GUIDE: Is Accor Live Limitless the Right Hotel Loyalty Programme for You? (Part 1)

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) is the joint hotel loyalty programme of 45+ Accor brands. Even if you’ve never booked through Accor directly, chances are you’ve already stayed at one of their hotels, without earning the benefits you could have. Despite differing opinions, Accor is my favourite and most used loyalty programme.

Here’s everything you need to know about Accor Live Limitless, from the status levels and the benefits that come with them to how to make the most of being part of ALL and how it compares to other hotel loyalty programmes.

Which Hotels Belong to the Accor Group?

Accor operates over 5,600 hotels worldwide, ranging from budget options like Ibis to mid-scale options like Novotel and Mercure, as well as numerous luxurious options, including Raffles, Fairmont, and MGallery. 

Accor was founded in 1967 with a single Novotel at Lille Airport. It’s since grown into one of the world’s largest hotel groups, and it’s the largest hospitality company in Europe. Over the years, Accor has expanded its portfolio, helped by a string of acquisitions, most notably its 2016 purchase of Raffles, Fairmont, and Swissôtel.

One of the great things about Accor is the wide range of choices available in Europe and Asia, as well as many hotels elsewhere (although there are not many in the US). In the UK, there are 256 hotels to choose from, including luxurious options such as Sofitel, Raffles, MGallery, and Fairmont. Accor is particularly useful for trips to France, with over 1,700 hotels to choose from.

There are also plenty of airport hotels in the Accor portfolio, most notably the Sofitel LHR Terminal 5 and Gatwick North Terminal. You also have the Novotel LHR and Stansted. There are also numerous Ibis hotels located at airports across the UK.

My Experience

When searching for a hotel, I typically start by checking Booking.com to get an overview of the hotels available in the area. I then go on to Trivago to cover any additional hotels not on Booking.com. I’ll then proceed to the Accor, IHG, Hilton, and Marriott apps, depending on what I’ve found during my initial research.

For European trips, especially multi-city itineraries, there are nearly always plenty of Accor options available. My favourite European hotel so far has been the MGallery Vienna.

In the UK, Accor has been a consistent choice for both city breaks and airport stays, the most useful option being the Sofitel Heathrow. In 2023, on a trip to Thailand and Singapore, I ended up staying mostly in Accor hotels. I especially enjoyed the Novotel Phuket Resort, and staying at the Ibis Styles Macpherson Singapore worked out to be an excellent value for money compared to other hotel options in the city at short notice.

How the Accor Loyalty Programme Works: An Overview

Joining the Accor loyalty programme is free, and you’ll automatically be awarded Classic Status. There are five status levels, with progression based on either the number of nights stayed at eligible Accor properties or total qualifying spend in EUR, except for Accor Diamond, which is earned solely through expenses.

Reward Points Vs Status Nights

Knowing the difference between Reward Points and Status Nights is important for making the most of Accor:

Reward Points: Your spendable currency. You can use them for things like a discount on your room, or opt to transfer them into rewards, such as airline miles. While they don’t directly count towards elite status, eligible spend that earns Reward Points can also contribute to status progression.

Status Nights: This is how you progress through the status levels. Each level requires a set number of nights (e.g. 10 nights for Silver, 30 for Gold, 60 for Platinum). You can qualify by either Status Points or Status Nights, whichever you reach first.

ALL Loyalty Programme Exclusions

Some Accor brands don’t participate in the Accor All loyalty programme, including Onefinestay, Adagio Access, most serviced apartments and any Hotel F1 properties. Ibis Budget is patchy, and many hotels don’t participate in ALL. In China, even Ibis and Ibis Styles are excluded, as are a handful of outliers, such as Novotel Toronto North York. All hotels can opt out, but budget hotels are more likely to opt out. You can view the complete list of excluded hotels here.

How to Join the Accor Loyalty Programme

You’ll see some Accor hotels listed on booking engines such as Booking.com, but unless you’re searching on a platform like Trivago, most Accor hotels will not be visible on these booking engines. Luckily, signing up for Accor is simple, and I find the website very easy to use.

As soon as you’ve signed up, you’ll benefit from the 10% members’ discount. Signing up is free. Don’t confuse this with the Accor Frequent Travellers Card, which is optional and offers larger discounts and status nights.

Accor Loyalty Programme Status Levels

Once you reach a certain status level, a soft landing policy is in effect. Accor is the only major hotel chain to do this, and you can retain status for much longer by dropping by just one status level each year.

Here are the status benefits of each level:

Many of these benefits are subject to availability, and some exclusions apply to certain brands.

Classic 

After signing up for Accor Live Limitless, you can start booking through their site or app, earning points and accessing exclusive member rates straight away.

The main benefit at this stage is the member discount. Even if you’re not planning to reach the next status level, it’s best to book directly with Accor to benefit directly from the 10% member discount. You’ll also earn 2.5 points per €1 (or a lower rate at economy or extended stay brands). Points can be redeemed for €20 of Accor credit for every 1,000 points collected, equivalent to a 5% return on spend.

Being a member will also give you access to exclusive offers, including deals of the day, ‘Stay Longer and Save’ (book 3+ nights 3 days in advance for an extra 10% off), early booking (10% off when booking 15+ days in advance), and private sales. You’ll also get free Wi-Fi at Accor hotels (even budget brands), as well as access to online check-in.

Other benefits include:

•  Complimentary access to the health club & sports facilities 
• Fairmont priority welcome
• 10% off airport lounges and earn reward points
• Paris discounts, such as 15% off at the Paris Saint-Germain Megastore & Champs‑Élysées outlet, when you show your member card.
• Earn Reward points on experiences
• .Earning points for dining spend

Silver

Requirements: 10 nights or 2,000 Status points (€800)

Silver status is valid until the 31st of December of the following year, once earned. One of the main benefits of Silver is the 24% bonus on points. This may not seem like a huge bonus, but it can really add up. 

At most Accor brands, you earn 25 base points per €10 spent — but Silver bumps that to 31 points. Throughout a typical city break or work trip, that extra earning power can shave a noticeable discount off your next redemption goal. For example, a €650 stay earns enough points for a €40 discount, while Classic members would need to spend around €800 to reach the same threshold.

Other benefits include:

• Welcome drink – one drink per stay for you and any guests in your room. This is typically provided as a digital voucher via the app, but I’ve received a signed card many times instead. The drink is usually a soft drink, beer, glass of wine, or basic cocktail, depending on the property’s menu and the hotel’s level of luxury. I find this particularly valuable when travelling with children or when multiple people stay in the same room. If a welcome drink isn’t offered, ask.
• Priority check-in at participating hotels – This is available through a dedicated check-in and check-out process.
• Late check-out is available until 2 pm, subject to availability.
• Fairmont Fit Gear Lending Programme
• Access to the dedicated Silver customer card line – access via the app
• 10-15% off Europcar rentals
• Points expiry extended by 1 year with qualifying activity

Gold

Requirements: 30 nights or 7,000 status points (€2,800)

With base earnings of 25 points per €10 spent, Gold bumps that to 37 points (48% bonus).

For every €100 spent, you’ll earn 370 Reward points as a Gold member, compared to 310 for Silver and 250 for Classic. On a €1,000 stay, that difference adds up fast: 3,700 points with Gold versus just 2,500 with Classic. That’s nearly enough for two €40 redemptions, making Gold a valuable tier.

Benefits include:

• Guaranteed room availability 3 days before arrival – Request a room at any participating hotel up to three days before your stay, and Accor will guarantee to find you availability (even if the hotel is technically fully booked for the public). This only applies to standard rooms; the rate may be higher in other room types.
• Room Upgrade to the next category if available – This is available at check-in (e.g., standard to superior deluxe but NOT suites). 
• Early check-in or late check-out
• Turndown service at hotels on the luxury end (e.g. MGallery and Sofitel) 
• A welcome amenity – This typically includes chocolates, fresh fruit, pastries, or a hotel-branded gift. This is not offered at budget brands.

Platinum

Requirements: 60 nights or 14,000 status points (€5,600)

Although the benefits start to show at Gold, Platinum brings even more benefits, from Suite night upgrades to Executive lounge access.

With base earnings of 25 points per €10 spent, you would earn 44 points per €10 with Platinum. For every €100 spent, that’s 440 points in your account. Over a €1,000 stay (after taxes), you’ll earn 4,400 points compared to just 2,500 at Classic or 3,700 with Gold. 

• Suite Night Upgrade(s) -Issued as two certificates when you reach Platinum status, with additional certificates earned every 4,000 status points, up to a maximum of 12 per year. These can be used at the time of booking to confirm a suite for one night, subject to availability. While they’re not always easy to redeem, when they do work, they’re effective. 
• Premium Wi-Fi (some hotels have just standard WIFI available)
• Guaranteed Room availability 2 days before arrival for standard rooms – this works the same as Gold but with more flexibility (3 days before with Gold).
• Executive lounge access – a favourite perk for many aiming for hotel status. This also includes others in your room. No Fairmont Gold lounge access is offered until Diamond.
• Free drinks from the minibar
• Complimentary ironing for select items, usually 1-2 per stay
• Complimentary breakfast at Asia-Pacific properties at weekends
• Platinum customer care line
• 10-15% restaurant discount
• ALL meeting planner benefits

Diamond

Requirements: 26,000 status points (€10,400)

Diamond Status is the pinnacle status for ALL – Accor. After you spend €10,400 on stays and/or services, you’ll have even more benefits, from complimentary breakfast at weekends to dining and spa discounts and the ability to Gift Gold status. Accor Diamond is much harder to earn, as it can only be achieved through spending. However, it’s cheaper to earn than top-tier status with most other hotel loyalty programmes.

With a 100% bonus on Reward points, base earnings of 25 points per €10 spent double to 50 points. A €100 stay earns 500 points, and a €1,000 spend is 5,000 points—more than Platinum’s 4,400, Gold’s 3,700 or Classic’s 2,500.

• Complimentary breakfast on weekends worldwide (and every day in Asia-Pacific)
• 24/7 Raffles butler
• Ten rewards worth €10 each are credited to your account once you’ve accrued 26,000 Status points during a calendar year.
• The ability to gift Gold status to someone of your choice (valid for 12 months)
• Executive lounge access also includes the Fairmont Gold Lounge.

Accor Status with Orient Express Bookings

You can also earn status with Orient Express bookings. The number of status points depends on the type of cabin you book. 

• Deluxe Cabin guarantees Gold status – The cheapest option I can find is €6,390 for 1 person or €10,200 for 2. Considering you can earn Gold status with a €2,800 hotel spend, it’s not as good a deal as it seems.

• Suite guarantees Platinum status. – The cheapest I can find is €8250 for 2. You can earn Platinum via hotel stays for €5,600.

• La Dolce Vita Suite guarantees Diamond status

Prices start from €2,500 per person per night in a deluxe cabin, and €3,700 per person per night in a suite.

Quicker Routes to Elite Accor Status

• Accor Plus Membership: The ALL Plus Voyager card, €199 per year, includes 20 night credits, which gives instant Silver status and 10 nights to Gold, plus exclusive stay discounts. There is also an ALL Plus Ibis card for €99, which comes with 10 status nights. I purchased one of these in 2023, then stayed 10 nights to reach Gold. I still have Silver status, despite all this time, due to the soft landing policy.

• Accor Shareholders Club: If you have a registered Accor share or 50 bearer shares, you can join the shareholders club and get 18 months of Gold status.

Dream Stays and Elite Experiences for ALL Members Only

Some of the most luxurious and exclusive experiences are reserved for members only of Accor Live Limitless. First is Dream Stays, which allows you to use reward points to get a one-of-a-kind vacation at premium All-Accor hotels and resorts.

Accor Diamond Vs Equivalent Status with Other Hotel Loyalty Programmes

• Accor Diamond
• Hilton Diamond
• Hyatt Globalist
• IHG Diamond
• Marriott Ambassador Elite

Qualification

While Accor Diamond can be cheaper to earn than other options, Hilton and Hyatt allow you to earn top-tier status with 60 nights. You can also get a Hilton Diamond with 30 stays.

Hyatt Globalist requires 60 nights, and Marriott Ambassador Elite is the most challenging of all, at 100 nights and a minimum of $23,000 in qualifying spend.

Free Breakfast

While Accor Diamond members receive complimentary breakfast globally on weekends, this benefit is only available daily at hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG (select brands) include daily breakfast. Hilton Diamond = food and beverage credit at US hotels and continental breakfast at non-US hotels.

Lounge Access

Accor lounge access begins at Platinum (all room guests), so Diamond members benefit automatically, plus the addition of Fairmont Gold lounges.

Hilton (one guest per room) and Hyatt also provide guaranteed lounge access at their top tiers, while IHG does not offer lounge access at all, even for Diamond members (unless you select Annual Lounge Membership as a Milestone Reward). Lounge access via status is reserved for Royal Ambassador status holders.

Marriott generally includes lounge access for Ambassador Elite members (one guest), but availability varies by brand.

Room Upgrades

Room upgrades with Accor Diamond are available, space permitting, with Suite Night Awards earned through milestone rewards starting from Platinum.

Hilton and Hyatt take the lead here, offering both space-available upgrades and confirmed suite upgrades as part of their milestone programmes. IHG may offer standard suite upgrades, but these are not confirmed or guaranteed.

Marriott also provides upgrades, including suite options, through Choice Benefits.

Status Gifting

• Accor Diamond: ALL Gold status to one person

• Hilton Diamond: Gold status after 60 nights, and Diamond status after 100 nights in a calendar year

• Marriott Ambassador Elite: Silver status via Choice Benefits at 50 or 75 nights

Room Guarantee

All of these have a room guarantee. Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, and Marriott Ambassador Elite each offer a 48-hour guarantee. IHG Diamond goes slightly further with a 72-hour guarantee.

Lifetime Status

Unfortunately, Accor does not offer lifetime status. Hyatt offers lifetime Globalist status with 1 million base points, and Hilton gives Lifetime Diamond status after 10 years, which includes Diamond status plus 1,000 nights or 2 million Base Points earned.

Check-In and Check-Out

These times are all subject to availability.

Status Match with Your Accor Status

Use Your Accor Status for an Airline Status Match:

• Use your Accor Silver or above status to match to Royal Jordanian Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby)
• Accor Silver can also be used to match  Vietnam Airlines Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) or match Diamond or Platinum to Vietnam Airlines Gold (SkyTeam Elite).

Read our airline status matches guide for more details.

Get Elite Hotel Status Using Your Accor Status:

Accor status can be used to match with the following:

• Rotana Rewards > GHA Discovery
• Hilton Status Challenge 
• Club Avolta > Radisson
• Best Western
• Choice Privileges

Note that some only allow one match per lifetime or within a set timeframe. Some matches are limited. Read our hotel status matches guide for details on this.

Look out for Accor Offers

We regularly cover the latest Accor offers in our news articles. These include offers such as a percentage off your stay, bonuses that convert points from other loyalty programmes to Accor points at a 2-3x rate, or a set number of bonus points. However, these are not as frequent as offers with other major hotel loyalty programmes.

Final Words: The Accor Loyalty Programme

Whether Accor is the best loyalty programme for you or not, signing up is an absolute must to collect points and benefit from the member discount. There’s always the option to transfer your points if you don’t wish to spend them on stays. You can find out more about this in Part 2 – Earning and Spending Accor Points.

One of the best aspects of Accor compared to other major hotel chains is its soft landing policy. Platinum is the status level to aim for with lounge access, guaranteed upgrades, and those elusive Suite Night certificates.

However, Gold also offers many benefits, most notably an increased points earning rate. However, the programme is revenue-based, so you won’t be able to outsize the value of points.

Despite this, the ability to double-dip your points earned with airline partners like Qatar (for Avios) or Air France-KLM (Flying Blue Miles) and the opportunities to use your status to earn status with other travel brands and airlines make status even more powerful. 

Find out more details and register for Accor Live Limitless here >>>

Is Accor for you? Make sure you also read our other hotel loyalty programme guides:

The Best Elite Status, But is Hyatt the Best Loyalty Programme for You?

Is IHG One Rewards the Right Loyalty Programme for You?

Is Hilton Honors the Right Loyalty Programme for You?

Hilton Vs Marriott Status