Hotel chains offer several advantages over individually-owned hotels. The primary advantage of chains is that firms can negotiate discounts based on the total volume of business they conduct with a hotel chain. Travelers may stay only a few nights in any single property and still be considered a valued account. Even if specially negotiated discounts are unavailable, chains often offer upgrades or special perks to frequent visitors through affinity programs.

Another advantage of chains is that they offer a similar level of service throughout their properties. Travelers can be assured of a certain level of quality without specific knowledge of a particular property.

Independent hotels are best suited for companies that frequently travel to one city and can take the time to find appropriate lodgings. Firms will generally find that independent hotels are much more willing to negotiate discounts than a larger chain. In addition, there are loose co-marketing agreements between independent hotels that can act much like affinity programs from a large chain.