Why not get the best bang for your buck?? There are many reward programs out there that cost absolutely nothing to join. This include hotel reward programs and airline programs. These programs may result in discounts and also free hotel stays and/or flights. Here is just an example for your information. Hilton Honors is a free reward program with four levels, blue, silver, gold, and diamond. When you sign up for your free membership, you are automatically a blue member. This entitles you to a discount rate when booking rooms and also free wifi during your stay. There are other great benefits in the program and you move levels based on your stays, nights, or points earned. I am currently a diamond member and get great benefits including free upgrades and a 48 hour guarantee just to name a couple. For example, if a hotel is sold out, diamond members can still book a room as long as a 48 hour notice is given. Of course, there are limited 48 hour guarantee rooms so if other diamond members are doing the same for the same date, it may not be available.  One additional benefit is that when you book a stay direct you earn points for your stay and these points can then be used for future stays or a host of other things. Recently I used my Hilton Honors points to purchase items from Amazon. This was great!!! Go ahead and sign up for all those programs!! FYI-Also, if you already have membership with certain hotel chains, check for a status match at another chain. Click the link below to download the app.