Not directly contradicting the above, one should ask at the beginning of the New Year which strategy to apply in the hotel sector.

If you a) plan a certain volume (at least 10 stays) and b) can bundle them into a chain without too much effort, hotel programs still definitely make sense. If these conditions are not met and thus notably an elite status in the hotel programs cannot be achieved, the various booking platforms linked to a Frequent Flyer Program are certainly the better choice.