cards
You can also redeem points for gift cards to popular stores (such as Kohl's and Amazon), restaurants (including Olive Garden and Chili's), entertainment venues (such as AMC Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group) and more. Trade in 7,500 points for a $25 gift card to any participating merchant.
Magazine Subscriptions
As another option, you can exchange the points you earn for free magazine subscriptions. Choose from among popular titles including Better Homes & Gardens, Sports Illustrated, and many others. Annual subscriptions are available for as little as 900 points.
Hotels for Heroes Donation
If you'd prefer to use your points for good deeds, you can donate them to the Hotels For Heroes, a program of Fisher House Foundation that makes available no-cost hotel stays for military family members who need a place to stay when their family members are receiving treatment at medical facilities outside their home area.
Travel Program Points
Instead of accruing points to apply to LaQuinta stays or perks, you can opt to forego LaQuinta Returns points in favor of earning points in other travel reward programs. For example, you can opt to earn 250 points per stay in your choice of popular frequent flyer programs (including American Airlines AA Advantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards and more) or other travel-related programs like Amtrak Guest Rewards. You can't double-dip though. If you go this route, you will not earn La Quinta Returns points as well.
Getting More Points
There are three ways to get points that don't involve additional room nights.
- Buy points: If you don't have quite enough points for the reward you would like, you can buy extra points to help put you over the threshold. You can purchase points for yourself or as a gift to someone else.
- Exchange points: If you have points in other travel programs that you won't use, you can exchange them for LaQuinta Returns points via Points.com. You'll need to register for a free Points.com account, enter details about your participating rewards programs, and then exchange points within the allowed guidelines, which vary among rewards programs.
- Earn credit card points: If you want to build your points balance faster than you could through stays alone, you may want to consider opening a branded credit card account. The LaQuinta Returns credit card is available through First Bankcard. The Value Traveler likes this card because it provides 17 points for every dollar spent at a LaQuinta property and two points for every other dollar spent. The card has no annual fee and bumps cardholders up to gold status.
Great Option for U.S. Travelers
LaQuinta has more than 800 hotels located throughout the U.S., as well as Mexico and Canada. It is not a global operation or one of the largest chains, but it is a quality chain that meets the needs of many travelers, including those looking for pet-friendly accommodations. WebFlyer describes the chain's rewards program as a "useful loyalty program," particularly for "domestic travelers" and Miles Momma considers it one of the "top hotel programs." If you ever stay at a LaQuinta, there's no reason not to join!
