Accor Hotels has a 50% off Super Sale for over 1,000 hotels on bookings made by June 22 for stays from July 8 –September 4, 2011. Particpating Hotels link. These sale rates earn A|Club points.

There are some real bargain rates for hotels I checked in Frankfurt and Prague, Florence, Italy and Dublin, Ireland. All these cities revealed weekend rates in the range of US$50 to $100 per night.

July 9, 2011 sample Super Sale rates

• Mercure Hotel Kaiserhof Frankfurt City Center = US$50
• Novotel Franfurt City = US$57
• M Gallery Hotel Savigny Frankfurt City = US$71
• Novotel Praha Wenceslas Square, Prague = US$89
• M Galley Hotel Century Old Town Prague = US $93
• Ibis Dublin Red Cow Junction, Dublin, Ireland = US $57
• Novotel Firenze Nord Aeroporto, Florence, Italy = US $86
• M Gallery Hotel Cerretani Firenze, Florence, Italy = US $129

Accor 50% Sale Terms & Conditions:

• Book June 14 to June 22.
• Stay July 8 to Sep 4.
• Sale rates in UK do not apply  for stays until July 17.
• Sale rates end for Paris August 22.
• Rates are prepaid and nonrefundable and do not allow changes.  

Loyalty Traveler aside note: I always wondered why place names are not the same in English as the name used in the country where the city is located like Praha and Prague or Firenze and Florence? This has puzzled me from the time I lived in Deutschland (Germany) as a 9-year old.

Accor Hotels tutorial for Americans

Accor Hotels has around 4,329 hotels worldwide making it a larger chain than Hilton or Marriott and on par with InterContinental Hotels Group. Travelers in Europe and particularly France will find Accor Hotels the most prevalent chain in many cities with over 2,400 hotels across the continent.

Accor Hotels is the largest hotel chain in Europe with a range of hotel brands from luxury segment to budget.

• Sofitel Hotels is Accor’s luxury brand.
• The upscale brands are Pullman Hotels and M Gallery.
• Novotel and Mercure are midscale market segment hotels (think Four Points, Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn).
• Economy hotel brands are Ibis Hotels and All Seasons. 
• Accor has around 2,000 budget brand hotels with ETAP and Formule 1 in Europe and Motel 6 in the U.S. Many of the budget hotels in Europe in the ETAP brand and Formule 1 are less than US$40 per night making these hotels affordable overnighters for couples and families needing a place to simply sleep in a bed.

 

Accor A|Club hotel loyalty program

2,300 hotels in the Accor brands of Sofitel, Pullman, M Gallery, Novotel, Novotel Suites, Mercure, Adagio, Ibis and All Seasons participate in A-Club hotel loyalty program. The Accor budget market segment brands do not participate in A-Club loyalty program.

General A|Club membership is free, although there are paid memberships with Accor Favorite Guest and Ibis la carte for additional benefits.

A|Club Points Value

A-Club is a points-based loyalty program, however, A-Club points have a fixed value.

2,000 A|Club points = US$60 or 40EUR

Leveraging A|Club for hotel room points requires the member to find bonus points promotions when paying for rooms. Most brands earn points at the rate of 2 points per Euro.

Ibis and All Seasons earn 1 point per Euro. In France only Ibis stays Friday to Sunday nights earn points.

 

A|Club Elite Status

A|Club has elite status levels with the following qualification levels and bonus points:

• Silver = 10 nights or earn 2,500 A|Club points. Earns 50% bonus points.
• Gold = 30 nights or earn 10,000 A|Club points. Earns 75% bonus points.
• Platinum = 60 nights or earn 25,000 A|Club points. Earns 100% bonus points.

The advantage of A|Club is the ability to redeem points for vouchers to pay for room stays. This allows members to effectively redeem points for vouchers and discount room rates while earning more points and elite credit on paid stays.

A|Club in the Americas

Only about 7% of A|Club hotel loyalty program members live in the U.S., while about 50% of all A-Club members live in Europe where most Accor brand hotels are located.

Latin America with nearly 200 Accor brand hotels has 21% of A|Club global members; the second largest regional membership base for A|Club.

Brazil is another country where A|Club is a useful loyalty program membership. You won’t find many of the U.S. hotel chain properties in Brazil, although every hotel chain is building and rebranding hotels like crazy in advance of the major sporting events of World Cup 2014 and the Summer Olympics 2016 hosted by Brazil.

Links: Accor Hotels 50% off Super Sale at 1,000 Hotels

PDF of Participating Accor Hotels (No hotels in USA are participating)

Loyalty Traveler Request for Reader Assistance:

Please leave tips on A|Club and Accor Hotels to help Loyalty Traveler build a better knowledge base on this program that is unfamiliar to most Americans.

If you are involved in Accor Hotels PR or management, I’d love to hook up with someone from Accor Hotels to arrange a hotel brand tour. TBEX Prague (Praha) is happening November 2011. Let’s talk.

Here are a couple of posts merged together. The first piece is an expanded version of my response to a FlyerTalk question on the relative value of 100,000 points in Hilton HHonors, Hyatt Gold Passport and IHG Priority Club. The second piece is about my plans for fulfilling several hotel promotions over the next three months to earn loads of free nights. This is the time to plan summer travel if you want to use hotel loyalty programs to pay low rates now and redeem for high rate hotels this summer.

Comparing the value of hotel program points

1. Hyatt and IHG do not have extended stay discounts. You pay the same nightly reward rate for a five night stay as a one night stay. 15,000 points a night will cost 75,000 points for five nights.

Hilton offers 15% off standard award rate for VIP 4-night stays, 20% off 5-night stays (same with Marriott and Starwood) and 25% off for 6 nights and longer stays. This makes a category 7 hotel reward for six nights drop from 300,000 to 225,000 points with HHonors. 

2. In terms of earn/burn the programs are comparable in that HHonors for a Points & Points earner takes $3,334 in spend to earn a top category 7 reward night at 50,000 points.  This amount is reduced by 15% to 25% for extended stay VIP rewards. HHonors elite status also reduces the hotel spend needed to earn 50,000 points. 

IHG takes $4,000 in hotel spend to earn a 40,000 points high-tier InterContinental Hotel reward or $3,000 for low tier hotels. $2,500 earns a free night at any Crowne Plaza which will likely be a comparable category 7 Hilton in many cities. Again, Priority Club Platinum elite status reduces the hotel spend needed. Priority Club has a lower earn rate of 5 points/$1 with extended stay brands Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. InterContinental Hotels are limited to 2,000 points per stay which generally require more than $200 in hotel spend for this luxury hotel brand. 

Hyatt takes $4,400 for a category 6 hotel reward at 22,000 points or $3,600 for a category 5 hotel at 18,000 points. Gold Passport only gives a 30% bonus for Diamond elites compared to 50% bonus points for HHonors and Priority Club top elites. 

3. The distribution of hotels among hotel reward categories is an important consideration when comparing the value of points across hotel programs. 

Hilton is top heavy. Hilton has a higher percentage of hotels in its top two categories of 6 and 7 than any other major hotel program has in its top two tiers of hotel rewards. Hilton has a 7,500 points category 1 reward, but only about 40 hotels in that category or about 1% of Hilton brand hotels worldwide. 

Hyatt is bottom heavy, meaning your 100,000 points will go a long way in Hyatt if used at Category 1 (5,000 points) and Category 2 (8,000 points) hotels. Hyatt has over 60% of its hotels in category 1 and 2.

A category 5 or 6 hotel in Hyatt is generally something pretty special. A category 6 or 7 hotel in Hilton may be really nice or just a mediocre hotel in a popular location. My local Embassy Suites is a category 7 and in no way compares to the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn at category 6. The Highlands Inn typically commands summer rates in $600 range compared to Hilton in $200 range.

IHG is brand specific reward cost meaning there are some great deals and some not so great deals. Crowne Plaza is 25,000 points per night regardless if the hotel is an average of $100 per night or $300 per night. 

Bottom line for mid-tier to upper-tier hotel reward redemptions:

100,000 Hilton buys 2 to 4 nights. Pointstretchers increase this to 3 to 6 nights. VIP rewards require more points, but give big savings on high category rewards.

Assume 30 hotel nights at $100 per night and 100,000 Hilton points are likely to be earned with $3,000 to $4,000 in hotel spend.

100,000 Hyatt points buys 5 to 12 nights. Even up to 20 nights. Assume 30 nights and 100,000 Hyatt points are likely to be earned for about $3,000 to $4,000 in hotel spend with the current promotion, Diamond amenity points and base points. As a Diamond member I have received over 6,000 points on a $100 hotel night with 1,000 points Diamond amenity bonus; 2,500 points for closed Regency Club, 650 points for stay and 2,000 points for a property specific bonus (aka “G” bonus).

100,000 Priority Club buys 3 to 6 nights. Discount reward rates increase this to 6 to 12 nights. Priority Club members can earn 100,000 points for under $1,000 in hotel spend. Priority Club is an amazing program for cheap points. I earned over 10,000 points on my $100 hotel stay two weeks ago. And I bought 10,000 points for $60 on my recent reward night at The Palazzo Las Vegas.

Planning out loyalty promotion hotel stays

Looking at our tax return and thinking “vacation”.  So I am planning out hotel stays to fulfill a variety of promotions for earning free nights for summer vacation travel. My wife Kelley gets a full six weeks out of school before needing to set-up class for next school year.

Here are promotion offers I am looking to fulfill:

• Club Carlson – 2 stays by June 15 = 1 free night at any of 1,000+ hotels around the world.
• Priority Club – Crack the Case – I can’t believe I still need 3 more hotel nights to get my 91,000 Crack the Case Priority Club bonus points. I am reprimanding myself right now for not getting all the hotel stays between October and December 2010 when every two stays earned a free night. Too much time away from my working wife and too little money to spend on travel seems to be the primary obstacles to living an Intercontinental Priority Club life.
• Starwood Preferred Guest – every three stays earns a free night at a Starwood Resort. There are over 200 resorts around the world where $300 in hotel stays between May 1 and July 31 can earn a free night for a $300+ resort night.

In my economic reality this means 3 hotel nights are free for the next three months when I consider the actual daily rate of a luxury resort hotel. In other words, one guest pays $3,000 for a one week resort vacation, while another SPG guest like me pays zero dollars in room rate and tax for the same $3,000 one week resort hotel while spending $2,000 for 21 separate one-night hotel stays that earn 7 free Starwood Hotel nights. 

The loyalty traveler plans to be the type of guest who gets a week-long luxury resort vacation after three weeks in paid stays hotel travel. I have my spreadsheet I created showing Starwood Hotel rates over the next few months for the San Francisco Bay Area and other locations I plan to be and I check it daily.

Yesterday I filed three Starwood Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) claims for lower rates found on Hotels.com compared to the Starwood Hotels site. Since the Hotels.com rates still show a lower rate this morning I assume the BRG claims will be approved in the next few hours.

(Update May 2, 6:30pm – all three Starwood BRG claims approved. $228 for three Starwood Hotel stays will earn over 6,000 BRG bonus points and a free Starwood Resort night.)

SPG Platinum membership with 25 stays in a calendar year means this Loyalty Traveler should requalify for SPG Platinum elite for 2012.

“Upgrades” whispering in my ear. 

Basically I am looking to earn around 12 free hotel nights through points and certificates at luxury hotels with average nightly rates in the $400 range for 25 paid nights in hotels at the $100 per night range. 

$2,500 in spend to earn $5,000 in free rooms means I will have 37 nights in hotels rooms with a fair market value room rate around $7,500 for $2,500 out of pocket. 

My travel plans calculate an average of $68 per night for 37 nights in hotels with at least 12 of those nights in luxury hotels. That is what loyalty travel and Loyalty traveler are all about. 

Also, I am checking daily for the results of Best Western’s 650,000 bonus points promotion for the first ten people who stayed at all three Best Western tiers beginning February 6, 2011. I completed those three stays on February 9. The winners were supposed to be chosen April 29 and I am hoping to be one of the lucky ten.

650,000 bonus points is sufficient for about 20 nights of free rooms at the high tiers of 32,000 and 36,000 points Best Western hotels. The points will go really far at low level properties in 12,000 to 16,000 points for 40 to 50 free room nights. Just depends on where I need hotel rooms. 

Loyalty Traveler shows you how to jumpstart your hotel travel on a budget.

Check-in,  turn on, and check out  – through a hotel lifestyle.

Sixty Second overview of current offers:

Hotel program relaunch is the main hotel industry buzz of March 2011. Goldpoints plus morphed into Club Carlson with a new reward chart and reassignment of hundreds of hotels in reward categories.  All hotel brands globally now earn 20 points per US dollar and the program has a valid claim for being the fastest program for earning free nights. Elite roll-over has been added. Club Carlson did not change the points-to-miles exchange rates and maintains its status for best exchange rate along with top tier Marriott Rewards and Wyndham Rewards with better rates than Starwood and Hyatt.

Expedia Rewards introducing a viable online travel agency loyalty program not tied to a credit card partner program. Expedia bookings earn points for airfare, hotels and travel packages and Expedia Rewards offers elite level membership with additional benefits.

IHG Priority Club announced a relaunch in the press, but much ado about nothing. The relaunch is primarily cosmetic with only one significant program structural change with the introduction of Last Minute Reward Nights starting in May 2011 offering select hotels for 50% points discount. However, the question with this new reward option is whether this means the end of PointBreaks reward nights at 5,000 points? Priority Club missed a great opportunity to smooth out many of the program oddities.

Best promotions to check out:

• Accor 10th Anniversary World Tour monthly prizes March – December 2011 (5-key).
• Club Carlson Stay Twice and earn one free night April 15- June 15 (4-key).
• Hilton HHonors – Triple Virgin Atlantic miles April 1 – June 30 (4-key). This offer can be combined with HHonors 1,000 points per night promotion.
• Hyatt 10,000 points after 5 nights and 2,500 points for every additional 2 nights April 1 – June 30 (4-key).
• Ritz-Carlton – $100 gift card for 5 nights March 15 – June 30 (3-key).
• Red Lion Inn – 5,000 points per stay + breakfast to May 31. (5-key)
• Starwood Resorts – Pack Your Bags Sweepstakes for 5-nights and 150,000 points Daily entry through April 15  (5-key).
• Voila Rewards – 50% off reward nights through April 30 (5-key).

***********************************************************************

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 #5 - March 31, 2011

Offers marked with an asterisk (*) were added since the last March 11 update.

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 10^th Anniversary World Tour Giveaway – One monthly trip consisting of Round the World flights and hotel stays in 10 cities over 30 to 40 days. Ten prizes each month for a hotel stay. (11 prizes each month from March through December 2011). LT post March 30. 

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 – Club Carlson (formerly Goldpoints Plus)

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

* Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night – April 15 – June 15, 2011. Limit of one free night during promotion period. All hotels participate and free night may be redeemed at any hotel through December 31, 2011. Loyalty Traveler post March 30. 4-key promotion.

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)

 

* Expedia Rewards – Expedia’s new loyalty program earns points for air, hotel and travel package bookings. This is a gamechanger for online travel agencies. Booking airfare through Expedia is a no brainer method for earning additional travel rebates since frequent flyer benefits are unaffected. Hotels are a different matter though since no hotel loyalty points with programs like SPG, Marriott, Hilton and others are earned for Expedia bookings.

Main Expedia Rewards benefits are the ability to earn points when booking travel for other people like family members and friends. And Expedia vacation packages often allow a hotel night to be added for the same price as airfare alone; particularly when traveling to Las Vegas. Loyalty Traveler Analysis March 28.

 

Fairmont Hotels and Fairmont President’s Club

Tip: Sign up for Fairmont President’s Club to receive monthly special discount rates for Fairmont Hotels. 

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. 

* Hilton HHonors 2011-Q2 promotion for 1,000 bonus points per night April 1-June 30.  Registration is required. All  Hilton brand hotels worldwide participate. 2-key promotion.  Loyalty Traveler post March 25.

* Hilton HHonors Triple Miles with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for stays April 1-June 30. This is a 4-key promotion allowing 3,000 miles per Hilton brand hotel stay. LT post March 29.

* Conrad Hotels 25^th Anniversary Free Night March 1- June 30. Book by June 12. Free night is based on a paid stay of two to six nights, depending on Conrad hotel. My analysis indicates this offer is a savings at most Conrad hotels. Loyalty Traveler post March 23. 3-key rate offer.

* Home2Suites opens first hotel of Hilton’s new extended stay brand in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Unfortunately this new hotel brand becomes the first HHonors brand with a lower earn rate for points and miles. Loyalty Traveler post March 21.

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.

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.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

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

* InterContinental Hotels in Europe 5^th Night Free rate July 14 – Sep 11, 2011. These rates are about 20% off Best Flexible Rate and equivalent to Advance Purchase rate. Loyalty Traveler post March 16.

* IHG Priority Club relaunch previews new reward option for Last Minute Hotel Nights at 50% points of standard reward night. Other changes are primarily cosmetic with new mobile apps, card redesign and website changes. Loyalty traveler post March 29.

* IHG Priority Club partnership with Las Vegas Resorts – The Venetian and The Palazzo become InterContinental Alliance hotel partners as of April 1, 2011. Priority Club points can be earned and burned (40,000 points per night) for hotel stays and InterContinental Ambassador benefits apply.

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 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)

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)

* Kimpton 30^th Birthday April 1 – Kimpton has a Facebook contest for a free night and a spa offer for an additional 30 minutes free with a 50-minute in-room spa purchase during April 2011. (No LT post yet on these offers. These offers mentioned in this March 28 TravelPulse article.)

 

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, AC Hotels. 

* AC Hotels is Marriott’s newest hotel brand. AC Hotels are a Madrid-based hotel chain now partnered with Marriott and brings 90 new upscale hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal into the Marriott Rewards system. This brand is projected to expand in Europe and Latin America. Loyalty Traveler post March 27.

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 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.

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.

 

Preferred Hotels Group – I Prefer

I Prefer and Preferred Hotels Group special offers page.

 

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

*  5,000 bonus points + Breakfast for stays by May 31. Free nights are only 10,000 points with R&R Club. 5-key promotion.

 

Ritz-Carlton Rewards

* Ritz-Carlton $100 Ritz-Carlton gift card after 5 nights or $250 gift card after 10 nights during March 15 – June 30, 2011. No registration required. Loyalty Traveler post March 17. 3-key promotion.

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 Resorts Pack Your Bags Sweepstakes – March 15 to April 15. SPG members can enter daily for 10 separate drawings with new rounds every Tuesday and Friday. Winners receive  5-night stay and 150,000 points. Some prize values in $20,000 range. Loyalty Traveler post March 16.

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 Hotel Rewards New Member Enrollment 1,000 bonus points link.

Stash Rewards is a one year old loyalty program for over 100 independent upscale hotels in the U.S. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 19. Loyalty Traveler has found the hotel partners with Stash Rewards in Monterey, Napa and Washington D.C. are great choices for hotel travelers. Stash Rewards offers points for many high quality independent hotels that previously had no loyalty program affiliation.

* Stash Hotel Specials for Bonus Points and Low Redemption Rate Hotels

 

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.

* 50% off reward nights through April 30 at participating Voila hotels. Peter Gorla of Voila Hotel Rewards posted a comment on Loyalty Traveler stating my March 3 post helped extend this offer through April. WOW!  Loyalty Traveler post March 3.

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.

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.

 

Loyalty Traveler Research Articles

Hotel Loyalty Credit Cards and the Value of Hotel Points

* Loyalty Traveler Analysis of Hotel Rewards Credit Cards (March 19, 2011)

* Elite Status Benefits with Hotel Loyalty Credit Cards (March 21, 2011)

Hotel Credit Cards Comparison by Value of Points (September 2, 2010) 

Hotel Credit Card Comparison using NerdWallet.com Value of Points (Sep 5, 2010) 

Loyalty Traveler’s Three Rules for the Value of Hotel Points (Sep 7, 2010)

 

Hotel Points to Airline Miles Conversion Tables

* Hotel Points to Miles Conversion Rates for Aeroplan Bonus – This post shows the conversion rates for airlines using Aeroplan’s bonus offer through April 30, 2011 for 5,000 bonus miles on hotel points transfers equaling 25,000 Aeroplan miles. Loyalty Traveler post March 22.

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

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 – Full Year 2010 – 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.

Expedia Rewards launched today, March 28, 2011. Loyalty Traveler analyzed the points earn and burn value for hotels and published program benefits.

Earn Expedia Rewards points

Expedia Rewards program base earn rate offers 1 point per USD $1 in Expedia travel purchases. Travel packages including a hotel stay with a total of two, three or four components earn 2 points/$1, 3 points/$1 and 4 points/$1, respectively.

Travel package components include airfare, hotel, car and activities.

• 1 point/$1 spent on hotels
• 1 point/$1 spent on flights
• 1 point/$1 spent on activities
• 2 points/$1 spent on hotel + flight travel package (or hotel + one other package component)
• 3 points/$1 spent on hotel + flight + car travel package (or hotel + any two other package components)
• 4 points/$1 spent on hotel + flight + car + activities travel package

 

Expedia Rewards Elite Plus

Expedia Rewards has an elite member program. Annual Expedia Elite Plus qualification requires 15 hotel nights or $10,000 in annual Expedia travel bookings.  Expedia Rewards members need to book and stay 15 nights or spend $10,000 in Expedia travel during 2011 to earn Elite Plus status that will expire Feb 28, 2013.

A single registered Expedia membership account will be given credit for all bookings made to that account, regardless of who completes the travel. – Expedia Elite Plus terms and conditions.

One of the strongest competitive advantages for Expedia Rewards compared to traditional frequent flyer and frequent guest loyalty programs is the ability for the Expedia account holder to earn points and credit with purchases for other travelers. All you home-based travel agents can book your family trip and earn Expedia Rewards for everybody else’s flights and nights. In this sense, Expedia Rewards is akin to a travel credit card program for travel purchase points and a spend based elite member option, even if you don’t travel all that much.

If I book 15 hotel room nights in 2011 through my Expedia Rewards account, then I will earn Expedia Elite Plus status through February 28, 2013 regardless of the traveler names for the booked hotel rooms. I can’t earn points with traditional hotel loyalty programs in my personal hotel member account without being one of the guests staying at the hotel. 

Elite Plus on Airline purchases: $10,000 in airline tickets and total travel purchases is a high threshold for earning Elite Plus. The threshold is much lower for hotel bookings at 15 nights. Basically the profit margin on airline tickets is very low for Expedia. Most of Expedia’s profits come from hotel bookings according to industry data I have read.

Expedia Elite Plus Benefits and VIP Access Hotels $30 Promotion

Elite Plus members can receive free upgrades, late checkout and other perks with Expedia “VIP Access” designated hotels.

Expedia VIP Access Hotels earn 2 points/$1.

Expedia Rewards offers a $30 coupon on stays of 3-nights or longer at Expedia VIP Access hotels through December 31, 2011 when booked by March 31, 2011. (Loyalty Traveler is disappointed to see such a short booking window.)

Elite Plus members also have a Hotel Price Guarantee. The terms indicate you can get a lower room rate for stand-alone hotel bookings if found on a U.S. based website anytime from time of booking on Expedia until day before arrival.

There might be some real potential for hedging your hotel rates with this aspect of the program. I’ll tackle my ideas on the Expedia Rewards Elite Plus Hotel Price Guarantee in a different Loyalty Traveler post.

Other notable Elite Plus member benefits are exclusive offers and early access to sales.

 

Redeem Expedia Rewards points

Expedia currently only has a hotel coupon redemption chart. The airfare redemption table is not online yet.

The hotel coupon table shows a rather low 1% to 2% rebate value on Expedia travel purchases for standalone hotel, airfare, and car rental bookings with an earn rate of 1 point per dollar.

MasterCard Double Points through August 31, 2011

A special promotion with MasterCard earns double Expedia Rewards base points on hotel or hotel packages paid with MasterCard through August 31, 2011 increasing the potential rebate up to 2% – 4%.

MasterCard Double Points with Expedia Rewards requires promotion registration using Expedia Rewards number.

Hotel coupons are one-time use meaning the best value $1000 coupon can only be redeemed on a single hotel stay. $300 hotel coupon stays will offer far less rebate value through Expedia Rewards than $1,000 hotel coupon stays.

Earning 50,000 points requires as much as $50,000 in travel purchases and a minimum of $12,500 in Expedia travel purchases if earning 4 points/$1 on a four component vacation package purchase. That is only an 8% rebate on $12,500 in travel spend when 50,000 Expedia Rewards points are redeemed for a $1,000 hotel voucher that must be used in one hotel stay.

For comparison, Loyalty Traveler values the hotel loyalty program points earned from many hotel stays at 20% to 30% paid room rate during good promotions and 50%+ rebate during high value promotions.

In real numbers this means I expect to save $20 to $30 on a future hotel stay for every $100 I spend at the hotel during a good loyalty promotion and upwards of $50 in future hotel stay value for every $100 I spend when a high value promotion comes around. And Expedia Rewards guarantees me only 2% future hotel stay rebate value after spending $50,000. That is $2 future hotel stay savings for every $100 in hotel spend.

Expedia Rewards is a fine online travel agency choice for airfare tickets and may provide a good savings on hotel rates with some travel package deals, but the rebate on stand-alone hotel stays bookings is likely to be less compared to the points and benefits offered through the hotel brand’s traditional loyalty program which for me average 20% to 30% on most of my hotel stays in programs like Hyatt and Starwood and Priority Club.  

Expedia Rewards Sample Earn and Burn Chart from Website

http://www.expedia.com/daily/highlights/rewards/expediarewards/sample.asp

MasterCard payment for double points through August 31, 2011 creates the potential for 8 points per dollar and 16% rebate (sample #3) on Expedia spend. Throw in a VIP Access hotel with a four component Expedia vacation package and pay with MasterCard (sample #4) and you peak at 9 points/$1 or a potential 18% rebate on your travel purchase with Expedia Rewards.

Expedia Rewards compared to Hyatt Gold Passport 10,000 bonus points after 5 nights

Assume $100 per night on two 5-night stays = $1,000 spend.

• Hyatt Diamond member = 2 x 1,000 points Diamond amenity = 2,000 points.
• Gold Passport Base points = 5 points/$1 x $1,000 = 5,000 points.
• Gold Passport Diamond elite bonus (30%) x $1,000 = 1,500 points.
• Hyatt Promotion (April 1-June 30) = 5 nights for 10,000 points + 2 nights x 5,000 points for 7^th and 9th nights = 20,000 points.

28,500 Gold Passport points worth $427 to $855 in hotel stay rewards based on estimated value of Hyatt Gold Passport points in the range of $15 to $30 per 1,000 points. This sample for Hyatt shows a 42% to 85% rebate value compared to an 8% rebate value with Expedia or a maximum 16% during the MasterCard promotion.

Paying $1,000 on Expedia earns only 1,000 points for standalone hotel bookings. That offers no rebate at all on my $1,000 in hotel spend since I need 3,500 points just to redeem for a $25 hotel coupon.

Expedia Rewards is still a great consumer bonus when booking independent hotels not affiliated with a hotel loyalty program where the guest would otherwise not earn any points with future travel value.  

The Hotel Analysis

Unfortunately, hotel rooms purchased on Expedia frequently involve a trade-off for the frequent guest. 

Expedia bookings earn no points in most hotel loyalty programs. Even elite benefits do not apply for stays with a major chain where you have elite tier status when booked through Expedia.  You may still receive benefits at the discretion of the hotel.

Why hotels do not give points for third party online bookings.

American Airlines or United Airlines are owned and operated as one major corporate company. The company employs the workers, owns and leases aircraft and facilities and in most cases manages the frequent flyer program. Airlines benefit regardless of the channel where you buy your ticket. The price of a ticket is generally the same on Expedia as it is on the airline site. Expedia does not make much money on airline tickets relative to its profit margin on hotels.

Hotels are different from airlines in that many independently owned hotels align or brand with a parent hotel chain like Hyatt or Best Western. The hotel loyalty program acts primarily as a marketing partner for the hotel.  The hotel owner pays for this marketing arrangement, generally a percentage of room revenue. The hotels employ their own workers, manage their own site financials, and participate in a hotel loyalty program in an association of hundreds or thousands of other independently owned hotels.

Bookings made through Expedia are something like a 15% to 25% booking fee in terms of room rate going to Expedia rather than to the hotel. Hotel loyalty programs like SPG and Priority Club are marketing organizations geared to move hotel bookings to lower-cost direct channels that reduce the overall cost of selling hotel rooms and improve profit margins. Hotel loyalty program points and benefits are high value rebates direct to the customer. The customer is happy with the value added benefits of the hotel stay and the hotel makes more money than selling the room through Expedia who takes a significant portion of the room rate.

Expedia gets you the same room price most of the time, but the hotel loyalty benefits are not the same since a much larger portion of the room rate is going to Expedia compared to a direct booking with the hotel. You as the frequent guest have already cut the hotel’s profit margin by booking through Expedia. The hotel may not want to incur more expenses by giving you hotel loyalty benefits like a room upgrade, points, free breakfast or internet access.

FlyerTalk discussions indicate Marriott and Hyatt often recognize a member’s elite status on third party bookings, but this is no guarantee.

Earning hotel program loyalty points is generally not a benefit with any hotel loyalty program for third party bookings through an online travel agency like Expedia.

Is Expedia Rewards a loyalty program gamechanger?

Expedia Rewards might be incentive for me to move bookings to Expedia rather than Orbitz or Travelocity, however, the low rebate value of points means I am unlikely to move bookings away from hotel brand websites unless there is also an exceptional cash savings to the Expedia rate. I find my hotel stay point bonuses generally exceed a 10% future stay rebate and often are 25% or more of the paid room rate when used for a future hotel stay.

Therefore, Expedia Rewards is not a significant game-changer in hotel loyalty programs when it comes to booking hotels where there is the option to earn traditional hotel loyalty points. The value of points in Hyatt Gold Passport, Hilton HHonors, IHG Priority Club, Starwood Preferrred Guest and Marriott Rewards are generally much more valuable than Expedia Rewards points when booking your own hotel stays. Expedia Rewards is great when booking hotel stays and flights for other people through your own account.

Expedia Rewards is a good value for extra travel points from airfare purchases and travel packages where the hotel and airline savings provide an instant rebate value on travel cost. Airfare purchases on Expedia without the risk of lost benefits provide a bonus credit in your Expedia Rewards account in addition to your frequent flyer account miles.

Just remember Expedia Rewards hotel bookings may leave your traditional hotel frequent guest account shortchanged!

Hilton HHonors has something to say to its loyalty members. The HHonors hotel loyalty program wants to de-emphasize points and focus on travel experiences as it markets ten different hotel brands with a more singular global identity in a new $25 million global PR campaign.

I respect the concept of creating a unifying Hilton identity for ten different hotel brands. The hotel loyalty program should function as a brand-unifying force in my opinion.  Too many travelers do not know which hotel brands are associated with which global hotel chain. There are about 75 hotel brands in the top 10 hotel chains.

However, stating HHonors new identity is “going beyond rewards” sends an opaque message to this loyalty traveler.

Hilton HHonors as the 11^th brand – What a Concept!

Hilton’s press release yesterday regarding the launch of this $25 million campaign for a new HHonors rebranding initiative is as vague as the details were regarding HHonors hotel category assignment changes in late 2009.

Rather than focusing solely on the destination or earning points, Hilton HHonors is focusing on the unforgettable experiences people have while traveling, allowing Hilton Worldwide’s hotels to serve both as the backdrop and the conduit to genuine human moments.

In my opinion, Hilton Worldwide hotels or any other hotel’s raison d’etre is to serve as the backdrop and conduit to traveler experiences. HHonors from the business side is just the marketing platform for the objective of making a brand loyal consumer. From the consumer side HHonors provides the consumer with competitive value through brand loyalty to reject alternative hotel choices when traveling. Outside of the hotel my experiences will be quite similar whether I am staying at the Hilton or the Marriott across the street or the Starwood property around the corner.

My primary reason for loyalty to Hilton in the 1990s was the ability to position myself in the center of a city for sightseeing and business at a relatively comparable rate to Priceline with a lot more hotel stay benefits as a HHonors Diamond member. The loyalty program was my only reason for choosing Hilton due to the benefit of airline miles-to-HHonors-points exchanges. I could focus my travel spend on airlines and exchange miles for points and get free hotel room nights.  Prior to that point I rarely stayed in city centers due to the high cost of hotels and I wasted many vacation hours commuting from cheaper hotel locations to the sightseeing destinations I had traveled to visit.

I have many beautiful HHonors memories like walking out of the Conrad Centennial Singapore back in 2002 for an incredible evening at the Merlion dedication festival while standing in a crowd of locals estimated at more than 100,000 for an extraordinary fireworks display with dragon boats in the harbor and performance artists scaling skyscrapers illuminated in blue light.

I probably shared that experience on FlyerTalk back in 2002. But that was an experience that the hotel location and my luck of travel dates made possible rather than the hotel. I was using points for a free hotel stay.

Hilton HHonors wants to change the way our members view loyalty programs,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, global customer marketing, Hilton Worldwide. “Our goal is to shift the conversation from earning points to creating memories, from being just about functionality to the human, more emotional and experiential side of travel.” Hilton press release Mar 16, 2011.

 

Loyalty Traveler response to the new view of HHonors: 

There are only a few dozen blogs like Loyalty Traveler that focus on the earning points side of travel. Shifting the conversation away from points on social media sites like FlyerTalk.com and MilePoint.com is unlikely to happen.  The raison d’etre for consumer-oriented social media sites like FlyerTalk.com, MilePoint.com and blogs on BoardingArea.com is to share travel tips and experiences. 

The conversation around HHonors in the 12 years I have been a member of FlyerTalk has always had a dimension of humanity, emotion and experiences.  That is a major contribution these sites make for travelers seeking information on hotels. 

TripAdvisor.com is not going away and is actually a vital reference source for consumers. I share some of my hotel experiences, but I do not write about most of my hotel stays.

But Hilton HHonors does not control the message on these social media sites. 

Thousands of travel blogs are published daily with a focus on the human, emotional and experiential side of travel. But these sites have limited brand messaging potential since Hilton HHonors does not control these sites either and a hotel generally receives minimal attention in unsponsored travel destination articles. 

Hilton can always sponsor blog posts through compensated travel experiences for a travel blogger. 

And that reminds me!

I have not responded to a recent email offering Loyalty Traveler two free nights at any Hampton Inn if I write a hotel review.

Unlike TripAdvisor.com, hotel reviews are not my raison d’etre. 

Loyalty Traveler simply provides consumers with information that I think is useful and necessary for the set of travelers who value the functionality of hotel loyalty programs. There are plenty of better writers and photographers who provide experiential stories and imagery of the hotel experience. 

Loyalty Traveler blog will maintain its focus on the functionality of hotel loyalty programs for frequent guests who realize that gaining a better understanding of the economics of hotel travel will lead to more and potentially better hotel travel experiences.

Loyalty Traveler Dreams of the Future in Hotel Loyalty Programs

What I would love to see in hotel loyalty programs is the option to use loyalty points for things like a Jacuzzi tub room or junior suite upgrade or balcony room or limousine pickup from the airport. Those are experiences within the control of a hotel that the hotel loyalty program can provide to loyalty members. 

Imagine if any HHonors member, not just elites, had access to an array of hotel stay benefits using points for upgrades, meals, services, and local experiences.  The HHonors hotel loyalty programs can truly reinvent itself along an experiential model in a guest-focused loyalty program. 

Of course, I would still want to see elite level complimentary benefits, but hotel stay value-added options using points is a concept with great consumer-friendly potential and currently is really underutilized in the hotel industry. Many hotels already have numerous points redemption options, but these types of options are still quite limited as a hotel loyalty program system-wide option.

The challenge of course for this type of system change in hotel loyalty is establishing point values for hotel services and upgrades that are fair value compared to room redemption values. Hotel loyalty programs keep adding low value redemption options if you want a car rental or an airplane ticket or a new camera. 

Greatly expanded points redemption options for hotel stay experiences would provide FlyerTalk, MilePoint and other social media forum members more experiences to share in social media conversation. 

Loyalty Traveler’s viewpoint is consumer motivation for hotel stay purchases is shaped in large part by the perceived value of hotel loyalty program points and stay benefits.

An Alternative Look into the Future (Shock) of a new HHonors Identity 

Our goal is to shift the conversation from earning points to creating memories, from being just about functionality to the human, more emotional and experiential side of travel.” – Jeff Diskin

Motivating consumers to maintain brand loyalty with Hilton Worldwide hotels is the marketing objective of Hilton HHonors. 

There is another future (shock) scenario for HHonors I see as a viable direction for hotel loyalty programs that choose to move beyond points and rewards in the age of social media opportunity. 

Shifting the conversation to the hotel location as an experience in itself and the hotel as a conduit to experiences is probably a viable marketing strategy in the growing world of social media exposure and participation as a  tool for consumer engagement. 

Hilton HHonors claims 27 million members currently and more than 10% membership growth with 2.5 million new members in 2010. 

That is substantial growth in HHonors membership for 2010, the same year the program devalued its points with the addition of a new hotel category and the increase in cost for a free night using points at more than 80% of its 3,600 hotels in 82 countries. 

Loyalty Traveler attributes some of that new member growth in HHonors to consumers looking for better hotel value in 2010. Six months of Hilton HHonors free night promotions in 2010 provided a good monetary rebate on hotel stays.

2011 looks to Loyalty Traveler to be a social media campaign with a new HHonors message – ‘beyond free nights’. 

What if HHonors’ goal truly is to move HHonors away from the functionality of points to the social and experiential side of travel? 

‘Marketing by the Masses’ rather than ‘To the Masses’ 

The concept of crowdsourcing is becoming more prevalent in the hotel industry’s use of social media. This is the marketing revolution of the current age. A membership base of 27 million provides a high potential for crowdsourcing consumer-generated content through creative hotel loyalty marketing. The hotel industry is devoting resources to channel social media in visually and emotionally attractive ways, yet structurally organized and better controlled in a promotional way for the hotel company than sites like FlyerTalk and MilePoint and independent blogs like Loyalty Traveler.

Several promotions over the past year like Cathay Pacific’s 80 days of free flights request user-generated videos and stories. Crowdsourcing is still in its infancy for travel marketing on the web, but I think travelers will see many more contests and sweepstakes and social media pages for submitting user-generated content that the hotel loyalty program can later repackage for its webpage displays of customer experiences. Crowdpower positive messaging of products and brands is a marketer’s dream world. 

The result of crowdsourcing large quantities of visual media and experiential stories is the marketing impact the hotel loyalty program can generate across social media. The hotel loyalty program might be able to grow new membership primarily through social media marketing that spreads across the masses as individuals share their hotel and travel experiences. 

Social media can be employed by Hilton HHonors to facilitate shared travel experiences through a variety of company dominated/controlled social media sites like Hilton and HHonors Facebook pages, Twitter messaging, FourSquare, Gowalla and other geo-location messaging sites and a variety of other social media emerging platforms. 

Social media has far-reaching impact across the masses for the ability to reach millions of new people with the product message. 

For example, company sponsored Facebook and Twitter contests and sweepstakes spread the word about a brand. All the hotel chains have used sweepstakes and giveaways for brand exposure on these popular social media sites in the past year.  The social network means that one person responding to Hilton’s Facebook or Twitter promotions spreads the word to many of that person’s followers. 

Even someone like me who uses Twitter sparingly has over 1,000 followers. My social reach is calculated at somewhere between 15,000 to 30,000 people in my last 50 tweets according to TweetReach.com. A clever social media promotion has the potential to spread brand messaging to millions on the cheap. Just look at Priority Club’s promotional successes over the past year with social media promotions like the Anywhere photo challenge and recent failure with “Win it in a Minute“. 

Priority Club and Marriott Rewards have even developed their own company managed discussion forums for user generated content about their hotel brands. This could be an alternative to FlyerTalk and MilePoint, but the conversations on these company sponsored sites is not nearly as robust and informative as discussion of the same topics on FlyerTalk.com with its 300,000+ members. 

Loyalty points and miles are one way to attract new travelers and retain repeat customers. Social media sharing may quite possibly open the door (literally) to a greatly expanded membership base who will remain engaged with the brand through the social media experience rather than points as the primary motivator of loyalty. Social media experiences may ultimately provide a more loyal community of travelers than hotel points. 

HHonors new identity may strive to take hotel loyalty down a different path – Beyond Points.

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.

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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 a 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.

 

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

Australia – Double Points Dec 1- Feb 28, 2011 

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.

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 

* Try Radisson Business Class in U.S. or Canada for 10,000 points bonus, January 20 – February 28, 2011. Rate code WORQ111. Limit of one bonus during promotion period. Loyalty Traveler post 1-22-11.

Country Inn & Suites - January 2 – February 17; U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama

• 10,000 bonus points for one-night stay on a Sunday through Thursday. (Limit one bonus per member)
• 3-day advance reservation required. Promo code = COUNTRY. Promotion link.

(Loyalty Traveler post Dec 31)

Goldpoints Plus program change – elite members earn 2,000 points for online booking. All general goldpoints members earn 1,000 points for online booking.  (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 

* 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.

Jan 6 – March 2, 2011: Choice Hotels Triple Points beginning with second stay for online bookings or phone direct bookings at 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). Offer only eligible for USA members. Platinum and Diamond elite members earn an additional 500 bonus points per stay. General and Gold elite members earn double points for stays booked through third-party sites. Registration required.

Loyalty Traveler post 1-4-11. 

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) 

Dec 1, 2010 – February 28, 2011: Choice Privileges offers Air Berlin TopBonus Double Miles

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)

 

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

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 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. 

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)

Dec 1 – Feb 28, 2011: AARP 10% off daily rate and complimentary room upgrade in U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Offer code AARP. AARP membership is available to persons 50 or older for $16/year.

** Diamond elite suite upgrade certificates from 2010 may be applied to hotel stays if used by February 28, 2011 for a stay later in 2011. Only catch – no reservation changes allowed after February 28 or the suite upgrade certificate is forfeited. Loyalty traveler post Dec 1.

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.

Hyatt Gold Passport Program change: Hyatt Gold Passport hotel award categories increased for 25% of hotels as of June 4, 2010. Loyalty traveler post.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

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

* “Win it in a Minute” Geography Trivia Game offers players a chance to win 5,000 points daily by being in the Top 50 scorers or 15,000 points for Top 100 weekly score. Answer five questions with 12 seconds allowed for each question. This game is hard and runs through April 15. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 24.

* Priority Club PointBreaks through February 28, 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 was a short 55 hotels when posted Jan 24. There also were no InterContinental Hotels. This may be the new trend for PointBreaks. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 24.

* 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)

5-key offer Priority Club “Crack the Case” individually targeted promotion terms. My Crack the Case offer is a 5-key promotion, however, the best offers appear to be for Priority Club members who did not stay too frequently over the past year. Members who received this promotion have until May 31, 2011 to fulfill the tasks for bonus points. You need to already be a Priority Club member and check your email offer for your own Crack the Case promotion terms.

My offer was 162,000 points for five tasks and a 91,000 points bonus for completing four of the challenges: PC credit card enrollment 60,000 points; stay two Saturdays; stay in two brands, complete a hotel stay profile survey; stay 10 room nights. I can potentially receive 157,000 Priority Club points for just two Saturday hotel nights in two different brands over the next five months. (LT post – Aug 24, 2010)

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 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 Rewards PointSavers – disappointing to see only 25 hotels posted on this list. 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 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: Stay a Friday or Saturday night at Marriott or JW Marriott in U.S. or Canada and earn $100 Bonus Bucks weekend certificate. Must book between Jan 21 – Feb 11 for a hotel stay between Feb 10 and March 27, 2011. Promotion code R6M. Bonus Bucks certificate requires a two-night stay including a Friday or Saturday night at any Marriott or JW Marriott worldwide. Certificate expires 6 months after issuance. Here is also a $100 flight certificate discount on a $250 flight, but details are vague. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 23.

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 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.

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)

InsideFlyer has a free web access article on Hotel Loyalty Elite Comparisons across more than 25 loyalty programs.  February’s issue features part one of the article and March will feature part two as the cover story. I am not the writer of this article, although I did provide some comments for the rough draft. This article motivated me to expand my loyalty program coverage as I recognized some great benefits in programs I rarely evaluate. I encourage you to look over the charts and information in the Hotel Loyalty Elite Comparisons.

I have been writing a monthly column for Randy Petersen’s InsideFlyer magazine for nearly two years. My column is always original content that has not appeared on this Loyalty Traveler blog. My monthly column is also a free web access feature of InsideFlyer. I have links to all my InsideFlyer columns on the Ric Garrido page of my blog.  

Categorically speaking, I am predicting two steps up and one step back.

I am sharing my latest InsideFlyer column at the end of this post. The start of the 2011 year saw the return of Starwood Preferred Guest peak season hotel reward dates for category 5, 6 and 7 hotels after a two year absence. My column addresses the return of SPG peak season awards.

February and March are the months when we typically see hotel categories adjusted for the calendar year. Considering Marriott and Hilton raised category levels in 2010 for many of their upper end hotels in the midst of a two year recession does not bode well for this year’s hotel reward category changes.

Starwood made no attempt to lower hotel reward category levels last year; a move to be expected after several consecutive years of rapid rises from 2003 to 2008 attributed to rising average room rates. For some reason when room rates plummeted in 2009, the SPG hotel award category assignments did not follow suit. Granted there was an overall downward movement in SPG category assignment in 2009, but that was a small concession from SPG not repeated again in 2010. Here is my March 2010 article on Hilton HHonors hotel category shift and my April 2010 InsideFlyer column regarding hotel category assignments for 2010 with particular focus on SPG.

So what do the next two months have in store for hotel category shift?

Yesterday, the Washington Post ran an article citing positive economic indicators as a sign that hotel rates will climb in 2011. Higher rates are anticipated to rise disproportionately for business travelers relative to leisure travelers.

What I think this means is the leisure traveler is going to be screwed if needing a city center hotel during midweek business days or weekend conventions. We find ourselves back in 2007 mode where business travelers are gouged and leisure travelers are shut out with high prices for big city midweek hotels.

Fortunately there will still be opportunities for the flexible traveler who goes where the deals are located. And loyalty programs become even more vital in stretching your hotel dollars.

 

February 2011 InsideFlyer magazine Loyalty Traveler column:

Scaling Peaks of High Category Hotel Awards

SPG reinstituted peak season dates for Starwood Preferred Guest hotel rewards at 65 percent of its category 5, 6 and 7 hotels for 2011 and 2012. Over 100 Starwood hotels have peak season dates. Some hotels like the category 5 Westin Verasa Napa and Four Points Manhattan Chelsea have four months of 2011 peak season dates at 16,000 points per night.

Peak season dates master list: https://spgpromos.com/highseason

Earning Free Award Nights

SPG is an outlier among hotel programs for the amount of hotel spend needed for a free night at a high category hotel–even without peak season rates. SPG altered its hotel award structure over the past decade, adding category 6 and category 7 hotel award levels. A similar pattern of new higher category awards played out across the hotel loyalty world in the past few years including Marriott category 8, Hyatt category 6, Hilton category 7 and Priority Club tiers for Holiday Inn and InterContinental brands.

The structure for earning points is the most stable aspect of hotel loyalty schemes. Base points are loyalty points earned per dollar of hotel spend before any promotion or elite bonuses. The base points earn rate for SPG is 2 points/$1. Hyatt uses 5 points/$1. The standard for most major hotel programs is 10 points/$1.

Scaling High Category Awards

An interesting pattern emerges when base points earned per dollar are correlated to the cost of award nights at various category levels in different hotel programs. The amount of hotel spend needed to earn sufficient points for a free night at the highest award levels is similar across hotel programs–except Starwood Hotels.

Marriott Rewards highest category 8 hotel nights are 40,000 points. Earning 40,000 base points requires $4,000 in hotel spend. Priority Club top-tier InterContinental Hotels at 40,000 points take $4,000 in base spend. Lower earning brands at 5 points/$1 are ignored in this analysis. Hyatt Gold Passport category 6 awards at 22,000 points per night equate to $4,400. Hilton HHonors category 7 hotels at 50,000 points range from $3,334 in hotel spend for Points & Points earners to $5,000 for Points & Miles earners.

In contrast, earning 12,000 base points for a SPG category 5 standard hotel award requires $6,000 in spend or $8,000 for peak season nights. Starwood Preferred Guest is an outlier in this award pattern at the category 5 level, let alone SPG category 6 and 7 awards requiring 20,000 and 30,000 points for a standard free night. This correlates to $10,000 or $15,000 in hotel base spend.

HHonors and Marriott Rewards also have higher cost award nights for some Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton properties.

A Competitive Set Comparison of Marriott and Starwood

A debatable argument is SPG program high category hotels are higher quality hotels than other chains.

Hotels in a specific location and similar hotel market segment are in the same competitive set. Hotels in different chains but the same competitive set tend to have room rates on any given day within about 10 percent of each other.

St. Regis New York and Ritz-Carlton Central Park are two New York City luxury hotels in the same competitive set. Both hotels had an identical room rate of $895 per night for June 7, 2011 when I checked.

St. Regis New York is a category 7 SPG award hotel at 30,000 points for a standard free night. SPG members need $15,000 in hotel spend to earn 30,000 base points. Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park is the highest tier 5 hotel award at 70,000 points for a free night. Marriott Rewards members need $7,000 in hotel spend to earn 70,000 base points. Marriott Rewards members earn two free nights for the same level of spend the SPG member earns one night at the St. Regis. And this is without peak season rates at the St. Regis raising the price to 35,000 points per night for part of December 2011.

Comparing award nights using base points value ignores key points-earning components for loyalty members: elite bonuses, promotions and co-branded credit cards. SPG has a slight advantage at the Gold level with 50 percent elite bonus points. Other programs offer 10 to 25 percent bonus at mid-level elite. SPG’s elite advantage is lost at the SPG Platinum level where most programs match 50 percent elite bonus points for top-tier elites.

SPG needs high-value promotions to compensate for an uncompetitive award scheme at high category hotels. Bridging the hotel spend gap of $4,000 to $7,000 to earn the highest awards in most programs with $6,000 to $17,500 for SPG awards necessitates better promotions than double points on stays. Otherwise, high category SPG hotel awards are geared more for high-spend SPG credit card points earners than frequent guests.

Offers are marked with an asterisk (*) if added since last update January 5.

Sixty Second overview of current offers:

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.

Starwood Preferred Guest still has a fast-track to SPG Gold elite opportunity after just four stays at aloft, element and Four Points hotel brands by January 31, 2011. Elite status will last through February 2012.

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

SPG’s fast-track to Gold is a published promotion for Gold elite open to all members. The rest of 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.

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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 a 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.

 

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

Australia – Double Points Dec 1- Feb 28, 2011

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.

* 2011 Travel Resolution $250 Gift Card Sweepstakes. Enter by Jan 31. One entry per person. Limited to US and Canada residents. (LT post Jan 20)

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 - January 2 – February 17; U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama

• 10,000 bonus points for one-night stay on a Sunday through Thursday. (Limit one bonus per member)
• 3-day advance reservation required. Promo code = COUNTRY. Promotion link.

(Loyalty Traveler post Dec 31)

Goldpoints Plus program change – elite members earn 2,000 points for online booking. All general goldpoints members earn 1,000 points for online booking.  (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 

* Jan 6 – March 2, 2011: Choice Hotels Triple Points beginning with second stay for online bookings or phone direct bookings at 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). Offer only eligible for USA members. Platinum and Diamond elite members earn an additional 500 bonus points per stay. General and Gold elite members earn double points for stays booked through third-party sites. Registration required.

Loyalty Traveler post 1-4-11. 

* 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) 

* Dec 1, 2010 – February 28, 2011: Choice Privileges offers Air Berlin TopBonus Double Miles

Preferred Hotels Group Reward Nights up to 50% off. Upper-upscale, luxury and boutique hotel room nights 20,000 to 30,000 points. Book between November 3, 2010 and January 19, 2011. (5-key promotion)

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)

 

Four Seasons Hotels

Four Seasons Special Offers website link

 

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. 

* Conrad Haitang Bay, Sanya China opens January 2011. (LT post Jan 17)

* 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

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

* 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)

* Dec 1 – Feb 28, 2011: AARP 10% off daily rate and complimentary room upgrade in U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Offer code AARP. AARP membership is available to persons 50 or older for $16/year.

* Diamond elite suite upgrade certificates from 2010 may be applied to hotel stays if used by February 28, 2011 for a stay later in 2011. Only catch – no reservation changes allowed after February 28 or the suite upgrade certificate is forfeited. Loyalty traveler post Dec 1.

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.

Hyatt Gold Passport Program change: Hyatt Gold Passport hotel award categories increased for 25% of hotels as of June 4, 2010. Loyalty traveler post.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

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

* 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)

Priority Club PointBreaks through January 31, 2010 are probably the best hotel loyalty program reward night value available at 5,000 points for a free night. The current list is a short 35 hotels and fills a void since the end of the last PointBreaks list in December. Loyalty Traveler post Dec 17.

Cheaper Hilton Reward nights using Priority Club points – this Loyalty Traveler analysis developed from the 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. (LT post Sep 17)

5-key offer Priority Club “Crack the Case” individually targeted promotion terms. My Crack the Case offer is a 5-key promotion, however, the best offers appear to be for Priority Club members who did not stay too frequently over the past year. Members who received this promotion have until May 31, 2011 to fulfill the tasks for bonus points. You need to already be a Priority Club member and check your email offer for your own Crack the Case promotion terms.

My offer was 162,000 points for five tasks and a 91,000 points bonus for completing four of the challenges: PC credit card enrollment 60,000 points; stay two Saturdays; stay in two brands, complete a hotel stay profile survey; stay 10 room nights. I can potentially receive 157,000 Priority Club points for just two Saturday hotel nights in two different brands over the next five months. (LT post – Aug 24, 2010)

IHG Friend & Family Hotel Rates (through Dec 26, 2009)

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 

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 

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.)

Earn 5,000 Delta miles for a Marriott stay and Delta flight between Nov. 1 – Jan. 31, 2011. One bonus per Delta ticket, so one-way tickets are way to maximize offer if the price is not much more than roundtrip. (LT post Nov 6)

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.

 

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. 

* 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. 

4-Key offer – SPG Fast-Track to Gold elite after 4 stays at Starwood’s Four Points, Aloft and Element brand hotels.

• October 1 – January 31, 2011 

There are about 200 hotels in these three Starwood brands, mostly in U.S.

Gold elite status good through February 2012 and earns a 50% elite bonus points. This is a great time to grab cheap elite with SPG. 

4-Key promotion – Free weekend night after 3 stays paid with MasterCard in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.  Stay November 1, 2010 – January 31, 2011 at over 250 Starwood Hotels. Maximum one free night may be earned per member during this promotion. Great offer, but too bad limited to one free night.

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 Hotel Rewards is a one year old loyalty program for over 100 independent upscale hotels in the U.S.

* 5-Key Contest (Enter by Jan 27) Win a free weekend at one of 46 Stash Hotels Friday, Feb 11 to Sunday, Feb 13 for telling Stash Hotels why you want a free weekend at that hotel. I give this offer 5-keys since I think the entries will be rather limited considering there are 46 different hotels you can enter for a free weekend. (LT 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.

Wyndham Worldwide -  Wyndham Rewards

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

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

 

Loyalty Traveler Research Articles

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 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)

 

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)

Current Hotel Loyalty Promotions and News – updated January 5, 2011

Today is my birthday. Here is my birthday gift to you. I updated the current hotel loyalty promotions page on Loyalty Traveler blog. I didn’t think much had happened in the past six weeks, but this HELP sheet indicates otherwise.

2011 is rolling out promotions quickly. Still waiting for something new from Hyatt, Priority Club and Wyndham.

The frequent guest has the choice of many hotel loyalty promotions with little guidance to their relative value. Here is Loyalty Traveler’s summary of current hotel loyalty promotions and limited time rate offers for the frequent guest.

Newly added offers since the last November 16 update are marked with an asterisk (*).

Sixty Second overview of current offers:

Hilton HHonors has its Q1 2011 extended stay offer of double points for two-night stays, triple points for three nights, and quadruple points on stays four or more nights. This offer is also combinable with a Delta Skymiles 1,000 miles per one-night stay; 1,500 miles for two nights and 2,000 miles for three nights or more. There is no earning limit for points or miles. Nearly 10% of Hilton properties opted out of this offer. Check the participating hotels list carefully.

Starwood Preferred Guest still has a fast-track to SPG Gold elite opportunity after just four stays at aloft, element and Four Points hotel brands by January 31, 2011. Elite status will last through February 2012. Priority Club still has a Platinum elite offer with five nights. And my favorite elite deal is Marriott Rewards Air China offer for Gold elite through February 2012 with 12 nights in 90 days.

Starwood’s ‘Great Weeks, Grand Weekends’ Q1 promotion, Jan 3 – April 15, offers double base points every night (4 points/$1) plus 500 additional bonus points per night for stays on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. There is no earning limit. Check the participating hotels list carefully since dozens of Starwood Hotels opted out of this offer.

Marriott MegaBonus, February 1 – April 30, most prevalent offer is one free night certificate for a category 1 to category 4 hotel after two hotel stays. Maximum two free nights can be earned during promotion period.

Choice Privileges, Jan 6 – March 2, triple points for online or phone bookings beginning with second stay. Platinum and Diamond elite members can register to earn an additional 500 points per stay. Choice Privileges will even double base points when booking through a third-party channel. Also check out Choice Privileges elite member enhancements for 2011 noted in this post. They really are enhancements.

Goldpoints Plus Country Inn & Suites 10,000 points for staying one night Sunday through Thursday. Jan 2 – Feb 17. Points & Cash reward nights at 5,000 points + cash can turn one-night’s bonus points into two discount nights at a Radisson Hotel.

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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 a 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.

 

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 Global Promotion Offers List – link (*This link allows searches by continent region)

* Accor Hotels A-Club bonus offers

Australia – Double Points Dec 1- Feb 28, 2011

Best Western Hotels – Best Western Rewards

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

* Best Western International Offers webpage link. There has been no major 2011 Q1 US promotion announced yet. 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 - January 2 – February 17; U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama

• 10,000 bonus points for one-night stay on a Sunday through Thursday. (Limit one bonus per member)
• 3-day advance reservation required. Promo code = COUNTRY. Promotion link.

(Loyalty Traveler post Dec 31)

Goldpoints Plus program change – elite members earn 2,000 points for online booking. All general goldpoints members earn 1,000 points for online booking.  (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 

* Jan 6 – March 2, 2011: Choice Hotels Triple Points beginning with second stay for online bookings or phone direct bookings at 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). Offer only eligible for USA members. Platinum and Diamond elite members earn an additional 500 bonus points per stay. General and Gold elite members earn double points for stays booked through third-party sites. Registration required.

Loyalty Traveler post 1-4-11. 

* 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) 

* Dec 1, 2010 – February 28, 2011: Choice Privileges offers Air Berlin TopBonus Double Miles

Preferred Hotels Group Reward Nights up to 50% off. Upper-upscale, luxury and boutique hotel room nights 20,000 to 30,000 points. Book between November 3, 2010 and January 19, 2011. (5-key promotion)

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)

 

Four Seasons Hotels

Four Seasons Special Offers website link

 

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. 

*Jan 3 – March 31             Hilton HHonors

Q1 2011 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

* Dec 1 – Feb 28, 2011: AARP 10% off daily rate and complimentary room upgrade in U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Offer code AARP. AARP membership is available to persons 50 or older for $16/year.

* Diamond elite suite upgrade certificates from 2010 may be applied to hotel stays if used by February 28, 2011 for a stay later in 2011. Only catch – no reservation changes allowed after February 28 or the suite upgrade certificate is forfeited. Loyalty traveler post Dec 1.

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.

Hyatt Gold Passport Program change: Hyatt Gold Passport hotel award categories increased for 25% of hotels as of June 4, 2010. Loyalty traveler post.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

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

5-key offer IHG Priority Club Instant Platinum Elite status and a $25 gift card after 5 nights within 90 days. (Nov 15)

* 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)

* Priority Club PointBreaks through January 31, 2010 are probably the best hotel loyalty program reward night value available at 5,000 points for a free night. The current list is a short 35 hotels and fills a void since the end of the last PointBreaks list in December. Loyalty Traveler post Dec 17.

Cheaper Hilton Reward nights using Priority Club points – this Loyalty Traveler analysis developed from the 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. (LT post Sep 17)

5-key offer Priority Club “Crack the Case” individually targeted promotion terms. My Crack the Case offer is a 5-key promotion, however, the best offers appear to be for Priority Club members who did not stay too frequently over the past year. Members who received this promotion have until May 31, 2011 to fulfill the tasks for bonus points. You need to already be a Priority Club member and check your email offer for your own Crack the Case promotion terms.

My offer was 162,000 points for five tasks and a 91,000 points bonus for completing four of the challenges: PC credit card enrollment 60,000 points; stay two Saturdays; stay in two brands, complete a hotel stay profile survey; stay 10 room nights. I can potentially receive 157,000 Priority Club points for just two Saturday hotel nights in two different brands over the next five months.

IHG Friend & Family Hotel Rates (through Dec 26, 2009)

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.

  

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

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 

* 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 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.)

Earn 5,000 Delta miles for a Marriott stay and Delta flight between Nov. 1 – Jan. 31, 2011. One bonus per Delta ticket, so one-way tickets are way to maximize offer if the price is not much more than roundtrip. (LT post Nov 6)

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.

 

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. 

* 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. 

4-Key offer – SPG Fast-Track to Gold elite after 4 stays at Starwood’s Four Points, Aloft and Element brand hotels.

• October 1 – January 31, 2011 

There are about 200 hotels in these three Starwood brands, mostly in U.S.

Gold elite status good through February 2012 and earns a 50% elite bonus points. This is a great time to grab cheap elite with SPG.

 

4-Key promotion – Free weekend night after 3 stays paid with MasterCard in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.  Stay November 1, 2010 – January 31, 2011 at over 250 Starwood Hotels. Maximum one free night may be earned per member during this promotion. Great offer, but too bad limited to one free night.

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)

 

Wyndham Worldwide -  Wyndham Rewards

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

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

 

Loyalty Traveler Research Articles

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 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)

 

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)

Hyatt Gold Passport and Marriott Rewards elite members may find a surprise awaiting that discount hotel stay booked as part of a travel package or through an opaque site like Priceline or Hotwire.  Hyatt and Marriott elite members report recognition in terms of club lounge access and free breakfast even though the hotel was booked through Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline or some other online travel agency (OTA).

Hyatt Diamonds may not be getting a suite upgrade on a Priceline booking, but you may receive Welcome Amenity points and you may earn points on other charges to your room.

Marriott Rewards members state receiving access to the hotel Club Lounge and Club Level rooms and earning points on incidental spend.

I was upgraded to a suite and lounge access at a Hilton Hotel one time when I was HHonors Diamond on a Priceline stay.

Register Your Hotel Loyalty Membership Number to OTA Bookings

Add you hotel loyalty membership number to any third party hotel reservation after your booking is confirmed by the OTA. Call the hotel, email, or take time at the check-in desk to register your hotel membership number to the reservation.

There is nothing to lose and high potential for gain when your hotel stay receives some loyalty recognition during your stay like a room upgrade, breakfast and internet, even if no elite stay credit is earned for the third party OTA booking.

The End of the OTA Merchant Model

Most hotel loyalty programs do not recognize loyalty members who book through third-party online travel agencies (OTA) due to the high cost of distribution for the hotel owners with the OTA Merchant Model.

I read an article this morning by Max Starkov – “End of the OTA merchant model – this time for real” providing some numbers on the OTA Merchant Model.

The data cites 20% to 25% room rate as a typical fee for the hotel to sell a room via an OTA.

For example: Expedia sells a room for $100. The room is also selling for $100 on the hotel’s own websites. Expedia makes $25 when it sells the room. The hotel loses on a room it did not sell directly to the guest. The hotel loses about 90% of that $25 Expedia gained through an indirect sale.

Seems to me consumer logic would indicate more hotel guests would like the added value of hotel points, free breakfast, internet and other amenities provided when booking sufficient volume through a specific loyalty program to earn elite membership and its value-added perks.

Comparing straight room rates for any specific major brand hotel, the hotel websites sell the room for the same price as an OTA like Expedia and Travelocity.  Hotel websites offer Best Rate Guarantee terms to provide an additional discount or benefit if a lower rate than the hotel sites low rate is found on an OTA site elsewhere.

Yet, hotels have seen the OTA share of bookings for the top 30 hotel brands rise from 25.4% in Q3-2008 to 37.5% in Q3-2010. This has occurred in the past two years while hotel loyalty programs have been offering the most rewarding loyalty incentives in years.  The proportion of people booking hotel rooms outside the hotel’s own websites has risen despite offers for free nights and huge points bonuses through hotel loyalty programs.

So are consumers ignorant to the value of hotel loyalty programs as hotel guests or are they really getting incredible savings with OTA bookings?

Travel packages where the hotel is bundled with a car or flight and opaque sites like Priceline and Hotwire where the hotel is not known until booked are popular as other cheaper options than published room rates. Bidding database forum sites like BetterBidding.com and BiddingforTravel.com can assist you in narrowing the likely hotels you will book into when submitting a successful bid for a hotel room on an opaque site like Priceline.

OTA indirect booking  v. Hotel site direct booking

The tide of OTA popularity during the period of extraordinarily low hotel rates in 2009 and 2010 may keep rising and make trouble for hotels seeking to push rates higher and faster in 2011.

Enjoy elite benefits on your third-party bookings when you get them. The economics of hotel booking channels make this a highly generous practice as a common courtesy for their elite loyalty program members at Hyatt and Marriott hotels.

My only experience this year with an OTA booking for a major hotel brand was a Hyatt Place Orlando Airport booking that Gold Passport refused to recognize as a Best Rate Guarantee valid claim even though I booked the hotel for $90 less than the Hyatt website wanted. I was a bit grumpy on arrival at missing out on a hotel stay credit in what I still feel was a wrongfully denied BRG claim, but that feeling quickly dissipated when I entered the hotel lobby to find free food and beer in a hotel happy hour.

Please share your experiences with hotel loyalty elite status and third-party OTA bookings.

Did you receive elite recognition and benefits?

FlyerTalk – Marriott Benefits on OTA Stays

FlyerTalk – Hyatt Benefits on OTA Stays

Anarchy Loyalty in the U.K.

Cornell Panel talks distribution management, customer loyalty (Nov 16)

Expedia on how to grow your ADR without impacting occupancy (Nov 29)