Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer Hotel Rewards Loyalty Program

I Prefer Hotel Rewards Overview

I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the loyalty program of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand. With more than 650 properties across 85+ countries, the program connects travelers to boutique and luxury hotels while offering opportunities to earn and redeem points. Membership is free, and benefits are available immediately upon enrollment.

Joining I Prefer

Enrollment is free and can be completed online at the Preferred Hotels & Resorts website. Members receive their I Prefer account number right away and can begin earning points on their first stay.

How To Sign in to Your I Prefer Account

Members can log in at iprefer.com using their email address and password. They can access account balances, elite status information, and upcoming reservations from there.

Viewing Your Account Activity

Your online account dashboard provides a complete overview of your current points balance, recent activity and transactions, elite status progress, and reservation history. After logging in, you can access this by clicking on your name in the top right corner and then choosing My Account.

Profile Preferences

Members can update personal details, communication preferences, and hotel stay requests through their online account. From the homepage, click on your name in the top right corner and choose My Account. From the account area, the left-side menu has an option for Profile & Preferences.

Points Expiration

I Prefer points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Members must earn or redeem points at least once every 2 years to keep points alive.

I Prefer Benefits

The I Prefer program features 3 elite tiers, each offering incremental perks.

Silver (Upon Enrollment)

• 10 points per $1 spent on stays
• Member-only rates
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability)
• Room upgrades (subject to availability)
• Digital Preferred Travel magazine

Gold (25,000 Points)

• All Silver benefits
• 20% bonus points on eligible stays (12 points per $1 spent)
• Welcome amenity on arrival

Titanium (50,000+ Points)

• All Gold benefits
• 50% bonus points on eligible stays (15 points per $1 spent)
• Food and beverage vouchers
• Exclusive offers and experiences
• Digital anniversary gift

Earning I Prefer Elite Status

There are 3 tiers of elite status with I Prefer. Here’s a look at the points required to earn each tier and what you can earn with them:

Elite status is based on the number of points earned each calendar year. While the status program works annually, if you qualify for the next tier in the middle of the year, you don’t have to wait for the end of the year to move up. Your status will be upgraded and kept through the end of the following year.

If you don’t earn enough points during the following year to maintain your status, you will be downgraded to the corresponding tier that matches your earnings in the following year. Status is earned through points that are attached to spending, so the number of nights or hotel visits you have doesn’t matter. Only spending matters.

Value of I Prefer Elite Status

Because benefits like upgrades and late checkout are at the discretion of each independent property, the value of elite status can vary widely. That said, combining bonus points, welcome amenities, and potential upgrades can add meaningful value for frequent guests.

How To Earn I Prefer Points

Here’s a quick overview of the best ways to earn I Prefer points.

Earning Points on Preferred Hotels & Resorts Stays

Members earn 10 I Prefer points per $1 spent (before taxes and fees) on eligible stays booked directly through Preferred Hotels & Resorts channels. However, elite members can earn as many as 15 points per $1 spent, accelerating their upward progress and ability to book award stays faster.

Purchasing Points

At this time, I Prefer does not sell points directly. Travelers must earn them through stays or credit card transfers.

Earning Points on Partnered Credit Cards

One of the strongest ways to build an I Prefer balance is by transferring points from 2 major bank rewards programs:

• Citi ThankYou Points transfer to I Prefer at a 1:4 ratio.
• Capital One miles transfer to I Prefer at a 1:2 ratio.

Because Citi’s transfer rate is twice as good, it is generally the better option for maximizing your balance.

Recommended Citi Credit Cards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,280

Annual Fee

$595

APR

21.24% to 29.24% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
• 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Up to $300 annual hotel benefit
• Up to $200 annual splurge credit
• Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit
• 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes every calendar year
• Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners like American Airlines
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% to 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is Citi’s premium credit card offering, ideal for frequent travelers and foodies alike.

It earns 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel, 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), and 3x points on dining at all other times, along with 1.5x points on all other eligible purchases.

This card also offers perks like unlimited access to Priority Pass airport lounges, 4 American Airlines Admirals Club lounge passes per year, up to $300 in annual hotel benefits, up to $200 in annual Splurge Credit value, and up to $200 in annual Blacklane credits.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has a more modest annual fee, and it earns 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, along with 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations. The card also offers a $100 annual hotel benefit through Citi Travel.

Recommended Capital One Credit Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The premium card in Capital One’s portfolio is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with a $395 annual fee. However, it offers unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, a Priority Pass membership, rental car elite status, 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary, a $300 annual travel credit to use with Capital One Travel, and up to a $120 credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4 years.

Cardholders also earn Capital One miles at a good rate, earning 10x miles on hotels and rental cars in Capital One Travel, 5x on flights and vacation rentals in Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on other spending.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a modest $95 annual fee yet still offers 2x Capital One miles on daily spending, unlimited 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked in Capital One Travel, and up to a $120 credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every 4 years.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome Offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in travel bonuses. Enjoy $100 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $300 in travel.

$100 travel credit + 20,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$460

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.99% - 28.99% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in travel bonuses. Enjoy $100 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $300 in travel
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 18.99% - 28.99% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is the sole card earning Capital One miles with a $0 annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.25x miles on everyday spending, plus 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked in Capital One Travel.

How To Redeem I Prefer Points

I Prefer points can be redeemed for:

• Reward nights, starting at 15,000 points per night at participating properties
• “Reward nights plus,” which are cash and points stays starting at 3,000 points
• Room upgrades, when available
• On-property experiences, such as dining or spa services (availability varies by hotel)
• Reward certificates

When redeeming for a rewards certificate, your points will essentially buy a certificate you use to pay part of your balance while at the hotel, available at fixed intervals:

• 12,500 points for a $25 certificate
• 25,000 points for a $50 certificate
• 50,000 points for a $100 certificate
• 125,000 points for a $250 certificate
• 250,000 points for a $500 certificate

Reward certificates aren’t the best redemption option. Points are worth 0.2 cents each — just a fraction of a penny — when redeeming for these certificates. Alternatively, reward nights or a mix of points plus cash can provide opportunities for higher redemption value.

Because each property is independently owned, redemption rules and availability can differ. It is essential to check options through the I Prefer booking portal before transferring or redeeming points.