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Hotel loyalty programs offer big benefits
By Li Anlan |
September 19, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR those who travel often and stay in hotels frequently, membership programs provide more privileges and benefits. Such programs encourage guests to choose one hotel group and become loyal customers.
Personalized benefits like flexible check-in and check-out times often make stays more convenient. Many international hotel and resort chains now offer such programs.
Hilton HHonors, the award-winning loyalty program for 10 distinct hotel brands of Hilton Worldwide, provides its 30 million members more ways to redeem points in addition to "No Blackout Dates" at its properties around the world.
Hilton Worldwide will expand its properties in China to 100 over the next four years, including introducing the fifth brand, Hilton Garden Inn, to the market. Currently there are 31 hotels opening.
Hilton HHonors offers its members both hotel points and airline miles for the same stay. They can choose one from the three possible Double Dip options. The number of points earned varies per hotel and brand.
The members can also use their points for merchandises and experiences. The Giving Back Program also allows members to use their points to donate to worthy causes. They can redeem the points toward a cash donation to a variety of charitable organizations, and many organizations that are currently part of the program have operations in China.
With enough points, members can also enjoy a complimentary night based on the category of hotel. Other benefits include free WiFi, free beverages and express check-in lines and more, availability is subject to membership level, brand and property.
Partnered with film star Kevin Cheng, it recently unveiled Experience Showcase, which showcases the benefits of membership and offers visitors the chance to win daily prizes.
It was first held in Shanghai early this month, and will continue in Beijing next Monday.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide created the Starwood Preferred Guest. It offers no blackouts on standard rooms at more than 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries for members.
In February, Starwood announced a new benefit, Your24. For Starwood Preferred Guest elite members, the round-the-clock check-in has been introduced at all locations. This provides members complete control over check-in times.
A member who checks in at 10pm won't have to check out until the same time on their day of departure. Platinum members who spend more than 75 eligible nights at Starwood can request Your24.
"We're constantly striving to make travel as personalized as possible for Starwood Preferred Guest members, and that means fresh thinking about long-standing industry practices," said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president for Distribution, Loyalty & Partnership Marketing at Starwood. "Your24 reflects very clearly that the preferences of our guests drive how we do business, and that's another reason why Starwood and SPG have earned such intense loyalty with global travelers."
Starwood also launched an iPhone app in Mandarin in August. The "go-to" app for SPG provides a guest-centric approach using new state-aware technology; localized content and customer service, as well as a social network platform across Starwood's nine brands.
Meanwhile, InterContinental Hotels Group has a Priority Club. Members are eligible for exclusive offers from hotels and many partners, from bonus points to special room rates.
InterContinental has more than 4,500 properties in over 100 countries. Using the points, members can book free nights online.
The Priority Club Meeting Rewards Offers range from attractive giveaways to complimentary meeting support. Various membership programs value long-term customers.
People are more willing to travel and stay at hotels where they can get more benefits and bump up status.
Personalized benefits like flexible check-in and check-out times often make stays more convenient. Many international hotel and resort chains now offer such programs.
Hilton HHonors, the award-winning loyalty program for 10 distinct hotel brands of Hilton Worldwide, provides its 30 million members more ways to redeem points in addition to "No Blackout Dates" at its properties around the world.
Hilton Worldwide will expand its properties in China to 100 over the next four years, including introducing the fifth brand, Hilton Garden Inn, to the market. Currently there are 31 hotels opening.
Hilton HHonors offers its members both hotel points and airline miles for the same stay. They can choose one from the three possible Double Dip options. The number of points earned varies per hotel and brand.
The members can also use their points for merchandises and experiences. The Giving Back Program also allows members to use their points to donate to worthy causes. They can redeem the points toward a cash donation to a variety of charitable organizations, and many organizations that are currently part of the program have operations in China.
With enough points, members can also enjoy a complimentary night based on the category of hotel. Other benefits include free WiFi, free beverages and express check-in lines and more, availability is subject to membership level, brand and property.
Partnered with film star Kevin Cheng, it recently unveiled Experience Showcase, which showcases the benefits of membership and offers visitors the chance to win daily prizes.
It was first held in Shanghai early this month, and will continue in Beijing next Monday.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide created the Starwood Preferred Guest. It offers no blackouts on standard rooms at more than 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries for members.
In February, Starwood announced a new benefit, Your24. For Starwood Preferred Guest elite members, the round-the-clock check-in has been introduced at all locations. This provides members complete control over check-in times.
A member who checks in at 10pm won't have to check out until the same time on their day of departure. Platinum members who spend more than 75 eligible nights at Starwood can request Your24.
"We're constantly striving to make travel as personalized as possible for Starwood Preferred Guest members, and that means fresh thinking about long-standing industry practices," said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president for Distribution, Loyalty & Partnership Marketing at Starwood. "Your24 reflects very clearly that the preferences of our guests drive how we do business, and that's another reason why Starwood and SPG have earned such intense loyalty with global travelers."
Starwood also launched an iPhone app in Mandarin in August. The "go-to" app for SPG provides a guest-centric approach using new state-aware technology; localized content and customer service, as well as a social network platform across Starwood's nine brands.
Meanwhile, InterContinental Hotels Group has a Priority Club. Members are eligible for exclusive offers from hotels and many partners, from bonus points to special room rates.
InterContinental has more than 4,500 properties in over 100 countries. Using the points, members can book free nights online.
The Priority Club Meeting Rewards Offers range from attractive giveaways to complimentary meeting support. Various membership programs value long-term customers.
People are more willing to travel and stay at hotels where they can get more benefits and bump up status.
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