Mar

Loyalty Traveler Help Sheet #4-2011 Current Hotel Loyalty Promotions and Info

Posted by Ric Garrido

Sixty Second overview of current offers:

The primary news of the past month is hotel reward category assignment changes for Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, and Carlson goldpoints.

The vast majority of hotel shifts are among each program’s lowest hotel categories, particularly categories 1, 2, and 3 to higher reward categories.

Fast-Track Elite Status Offers are Everywhere

Hilton HHonors has an instant Silver elite offer for Mileage Plus Premier members. The promotion offers Gold elite after 4 stays within 90 days of promotion registration. Perhaps there will be a sweep to remove ineligible members, but for now you can enroll and your HHonors status should be instantly upgraded to Silver elite.

[Expired] IHG Priority Club has a Platinum elite offer with five nights.

[Expired] Marriott Rewards Air China offer for Gold elite through February 2012 with 12 nights in 90 days.

Accor A-Club instant Gold elite. Enter promotion code: CMBANKACLUB

These are targeted offers that appear to allow open registration for any member. Be thankful if you get free or fast-track status, but accept the fact that a future sweep of enrollees might remove you from the ranks of elite at a later date if you are not part of the targeted class.

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Loyalty Traveler ranks the consumer value of hotel loyalty promotions on a Five Key Scale.

Five Keys = one of the best hotel loyalty promotions of the year.

Four Keys = high value rebate on the cost of hotel stays.

Three Keys = good value hotel loyalty promotion or rate offer

Two Keys = a bonus value if you play, but not necessarily worth going out of your way.

One Key = There is limited or no value. You are likely paying more than the bonus value.

Rate discounts and loyalty program bonuses are two types of hotel chain incentives to consider when booking travel.

Rankings are subjective and subject to change. Your specific travel pattern may result in some promotions ranking more favorably for you. When assigning a key rank I take into consideration the following factors and probably more:

The opportunity for significantly high-value return on hotel spend in terms of future hotel rebate in free nights and discounted hotel nights.
Current loyalty program promotions and offers from other hotel chains.
Past loyalty program offers and rates for the specific hotel chain and loyalty program.
Current economic conditions in the hotel location and travel industry.

HELP SHEET #4 - March 11, 2011

Offers marked with an asterisk (*) were added since last update February 7.

Accor Hotels - A-Club

Hotel Brands: Sofitel, Pullman, M Gallery, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Adagio, All Seasons, Thalassa Spa.

Motel 6 is the primary Accor Hotels brand in USA, however, extremely limited A-Club hotel loyalty program participation.

Accor Hotels is the largest chain of hotel brands globally outside of the USA. A|Club hotel members are available in many locations where you will likely only find a Best Western or no other major hotel brand.

Accor A|Club Instant Gold Elite – link. Check the Promotional Code box and enter CMBANKACLUB

Accor A|Club Global Promotion Offers List – link (This link allows searches by continent region)

Accor Hotels A-Club bonus offers

Best Western Hotels – Best Western Rewards

Hotel Brand Tiers: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier

Best Western Free night after 3 stays from Feb 6 – April 11, 2011. This promotion also offers 6,500 bonus points for stays at two of three BW brands including BW, BW Plus and BW Premier. 10 guests who stay at all three brands will receive 650,000 bonus points. 4-Key offer from Best Western.

Best Western International Offers webpage link. The link provides a variety of promotions internationally for Best Western hotels.

Best Western Rewards Elite Status Match Offer (February 19, 2010) This offer is ongoing and still available. Best Western is a particularly useful loyalty program when traveling outside the USA. Best Western and Accor A-Club have more hotels outside the USA than all the other major hotel programs combined including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Starwood.

Program Change for Elites: Elite members earn 250 bonus points for stays in US/Canada or a welcome snack. (Aug 3, 2010)

Best Western Brand Tiers Change – Best Western is designating about 25% of the chain’s higher quality hotels in the 4,000+ hotel chain as Best Western Plus (about 800 hotels) and Best Western Premier (about 100 hotels).

Carlson Hotels – Goldpoints Plus

Hotel Brands: Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn, Park Plaza

* Country Inn & Suites $30 Amazon card and 3,000 points for two-night stays March 2-April 30. Promotion code = GETSPRING. 2-key offer. Loyalty Traveler March 2.

Club Carlson new loyalty program replaces goldpoints plus on March 31.

These Loyalty Traveler posts describe changes with Club Carlson:

* Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14)

* Club Carlson Reward Category Changes March 31, 2011 (Feb 18)

* Club Carlson Hotel Reward Category Analysis (Feb 28) This post shows the number of hotels in each category and changes from 2010 level for different global regions.

* Club Med resort credit for goldpoints. $100, $250 and $500 credit. Loyalty Traveler analysis March 10.

Goldpoints Plus program change – elite members earn 2,000 points for online booking. All general goldpoints members earn 1,000 points for online booking. This will change to add 3,000 points for Club Carlson Concierge elite April 2011. (LT post July 18)

Choice Hotels – Choice Privileges

Hotel Brands: Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Collection.

Hotel Reward Partners: Preferred Hotels Group, Barcelo Resorts

* $50 Gas Card or 8,000 points for two stays March 3 – May 4. Earn bonus two times if registered or five times if Platinum or Diamond elite. Loyalty Traveler post (March 1). 3-key offer.

Refer-a-Friend promotion – Choice Privileges members who refer a new member receive 500 points after new member’s first stay and the new member receives 500 bonus points after first stay. Loyalty traveler post Jan 31.

Choice Privileges Program Changes for Elite Members effective January 1, 2011:

These are truly program enhancements for elites.

Platinum elite qualification = 20 nights in a calendar year (formerly 25 nights).
Diamond elite bonus increased to 50% base points (formerly 40%).

Reward night booking window extended for Choice Privileges elite members:

Gold = 50 days (formerly 40 days)
Platinum = 75 days (formerly 60 days)
Diamond = 100 days (formerly 90 days)

Nordic Choice Club hotel loyalty program covers 140 Choice hotels in Scandinavia and Baltic regions of Europe. Choice Privileges members currently do not earn points for hotel stays in Scandinavia, although hotel stays are available for points. Nordic Choice Club offers points and benefits for hotels in this region. Choice Privileges members planning frequent travel in Scandinavia may want to compare the benefits of Nordic Choice Club to Choice Privileges. (LT post Sep 9)

Fairmont Hotels and Fairmont President’s Club

* [Deal Gone] There was a mistake offer on February 24 on LivingSocial.com discount site for Fairmont San Francisco $2,000 Presidential Suite with added benefit of Fairmont President’s Club top level Platinum elite for a lifetime. The price dropped if four people joined together and one person got free package if three friends bought. Cost was split at $1,500 each. There were 115 buyers. Loyalty Traveler wrote about this sale Feb 25 after it was shut down and the aftermath when the mistake offer had been recognized. 5-key offer.

Four Seasons Hotels

Four Seasons Special Offers website link

Global Hotel Alliance – GHA Discovery – Hotel loyalty program alliance for 12 independent hotel brands including Kempinski, Omni Hotels, Pan Pacific, First Hotels, Mirvac, Anantara Resorts, Tivoli Hotels, The Doyle Collection, Marco Polo Hotels, Park Royal, The Leela Palaces, Shaza Hotels.

Overview of GHA Discovery, elite membership benefits and local experiences, Loyalty Traveler post January 30.

Hilton Hotels – Hilton HHonors

Hotel Brands: Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Conrad, Waldorf-Astoria Collection, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Home2Suites.

Home2Suites opens first hotel of Hilton’s new extended stay brand in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Hilton Hawaii Just Go With It Sweepstakes – One free entry for a chance to win a $31,000 trip for 4 persons and 9 nights in Hawaii + $15,000 + 1,000,000 HHonors points. Additional entry for every hotel night stayed. Sweepstakes ends March 31, 2011. (LT post Jan 19)

Jan 3 – March 31 Hilton HHonors Q1 Main Promotion

* Hilton Spring Sale for hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa with Breakfast package rates. Book by April 7 for hotel stays from March 18 – June 30. Prepaid, nonrefundable. Must book 7 days in advance. These are good prices, but check Marriott sale for 3^rd night free in Europe with breakfast, comparable rates, and flexible cancellation policy without penalty. Loyalty traveler post March 9.

2011-Q1 extended stay offer is double points for two-night stays, triple points for three nights, and quadruple points on stays four or more nights. Stay one night and you have no promotion bonus points. Nearly 10% of Hilton properties opted out of this offer. Check the non-participating hotels list carefully.

2x to 4x HHonors Points: Promotion registration required here. (Loyalty Traveler post Dec 28)

HHonors Q1 2011 Promotion Key Rank:

4-key promotion for three nights and longer stays.
3-key for two night stays.
1-key = no bonus points for one-night stays.

Jan 3 – March 31 Hilton HHonors – Delta SkyMiles (promotion registration link)

The Q1 2x to 4x points offer is combinable with Delta SkyMiles 1,000 miles per one-night stay; 1,500 miles for two-night stays and 2,000 miles for three nights or longer. There is no earning limit for points or miles. There also does not appear to be a list of excluded properties for bonus SkyMiles promotion. (Loyalty Traveler post Jan 4)

HHonors Point Stretcher Rewards posted for hotels through May 2011. Point Stretchers require 40% fewer points than standard HHonors rewards. Use the drop-down menu to see participating hotels in different Hilton brands. This is the largest set of hotels I recall in several years offering Point Stretcher discount reward dates. (Loyalty Traveler post Dec 3)

HHonors Comprehensive Reward Charts – Members have difficulty locating the various reward charts on the Hilton HHonors sites, particularly VIP Rewards and Waldorf-Astoria rates. This Loyalty Traveler post places all the HHonors reward charts in one post. (LT post Sep 13, 2010)

Cheaper Hilton Reward nights using Priority Club points – this Loyalty Traveler analysis developed from the Priority Club Anywhere Challenge. Hotels Anywhere allows Priority Club members to spend points for hotels in other chains. My study shows there are numerous Hilton Hotels requiring fewer Priority Club points than Hilton HHonors charges its members in HHonors points for the same reward. (LT post Sep 17)

HHonors Program change: Gold and Diamond members receive complimentary internet at all Hilton Worldwide hotels beginning September 1, 2010. (Hilton – Aug 2 press release)

Hyatt Hotels – Hyatt Gold Passport

Hotel Brands: Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Resorts, Andaz, Hyatt Summerfield Suites

* Hyatt Spring Promotion – April 1 – June 30. This 4-Key offer is 10,000 points after 5 nights and 5,000 points for every two nights thereafter, up to a maximum 60,000 bonus points after 25 nights. LT post March 7. 4-key offer.

Hyatt regional G Bonus Offers – There are several regional bonus offers for 2,000 points at hotels across the U.S. and around the world. These seem to be the main points bonuses during this period between major Gold Passport promotions. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 28.

* Update on Hyatt Property Specific Bonuses: Jeff Zidell Hyatt VP, told me on March 8 the ‘property level bonus’ program is being evaluated and reinvented. We will probably only see regional hotel bonus offers until July. Specific property level bonuses that typically offered 1,000 to 2,000 points in G1, G2, and G3 offers may be gone for good. We’ll see.

Hotel rate discount promotion: 3 nights for price of 2 in Europe, Africa and Middle East from Jan 1 – March 31, 2011 when payment is American Express credit card. Note: Stay credit is earned on these rates, but Diamond suite upgrade certificates are not permitted. (LT post Jan 15)

Hyatt Gold Passport Program Change – No elite status matches will be given for elite membership in another hotel program. Elite status trial offer is at the discretion of individual hotel properties.

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

Hotel Brands: InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo

* Through May 15 – Spring Break Promotion for 7,500 points on two-night stays at more than 100 hotels in Florida, California, Texas, Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica. IHG Spring Break Promotion Code = ISGSB. Loyalty Traveler post (Feb 13) 2-key offer.

* Priority Club PointBreaks through April 30, 2011 are probably the best hotel loyalty program reward night value available at 5,000 points for a free night. Many of the hotels are discounted 80% from their normal 25,000 points for a reward night. The current list had 107 hotels when posted Feb 28. There were three InterContinental Hotels. Loyalty Traveler post Feb 28. 5-key offer.

* Priority Club Dining Program – Shoot for 5,000: Earn 1,000 Priority Club points for every $100 in dining program spend through March 31. Loyalty Traveler post: Feb 20. 3-key offer.

Priority Club Any Hotel Anywhere American Express gift cards increased in price.

New Price for Any Hotel, Anywhere Cards Loyalty Traveler post Jan 25.

$100 = 33,000 points (formerly 29,000)
$125 = 39,000 points (formerly 34,000)
$150 = 45,000 points (formerly 39,000)
$200 = 60,000 points (formerly 49,000)
$250 = 72,000 points (formerly 59,000)

5-key Discount Rate Offer: IHG stay 2 nights and pay for 1 in Europe and UK through March 31, 2011. (LT post Jan 15) This is one of my favorite recurring promotions.

5-key offer IHG Priority Club Instant Platinum Elite status and a $25 gift card after 5 nights within 90 days. (Nov 15). Update: The offer page has changed since this was initially posted two months ago on LT blog. Now the offer page says you must call Priority Club to enroll.

3-key offer IHG $100 checked bags rebate for 2-night weekend IHG stay January 1 – April 30 within 3 days of flight. (LT Jan 11)

3-key offer IHG Sweetheart Deal – $100 Visa card rebate for a three-day or longer stay at any IHG hotel worldwide within 90 days of 2011 wedding in U.S. or Canada. (LT Jan 11)

2-key offer Feb 1 – April 30, Priority Club 3,000 bonus points or 1,000 bonus miles every three nights. Maximum 30,000 bonus points or 10,000 bonus miles. (LT post Jan 21)

Points & Cash Program Change: Priority Club Points & Cash Reward nights increased the cost of 5,000 Priority Club points to $40 from $30. The cost to buy 10,000 points remains unchanged at $60. Loyalty Traveler post (Nov 19)

Cheaper Hilton Reward nights using Priority Club points – Hotels Anywhere allows Priority Club members to spend points for hotels in other chains. My study shows there are numerous Hilton Hotels requiring fewer Priority Club points than Hilton HHonors charges its members in HHonors points. (LT post Sep 17)

IHG Friend & Family Hotel Rates (Steve Sickel). Steve Sickel is senior Vice President Relationship Marketing for InterContinental Hotels Group. During the hotel recession of 2009 he offered this link to FlyerTalk members for booking discount friends and family rates. This link is still active. And we are all friends of Steve’s. Here is a FlyerTalk thread discussing this rate deal. The link in Steve Sickel’s name leads to the offer page for a voucher to complete. Some guests mention the hotel wants the completed voucher at check-in. These rates do not qualify for points or stay credit. One of the best features of this offer is the ability to book high category rooms at steep discount.

Program Change: Ambassador Annual Membership Fee Increased from $150 to $200 as of July 1, 2010. You can also buy Ambassador membership for 32,000 Priority Club Rewards points (formerly 24,000). Renewal fee is still $100.

Priority Club Points Exchange Value and Points.com – Loyalty traveler research (Jan 20) into the exchange value of Priority Club points into airline miles through Points.com

Kimpton Hotels – InTouch

Loyalty Traveler posted an outline of Kimpton’s InTouch program showing how 21 stays in 2011 can potentially earn 7 free nights at any Kimpton Hotel. (LT post Jan 11)

Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) – Leaders Club Rewards

Leaders Club Rewards program changes: Membership fees for Leaders Club Rewards dropped to $100 annual for Access level. Access membership includes complimentary breakfast for two each day of stay and free internet. Unlimited membership is $1,200 annually. Loyalty traveler post Feb 3.

LHW Hotel Special Offers link

Marriott Hotels – Marriott Rewards

Hotel Brands: Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Ritz-Carlton, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, Edition, Autograph Collection, Marriott Vacation Club

* Marriott Hotels Europe 3^rd Night Free Special offer rate with breakfast March 6 – May 30. Promotion code = C9E and look for rate description “European Spring 3 for 2, American Breakfast Daily”. 170 hotels participating in Europe. Stay three nights Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday. Loyalty Traveler March 10. 3 to 4 key offer depending on location and rate.

* Marriott Rewards Hotel Category Assignment Changes for 2011 (Loyalty Traveler March 2)

* Marriott Rewards PointSavers – there were about 55 hotels posted on this list on March 11. Many of the hotels in U.S. expire March 31. There should be a new set of hotels added in next few weeks. PointSavers reduce the points cost of a free night by one hotel category. For example, category 5 hotel requires only 20,000 points per night. 5^th night free applies to PointSavers rate. Loyalty traveler post Jan 26.

Marriott Rewards Elite Buy Back with Points – you can buy back 2010 elite level for 2011 using points through April 1, 2011. You can only buy the level of elite you had for 2010.

Platinum elite = 40,000 points
Gold Elite = 25,000 points
Silver elite = 7,500 points Loyalty Traveler post Feb 1.

Marriott Points Redemption Strategy using $1,000 in Marriott Cheques. This post explains how Marriott elite members may buy $1,000 Marriott Cheques for 135,000 points. You can then pay for hotel stays and earn points and elite credit on paid stays you actually purchased indirectly with points. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 27.

5-Key Promotion: Register by April 30, 2011: Marriott Rewards Instant Gold Elite for 90 days with Air China special offer. Retain Gold elite through February 2012 after 12 nights within 90 days of registration. My Loyalty Traveler advice is sign up sooner, rather than later since this offer can be pulled anytime. Sign up for free Air China membership, then apply for Marriott Rewards Gold (normally requires 50 nights in calendar year). Loyalty Traveler post Nov 22.

4-key promotion – Marriott MegaBonus (Feb 1 – April 30, 2011) various targeted offers with the basic offer being one free night after two stays. Limit of two free nights during promotion. Free night valid only for Category 1 to category 4 hotels. This offer does not require Visa payment like fall MegaBonus)

Active Marriott Rewards members may receive bonus points offers based on total nights stayed. There are several variations mentioned by members on FlyerTalk for 25,000 to 50,000 bonus points. Loyalty Traveler post Dec 27.

Marriott MegaMiles (Feb 1 – April 30, 2011) triple miles beginning with second stay with a choice of 26 airline frequent flyer programs. Note: You must set your Marriott Rewards earning preference to miles to see this offer on Marriott website. (LT post Jan 10)

Marriott Rewards Elite Rollover Nights extended for 2011. This is the third year Marriott Rewards offers elite rollover nights for elite qualifying nights over your earned elite membership. For example: Silver elite requires 10 nights in calendar year and Gold elite takes 50 nights. Stay 25 nights in 2011 and the 15 nights above Silver elite rollover to 2012 membership year. You will have earned Silver elite for 2013 from your 15 extra nights in 2011 rolled over to 2012. Confused? Don’t worry. This is a great benefit for elite members. (Loyalty Traveler 5-key offer. LT post Dec 23.)

Program change – Free internet worldwide for Gold and Platinum Marriott Rewards members beginning January 2011. This expands the complimentary internet benefit offered to elites for hotel stays in the Americas since May 2010.

1-Key offer – Marriott Rewards Instant Redemption Awards (March 24, 2010)

Preferred Hotels Group – I Prefer

Through March 31, 2011: 10% off one-night; 20% off two nights and 30% off three nights at participating PHG properties. Promotion link. Loyalty Traveler post Dec 1.

I Prefer and Preferred Hotels Group special offers page.

Red Lion Hotels – 44 hotels in western U.S.

5-key offer: Earn 5,000 bonus points per stay through March 31. Free night is only 10,000 points for any Red Lion so this promotion is effectively a free night after every two stays. Loyalty Traveler post Feb 1.

Ritz-Carlton Rewards

Ritz-Carlton Rewards loyalty program launching Sep 15 (LT post Sep 14)

Reward Changes in new Ritz-Carlton Reward Tiers (LT post Sep 15)

Ritz-Carlton rewards Hotel + Air Packages Analysis (LT post Sep 16)

Starwood Hotels – Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Hotels brands: Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien, Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Four Points, element, aloft.

* Starwood Preferred Guest Hotel Category reward assignment changes for 2011 took effect on March 1. My LT post (Feb 22) has a list ordered by city, state and country for changes.

Starwood Hotels data on number of hotels in each brand and average rates by brand and global region. Loyalty traveler post Feb 4.

Jan 3 – April 15, 2011 SPG ‘Great Weeks, Grand Weekends’ offers double points + 500 points per night for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Registration is required by March 31 and retroactively applies to all eligible stays for promotion period. (Loyalty Traveler ranking = 2-key offer for Mon-Wed; 3 key for Thur-Sun). Promotion registration link. Loyalty Traveler post Dec 15.

Starwood hotels Website Enhancement – Website now allows comparison of four different rate types side-by-side for hotels in one location including promotion rates, AAA, breakfast rates, senior, government and reward nights. Loyalty Traveler post Nov 23.

SPG Peak Season Rates Return for 2011. Category 5, 6 and 7 hotels relaunch peak season dates and a calendar of dates and participating hotels is posted here. Book by January 9 to lock in lower rates for your hotel stays. Loyalty traveler post Dec 6.

Starwood Hotels Policy Change: Sheraton Hotel Club Lounges will be open 7 days a week in 2011.

Starwood Preferred Guest – American Express credit card changes effective October 14, 2010. The annual fee is increasing to $65 from $45 for renewals beginning Oct 14. Benefit changes include 5 elite nights and 2 elite stays credit each year. This will have no effect for members who qualify on stays. The SPG50 certificate will be discontinued in favor of a 3^rd night free offer at Sheraton Hotels. Loyalty traveler post (August 24); Sheraton 3^rd Night Free Analysis (Nov 12)

3-key promotion SPG link: Pay Your Birthyear Rate -This promotion has been extended through 2011. Rates can be an incredible 5-key savings or no savings depending on the hotel and your birthyear. LT post 4/28/2009

3-key discount rates Starwood Hotel Rate Discount Codes for Multiple Night Stays

These offers are for rate discounts on stays of 2 to 6 nights. Third night free tends to be one of the best discount rates. Important to check other rates (AAA, Senior, Special Offers) as these discounts are generally based on the Best Available Rate (BAR) and may not be the lowest overall rate for some hotels.

Starpoints Airline Direct Deposit is Better for United, Continental, and Singapore miles (March 25, 2010)

Stash Hotel Rewards

Stash Rewards is a one year old loyalty program for over 100 independent upscale hotels in the U.S. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 19.

Voila Hotel Rewards

Loyalty Traveler profiled Voila Hotels program in light of the recent signing of two New York former Starwood W Hotels as the initial hotel members in the USA for this international loyalty program for 250 independent hotels.

* 2,500 points for every two-nights, up to maximum 10,000 bonus points after 8 nights at Voila hotel properties February 25 – May 31, 2011. Loyalty Traveler post March 3.

* 50% off reward nights through March 31 at participating Voila hotels. Loyalty Traveler post March 3.

Wyndham Worldwide - Wyndham Rewards

Brands: Wyndham, Wingate, Hawthorn Suites, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Baymont Suites, Microtel, Knights Inn.

Wyndham Rewards – Spring 2011 Promotion for up to 4 x points or miles Feb 3 – April 30.

2x points or miles on 2^nd stay.
3x points or miles on 3^rd stay.
4x points or miles on 4^th stay.

Loyalty Traveler post Feb 3.

Rate Discounts for various Wyndham hotel brands through March 31, 2011.

Loyalty Traveler Research Articles

Hotel Loyalty Credit Cards and the Value of Hotel Points

Hotel Rewards Credit Cards Comparison of Benefits (September 1)

Hotel Credit Cards Comparison by Value of Points (September 2)

Hotel Credit Card Comparison using NerdWallet.com Value of Points (Sep 5)

Loyalty Traveler’s Three Rules for the Value of Hotel Points (Sep 7)

Hotel Points to Airline Miles Conversion Tables

Hotel Points-to-Miles Conversion Tables for 9 hotel programs and 7 U.S. airlines (March 30, 2010)

The Value of Points

The Promotion Variable in Hotel Loyalty Programs – Part 1 (Nov 8, 2010)

The Promotion Variable in Hotel Loyalty Programs – Part 2 (Nov 8, 2010)

The Promotion Variable – Part 3 – Hilton HHonors Case Study 2009-2010 (Nov 9, 2010)

Base Points Equivalent Value Method for Hotel Loyalty Program Comparisons (Dec 29, 2010)

Comparing 2011 Q1 Hotel Loyalty Promotions Using Base Points Equivalent Value (Dec 30, 2010)

Free Your Summer with Winter Stays: Chicago Hotels Case Study for Comparing Q1 2011 Promotions (Jan 3, 2011)

Hotel Market Segments and Hotel Brand Profiles based on JD Power 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study

Overview JD Power 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study (Aug 10)

Loyalty Traveler comments on JD Power Luxury Segment and luxury hotel brands (Aug 11, 2010)

Loyalty Traveler comments on JD Power Upscale Segment Hotel Brands (Aug 11)

Loyalty Traveler Comments on JD Power 2010 Midscale Full Service Brand Ratings (Aug 13, 2010)

Loyalty Traveler comments on JD Power 2010 Midscale Limited Service Brands (August 15, 2010)

Loyalty Traveler comments on JD Power 2010 Economy/Budget Hotel Brand Ratings (August 16, 2010)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Extended Stay Hotel Satisfaction Index (Aug 17)

Hotel Rates Survey for USA States, Cities, and Average Hotel Rates Worldwide

Hotels.com 2010-Q2 – Global Hotel Price Index – This is a great resource for finding where hotel rates are high and low around the world. There are tables of USA average hotel rates by state and major cities. (Sep 14)

4 Comments

Tags: hotel loyalty promotions, Loyalty Traveler HELP Sheet

3

Mar

Voila Hotel Rewards Bonus Points and Reduced Rewards

Posted by Ric Garrido

Update March 31: The 50% off hotel reward nights has been extended to April 30, 2011. (See comments for this post for announcement from Peter Gorla).

Voila Hotel Rewards has a new promotion for earning up to a maximum 10,000 bonus points for hotel stays from February 25 through May 31, 2011. Registration is required. There are 191 hotels globally participating in this promotion.

New enrollees in Voila Hotel Rewards will receive 1,000 bonus points upon registration in hotel loyalty program.

Voila Rewards normal earn rate is 10 points per US$1. The maximum 10,000 points bonus is equivalent to base points earned from $1,000 in hotel spend.

Earn 2,500 points for every stay of two nights or more.

Stay 2 nights and earn 2,500 points
Stay 4 nights and earn 5,000 points
Stay 6 nights and earn 7,500 points
Stay 8 nights and earn 10,000 points.

The wording for this promotion is not really clear. The promotion terms state bonus points are only for stays of two nights or more. What is unclear is if stays are cumulative? For example, if I stay two nights at Hotel A and then complete a three night stay at Hotel B and then another three night stay at Hotel C, then I have stayed 8 nights total. But it does not appear to me that the stays are cumulative. I think these three stays for 8 nights earn 3 x 2,500 points for 7,500 total bonus points. (See update below for clarification from Peter Gorla, Voila VP)

I have asked and I am waiting for clarification from Voila Rewards. The one rule that is clear is the maximum bonus per member is 10,000 points for the promotion period.

Update March 10: Peter Gorla, Vice President Voila Marketing, responded in the comments of this post that nights stayed during the promotion period are cumulative. This changes my example given above to 8 nights over 3 hotel stays earns 10,000 bonus points.

50% off Reward Nights

A second promotion of Voila Hotel Rewards offers a 50% discount on reward nights through March 31.

Voila Hotel Rewards are a monetary based redemption system. Points have a set range of value for redeeming free nights. This opportunity in March doubles the value of your points for free nights.

Voila Hotel Rewards Redemption Chart

Link: http://www.vhr.com/default.aspx?p=79

Loyalty Traveler Analysis

Voila Hotel member The York Hotel in Sydney, Australia has its room rate posted as AUD$325.81 per night for March 15-17, 2011. The normal rate shown for this redemption should be 35,000 points for a room rate between $300 and $349.

The Voila Hotel Rewards website shows the hotel costs 15,750 points for each free night for a room that is US$330.22.

31,500 Voila points = US$660.

The value of Voila points is $20.95 per 1,000 points in this example.

Extrapolate this value to the promotion earning opportunity for 10,000 bonus points on 8 nights and the 10,000 bonus points are valued around US$210.

Several Voila hotel members I checked in Spain have room rates under $80 per night. Four stays of two nights could be achieved for about $650 in Spain.

$650 x 10 points/$1 = 6,500 Voila Rewards base points.

Four 2-night stays by May 31 earns 10,000 bonus points.

16,500 Voila Rewards points has a redemption value of $330 in the Australia hotel example.

Bottom line: The combination of the Voila Hotel Rewards bonus points promotion and discounted reward redemption makes a 50% rebate possible on hotel stays while these promotions overlap. Even members who are spending an average of $160 per night for Voila Hotel stays can expect to see up to 25% rebate in redemption value during the discounted reward promotion through March 31.

Of course the redemption discount ending March 31 while the earning bonus goes through May 31, 2011 creates time period difficulties for members who do not currently have a high points balance to tap for discounted rewards.

From my Loyalty Traveler analysis I see good potential value in Voila Hotel Rewards for members in Europe and other global regions where most of the hotels are located. Voila just recently signed its first two hotels in the U.S.

While you may not be able to earn points in time for this month’s discounted rewards, I see good potential for high value in Voila Hotel Rewards points in the future.

Related post: Loyalty Traveler review of Voila Hotel Rewards (Jan 11, 2011)

Stay tuned next week when I will post a special offer from Stash Hotel Rewards, a U.S. based hotel loyalty program that is rapidly expanding its network of independent and boutique hotel members across the U.S.

3 Comments

Tags: Voila Hotel Rewards

13

Feb

Priority Club Spring Break 7,500 Bonus Points for 2-night stay

Posted by Ric Garrido

Priority Club has a limited time offer for 7,500 bonus points when booking Spring Break hotel stays for a minimum 2 nights at more than 100 hotels in Florida, California, Texas and other locations.

Priority Club Rewards Spring Break promotion web link. Rate Code = ISGSB

The Spring Break promotion page lists these destinations:

San Diego, California (22 hotels)
Daytona Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida (27 hotels)
Orlando, Florida (28 hotels)
Panama City, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
South Padre Island, Texas
San Jose, Costa Rica
Cancun, Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico

Terms and Conditions

Requires stay of two or more consecutive nights.
Cancellation policies are liberal, generally day before arrival with no penalty.
Rates are higher than advance purchase and Best Flexible; generally $10 to $30 per night more.
7,500 points per stay.
Available for stays through May 15, 2011

Loyalty Traveler Analysis:

Panama City, Florida Holiday Inn Select

Wed Mar 16 – Fri Mar 18, 2011 (2 double beds)

Spring Break Rate $119/night = $253.48 (after tax)

Cancel up to 6pm Mar 16 with no penalty.

Best Flexible Rate $109/night = $232.18 (after tax)

Cancel up to 6pm Mar 16 with no penalty.

Discount Rate $95.99/night = $204.46 after tax

Cancellation will be charged first night rate.

Advance Purchase $92.99/night = $198.06 after tax.

Cancellation forfeits entire prepaid room deposit.

AAA rate $92.99/night = $198.06

Cancel up to 6pm Mar 16 with no penalty.

This Spring Break offer for 7,500 bonus points will cost $55 more than the AAA rate for a two-night stay at the Panama City Holiday Inn Select with the same cancellation policies.

You can save $55 now and simply buy 10,000 points for $60 when you book your next reward stay.

7,500 bonus points is only a good deal if you would otherwise book the Best Flexible Rate and you do not qualify for AAA rate and you need bonus points now.

I do not recommend this Spring Break promotional offer for most guests since the rates are higher.

Keep in mind that when you redeem points for a free hotel stay, there is usually the option of Points & Cash whereby you can pay $60 and reduce the reward cost by 10,000 points for your hotel stay.

The ability to buy 10,000 points for $60 makes paying more than $45 extra to earn 7,500 Priority Club points not such a good deal.

The primary advantage to paying a higher rate to earn Priority Club bonus points is the fact that these bonus points count for elite qualification. Priority Club Gold elite is reached by earning 20,000 points in a calendar year and Platinum elite takes 60,000 points. If you need points for elite status then paying $45 for 7,500 points is a fair exchange.

But, if you already have Priority Club elite status and you do not need points to earn elite status, then save your money. This deal is really only a good deal if you do not have many Priority Club points and you need more points for a planned redemption.

For example if you only have 10,000 Priority Club points, then you can’t afford a free Crowne Plaza reward night for 25,000 points, even with the option to buy 10,000 points.

Account Balance = 8,788 points. Book the Spring Break package for $253.48 and you earn $119 x 2 nights x 10 points/$1 = 2,380 points + 7,500 Spring Break bonus. Earning 9,880 points now opens up the possibility of booking a Crowne Plaza 25,000 points hotel reward night with 18,668 points.

You can book a Crowne Plaza using Points & Cash with 15,000 points + $60 to purchase the remaining 10,000 points.

The majority of IHG hotels cost 15,000 points for a free night at a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express (popular locations require 25,000 points, but the vast majority of hotels in the chain are 15,000 points per reward night).

A person with no Priority Club points can book the Spring Break 7,500 bonus points offer and have enough points after the stay to book a Points & Cash night at any of nearly 2,000 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels for 5,000 points + $60.

Holiday Inn Orlando Convention Center (Wed March 2- Friday March 4, 2011)

Spring Break Rate = $79/night = $182.76 after tax

Advance Purchase = $56/night = $131.00 after tax

AAA rate = $63/night = $146.76 after tax

7,500 bonus points for $36 over the AAA rate is a good deal and the cost is only $15 over the prepaid, nonrefundable rate. Of course, the prepaid rate is a better deal if the nonrefundable conditions are acceptable for your risk tolerance.

4 Comments

Tags: InterContinental Hotels Group, Piority Club Rewards, Priority Club bonus points, Priority Club Spring Break, Spring Break hotel discount

10

Feb

Loyalty Traveler checks-in to check-out Best Western brands

Posted by Ric Garrido

Best Western Rewards launched its 65-days of giveaways promotion this week. “Stay 3 times and earn a Free Night” spring promotion runs Sunday, February 6 through Monday, April 11, 2011. This 2011 calendar year marks the 65^th birthday of Best Western Hotels in 1946. The birthday accounts for a variety of promotion offers awarding bonus points in multiples of 65.

Best Western launches 3 Hotel Brand Types (we call them adjectives in elementary school)

Best Western,
Best Western Plus
Best Western Premier

You earn 6,500 bonus points, in addition to the free night offer, by staying in two of the three types of Best Western Hotels. The free night and the 6,500 bonus points can be earned only once during the 65-day promotion period.

650,000 Points for 10 members

An even more impressive offer is a bonus of 650,000 points to the first ten members to stay in all three types of Best Western Hotels. The catch is this promotion is only open to members in U.S., Canada, U.S. Virgin islands and the Bahamas and only hotel stays in U.S. Canada or Caribbean qualify. The limiting factor is there are only four Premier hotels in North America.

You must include a stay in one of the following hotels as your Premier entry into this big bonus offer:

Napa, California wine country, Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel
or the Dallas suburb of Denton, Texas, Best Western Premier Crown Chase Inn & Suites
or a fly-by at the Miami Airport, Best Western Premier Miami International Airport
or go Dutch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Best Western Premier Eden Resort

Europe has dozens of Best Western Premier hotels, but they aren’t playing this game.

Loyalty Traveler in Napa, California - Hit Me with your Best Shot Wine Cowboy

I gave Best Western my loyalty traveler best try as I arrived in Napa, California on Superbowl Sunday for my attempt to be one of the first ten people in the U.S. to stay in all three Best Western brands. Napa, California is a 150 miles from Monterey. Napa had February summer weather with record temperatures over much of central coast California on Sunday, February 6. Downtown Napa was over 80 on Sunday Superbowl afternoon and in the mid-70s on Monday. Between overdoses of sunshine, I squirreled away in Best Western hotel rooms for the evenings and typed away with HBO movies playing in the background.

I stayed at the Best Western Plus ‘Inn at the Vines’ in a good-size comfortably furnished room on Sunday night, February 6.

Best Western Plus, Inn at the Vines - Napa, California

Best Western Inn at the Vines outdoor pool

On Monday, February 7, I kicked back in a nicely decorated room at Best Western Premier ‘Ivy Hotel’ and the stay included breakfast.

Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel - Napa, California

Best Western Premier Ivy Hotel outdoor pool area, Napa, California

My third stay on Tuesday night Feb 8 was at Best Western Park Crest Inn, Monterey, California. I had a second floor ocean view. Looked like my room had one of the best views on the property. I call that a complimentary upgrade.

Best Western Park Crest Inn - Monterey, California

250 Points for Guest Feedback

Best Western Rewards currently offers 250 bonus points for sharing comments about your hotel stay at www.bwfeedback.com.

660,000 Best Western Rewards points is what I call a 5-key loyalty traveler promotion incentive.

The 650,000 points question?

Now I have to wait 10 weeks for the end of April to learn if I was one of the first 10 loyalty program members to stay in all three Best Western brands during the current promotion.

Regardless of the April outcome, I have earned one free night at any Best Western in U.S., Canada or Caribbean to be used by June 30, 2011. And I earned the 6,500 bonus points for staying in two brands. And I earned about 2,500 points for hotel stays, 30% bonus as Diamond member (750 points), and Diamond amenity bonuses (750 points) and hotel stay feedback bonus points (750 points).

Best Western offers a status match from your current elite level in another program.

Free nights at Best Western start at 8,000 points and rise in 4,000 points increments, up to 36,000 points for top tier hotel rewards.

Best Western Rewards 65^th Birthday Celebration

In 2006 Best Western members who spent 60 nights in Best Western hotels earned Diamond elite membership for life. I did a cost-benefit analysis and it came out favorable, but I couldn’t afford the cost at the time as I was launching Loyalty Traveler as my new business.

In 2011 Best Western is offering daily prizes for 65 days of the Best Western Birthday promotion:

Days 1-32: 6,500 Best Western Rewards points (eligible to redeem for a $25 gift card)
Days 33-48: 13,000 Best Western Rewards points (eligible to redeem for a $50 gift card)
Days 49- 60: 26,000 Best Western Rewards points (eligible to redeem for a $100 gift card)
Days 61-62: Lifetime Diamond Elite Status (normally requires 30 hotel nights in a calendar year)
Days 63-65: 260,000 Best Western Rewards points (eligible to redeem for a $1000 gift card)

Here is my quick assessment of Best Western Rewards as a loyalty program:

Points are earned at an average rate with 10 points/$1 for hotel spend and up to 30% bonus points as a Best Western Diamond elite (30 nights in calendar year).
The current loyalty promotion for a free night at any Best Western after three stays is a good value promotion. I rated it 4-keys of 5 in my Loyalty Traveler review on January 9, 2011. In general, my observation has been promotions in Best Western Rewards are slightly below average, primarily due to earning limits imposed on points bonuses and free nights.
Best Western has a competitive advantage for a U.S. based hotel loyalty program with the number of hotels located outside the U.S. at nearly 2,000 properties. Only French-based Accor hotels has a comparable number of hotels globally outside the U.S.
Best Western with about 2,200 hotels in the USA is slightly smaller in size to Hilton Hotels, Marriott, and IHG hotels with its many brands including Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza .

Hotel Reviews and photos of Napa, California Best Western hotels will come in a later post.

Best Western Rewards Free Night With Three Separate Stays Feb 6 – April 11, 2011

Loyalty Traveler January 9, 2011 – http://boardingarea.com/blogs/loyaltytraveler/2011/01/09/best-western-rewards-free-night-after-3-stays-feb-6-%e2%80%93-april-11-2011/

3 Comments

Tags: Best Western 65th Birthday, Best Western hotels, Best Western Plus, Best Western premier, Best Western promotion, Best Western Rewards, California Hotels, Inn at the Vines, Ivy Hotel, Napa Hotels, Park Crest Inn

8

Feb

Hyatt 48-hour sale at 22 Central US hotels ends Feb 9

Posted by Ric Garrido

Hyatt Hotels has a 50% off sale at 22 hotels beginning Tuesday, Feb 8 12:01am through 11:59pm Wednesday, Feb 9 central time zone. This is a promotion being promoted on individual hotel websites, Twitter and Facebook.

Hyatt weblink with list of 22 properties.

50% rate based on Hyatt Daily Rate
Prepaid and nonrefundable. No changes allowed.
Eligible for hotel stays from Feb 8 – April 30, 2011.
Promotion code HY50, FCB50 or TWT50.

“Take advantage of this exclusive winter offer. Save 50% off your room rate at participating Hyatt Hotels. Choose from one of 22 exciting locations. Hurry, this offer is only available for 48 hours!

Book using offer code HY50 from February 8 to midnight February 9 to save 50% off for stays Feb 8-April 30, 2011.”

Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Arizona
Grand Hyatt Denver, Colorado
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, Colorado
Park Hyatt Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Regency Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Lisle, Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus, Chicago, Illinois
Hyatt Regency Wichita, Kansas
Hyatt Regency Crown Center Kansas City, Missouri
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, St. Louis, Missouri
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hyatt Regency Tulsa Oklahoma
Grand Hyatt DFW, Dallas, Texas
Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, Dallas, Texas
Hyatt Regency Dallas, Texas
Hyatt Regency North Dallas, Texas
Hyatt Regency Houston, Texas
Hyatt Regency San Antonio, Texas
Grand Hyatt San Antonio Texas
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rates under $50 per night have been found at some of these hotels. Park Hyatt Chicago over the next week is available for $187.50/night. See this FlyerTalk thread for a list of lowest rates being found at these hotels.

Park Hyatt Chicago $187.50 nightly for February dates

Hyatt Fine Print:

Offer valid for booking only between 12:00:00 a.m. on 2/08/2011 and 11:59:59 p.m. on 2/09/2011 Central Standard Time, for travel between 2/08/2011 and 4/30/2011 at participating Hyatt hotels in the U.S. Reservations are subject to availability and savings require use of the offer code HY50, FCB50 or TWT50 at time of booking. Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Offer not applicable to group room bookings. Full non-refundable prepayment required at time of booking. Discount is based off the Hyatt Daily Rate for the room type booked when redeeming this offer. Rate is per room, per night and offer will not be applied to service charges, taxes, resort fees, facility fees and other incidental expenses or in-room charges. Savings applies only to double occupancy bookings. Additional guests may be subject to additional hotel charges without 50% off. Additional charges apply to room-type upgrades. A limited number of rooms are allocated to this promotion. This promotion may not be combined with any other offer.

Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this promotion at any time prior to booking without notice. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® encompasses hotels managed, franchised or leased by subsidiaries and affiliates of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The trademarks Hyatt®, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts®, Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2011 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

8 Comments

Tags: Hotel Rate Discounts, Hyatt Gold Passport, Hyatt Hotels, Hyatt Sale

7

Feb

HELP Sheet #3 Current Hotel Loyalty Promotions Feb 7, 2011

Posted by Ric Garrido

Offers are marked with an asterisk (*) if added since last update January 21.

Sixty Second overview of current offers:

I slipped in a couple of airline offers on this Loyalty Traveler HELP sheet.

* Cathay Pacific 80 Days of Unlimited Travel (in Economy Class) Contest (June to August 2011). This is a social media contest with a high-value prize for one lucky winner. Contest entry Jan 24 – March 6, 2011. Finalists interview in Hong Kong April 12-14. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 29.

* Virgin Atlantic – Looking for Linda Facebook Contest for two economy tickets.

* American Airlines AAdvantage Car/Hotel Awards – I found some extraordinarily high redemption values in this program using the 1,000 miles + cash for high discount hotel award nights. Loyalty Traveler post Feb 5. My subsequent post gives numerous examples of the range of hotels and savings with the possibility of getting $500 savings with 1,000 AA miles. Loyalty Traveler post Feb 6.

Fast-Track Elite Status Offers are Everywhere

Hilton HHonors has an instant Silver elite offer for Mileage Plus Premier members. The promotion offers Gold elite after 4 stays within 90 days of promotion registration. Perhaps there will be a sweep to remove ineligible members, but for now you can enroll and your HHonors status should be instantly upgraded to Silver elite.

IHG Priority Club still has a Platinum elite offer with five nights.

Marriott Rewards Air China offer for Gold elite through February 2012 with 12 nights in 90 days.

Accor A-Club instant Gold elite. Enter promotion code: CMBANKACLUB

These are targeted offers that appear to allow open registration for any member. Be thankful if you get free or fast-track status, but accept the fact that a future sweep of enrollees might remove you from the ranks of elite at a later date if you are not part of the targeted class. To date I have not heard anyone being kicked out of the elite ranks and I have picked up far more elite status for 2011 than I can possibly maintain for 2012 with hotel stays.