Choice Privileges brings back 8,000 points for two stays disguised as a $50 gift card offer.

Earn 8,000 points after two qualifying stays from May 23 through August 31, 2013.

Choice Privileges promotion registration required prio to completion of first stay.

The offer is promoted as “Take Two Trips and Earn a $50 Gift Card.” What actually happens is after two stays the Choice Privileges members receives bonus points added to base points earned for the two paid stays to reach 8,000 total points. Generally there is a minimum bonus of 5,000 points for members who earn more than 3,000 base points from the two paid hotel stays ($300 to $600 in spend.)

All Choice Hotels properties globally are participating (except Nordic Choice countries which have their own separate loyalty program).

Trips must be a minimum of two consecutive nights at:

• Econo Lodge®,
• Rodeway Inn®,
• Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, or
• MainStay Suites® hotels

 

$50 Gift Cards

The price to redeem points for a $50 Gift Card from a variety of merchants is reduced during this promotion to 8,000 points per card.

$50 Gift Card Options

U.S. Resident Options
Amazon.com
BP
Bahama Breeze
Chevron/Texaco
Chili’s
Exxon/Mobile
LongHorn
Macaroni Grill
Macy’s
Maggiano’s
Olive Garden
On The Border
Red Lobster
Seasons 52
Shell
Sunoco
Canada Resident Options
Canadian Tire
Esso
FutureShop
The Gap
Harvey’s
Kelsey’s
Milestones Restaurant
Montana’s Cookhouse
Petro Canada Gift Card
St- Hubert
Swiss Chalet

Take Paris rather than the gift card

The better redemption option, in my opinion, is saving points for international travel. Through June 30, 2013 there are dozens of hotels in Europe for 8,000 points per night in places like Paris and London where the published room rates are in the $200 per night range.

Great Paris value Choice Hotels 8,000 points reward nights (4-15-13)

 

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*Terms and conditions: Member must register at ChoiceHotels.com before arrival and book their trips at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates. Member may also book through a travel agent or corporate online booking system. Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After a second qualifying trip with arrival between 5/23/13 and 8/21/13, member will be awarded enough bonus points to reach the 8,000 point level, which can be redeemed until 11/1/13 for one (1) $50 gift card at defined retailers on ChoiceHotels.com/giftcard. Only members earning this bonus qualify to redeem for the $50 gift card. Only members that register for the promotion are eligible to earn the defined promotional gift cards during the promotion. Terms and conditions apply to $50 gift card options. See card for details. Choice Privileges Diamond and Platinum members who register and book through ChoiceHotels.com will receive an additional 100 Choice Privileges bonus points with every qualified trip during the promotional period. For Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites or Ascend Hotel Collection hotels, a trip is defined as a stay that is any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. For Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, or MainStay Suites hotels, a trip is defined as a stay that is two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. Allow 72 hours from check-out for points to post. You must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) or Canada to be eligible for this promotion. For Choice Privileges program details, eligible rates, eligible countries and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotional offer?
Choice Privileges® members will receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a $50 gift card of their choice for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer after completing their second qualifying trip when booking at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE. Members must register at ChoiceHotels.com/giftcard in advance of their trip to be eligible.
What are the dates for the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
This promotion applies for trips with arrival between May 23 and August 21, 2013.
Is registration required to participate in the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
Yes. Choice Privileges members must register at ChoiceHotels.com before their first trip to earn an unlimited amount of gift cards during the promotion.
How is a “Trip” defined?
For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Hotel Collection® hotels, a trip is defined as a stay that is any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs.  For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, or MainStay Suites® hotels, a trip is defined as a stay that is two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs.
Is there a booking requirement to be eligible for the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
Yes. Trips must be booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE with arrival between May 23 and August 21, 2013.
Are bookings made through my mobile device on ChoiceHotels.com eligible for the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
Yes, bookings made through your mobile device are eligible for this promotion.
As a corporate traveler, are bookings made through a travel agent or corporate booking system eligible for the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
Yes, bookings made by Choice Privileges members through a travel agent or corporate booking systems are eligible for this promotion.
Is there a booking requirement for Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum Choice Privileges members?
Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book directly with a hotel, however if they book through ChoiceHotels.com and are registered for the promotion, these members will receive 100 additional Choice Privileges points with every qualifying trip.
How do I redeem my Choice Privileges points for a $50 gift card for dining, shopping, or gas?
You can redeem your Choice Privileges points for a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer only through your online profile at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling Choice Privileges Reservations. During this promotion, a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer is discounted to an 8,000 Choice Privileges point level.
Can any guest earn a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer?
Choice Privileges members must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) or Canada and register at ChoiceHotels.com/giftcard in advance of trip to be eligible for this promotion.  Only members earning this bonus qualify to redeem for a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer.
Is there a deadline to redeem a $50 gift card for participating dining, shopping, or gas retailers?
Yes. Members have until November 1, 2013 to redeem their Choice Privileges bonus points for a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer.
What are the participating retailers included in the “Two Stays Pays. Earn a $50 Gift Card.” promotion?
For U.S. resident members, the participating retailers includes: Amazon.com, BP, Bahama Breeze, Chevron/Texaco, Chili’s, Exxon/Mobil, LongHorn, Macaroni Grill, Macy’s, Maggiano’s, Olive Garden, On The Border, Red Lobster, Seasons 52, Shell, and Sunoco. 
For Canadian resident members, the participating merchants includes: Canadian Tire, Esso, FutureShop, The Gap, Harvey’s, Kelsey’s, Milestones Restaurants, Montana’s Cookhouse, Petro Canada Gift Card, St-Hubert, and Swiss Chalet.
How many times can I receive a $50 gift card bonus during the promotion?
Choice Privileges members can earn an unlimited amount of gift cards during the promotion. A $50 gift card bonus can be earned after completed each second qualifying trip with arrival between May 23 and August 21, 2013.
Can I use the Choice Privileges points earned any way I choose?
You may redeem the Choice Privileges points earned for any redemption option you wish, however during the promotion you can redeem your bonus points earned through November 1, 2013 for a $50 gift card for a participating dining, shopping, or gas retailer for 8,000 points.  You can use the points as soon as you receive them, or retain them until you accumulate enough points for higher reward levels or other redemptions.
Are international trips included in the promotion?
Yes.  All hotels included in the Choice Privileges program will count towards the promotion, as long as a qualifying trip is booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE.
When will the bonus points post to my account?
After completing your second qualifying trip, allow 72 hours from check-out for the bonus points to post to your Choice Privileges account.
When do my Choice Privileges points expire?
Choice Privileges points expire on December 31, two years after the year in which they were deposited into your account unless forfeited or canceled earlier due to membership inactivity or otherwise in accordance to these rules and regulations.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
If you have further questions please contact Choice Customer Support.
Where can I learn more about the Choice Privileges program? 
To learn more about the Choice Privileges program visit choiceprivileges.com.
What is the Advanced Purchase Rate?
Advance Purchase Rate means that the reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels.com using your Choice Privileges number and must be made at least 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which will vary based on the hotel for which a reservation is being made. The rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. Learn more.

This piece focuses on room rate and reward rate survey for over 60 hotels along the I-15 and I-70 route from Las Vegas to Colorado. Most hotel reward analyses and surveys I have done focus on one city. In Utah there are so few hotels that this survey covers all the major brand hotels along the Interstate in five locations.

I will be traveling east and south of the Utah interstate I-15/I-70 route to Colorado as I travel to Utah’s National Parks over the next week. Hotels in the parks region will be covered in different posts as I travel.

This piece is a comparative look at seven major hotel chains with particular emphasis on Best Western, Choice and Wyndham brands which are the majority of hotel properties in southern Utah.

• Best Western Rewards
• Choice Privileges
• Club Carlson
• Hilton HHonors
• IHG Rewards Club
• Marriott Rewards
• Wyndham Rewards

Utah is not like Disneyland.

Read More…

Type in Paris, FR and 43 hotels come up in a search on ChoiceHotels.com

Choice Privileges offers seasonal reward categories for hotels and most hotels in Paris dropped from 16,000 and 20,000 points to 8,000 points for April 16, 2013 through June 30, 2013.

Spring time in Paris is a bargain at these rates.

The redemption value for points is 2x-3x the value of points for hotels in New York and Los Angeles metro areas over the next 10 weeks. Many of these Choice Hotels in Paris go up by 200% points cost in July 2013.

Think of these like IHG PointBreaks and book early while availability is wide open.

Paris, France – Choice Privileges Reward Nights Analysis for June 15, 2013

Bottom line is Choice Privileges points can be earned through May 15, 2013 at the rate of 8,000 points every two stays. This can be done easily for as low as $100 in some places and for $150 per 2 stays in many parts of the USA and elsewhere around the globe.

Several Paris hotels with rates over $200 per night can be booked for 8,000 points per night through June 30, 2013. Earning 8,000 points can be achieved for $150 or less through May 15, 2013.

Pay for two stays at Choice Hotels, even two one-night stays at different Choice Hotels and earn one night in Paris. That is a good value rebate on hotel stays over the next month.

Or there are another 1,500 hotels at 6,000 and 8,000 points per night around the globe to spend points at a variety of Choice Hotels.

Choice Privileges offers 8,000 points after two stays. This bonus points promotion can be done for under $150 in most locations around the USA in time for June travel in Europe.

Choice Hotels are a hotel chain consisting mostly of economy and midscale hotel brands with over 6,000 hotels worldwide, mostly in the USA. Choice Hotels has Cambria Suites and Ascend Collection as their brands for the upscale market. Ascend Collection is a group of independent, boutique hotels signing up with Choice Hotels for management and marketing.

Rodeway Inn and EconoLodge are the economy brands and these hotels can be nice properties in some locations or places you want to avoid. Read TripAdvisor.com to learn about neighborhoods and hotel property conditions. A couple of the Los Angeles hotel names include “near Home Depot”. I can’t picture Hyatt or Starwood using that descriptor.

Choice Privileges has one of the more complicated hotel loyalty programs. Points are earned at 10 points/$1 for seven brands and 5 points/$1 for the Rodeway Inn, EconoLodge, Suburban Extended Stay and MainStay extended stay brands. Points expire at the end of the calendar year, two years after they were earned. Points earned in 2013 expire December 31, 2015.

Choice Privileges Seasonal rates April 16 – June 30, 2013

The points spending side is the confusing part of the program. Choice Hotels reward rates change seasonally. Today, April 15 is the last day for this Choice Privileges Reward Season. Tomorrow reward rates change for hundreds of hotels for the April 16 to June 30, 2013 season. Read More…

Choice Hotels are an astounding collection in terms of the number of hotel properties globally with over 6,000 hotels. A search of New York, New York returns 61 hotels, a Rodeway Inn in the Bronx not yet open. A search of Los Angeles area returned 60 hotels with data to be shared in a separate post. There is plenty of choice with Choice Hotels.

Choice Hotels have a far lower price point as a brand in the New York metropolitan area than the big Manhattan focused brands of Hyatt, Starwood, Hilton, IHG and Marriott.

Hilton had one hotel out of 24 hotels in Manhattan with rates under $300 for dates I checked in May.

Choice Hotels had no properties over $300 and only 3 hotels over $200 per night for Saturday night this weekend when I checked day of arrival bookings. The average room rate for day of arrival booking for 60 hotels was $127. Hotels only in Manhattan (13 hotels) had a $170 average rate.

Only 1 of 60 Choice Hotels in the New York area was unavailable for booking with points.

Choice Hotels are properties where TripAdvisor helps to choose the better locations. The nature of brands like EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn are low cost hotels in places where there is demand for hotel rooms, but not much interest in building an upper-upscale property in that location.

Choice Hotels in New York Reward Analysis

Choice Hotels Room Rates and Choice Privileges Reward Night Observations

7 Ascend Collection Hotels in New York area. This is a major source of properties in the Ascend Collection brand for independent boutique hotels.

Union Hotel, one of the Ascend Collection hotels is actually in Brooklyn. I wondered if the $79 rate was a mistake? TripAdvisor ratings for Union Hotel Brooklyngive a range of opinions with the largest proportion of ratings in the “Terrible” category, yet with a higher combined rating for Excellent and Very Good. Mostly complaints about the really small room size.   

Choice Privileges takes $3,000 in hotel spend to earn the base points for the top properties in Manhattan at 30,000 points per night.

Hilton Hotels in New York City require $4,000 to $6,000 earning 15 points/$1. Most HHonors brand hotels in New York are 70,000 or 80,000 points per night.Lowest priced Hilton is currently 60,000 points per night in May and that is equivalent to $4,000 in hotel spend at 15 points/$1. HHonors members can double their earn rate of Hilton HHonors points with HHonors American Express Surpass and elite status.Choice Privileges Visa card members earn 5 points per dollar at Choice Hotels. Choice Privileges Diamond members (40 nights) earn 50% bonus points as an elite member. Choice Privileges members can earn 20 points per dollar for hotel stays, plus any bonuses like the current unlimited earning of 8,000 points every two hotel stays through May 15, 2013.

Choice Privileges offers 8,000 points after two stays. This bonus points promotion can be done for under $150 in most locations around the USA.

Price of earning 16,000 points during the 8,000 points for 2 Stays frequent promotion is reduced to $300 to $400 rather than $1,600 as shown in the table above.

Free nights are potentially earned much faster with Choice Privileges than most other hotel loyalty programs in the upper-upscale market segment of New York.

New York is a glamorous place to be in the center of Manhattan in a high style hotel room. But not if $600 per night is going to bust your credit card limit.

I personally avoid New York conferences for business trips due to the high cost of hotels. Choice Hotels looks like a more reasonable alternative to the upscale loyalty programs for actually paying the published room rates for a stay in NY, especially with the 2 stays = 8,000 points promotion.

Choice Privileges Hotel Rewards Distribution in LA and NY.

I am looking at Choice Hotels more closely right now as I plan May travel through Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico and see stretches on the map where the Choice Hotel option is the only option for 50 miles. I wondered what the relative distribution of hotel rewards was along the categories and I quickly mapped out Los Angeles and New York. Choice Hotels does not offer a list of hotels by reward category and the Choice Privileges program uses seasonal rates. Hotels can shift from 8,000 to 25,000 points per night depending on the season.

These two cities with 120 hotels are 2% of the Choice Hotels 6,000 properties.

Los Angeles Area = 60 hotels.

Reservation date checked, Saturday, April 13, 2013.

• 6,000 points = 2 hotels in Azusa and Anaheim (3%)
• 8,000 points = 15 hotels (25%)
• 10,000 points = 7 hotels (12%)
• 12,000 points = 10 hotels (17%)
• 16,000 points = 14 hotels (23%)
• 20,000 points = 7 hotels (12%)
• 25,000 points = 4 hotels (7%)
• 30,000 points = 1 hotel (Santa Monica) (1%)

New York City area = 60 hotels.

Reservation date checked, Saturday, April 13, 2013.

• 6,000 points = 0 hotels
• 8,000 points = 3 hotels (5%)
• 10,000 points = 3 hotels (5%)
• 12,000 points = 3 hotels (5%)
• 16,000 points = 10 hotels (17%)
• 20,000 points = 14 hotels (23%)
• 25,000 points = 9 hotels (15%)
• 30,000 points = 18 hotels (30%)

20% of Choice Hotels in LA are 20,000 points or higher per reward night compared to 68% of Choice Hotels in New York.

 

 

 

 

Earn 500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles at Choice Hotels (double miles) from April 13-May 25, 2013. This could be a good alternative to collecting 10 points/$1 over the next six weeks on low spend stays.

Keep in mind that Choice Privileges offers 8,000 points after 2 stays through May 15, 2013, which is likely a better deal.

Choice Privileges members normally earn 250 miles per hotel stay at any of 11 hotel brands in Choice Hotels.

Most Choice Hotels earn 10 points per dollar in room rate at these brands:

• Comfort Inn,
• Comfort Suites,
• Quality Inn
• Sleep Inn
• Clarion
• Cambria Suites
• Ascend Collection

Four brands of Choice Hotels earn only 5 points/$1 for Rodeway Inn and EconoLodge budget brands, Mainstay Suites and Suburban extended stay brands.

500 American Airline miles is standard earning rate for full service brand stays with Club Carlson, Hilton HHonors, IHG Rewards Club, and Hyatt Gold Passport.

Best Western, La Quinta and Choice earn 250 airline miles per stay.

Wyndham Rewards gives 2 miles per dollar for most hotel brands or 500 miles per stay for Wyndham and Hawthorn Suites.

Value of American AAdvantage miles vs. Choice Privileges points

The value of miles depends on the traveler and how close 500 miles will get you to a frequent flyer award.

$100 hotel room earns 500 miles or 1,000 Choice Privileges points at most brands. Spending more than $100 per stay likely favors earning Choice Privileges points for the better value as long as you have the potential to earn up to 8,000 points for a free hotel night.

And for stays through May 15, 2013 there is the Choice Privileges promotion for 8,000 points after every 2 stays.

April 2013 is a time of reassessment for many hotel loyalty program members. The sudden and dramatic changes to the structure of hotel rewards across five of the top ten global hotel loyalty programs in the first quarter of 2013 was an incredible amount of information to digest.

The changes in the opening months of 2013 comprise the biggest overall change in the hotel loyalty program industry over the past decade.  Read More…

Choice Privileges members from the U.S. may not realize this clause in the hotel loyalty program rules and regulations:

You can earn Choice Privileges points at any Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria Suites®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® location in the U.S., Canada, Europe (excluding Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden), the Middle East, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Australasia (including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Fiji). You can also earn points through our partner programs.

Choice Privileges Rules

 

Basically the rule is no points are earned for Choice Hotel stays in the eight Nordic and Baltic countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.

Choice Privileges members can redeem points for award stays in these countries. Only the earning points side is blocked.

This article looks at Nordic Choice Club and earn rates for points and other benefits on paid stays at Choice Hotels in the Nordic/Baltic region.

The difference in points awards and benefits of elite members between Choice Privileges and Nordic Choice Club is examined. Read More…

March 2013 has hotel loyalty program members in shock with major hotel award category changes announced by four major hotel chains including Hilton HHonors, Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Wyndham Rewards.

This was the opening paragraph of last month’s update:

Award cost increases to SPG Cash & Points and Priority Club reassignment raising hundreds of hotels in popular destinations by 40% leaves a foreboding mood for the typical hotel award reassignments coming in 2013 for SPG and Marriott hotels globally.

If you are looking for the deals, then Choice Privileges and Best Western Rewards may be the best chains to stay for the upcoming months. Both of these programs earn a free night after two (Choice Privileges) or three stays (Best Western Rewards).

March 2013 hotel loyalty promotions

Le Club Accorhotels - Accor Hotels offers a variety of global regional bonuses and rate discounts. The program tends to have regionalized rate and bonus points promotions. The links currently show dozens of bonus and rate discount offers around the world.

Le Club Accorhotels hotel loyalty program program is unique in that 2,000 points are redeemed for $60/40EUR hotel credit vouchers.

**** January 1-April 15 Triple Aeroplan Miles at Accor Hotels worldwide.

• 1 Euro = 2 points earned at Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure hotels.
• 1,000 EUR Accor hotel spend = 2,000 LeClub Accorhotels points
• Standard points-to-miles conversion: 2 Accor points = 1 frequent flyer mile.
• Aeroplan Triple Miles: 2 Accor points = 3 Aeroplan miles.
• 2,000 points = 3,000 Aeroplan miles or USD$60 or 40 EUR hotel credit voucher.

 

Best Western Rewards

***** Feb 11-April 14: Earn one free night after 3 Best Western hotel staysanywhere globally. Although you can earn the free night voucher with stays worldwide, the free night is only valid for US, Canada and Caribbean. Free night voucher expires June 30, 2012 so plan to use it quickly. Promotion registration required before first stay.

Best Western promotion link: www.bestwestern.com/spring

It is fairly easy to book three 1-night stays at different Best Western hotels or stay at one Best Western hotel on non-consecutive nights and earn the free night voucher for $200 to $250. Winter rates of $65 to $75 after tax can be found in many locations among the 2,000+ hotels in the USA. There are 4,100+ Best Western hotels globally.

There are Best Western hotels where the free night voucher can be worth $200 to $250 for one night in some resort areas and urban centers.

This promotion gets 5 stars, my highest value rating. This offer has the potential to pay back what you put into it and get four hotel nights in the process. Loyalty Traveler post: Best Western free night after 3 stays Feb 11-Apr 14, 2013(Jan 28, 2013)

 

Choice Privileges

**** Earn 8,000 points after two stays February 28 – May 15, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post: Choice Privileges 8,000 points every two stays Feb 28-May 15, 2013

Think 8,000 points for a free night at many Choice brand hotels in Europe.

March 2013 Update: I am not seeing Choice Privileges discount award nights so far in 2013 for London or Paris center city hotels at the 8,000 points level like in 2012. There are still some 8,000 and 10,000 points hotels in the suburbs, but in 2012 there were many central city Choice hotels for 8,000 points. This Loyalty Traveler post shows the value of 8,000 Choice privileges points in Paris (March 26, 2012) was quite the hotel savings.

 

Choice Privileges Program Change: Barcelo Resorts partnership ended Dec 31, 2012. No more redemptions at Barcelo Resorts using Choice Privileges points. LT post Nov. 7: Choice Privileges redemption for Barcelo Resorts ends 12/31

 

Club Carlson

**** Club Carlson Triple Points January 8 – March 15, 2013. Earn 60 points/$1 at Club Carlson brand hotels worldwide for stays at Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotels. Registration required prior to bonus points for stays. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 8, 2013 Triple Club Carlson points Jan 8-Mar 15, 2013.

Credit Card Benefit: Club Carlson Visa by U.S. Bank launched December 1, 2012. This card is one to consider, if only for its awesome hotel award discount for last night free on award stays of 2 nights or more. Credit card members can book a 2-night award stay for the price of one award night for any Carlson Rezidor hotel worldwide. Loyalty Traveler post December 1, 2012: Up to 50 free award nights annually with Club Carlson Visa.

**** 3-Day Avis Rental earns 7,500 Club Carlson Points; valid through Dec 31, 2013.

 

Hilton HHonors

Program Changes: Hilton HHonors hotel award category reassignment and seasonal award rates effective March 28, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post: Hilton HHonors major award devaluation March 28, 2013 (Feb 19, 2013).

**** January 7-March 31, 2013 Double Your HHonors for 2x Points or 2x Miles.

Loyalty Traveler post – Double Your HHonors Points or Miles 2013 Q-1 (Dec 28, 2013)

 

Teacher Alert: Hilton HHonors $6,000 Teacher Treks Travel Grants(Loyalty Traveler post Jan 23, 2013) – Enter by March 15 for a chance to win an HHonors paid vacation for you and a $2,500 school site grant.

HHonors Program Change: HHonors Elite Status Qualification Program Change effective January 1, 2013. LT post Dec 4, 2012 Hilton HHonors increases Gold and Diamond elite tier qualification in 2013.

HHonors Gold elite requirements as of January 1, 2013:

• 20 stays, up from 16 stays.
• 40 nights, up from 36 nights.
• 75,000 base points ($7,500 in hotel spend), up from 60,000 base points.

HHonors Diamond elite requirements as of January 1, 2013:

• 30 stays, up from 28 stays.
• 60 nights, no change.
• 120,000 base points ($12,000 in hotel spend), up from 100,000 base points ($10,000).

 

Hotels.com Welcome Rewards

Welcome Rewards loyalty programfor hotels.com has a standard earning rate of 1 free night for 10 paid nights. The free night has a value equal to the average rate paid for the 10 qualifying nights.

 

Hyatt Gold Passport

*** 3,000 bonus points every 3 nights, up to 45,000 bonus points March 1 – May 31, 2013. Hyatt Gold Passport Visa card members earn 20% additional bonus for 3,600 points every three nights. Loyalty Traveler post: Hyatt More Possibilities promo registration open and Freddies Voting (Feb 18, 2013).

Hyatt Hotel Category Reassignment: 17 hotels change award category in Hyatt Gold Passport effective February 7, 2013. Award bookings made before changes can be modified at former rates through March 15, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post December 22, 2012 – 17 Hyatt hotels change category Feb 7, 2013.

Hyatt Stay Certificates expand to 7 award tiers. Loyalty Traveler has two Jan 14 posts on the value of buying Hyatt Stay Certificates. Hyatt Stay Certificates for cheaper rates and Finding Hyatt Stay Certificate Availability Online.

Hyatt Visa Card Enhancements: Effective October 1, 2012

Hyatt Gold Passport members receive elite nights and stays credit upon reaching $20,000 and $40,000 annual spend thresholds.

• Spend $20,000 = 2 stays and 5 nights elite credit toward Diamond status (new card feature as of October 1, 2012). Diamond status requires 25 stays or 50 nights in a Jan-Dec calendar year.
• Spend $40,000 = 5 stays and 10 nights elite credit toward Diamond status (new card feature as of October 1, 2012). Note: the 5 stays and 10 nights is total elite credit including the $20,000 elite credit stays and nights.
• Cardmembers earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets when purchased directly from the airline, and at car rental agencies (new card feature as of October 1, 2012).

Loyalty Traveler post October 9, 2012: Hyatt Visa big spenders get elite nights and stays credit as of Oct. 1, 2012.

Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond Challenge- Earn Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond elite status with 12 nights in 60 days (normally 25 stays or 50 nights in calendar year). As Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond for 2013 you receive 4 confirmed suite upgrades, each upgrade e-certificate good for stays up to 7 nights. Start the Gold Passport Diamond Challenge first and then get the credit card once you have Diamond status to get confirmed suite upgrades for your credit card free nights. FlyerTalk discussion thread on Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond challenge.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Priority Club Rewards

Priority Club PointBreaks through March 31, 2013.

• PointBreaks are award nights at select hotels for 5,000 points. These award nights are one of the best values in hotel loyalty program awards.
• Loyalty Traveler post: Priority Club PointBreaks Hotels to March 31, 2013 (Jan 28, 2013).

Priority Club 2013-Q1 Night Bonuses January 7 – April 30, 2013.

Priority Club emails targeted quarterly nights bonus points offers. Sign up for only one offer and no changes allowed. Members are usually successful in earning points for one of the offers, even if you were not individually targeted for the specific offer.

Registration page for entering a Nights Bonus Points code.

• 5,000 bonus points. Stay 2 Nights for 2,500 bonus points. Stay another 2 nights for 2,500 more points (Code 5521).
• 5,000 bonus points. Stay 3 Night for 2,500 bonus points. Stay another 3 nights for 2,500 more points (Code 5528).
• 10,000 bonus points. Stay 4 Nights for 5,000 bonus points. Stay another 4 nights for 5,000 more points (Code 3411). [my offer]
• 15,000+ bonus points. Stay 5 Nights for 10,000 bonus points. Earn another 5,000 points for each additional set of 5 Nights. (Code 3414).
• 20,000+ bonus points. Stay 10 Nights for 15,000 Bonus Points. Earn another 5,000 points for each additional set of 5 Nights. (Code 3415).
• 25,000+ bonus points. Stay 15 Nights for 20,000 Bonus Points. Earn another 5,000 points for each additional set of 5 Nights. (Code 3416)

This FlyerTalk thread lists a set of other Priority Club bonus points promotion codes you may be able to earn from IHG hotel stays.

Priority Club restructured hotel award categories on January 18, 2012.The new system divides hotels into 9 award categories ranging from 10,000 points to 50,000 points.

Loyalty Traveler posts:

• Priority Club realigns awards to 9 categories(Jan 10, 2013).
• California is Big Loser in new Priority Club Rewards (Jan 18, 2013).

Loyalty Lobby posted a list of current and former Priority Club reward night ratesfor 4,300 hotels. Priority Club members can request the lower award rate until March 18, 2013 for hotels that increased in award points cost.

Priority Club Rewards Elite Qualification changes for 2013

Priority Club restructured the way it counts points for elite qualification as of January 1, 2013. Points are now categorized as “elite qualifying points” and “non-elite qualifying points”. Priority Club Platinum elite by points is far harder in 2013 on only cheap hotel stays without making points package purchases for elite qualifying bonus points.

Elite qualifying points are base points, bonus points package rates and partner activity points (includes credit card bonus points and points purchases via Points.com).

Non-elite qualifying points are all promotional and elite bonus points and purchased points like those bought for Points & Cash reward stays. Loyalty Traveler post December 13, 2012 – Priority Club makes earning Platinum elite more difficult in 2013.

 

La Quinta Inns & Suites

Over 800 hotels earn 10 points/$1 and award nights range from 6,000 points to 24,000 points per night.

Looks like I need to update my profile of the La Quinta Returns program for 2013. Loyalty Traveler post: La Quinta Returns Loyalty Profile (April 12, 2011).

 

Marriott Rewards

Program News: Marriott Rewards 2013 hotel award category reassignment effective May 16, 2013.

Loyalty Traveler posts:

Marriott Rewards May 16, 2013 hotel category reassignment: An Overview (Feb 13, 2013).

Ritz-Carlton Tier Changes May 16, 2013 mostly impact USA hotels (Feb 14, 2013).

***** Marriott Rewards – Winter MegaBonus 2013: February 1 – April 30, 2013. Earn one free night certificate at a category 1-4 hotel every two stays; maximum 3 free nights. Free night certificate is valid for 12 months from issuance. Some members may have been targeted with a different bonus points offer. Loyalty Traveler post December 21, 2012 – Four Marriott MegaBonus Offers Feb 1-Apr 30, 2013.

1. Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-4 Certificate (Maximum 3 free night certificates)

2. Stay 2 times, Get 1 CAT 1-5 Certificate (Maximum 2 free night certificates)

3. Stay 15 Nights Get 25,000 Points or Stay 20 Nights Get 40,000 Points

4. Stay 20 Nights Get 35,000 Points or Stay 25 Nights Get 50,000 Points

**** Marriott MegaMiles 2013: Double Miles with Marriott MegaMiles: February 1- April 30, 2013

Loyalty Traveler post: Marriott Rewards MegaMiles Feb 1-Apr 30, 2013(Jan 22, 2013)

Note to members: You must have your Marriott Rewards account earning preference set to miles in order to see Marriott Rewards miles promotions. You may not see MegaBonus points promotions for your account when your account is set to earn miles. And you may not see MegaMiles offers when you account is set to earn points.

Marriott Rewards lowers Lifetime Elite qualifications

Lifetime Milestones as of January 1, 2013

• Platinum Elite: 750 nights + 2 million points (25% fewer nights)

• Gold Elite: 500 nights + 1.6 million points (37.5% fewer nights)

• Silver Elite: 250 nights + 1.2 million points (58% fewer nights)

For more details, visit MarriottRewards.com/Lifetime. Loyalty Traveler post: Marriott Rewards lowers lifetime elite qualification Jan 1, 2013(Dec 18, 2012).

Marriott Rewards makes elite rollover nights permanent program benefit for 2013. Loyalty Traveler post December 20, 2012 – Marriott Rewards elite rollover nights permanent benefit for 2013.

Gaylord Resorts are Marriott International’s 14th brand. Loyalty Traveler post Oct 31: Gaylord Resorts are Marriott’s new 14th brand.

 

Starwood Preferred Guest

SPG Program Changes: SPG hotel award category reassignment effective March 5, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post: SPG award category reassignments March 5, 2013 (includes 266 hotels list) (Feb 22, 2013).

SPG Program Changes: SPG Cash & Points awards increase effective March 5, 2013.

Loyalty Traveler analytical posts on SPG Cash & Points award changes:

• SPG Cash & Points analysis of changes March 5, 2013 (Part 1)Jan 18, 2013.
• Part 2 Analysis of SPG Cash & Points Upgrades and Suites options Jan 19, 2013.

** SPG Power Up earns 18,000 points after 20 nights January 15-April 15, 2013.

• Must register by February 15, 2013.

Earn 2,000 points after every four nights, up to 16 nights, and 10,000 bonus points after 20 nights. Seems to me like Hyatt and SPG are powering their way beyond promotion bonuses. This is a weak offer in my opinion.

Loyalty Traveler post: SPG Power Up: Earn 4K every 4 nights Jan 15-April 15 (Jan 15, 2013).

***SPG35B special rate for 500 bonus points and free breakfast in 25 states and eastern Canada to March 31, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post: SPG35B rate for breakfast and 500 points in 25 states to March 31 (Feb 20, 2013).

***** SPG allows members to receive elite stay and night credit for up to 3 rooms per stay when they are reserved and paid by the SPG member. Loyalty Traveler June 19, 2012 post on earning SPG elite credit for multiple rooms.

 

Wyndham Rewards

Program Changes: Wyndham Rewards restructures hotel awards globally to 8-tier award system effective March 14, 2013. Loyalty Traveler post Wyndham Rewards changes to 8 award tiers March 14, 2013 (Feb 19, 2013).

Until February 28, 2013: Buy Wyndham Rewards points with 25% bonus points.Buy up 50,000 points for $440. Points can be exchanged into 20,000 miles in several frequent flyer programs. $22 per 1,000 miles is a reasonable rate.

 

Ric Garrido, writer and content owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.

The rest of this post contains links  for Hotel Loyalty Program resources and major program news from the past year. There are also links to my travel destinations posts of the past six months and miles-to-points transfer rates across different hotel loyalty programs.

Loyalty Traveler Destination Posts

January 2013

Monterey County/California

• Moss Landing, Elkhorn Slough and Sea Otters (Jan 20, 2013)
• San Francisco Panorama (Jan 21, 2013)
• Monterey County Wineries and Hotels: Carmel Valley Road (Jan 29, 2013)

Las Vegas

• Crossing the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas (Jan 7, 2013)
• Building the Dream on Las Vegas Boulevard and #NMX (Jan 9, 2013)
• Caesars Palace Las Vegas Experience #NMX (Jan 16, 2013)
• Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Caesars Palace (Jan 17, 2013)

December 2012

• Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (Dec 5, 2012)
• St. Regis Princeville, Kauai (Dec 8, 2012)
• St. Regis Princeville, Kauai–Part 2, Really (Dec 11, 2012)
• Wild California Condors of Big Sur (Dec 12, 2012) I photographed two condors feeding on beached sea mammal corpse.
• Hilton Miami Downtown hotel review (Dec 26, 2012)
• Miami Light, Camera, Refraction photo essay (Dec 26, 2012)
• Where and What is Bal Harbour, Florida? (Dec 31, 2012)
• St. Regis Bal Harbour – The Hotel (Jan 2, 2013)
• St. Regis Bal Harbour – The Room (Jan 3, 2013)
• Once in a Blue Moon Marriott Autograph Collection, Miami Beach (Jan 11, 2013)
• Conrad Miami (Jan 26, 2013)

September 2012 was a travel month for me with trips to Manhattan-New York, Barcelona, Spain and a hosted Costa Brava tour (60 miles north of Barcelona) after the TBEX Europe conference in Girona, Spain.

SPG Amex Star trips and New York. Airfare, hotel stays were free courtesy of SPG Amex Stars gig. Thoughts are my own.

• Experiencing US Open Tennis with SPG Amex(Sep 10, 2012)
• Manhattan Upper West Side Stories(Sep 10, 2012)
• Hot Summer in Fun New York(Sep 11, 2012)
• Westin New York at Times Square(Sep 12, 2012)
• Circumnavigating Manhattan Island on Circle Line Cruise(Sep 15, 2012) – media free trip from Circle Line Cruise.
• Circumnavigating Manhattan on Circle Line Cruise – Part 2(Sep 16, 2012) – media free trip from Circle Line Cruise.
• Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week Experience(Sep 18, 2012)
• My hassle-free stay @W New York Union Square (Oct 5, 2012)

On my own in Barcelona, Spain and Travel Blog Exchange TBEX12 Europe, Girona, Spain with 4-day Costa Brava Tourism post-conference sponsored trip.

Barcelona

• Oh My Gaudi, I’m in Barcelona(Sep 18, 2012)
• Street life in Barcelona and La Mercè Festival(Sep 19, 2012)
• W Barcelona Extreme WOW Suite(Sep 19, 2012)
• Tranquilo life in Poblenou, Barcelona(Sep 27, 2012)
• Best Western Alfa Aeropuerto Barcelona(Sep 30, 2012)
• Parc Güell: Gaudi’s vision in the hills of Barcelona(Oct 1, 2012)
• Four Points Diagonal Barcelona on the Poblenou(Oct 3, 2012)
• Holiday Inn Express-City 22 Barcelona(Oct 9, 2012)
• Loyalty Traveler walks to Wall Street and finds democracy past and present (Oct 19, 2012)

TBEX12 Girona, Spain and Costa Brava Tourism Board sponsored tour

• Catalunya Castells Human Towers–TBEX12 @CostaBrava(Sep 20, 2012)
• TBEX Girona, the Pyrenees and Beaches of Costa Brava(Sep 24, 2012)
• Walking Costa Brava at Lloret de Mar (Sep 25, 2012)
• Traveler Impressionism in Costa Brava, Spain(Sep 29, 2012)
• Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava–Blue Paradise(Oct 11, 2012)
• Hotel Diana, modernist boutique in Tossa de Mar, Spain(Oct 12, 2012)
• Gastronomy–The Science of Eating Food @Club-Hotel Giverola, Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava(Oct 15, 2012)
• Mountaintop defenders of Castell de Montsoriu in Arbucies, Spain(Oct 17, 2012)
• Lloret de Mar, down by the seaside in Costa Brava(Oct 23, 2012)
• Sant Pere del Bosc Hotel & Spa–Lloret de Mar, Spain(Nov 6, 2012)
• Balneari Prats Hotel & Spa, Caldes de Malavella, Spain (Nov 10, 2012)

5-Star Promotion Scale

Loyalty Traveler ranks the consumer value of some hotel loyalty promotions on a Five–Star Scale.

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

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

Three ***= good value hotel loyalty promotion or rate offer

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

One *= 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 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.
• Past loyalty program offers and rates for the specific hotel chain and loyalty program.

More hotel promotion offers and loyalty program links

Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels

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

Accor Hotels is globally the largest chain of hotel brands outside of the USA. Accor also has the largest proportion of hotels as non-participants in its loyalty program compared to all other major global hotel chains. Hotels in economy and budget hotel market segments do not participate in Accor’s hotel loyalty programs.

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

• Best Western Hotel Brand Tiers: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier.
• Best Western Redeem Free Night Rewards Vouchers.
• Best Western Earn Points.
• Best Western International Offers.
• Best Western Special Rate Offers.
• Best Western Hotel Specific Bonus Point Offers in U.S.

***** Elite Status Match: Best Western Rewards Elite Status Match Offer This offer is ongoing and still available. Best Western is a particularly useful loyalty program when traveling outside the USA. LT post Feb 19, 2010.

Facebook Fans: Best Western runs weekly promotions on its Facebook page. Any Best Western frequent guest should check out Best Western Facebook for prize giveaways and contests. Best Western also has flash sales 12pm-4pm Eastern some weeks.

Sign up for Best Western International email notices in your member account preferences to receive emails for flash sale links.

Loyalty Traveler Research – Aspirational Best Western Hotels for Free Night Certificates (March 28, 2012)

Best Western Brand Tiers Change – Best Western in 2011 designated 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 (mostly outside USA).

 

Carlson Hotels – Club Carlson

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

Club Carlson online booking bonus – Club Carlson general members earn 1,000 bonus points for online booking. Silver and Gold elite members earn 2,000 bonus points for online booking. Concierge elite members earn 3,000 points. Club Carlson Benefits table link.

Club Carlson Gold Elite member exclusive 2-for-1 hotel weekend rates and 4-for-2 discount rates for Europe, Middle East and Africa. LT post January 27, 2012. These rates earn points.

Club Carlson for Business offers small to medium businesses a special program for hotel rate discounts and a Club Carlson business account for earning additional points from employee hotel stays. Employees also maintain their own personal accounts and earn points normally as a Club Carlson member.

Loyalty Traveler – Overview of Club Carlson loyalty program (Feb 23, 2012)

Loyalty Traveler – Club Carlson Hotel Category Reassignment Analysis (May 20, 2012)

Club Med resort credit for goldpoints. $100, $250 and $500 credit. (March 10, 2011).

 

Choice Hotels – Choice Privileges

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

Choice Privileges Hotel Reward Partners:
Preferred Hotels Group

Choice Hotels Best Rate Guarantee policy offers one free night for approved claims. Loyalty Traveler analysis March 12, 2012.

Loyalty Traveler Research – Choice Privileges: Booking High Value Reward Nights in Europe (March 26, 2012)

Choice Privileges reward night cost analysis. Using a spreadsheet of 2010 reward cost, I calculated the percentage of hotels in various reward levels worldwide from 6,000 points to 40,000 points. This is the only breakdown of hotel reward tiers I have ever seen for Choice Hotels. Loyalty Traveler post May 1, 2011.

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, 2010)

 

Drury Hotels – Gold Key Club

Drury Hotels are the #1 rated midscale limited service hotel brand by J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction Survey six consecutive years including 2010 and 2011. This hotel brand is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and properties are primarily located in Midwest and South.

1,000 bonus points for enrollment in Drury Gold Key Club (ongoing).

• E-Saver Discount ratesfor Drury Hotels.
• Vacation and Hotel Discount Coupons for Drury Hotels in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbus, San Antonio and Atlanta. There are $10 and $15 per night discounts at select hotels on this page.

 

Expedia.com – Expedia Rewards

Expedia’s loyalty program, Expedia Rewards, 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 most others are earned for Expedia bookings.

Expedia Rewards offers 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, 2011.

 

Fairmont Hotels and Fairmont President’s Club

Fairmont Hotels has fewer than 100 upper-upscale and luxury hotels globally, but in many locations the Fairmont is the top rated hotel.

• Fairmont President’s Club Benefits and Elite Levels.
• Fairmont Hotel Locations.

Tip: Sign up for Fairmont President’s Club to receive special monthly discount rates for Fairmont Hotels. These limited time sales can be significant rate savings.

 

Four Seasons Hotels

Four Seasons are the leading luxury hotel brand. This hotel chain does not have a points-based loyalty program.

Four Seasons Special Offers website link

 

Global Hotel Alliance – GHA Discovery

GHA Discovery is a hotel loyalty program alliance for 15 independent hotel brands including Omni Hotels, Pan Pacific, Kempinski Hotels, First Hotels, Anantara Resorts, Tivoli Hotels, The Doyle Collection, Marco Polo Hotels, Park Royal, The Leela Palaces, Shaza Hotels, Mokara Hotels & Spa, Mirvac Hotels, Tangram (Erbil, Iraq) and Lungarno Collection.

Accor Hotels bought Mirvac in May 2012. This might impact GHA membership in the future?

Overview of GHA Discovery, elite membership benefits and local experiences, Loyalty Traveler post January 30, 2011.

 

Hilton Hotels – Hilton HHonors

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

• Earn HHonors Points and Miles
• HHonors Double Dipping
• HHonors Airline Partners
• Redeem HHonors Hotel Rewards
• HHonors VIP elite Rewards
• HHonors American Express AXON 4-night Awards.
• MilePoint.com HHonors Primer.
• HHonors Miles-for-Points(unique to HHonors is ability to change airline miles into HHonors points.)
• HHonors Points-for-Miles(poor exchange rate for most airlines)
• HHonors Purchase Points

Hilton Worldwide by Numbers provides data on the number of hotels in each Hilton brand and geographic distribution. LT post April 6, 2012.

Program Change: HHonors Diamond elite enhancement guarantees breakfast, room upgrade, executive lounge access and welcome amenity points. LT post Jan 26, 2012.

Redeem: HHonors Points & Money Rewards Analysis – Loyalty Traveler post October 3. This post shows the HHonors Points & Money rate table that was removed from HHonors website within a few hours after publishing this Loyalty Traveler post. Recently there have been Points & Money anomalies in the copay amounts for Conrad Bali and Hong Kong (Loyalty Traveler May 22, 2012).

Redeem: HHonors Premium Rewards Analysis – Do HHonors Premium Room Rewards Prevent GLON/AXON Rewards at some Hilton Hotels? – Loyalty Traveler post October 13, 2011. This October 10 post also looks at using HHonors flexible dates tool to find low Hilton rates and Premium Room Rewards. Loyalty Traveler Research October 10.

HHonors Representative responds to Hotels only offering Premium Room Rewards issue. LT post October 14, 2011.

HHonors Redemption tip: A unique feature of HHonors is the ability to buy all needed points for a reward stay at time of booking hotel reward through Hilton reservations. This bypasses the annual limit on purchased HHonors points. Update:I am not sure this still works. The T&C of Hilton HHonors appears to have changed since I initially reported this loophole.

***** Elite Status Promotion: Hilton HHonors Gold elite fast-track for Carlson Wagonlit Travel customers. Earn HHonors Gold elite after four stays within 90 days of promotion registration. This offer has an end date of 12/31/2013 so might be best to wait until January 2013 to register for Gold elite through 2014. Loyalty Traveler post Sep 6, 2011.

***** Elite Status Promotion: HHonors Gold VIP elite after 4 stays or 9 nights in 90 days at U.S. hotels with Hilton HHonors MVP. Promotion registration required.

Redeem: FlyerTalk sticky thread on all different types of HHonors rewards.

 

Hotels.com Welcome Rewards

Earn a free night for every 10 nights in Welcome Rewards.

 

Hyatt Hotels – Hyatt Gold Passport

Hotel Brands: Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Resorts, Andaz, Hyatt House (AVIA and Hotel Sierra acquired Sep 1, 2011. Hotel Sierra and Hyatt Summerfield Suites were rebranded as Hyatt House in 2012.)

• Hyatt Gold Passport Membership Levels and Benefits.
• Hyatt Gold Passport Airline Partners and Earn Miles.
• Hyatt Gold Passport Purchase and Transfer Points.
• Hyatt Gold Passport Reward Nights and Hotel Reward Category Lists.
• Hyatt Gold Passport Paid Night Upgrades for points.

**** Earn Hyatt Gold Passport for dining and spa services as a non-guest at participating Hyatt Hotels. Loyalty Traveler post April 4, 2012.

Gold Passport Diamond Challenge- Most beneficial perhaps is to tie this offer into a Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond Challenge for 12 nights in 60 days (normally 25 stays or 50 nights in calendar year). As Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond for 2012 you also will receive 4 confirmed suite upgrades. Start the Gold Passport Diamond Challenge first and then get the credit card once you have Diamond status to get confirmed suite upgrades for your credit card free nights. FlyerTalk discussion threadon Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond challenge.

Gold Passport Enhancement – Diamond members receive 50% bonus on Welcome Amenity pointsif points do not automatically post after stay. Loyalty Traveler post November 5, 2011.

 

InterContinental Hotels Group – Priority Club

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

• Priority Club Membership Levels and Benefits.
• InterContinental Ambassador membership.
• Priority Club Reward Nights.
• Priority Club PointBreaks for only 5,000 points per night.
• IHG Hotel Locations.

IHG Special Rate Offers

***** Europe Rate Discount through Dec 12, 2013 offer high discounts, but these rates do not earn Priority Club points.

• 2-for-1 (select Exclusive 2-for-1 rate from drop-down menu)
• 2-for-1 rate BMW
• Save 35% Europe, Middle East and Africaweekend stays
• 3-for-2 (select Exclusive 3-for-2 rate from drop-down menu)

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.

IHG First Night Free Best Rate Guarantee new policy. LT post Sep 22, 2011.

IHG Priority Club Last Minute Reward Nights are posted on Tuesday, the week before the first full weekend of the calendar month. Hotels are only posted for three days and must be booked by Thursday prior to the Friday through Sunday first full weekend of the month. http://boardingarea.com/blogs/loyaltytraveler/2012/10/02/priority-club-50-reward-nights-oct-5-7/

InterContinental Ambassador Accelerator - 20,000 points after 15 nights at InterContinental Hotels. Registration required.

 

Kimpton Hotels – Kimpton InTouch

• How to Earn free nights at Kimpton.
• Inner Circle elite qualification and benefits.
• Kimpton Hotel locations.
• Kimpton Hotels promotions page.

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. This strategy still works. (LT post Jan 11, 2011)

 

La Quinta Hotels – La Quinta Returns

La Quinta Inn is owned by Blackstone Group, the owner of Hilton Worldwide.

**** Using La Quinta points for Waldorf-Astoria luxury hotel stays – Loyalty Traveler analysis March 19, 2012.

Hotel chain and hotel loyalty program overview by Loyalty Traveler April 12, 2011.

• La Quinta Returns elite qualification and benefits.
• La Quinta Returns free night rewards.
• La Quinta Returns Purchase Points.
• La Quinta Hotels Special Deals.
• La Quinta Hotel Locations.

 

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

• LHW Hotel Locations.
• American Express Membership Rewards redeem for LHW 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, AC Hotels.

• Marriott Rewards elite levels and benefits.
• Earn Marriott Rewards points.
• Redeem Marriott Rewards points and Hotel Reward categories.
• Marriott Vacation Club rewards.
• Marriott Rewards room upgrades.
• Marriott Rewards airline partners and earn rate for miles.
• Marriott Rewards points-to-miles exchange.
• Marriott Rewards 7 Hotel Nights + Airline Miles Travel packages.
• Marriott International Hotel Directory.

Note to Marriott Rewards members: You must have your Marriott Rewards account earning preference set to miles in order to see Marriott Rewards miles promotions.

Marriott Rewards Program Enhancement: Platinum members receive free suite upgrades for hotels in Asia Pacific Region. Loyalty traveler post August 17, 2012.

Marriott Platinum Elite fast-track challenge. Loyalty Traveler post March 15, 2012 describes the terms for a Marriott elite challenge.

Loyalty Traveler Opinion Piece: My Take on the Value of Marriott Rewards Points- (March 26, 2012)

Marriott Rewards Hotel Category Assignment Changes for 2012

• Marriott Rewards Hotel Category Changes March 15, 2012 (LT Feb 27, 2012)
• Marriott Hotels Dropping in reward category (Feb 27, 2012)
• Marriott Hotels rising in Category 5-8. (Feb 27, 2012)

Marriott Rewards PointSavers – 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 priced at category 4 rate. 5^thnight free rewards rate also applies to PointSavers rate.

***** Marriott Rewards Elite Rollover Nights become permanent program feature for 2013. 2012 was the fourth year Marriott Rewards offered 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 2012 and the 15 nights above Silver elite rollover to 2013 membership year. You will have earned Silver elite for 2013 from your 15 extra nights in 2012 rolled over to 2013. Rollover nights from 2012 to 2013 are deducted from 2013 end-of-year total nights to determine rollover nights for 2014. And you only get rollover nights based on the status you held the year before. Gold elite in 2012 with end-of-year 40 nights will not receive any 2013 rollover nights since did not requalify as Gold elite. Confused? Don’t worry. This is a great benefit for eligible elite members. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 6, 2012 – Marriott Rewards extends Elite Rollover Nights for 2012 stays and Loyalty Traveler post December 20, 2012 – Marriott Rewards elite rollover nights permanent benefit for 2013.

Marriott Rewards Program Change: All Marriott Rewards members receive complimentary internet at Asia-Pacific region hotels. Loyalty Traveler post May 2, 2011.

 

Omni Hotels – Omni Select Guest

• Member benefitsinclude complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, shoe shine and morning beverage delivery.
• Earn a free night after every 10 nights. Omni Hotels eliminated airline miles earning with 15 airlines effective April 30, 2012.
• Omni Hotel Locations.

 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts – I Prefer

Hotel brands: Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Preferred Boutique, Summit Hotels & Resorts, Sterling Hotels, Sterling Design.

• I Prefer benefits include complimentary internet, room upgrades and early check-in, late checkout.
• Preferred Offers I Prefer and Preferred Hotels Group special offers page.
• NOTE: Members of Choice Privileges and Red Lion R&R Club can use points in those programs for free nights at participating hotels within Preferred Hotels Group.

 

Red Lion Hotels – R&R Club (44 hotels in western U.S.)

• Red Lion R&R Club membership benefits.
• Red Lion R&R Club elite levels.
• Red Lion R&R Club earn points or miles.
• Red Lion R&R Club rewards.
• Red Lion R&R Club loyalty program changes in September 2011. LT Post October 21.
• Redeem points for Preferred Hotel Group stays.
• Red Lion Hotel locations.

 

Red Roof Inn – RediCard

• Red Hot Deals.
• RediCard earn and redeem for free night or Delta miles.

 

Ritz-Carlton Rewards
(Marriott Rewards partner brand. You may only hold membership preference in either Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards, not both programs. Most Ritz-Carton Rewards promotions require the member to be RCR member as of the date the promotion is announced.)

• Ritz-Carlton Hotel locations.
• Ritz-Carlton Rewards earn points or miles.
• Ritz-Carlton reward nightsand hotel tier lists.
• Ritz-Carlton Rewards elite member benefits.

 

Starwood Hotels – Starwood Preferred Guest

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

*** SPG Restaurants and Bars – a new feature offers 10% to 20% discounts for dining and drinking at participating Starwood Hotel restaurants and bars. Loyalty Traveler post April 3, 2012.

SPG Program Changes effective March 1, 2012:

SPG Gold members

· Hotel Stay Welcome Gift – Choose from Starpoints (up to 250 points/stay) or free internet or free beverage.

SPG Platinum members

· Hotel Stay Welcome Gift – Choose from Continental Breakfast for entire stay or Starpoints (up to 500/stay) or local gift.

· 50+ nights Platinum members only – 10 Suite Night Awards.This is in addition to the existing and continuing policy of complimentary upgrades upon arrival for SPG Platinum elites that has been a long time competitive edge of Starwood preferred Guest.

· 75+ nights Platinum members only – Earn 4 points per dollar on hotel spend.Lower tier Platinum members earn 3 points/$1 on hotel spend.

· 75+ nights Platinum members only– Your24 check-in at any hour and maintain room for 24 hours. Check in at 9pm and the room is yours until 9pm 24 hours later.

· 100+ nights Platinum members only – Personal Starwood Hotels Ambassadorto help travel planning.

Ongoing Starwood Hotels & Resorts Rate Discounts:

**** Pay Your Birth Year Rate – This promotion has been extended through December 31, 2013. Rates can be an incredible 5-key savings or no savings depending on the hotel and your birthyear. LT post Jan 30, 2012 and SPG Pay Your Birth Year discount in 2013 (Feb 8, 2013).

**** Starwood Hotels Discount Rates for hotel stays 2 to 6 nights.

**** Starwood Resorts Discount Rates for hotel stays 2 to 6 nights.

These Starwood extended stay discount rates for 2 to 6 nights have been around for several years, but are not well advertised on Starwood site. Third Night Free tends to be the best discount rate. 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. Loyalty Traveler rate analysis Sep 21, 2011 – Better Know a Rate Z3H and Z3R and other extended stay promo codes.

**** BeattheTimer.com for discount Starwood rates in Europe, Middle East and Africa (Starwood EMEA Discounts at BeattheTimer.com).

Starpicks discount rates for following three to six weeks post each Tuesday. Prepaid, nonrefundable and no changes. Must book by Friday each week.

SPG Member Benefit – Award Stays Earn SPG Elite Qualification Credit as of October 1, 2011. Loyalty Traveler analysis Sep 29, 2011.

***** SPG allows members to receive elite stay and night credit for up to 3 rooms per stay when they are reserved and paid by the SPG member. Loyalty Traveler June 19 post on earning SPG elite credit for multiple rooms.

Loyalty Traveler analysis of Starwood Preferred Guest Airline Direct Deposit program for Mileage Plus membersand others interested in earning miles rather than points from hotel stays. (August 4, 2011)

Starwood Preferred Guest Hotel Category reward assignment changes for 2012 took effect on March 1, 2012. 183 hotels went up and 138 went down. My LT post “Analysis of SPG Hotel Category Changes March 1, 2012” (Feb 21, 2012) has a list ordered by city, state and country for changes.

 

Stash Hotel Rewards

Stash Rewards is a three year old loyalty program for over 100 independent upscale hotels in the U.S. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 19, 2011. Hotel partners of Stash Rewards in Monterey and Washington D.C. are great choices for hotel travelers seeking independent hotels with loyalty benefits. 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

 

Swissotel Hotels and Resorts – Swissôtel Circle

Swissôtel Circle is the newly relaunched loyalty program for Swissotel Hotels and Resorts as of August 15, 2011. The Swissotel Circle loyalty program includes 30 Swissotel Hotels, Fairmont Hotels and Raffles. This Sep 9, 2011 Loyalty Traveler post is an overview of the hotel loyalty program, elite levels and benefits.

 

Voila Hotel Rewards

Loyalty Traveler profile of Voila Hotels program international loyalty program for 250 independent hotels.

 

Wyndham Worldwide – Wyndham Rewards

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

Wyndham Rewards changed its U.S./Canada award chart from four tiers to seven tiers in January 2013. Some hotels like Wingate Manhattan Midtown climbed from 16,000 points to 45,000 points with no prior warning. So far the changes appear limited to New York City, but with seven tiers, Wyndham Rewards has thousands of hotels to fill them.

Feb 2013 Update: Wyndham Rewards changed their hotel award structure again in February 2013 to eight tiers globally. Loyalty Traveler post: Wyndham Rewards changes to 8 award tiers March 14, 2013 (Feb 19, 2013).

Travelodge Canadais now participating in Wyndham Rewards.

 

Loyalty Traveler Research

Hotel Points to Airline Miles Conversion Tables

• Table of 69 airline partners for the Top 10 global hotel loyalty programs(Aug 22, 2012)
• American Airlines Points-to-Miles Exchange Rates for 9 Hotel Programs. (Feb 5, 2012)
• American Airlines Points-to-Miles Exchange Rates for Elites and Credit Card members(Feb 6, 2012)
• Delta Skymiles hotel points-to-miles rates in 9 hotel programs. (Feb 7, 2012)
• United Mileage Plus hotel points-to-miles rates favor Marriott, Club Carlson, Wyndham(Feb 8, 2012)
• Hotel Loyalty Program Airline Partners: 10 programs compared on one spreadsheet. (Feb 9, 2012)
• Why Change hotel points into airline miles?(Feb 9, 2012)
• Hotel points conversion into Southwest Rapid Rewards points favors Marriott, Choice and Hyatt (Feb 10, 2012)

Hotel Points Buy, Gift and Transfer Rules for major hotel loyalty programs. Loyalty Traveler post December 5, 2011.

Ric Garrido, writer and content owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.

Choice Privileges brings back its offer of 8,000 points after every two stays from February 28 through May 15, 2013. There is no limit to the number of bonus points earned during the promotion period.

Promotion registration is required prior to stays. This offer is only available to Choice Privileges members who maintain a US or Canada address.

Diamond and Platinum members earn an additional 100 bonus points for each stay booked through ChoiceHotels.com. Read More…