HELP #13 – Current Hotel Loyalty Promotions Update

HELP SHEET #13 – Hotel Elite and Loyalty Promotions.

The major offers from each hotel loyalty program are listed first. The number of asterisks from 1-5 indicates my rating for this offer with 4 or 5 being the best value offers in my opinion. This Loyalty Traveler post is the 13th update for 2011 hotel loyalty promotions and includes about 20 new promotion offers and Loyalty Traveler research posts since the November 9 update.

Main Q-4 2011 and Q-1 2012 promotions from Top Ten hotel loyalty programs:

Accor A|Club – Stay 3 nights and pay for two through January 16, 2012 at 85 participating hotels.

*** Best Western Rewards – 2,000 bonus points per night for maximum 8,000 bonus points after 4 nights on stays in US and Canada from December 1 – January 31, 2012. Loyalty Traveler post December 1, 2012.

*** Choice Privileges – 2x points for stays December 1 – February 29, 2012 or Points + Miles.

*****Club Carlson – Club Carlson 50,000 points for Radisson Stay November 10-December 30, 2011 – Loyalty Traveler November 2.

***** Hilton HHonors Fast Ways to Free Stays offers a free night every 4 stays or 10 nights October 1 -December 31, 2011. Double points is an alternate choice. LT analysis Sep 26.

***** Hilton HHonors Resort Escapes offers one free night globally after 5 consecutive nights at participating Hilton Resort December 1-April 30, 2012. Must book hotel stay by Jan 31, 2012. Maximum two free nights. LT post Dec 4, 2011.

Hyatt Gold Passport – No new major bonus offer yet. Passports with Purpose fundraiser for libraries in Zambia. Hyatt Gold Passport sponsored a raffle prize for Loyalty Traveler in the PwP raffle. $10 donation by Dec 16 for chance to win 110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points. Loyalty Traveler post November 30, 2011.

** InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards – Priority Club Fall 80,000 bonus points promotion for 500 points per night and potential for 2x, 3x or 4x points based on staying in two, three or four IHG brands from Sep 15 – Dec. 31, 2011. LT Analysis August 13, 2011 and September 20 post for miles information and promotion details.

**** Marriott Rewards – Earn one free night at a category 1 to 4 hotel reward after two hotel stays paid with VISA September 15, 2011 – January 15, 2012. Registration deadline for this promotion is October 31, 2011. This offer may be earned two times during promotion for two free nights. Active Marriott Rewards members may be targeted for a points offer based on 15 to 25 nights. Loyalty Traveler post August 16.

**** Marriott Rewards MegaMiles January 1-April 30, 2012 earns 2,000 bonus miles per Marriott brand stay beginning with second stay. Maximum 50,000 bonus miles. Loyalty Traveler post December 7, 2012.

***** Starwood Preferred Guest – Two free nights at participating Asia Pacific hotels after 9 nights in Asia Pacific hotels from November 29- March 15, 2012 when stays are paid with a MasterCard. One free night after 5 nights. Maximum 2 free nights. Loyalty Traveler post December 2, 2011.

** Starwood Preferred Guest 2x or 3x points for stays Sep 6 – Dec 18, 2011. Loyalty Traveler post August 28.

**** Wyndham Rewards – Gift Me promotion for U.S., Canada and Mexico resident members for 6,500 bonus points after 2nd, 4th and 6th stays at any Wyndham brand globally Nov 17 – Feb 1, 2012. Online booking bonus is 1,000 points for first 3 stays. Total 22,500 bonus points for 6 hotel stays. LT post November 18.

***** Wyndham Rewards offer for European resident members only is 10,000 bonus points on 2nd, 4th and 6th stays for 30,000 maximum bonus points .

Most hotel loyalty promotions are two to four months in duration. This post is updated every few weeks to summarize the best offers.

Links to my Loyalty Traveler posts provide more detail and promotion analysis for each offer.

The easiest way to quickly see a list of all hotel loyalty promotions discussed on Loyalty Traveler is to check my Loyalty Traveler Facebook page. All Loyalty Traveler post links feed into Twitter and all my tweets feed into Loyalty Traveler Facebook.

Accor Hotels – A-Club

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

A|Club Free Gold Status promotion code. LT post October 9.

Le Club Accorhotels to replace A|Club loyalty program for Accor. Ibis incorporates All Seasons and and Etap to become mega-brand. Loyalty Traveler post on changes Sep 18, 2011.

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

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 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

Amtrak Guest Rewards (loyalty program allows transfers to Choice Privileges and Hilton HHonors points)

Best Western Hotels – Best Western Rewards

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

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

Best Western Hotel Specific Bonus Points in U.S.

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

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 (about 100 hotels, mostly outside U.S.).

Carlson Hotels – Club Carlson
(formerly Goldpoints Plus loyalty program)

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

***** Radisson Big Night Giveaway – Register Nov 10 for 50,000 bonus point. The first 50,000 Club Carlson members worldwide who register beginning November 10, 2011 and stay at any Radisson Hotel in the U.S., Canada or Caribbean anytime from November 10-December 30, 2011. This is a high value deal where 50,000 points can be as many as five or more free nights or one free night at the highest tier hotel properties worldwide. One of the year’s best.

Club Carlson 50,000 points for Radisson Stay November 10-December 30, 2011 – Loyalty Traveler November 2.
Radisson 50,000 Points Promotion Revisited and Clarified – November 7. Important to also read this post with promotion clarification of terms.
My Radisson Big Night Giveaway 50,000 points posted – Loyalty Traveler December 6.

***** Earn 9,000 bonus points for every Club Carlson hotel award stay December 1 – January 31, 2012. Bonus may be earned five times for a 45,000 points rebate on reward stays. Loyalty Traveler post November 29, 2011.

**** Book by December 13 for 30% discount rate at hotels in Americas for stays December 23 – March 3, 2012. Offer code 30PCTOFF. Loyalty Traveler December 1, 2011.

New Business Program – 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.

***** Club Carlson 50% Points Weekend Reward Nights in Europe, Africa and Middle East October 1- December 15, 2011. Many hotels have reward nights for half the standard points cost.

***** Park Inn 15,000 bonus points for stay in U.S. or Canada by December 15 31, 2011. Loyalty Traveler post Nov 3.Update: the date for this promotion was extended to December 31.

Club Carlson Ultimate Getaway Giveaway Sweepstakes October 18 – December 16, 2011. Eight weekly prizes (about $3,000 each) and one grand prize ($15,000+ prize) in celebration of grand opening November 1, 2011 of flagship Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago hotel.

**** Club Carlson 9,000 points for 3-day car rental with Avis by December 31, 2011. LT Post Sep 7. (See comments section of LT post for link to Budget Car Rental promotion for 9,000 points).

These Loyalty Traveler posts describe changes with Club Carlson launch March 31, 2011:

Club Carlson Hotel Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category 1 Hotels (April 7) – This post has links to posts for each Club Carlson Hotel Reward category with tables showing the new Club Carlson reward category and the former Goldpoints Plus reward category.

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. (March 10).

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.

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, Barcelo Resorts

Choice Privileges 2x points or Points + Miles for stays December 1 – February 29, 2012. Loyalty Traveler post November 30.

Choice Privileges Refer-a-Friend Promotion for 1,000 points for you and new member you refer after new member’s first hotel stay (through December 31, 2011).

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.

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

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, 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 rates for 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 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 14 independent hotel brands including Omni Hotels, Pan Pacific, Kempinski Hotels, First Hotels, Mirvac, Anantara Resorts, Tivoli Hotels, The Doyle Collection, Marco Polo Hotels, Park Royal, The Leela Palaces, Shaza Hotels, Mokara Hotels & Spa, and Lungarno Collection.

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

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.

***** Hilton HHonors Fast Ways to Free Stays offers a free night every 4 stays or 10 nights October 1 -December 31, 2011. Double points is an alternate choice. LT analysis Sep 26.

***** Hilton HHonors Resort Escapes offers one free night globally after 5 consecutive nights at participating Hilton Resort December 1-April 30, 2012. Must book hotel stay by Jan 31, 2012. Maximum two free nights. LT post Dec 4, 2011.

**** Hilton December Global Sale – Book by January 1, 2012 for 20 to 33% discount on Best Available Rates for stays from December 8 – January 8, 2012. Must book 7 days in advance. 1,000 bonus points for stays 2 or more nights. Loyalty Traveler post December 3, 2012.

HHonors Program Change – Southwest Airlines partnership ends January 1, 2012. No more earning Southwest Rapid Rewards points with HHonors. LT post October 14.

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.

HHonors Premium Rewards Analysis – Do HHonors Premium Room Rewards Prevent GLON/AXON Rewards at some Hilton Hotels? – Loyalty Traveler post October 13. 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.

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 2012 to register for Gold elite through 2013. Loyalty Traveler post Sep 6.

New Hilton Hotels in 2011. Loyalty Traveler survey of 34 Hilton Hotels recently opened (LT post Sep 14).

New Doubletree Hotels in 2011. LT post Sep 17.

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

HHonors Point Stretcher Rewards posted for hotels through December 2011. Point Stretchers require 40% fewer points than standard HHonors rewards. Use the drop-down menu to see participating hotels in different Hilton brands. The Point Stretcher hotel awards were updated in early June. As of December 7 there are no additional dates past December 2011.

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.

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, 2010.)

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

Hotels.com Welcome Rewards

Earn a free night for every 10 nights.

Hyatt Hotels – Hyatt Gold Passport

Hotel Brands: Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Resorts, Andaz, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, (AVIA and Hotel Sierra acquired Sep 1, 2011. Hotel Sierra and Hyatt Summerfield Suites will be rebranded as Hyatt House in 2012. Four AVIA upper upscale hotels are currently still called AVIA.)

Passports with Purpose fundraiser for libraries in Zambia. Hyatt Gold Passport sponsored a raffle prize for Loyalty Traveler in the PwP raffle. $10 donation by Dec 16 for chance to win 110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points. Loyalty Traveler post November 30, 2011.

**** Hyatt Rate Discount – AARP members and Costco members have special rate offers for a $25 per night credit for hotel dining and purchases charged to room in addition to 10% off Hyatt Daily Rate (BAR is unrestricted rate). Loyalty Traveler post November 21. Costco member LT post November 22, 2011.

*** Hyatt Gold Passport 1,500 bonus points for stays November 22 – January 8, 2012 at AVIA, Hotel Sierra and Hyatt Summerfield Suites. This rate applicable for AAA, AARP, senior and other discount rates. Loyalty Traveler November 30, 2011.

*** 1,500 AAdvantage miles (triple miles) per Hyatt stay October 1 – January 15, 2012. No earning limit. LT post Oct 15.

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

Southwest Airlines triple points for 1,800 points per Hyatt brand stay October 1 – January 15, 2012. Maximum 18,000 points for promotion period. LT post Sep 23. This offer may be combined with 5,000 points every 3 nights Hyatt Possibilities promotion.

Program Update: Hyatt House new brand to replace Summerfield Suites. LT post Sep 20.

Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond elite member enhancements and 43 hotel reward reassignments (25 up, 18 down) effective September 1, 2011. LT post July 28, 2011.

Hyatt adds annual anniversary free night benefit for Hyatt VISA card renewal members valid for one night in category 1 to category 4 reward hotel. LT post August 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 PointBreaks through January 31, 2012 are probably the best hotel loyalty program reward night value across all hotel chains and available at 5,000 points for a free night. 52 hotels in USA. 49 hotels rest of world. Many of the hotels are discounted 80% or more from their normal 25,000 to 40,000 points for a reward night. Loyalty Traveler post November 22, 2011.

**** IHG November Black Friday registration period for a $100 airline flight credit after two-night weekend stay at any IHG hotel in U.S. by April 29, 2011. May earn flight credit 3 times. Loyalty Traveler November 9.

Priority Club Fall 80,000 bonus points promotion for 500 points per night and potential for 2x, 3x or 4x points based on staying in two, three or four IHG brands from Sep 15 – Dec. 31, 2011. LT Analysis August 13, 2011 and September 20 post for miles information and promotion details.

IHG Europe Discount Rates – 2 nights for the price of 1 rates and Up to 35% off for weekend stays in Europe through December 31. These rates are prepaid and nonrefundable with no changes allowed. T&C also state no points. These are ongoing offers for past few years. Loyalty Traveler analyzed current discount rates in Sep 22 post: Better Know a Rate: IHG Discounts for Europe.

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

IHG Priority Club Last Minute Reward Nights are posted the week before the first weekend of the month. Hotels
are only posted for a few days and must be booked by Thursday prior to the Friday through Sunday first full weekend of the month dates. LT post June 30 and LT post August 2 and LT post October 4.

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.

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

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)

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, 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.

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)

**** Walk this Way Package rate for Kimpton Palomar San Diego and Palomar Los Angeles hotels lets member earn a 50% off hotel stay certificate for these properties valid through 2012 if guest walks 10,000 steps on day of arrival as measured by pedometer provided as part of Walk this Way rate package. Loyalty Traveler post November 12.

La Quinta Hotels – La Quinta Returns

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

***** New La Quinta Returns members earn Gold elite after two nights within 60 days of enrollment. Two nights may be one stay. Gold elite promotion offer for new enrollments through December 31, 2011. This offer was extended from August 31, but keep in mind these offers are sometimes withdrawn early.

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.

Earn a free night after every 5 stays with stays in at least two LHW properties by December 31, 2011.

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 MegaMiles January 1-April 30, 2012 earns 2,000 bonus miles per Marriott brand stay beginning with second stay. Maximum 50,000 bonus miles. Loyalty Traveler post December 7, 2012.

*** Marriott Rewards Facebook 1,000,000 points sweepstakes December 1-31. Enter daily for a chance to win 1,000 points. Grand prize 1,000,000 points. Loyalty Traveler post December 4, 2011.

*** Marriott Gift Cards 10% bonus value on any card $25 or more through January 8, 2012. Example: Buy $100 card and value on card = $110. Loyalty Traveler post November 21, 2011.

*** Marriott Travel Card 10% discount and Delta SkyMiles bonus – earn 1,000 Skymile per $1,000 purchase of $1,000 or $2,000 Marriott Travel Card, up to 10,000 Skymiles and get 10% card discount. Example: Buy $1,000 card for $900 and earn 1,000 SkyMiles. Loyalty Traveler post November 21, 2011.

Marriott Rewards Program Change: All-inclusive Resort Rewards discontinued. LT post October 21.

Earn 2,000 US Airways bonus miles per Marriott, JW Marriott or Renaissance stay in US, Canada and Mexico through December 26, 2011. Bonus may be earned five times for 10,000 bonus miles. LT post Sep 10, 2011.

More Stays, More Miles offers 1,000 to 2,000 bonus miles per stay from Sep 1- Dec 31 and unlike MegaBonus, does not require VISA payment. Delta, United, British Airways, Miles & More, LanPass and Varig airlines. Loyalty Traveler post August 31, 2011.

Instant Silver elite status for Asia-Pacific region members. This promotion is valid for those with a residential / business postal address in Australia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Marriott registration link. Loyalty Traveler post September 13.

**** Marriott Rewards Earn one free night at a category 1 to 4 hotel reward after two hotel stays paid with VISA September 15, 2011 – January 15, 2012. Registration deadline for this promotion is October 31, 2011. This offer may be earned two times during promotion for two free nights. Active Marriott Rewards members may be targeted for a points offer based on 15 to 25 nights. Loyalty Traveler post August 16.

New Autograph Collection Hotels are joining Marriott Rewards with six Boscolo Hotels in Italy, Prague and Budapest. LT post August 1.

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. AC Hotels start earning Marriott Rewards points beginning November 8, 2011.

***** AC Hotels free night offer – New members enrolling in Marriott Rewards while staying at an AC Hotel by January 31, 2012 will be registered for exclusive free night promotion. One additional stay at any Marriott hotel brand will earn a free category 1-4 hotel certificate valid for 6 months from issue date.

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

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^th night free rewards rate also applies to PointSavers rate. LT post Sep 26, 2011.

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.

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, 2010.)

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.

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 benefits include complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, shoe shine and morning beverage delivery.

Earn a free night after every 10 nights or earn 500 miles per hotel stay.

Preferred Hotels Group – I Prefer

I Prefer and Preferred Hotels Group special offers page. 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 – 44 hotels in western U.S.

Red Lion Double Points and Free Breakfast promotion code = RLDOUBLE (through Dec 31, 2011)

* Red Lion R&R Club loyalty program changes in September 2011. LT Post October 21.

Red Roof Inn – RediCard

Ritz-Carlton Rewards
(Marriott Rewards partner brand)

Ritz-Carlton Rewards Visa – 50,000 points enrollment offer and Gold elite first year. Maintain Gold elite with $10,000 annual spending. Three confirmed Club level upgrades per year and other benefits. Loyalty Traveler post June 13.

Ritz-Carlton Rewards loyalty program launching Sep 15, 2010 (LT post Sep 14, 2010.)

Reward Changes in new Ritz-Carlton Reward Tiers (LT post Sep 15, 2010.)

Ritz-Carlton rewards Hotel + Air Packages Analysis (LT post Sep 16, 2010.)

Starwood Hotels – Starwood Preferred Guest

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

***** Buy Starpoints at 20% Discount for $28/1,000 points from November 1 – December 30, 2011. This is a good deal at some hotels where Cash & Points or standard reward night costs less using points than the lowest paid room rate.

Website Change – Starwood Hotels webpages now include Guest Reviews. Loyalty Traveler Oct 22 post shows how to post a hotel review from your Starwood Hotel stay.

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

Earn Your Dreams promotion offers 3,000 points for a Suite (Rate code EYD3K) booking or 3x points for upgraded rooms (rate code EYDTRP) through December 31 at participating hotels in US and Canada. Loyalty Traveler post Sep 12.

SPG 2x or 3x points for stays Sep 6 – Dec 18, 2011. Double points for all stays at participating hotels and triple points for any stay with a Sunday or Thursday night. About 25% of Starwood Hotels opted out, so check non-participating hotels list carefully. Loyalty Traveler post August 28.

Loyalty Traveler Research on using SPG website Compare Rates and Calendar Tools to find low Starwood rates. LT post Oct 10.

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

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

Starwood Preferred Guest Hotel Category reward assignment changes for 2011 took effect on March 1. My LT post (Feb 22, 2011) 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.

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. Loyalty traveler post Dec 6, 2010.

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 increased to $65 from $45 for renewals Oct 14, 2010. Benefit changes included 5 elite nights and 2 elite stays credit each year. The SPG50 certificate was discontinued in favor of a 3^rd night free offer at Sheraton Hotels. Loyalty traveler post (August 24, 2010); Sheraton 3^rd Night Free Analysis (Nov 12, 2010)

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

**** Starwood Hotel Rate Discount Codes for Multiple Night Stays.

These offers for rate discounts on extended stays of 2 to 6 nights have been around for several years, but are not well advertised on Starwood site. 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. Loyalty Traveler rate analysis Sep 21, 2011 – Better Know a Rate Z3H and Z3R and other extended stay promo codes.

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

Double Elite Qualification Nights through December 31, 2011. Mid-tier elite takes just 5 nights and top-tier elite requires only 10 nights for benefits like early and late checkout, complimentary upgrades and hotel executive lounge access. Registration required. LT post Sep 8.

Wyndham Worldwide – Wyndham Rewards

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

Wyndham Rewards offer for European resident members only is 10,000 bonus points on 2nd, 4th and 6th stays for 30,000 maximum bonus points .

Loyalty Traveler Five ***** Promotion Scale

Loyalty Traveler ranks the consumer value of some hotel loyalty promotions on a Five ***** 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.

Loyalty Traveler Research Articles

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

PointHub.com gives loyalty travelers Cash vs. Points Hotel and Airline Recommendations (August 11, 2011). This new beta version website shows the cost in loyalty points for a free hotel night alongside the hotel rate and makes a recommendation for your travel dates. Airlines are also rated.

Room77.com hotel room views compared to my photos. Loyalty Traveler website analysis June 22.

Comparing the value of hotel program points – compares Hyatt, Priority Club and Hilton programs, then discusses how I am planning summer travel using free night promotions. (May 2, 2011)

Hotel Loyalty Credit Cards and the Value of Hotel Points

Best Hotel Credit Cards for Low Spenders (August 5, 2011)

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 Tables for 9 hotel programs and 7 U.S. airlines (March 30, 2010). These tables are a bit outdated and I plan to update the tables in October 2011.

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.

Loyalty Traveler Travel

Brokeass Mountain Road Trip, July 2011

Monterey, California – Denver, Colorado