Hotel loyalty 2012-Q1 promotions

Winter Promotions in Top 10 Hotel Chains

2012 HELP SHEET #2 – Hotel 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.

January 30, 2012 Update (previous update Jan 9)

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

Accor A|Club – this Europe-based program offers a variety of global regional bonusesand rate discounts. There does not seem to be one major promotion for the winter quarter.

***** Best Western Rewards – February 6 – April 8, 2012 Free night after 3 stays. This offer is limited to one free night voucher after 3 stays. All hotels globally participate. Must register for promotion before stays. The free night voucher expires June 30, 2012 which is the biggest limitation for this offer. LT post January 23, 2012.

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

***** Club Carlson – January 10 – March 16, 2012 Triple Points for all hotels worldwide is 60 points/$1. Club Carlson already has the fastest earning program for free nights and triple points gets you there so much faster. The highest category hotel reward night requires about $800 in hotel spend. Most hotel loyalty programs will require $2,000 to $4,000+ for a free night at their top hotels – even with promotion bonuses. LT post January 11.

*** Hilton HHonors – January 1-March 31, 2012. HHonors More Points promotion offers 1,000 bonus points per night and 5,000 bonus points per two-night weekend stay with Thu-Fri, Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun.

**** Hilton HHonors – January 1-March 31, 2012. HHonors Bonus Miles with four airlines is stackable with the More Points promotion running concurrently:

  • American Airlines = Double Miles
  • Air Canada Aeroplan = Double Miles
  • Delta SkyMiles = 2,012 Miles on 2-night or longer stays
  • US Airways = Triple Miles

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

***** Hilton HHonors 30% points rebate for Points & Money and Premium Room Rewards booked by January 31, 2012 for stays by June 30, 2012. LT post Dec 8.

**** Hyatt Gold Passport – February 1 – April 30, 2012 offers a progressive bonus every 4 nights starting at 4,000 bonus points after 4 nights; 8,000 more points after 8 nights (Total = 12,000 bonus points); 12,000 more points after 12 nights (Total = 24,000 bonus points); and 20,000 more points after 16 nights (Total = 44,000 bonus points).

Hyatt Visa card members earn 25% bonus each 4 nights for up to 11,000 additional points (Total = 55,000 points). You only need to be a Hyatt Visa card member for this bonus. You do not need to charge hotel stays to your Hyatt Visa to earn credit card 25% bonus points.

This is a 4-star promotion for credit card members and frequent guests going for 16 nights. 3-star offer if not going all-in to stay at Hyatt for full 16 nights bonus.

This is a high value deal if you go all in for 16 nights. This offer allows all types of travelers to benefit. This offer will earn at least two free nights at any top tier Hyatt Hotel (two category-6 hotel nights = 44,000 points for places like Maldives, Paris, London, New York). Regular points earned from hotel stays can put you in the 60,000+ points range.

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.

*** InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards – January 23 – April 30, 2012 Double Points or Double Miles. You must register for this offer before your stays. Double points or double miles begins on second stay unless your first stay is Candewood Suites or Staybridge Suites. LT post January 13.

*** IHG Priority Club 2012 Quarter 1 Stay promotions – Priority Club members may register for one of the quarterly stay promotions running January 1-March 31, 2012. You can only register for one offer, so pick the target you are most likely to reach. Stay 3 nights = 5,000 bonus points. Stay 7 nights = 10,000 bonus points. Stay 15 nights = 15,000 bonus points.

**** Marriott Rewards – MegaBonus 2012 February 1 – April 30, 2012. Earn one free night every two stays; maximum two free nights. Select Marriott Rewards members received targetted offers for three free night maximum and 25,000 to 50,000 points after 15 to 25 nights. LT post Jan 7, 2012.

**** 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.

***** Ritz-Carlton Rewards February 1-April 30, 2012 earn one free night after two stays. Limit of two free night certificates. Promotion is open to new Ritz-Carlton Rewards enrollees or RCR members as of January 13, 2012. Current Marriott Rewards members are not eligible for this offer. Loyalty traveler post Jan 31, 2012.

***** Starwood Preferred Guest – November 29- March 15, 2012 – 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 – Better by the Night – January 9-April 8, 2012 offers double points (2 bonus points/$1) for two night stays and triple points (4 bonus points/$1) for three night and longer stays in addition to the 2 base points/$1 normally earned. LT post Jan 9, 2012.

**** Wyndham Rewards – Nov 17 – Mar 5, 2012 – 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 – March 5, 2012. Online booking bonus is 1,000 points for first 3 stays. Total 22,500 bonus points for 6 hotel stays. This promotion has been extended past the original Feb 1 end date. LT post November 18.

***** Wyndham Rewards Nov 17 – March 5, 2012 offer for European resident members only is 10,000 bonus points on 2nd, 4th and 6th staysfor 30,000 maximum bonus points. This offer has been extended from its original February 1 promotion end date.

Most hotel loyalty promotions are two to four months in duration.

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.

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 bonusesare 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.

 

Accor Hotels – A-Club

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

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 6is 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 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

***** Best Western Rewards – February 6 – April 8, 2012 Free night after 3 stays. This offer is limited to one free night voucher after 3 stays. All hotels globally participate. Must register for promotion before stays. The free night voucher expires June 30, 2012 which is the biggest limitation for this offer. LT post January 23, 2012.

***** Elite Status Match: 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. LT post Feb 19, 2010.

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

****Club Carlson – January 10 – March 16, 2012 Triple Points for all hotels worldwide is 60 points/$1. Club Carlson already has the fastest earning program for free nights and triple points gets you there so much faster. The highest category hotel reward night requires about $800 in hotel spend. Most hotel loyalty programs will require $2,000 to $4,000+ for a free night at their top hotels – even with promotion bonuses. LT post January 11.

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.

New Business Program – Club Carlson for Businessoffers 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.

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).

 

 

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

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

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).

*** 500 points Online Booking Bonus PromotionJanuary 1-April 30, 2012. Normal rate is 100 points per online reservation.

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 offer upper-upscale and luxury hotels in fewer than 100 hotels globally.

Tip: Sign up for Fairmont President’s Club to receive special monthly 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, 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.

*** Hilton HHonors – January 1-March 31, 2012. HHonors More Points promotion offers 1,000 bonus points per night and 5,000 bonus points per two-night weekend stays with Thu-Fri, Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun.

**** Hilton HHonors – January 1-March 31, 2012. HHonors Bonus Miles with four airlines is stackable with the More Points promotion running concurrently:

  • American Airlines = Double Miles
  • Air Canada Aeroplan = Double Miles
  • Delta SkyMiles = 2,012 Miles on 2-night or longer stays
  • US Airways = Triple Miles

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

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

**** Promotion: HHonors 30% rebate on Points & Money or Premium Room Rewards booked by January 31 for stays completed by June 30, 2012. Loyalty Traveler post December 8.

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

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.

Redeem: 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.

HHonors Redemption tip: A unique feature of HHonors is the ability to buy all needed point for a reward stay at time of booking hotel through Hilton reservations.

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

***** 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.

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

Hotel News: Doubletree Hotels in 2011. LT post Sep 17.

Program Change: HHonors Point Stretcher Rewards discontinued for 2012. Point Stretchers required 40% fewer points than standard HHonors rewards. No official word yet on HHonors web site, but FlyerTalk thread indicates these rewards are dead and have been replaced with Points & Money Rewards. LT post Jan 6, 2012.

Hotel News: Home2Suites, Hilton’s second extended stay brand, opened its first hotel in 2011 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, 2011.

Redeem: 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)

 

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 House(AVIA and Hotel Sierra acquired Sep 1, 2011. Hotel Sierra and Hyatt Summerfield Suites were rebranded as Hyatt House in 2012. Four AVIA upper upscale hotels are currently still called AVIA.)

****Hyatt Gold Passport – February 1 – April 30, 2012 offers a progressive bonus every 4 nightsstarting at 4,000 bonus points after 4 nights; 8,000 more points after 8 nights (Total = 12,000 bonus points); 12,000 more points after 12 nights (Total = 24,000 bonus points); and 20,000 more points after 16 nights (Total = 44,000 bonus points).

Hyatt Visa card membersearn 25% bonus each time for up to 11,000 additional points (Total = 55,000 points). You only need to be a Hyatt Visa card member for this bonus. You do not need to charge hotel stays to your Hyatt Visa to earn credit card 25% bonus points.

This is a 4-star promotion for credit card members and frequent guests going for 16 nights. 3-star offer if not going all-in to stay at Hyatt for full bonus.

This is a high value deal if you go all in for 16 nights. This offer allows all types of travelers to benefit. This offer will earn at least two free nights at any top tier Hyatt Hotel (two category-6 hotel nights = 44,000 points for places like Maldives, Paris, London, New York). Regular points earned from hotel stays can put you in the 60,000+ points range.

**** January 18-March 15, 2012 Buy Hyatt Gold Passport Points for 10% to 30% bonus points. 1,000-9,000 points = 10% bonus. 10,000 to 29,000 points = 20% bonus. 30,000 to 40,000 points = 30% bonus points. LT post January 20, 2012.

**** Hyatt Rate Discount – November 14-February 29, 2012 – 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.

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

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 hotels went up in reward cost, 18 went 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.

Program Change: Priority Club Reward Tiers Change on January 18, 2012. Over 1,000 hotels will increase in reward price. Members will have 60 days (March 18?) to redeem points at the old reward level for hotel stays. Loyalty Traveler post Jan 3, 2012. Loyalty Traveler analysis of changes at InterContinental Hotels January 20, 2012.

***** 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.

***** Europe Rate Discount through August 31 offer high discounts, but these rates do not earn Priority Club points. LT post January 27, 2012.

Use the 35% off link to go to UK site for IHG discount rates. This site allows search of hotels in Europe for 2 nights for price of 1 rates and 3 nights for price of 2.

  • 2-for-1 rates in UK and Europe
  • 3-for-2 rates in UK and Europe

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.

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 January 4, 2012. IHG Priority Club relaunch previews new reward option for Last Minute Hotel Nights at 50% points off standard reward night. Loyalty traveler post March 29.

IHG Priority Club partnership with Las Vegas Resorts – The Venetian and The Palazzobecome 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.

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)

Priority Club Points Exchange Value and Points.com – Loyalty traveler research (Jan 20, 2011)into the exchange value of Priority Club points into airline miles through Points.com

 

Kimpton Hotels – Kimpton 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)

 

La Quinta Hotels – La Quinta Returns

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

 

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. You can also buy Access level membership for 10,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. 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, 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 – MegaBonus 2012 February 1 – April 30, 2012. Earn one free night every two stays; maximum two free nights. Select Marriott Rewards members received targetted offers for three free night maximum and 25,000 to 50,000 points after 15 to 25 nights. LT post Jan 7, 2012.

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

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.

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

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. 5th 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 2012. This is the fourth 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 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. This applies to Marriott credit card nights too. Rollover nights from 2011 to 2012 are deducted from 2012 end-of-year total nights to determine rollover nights for 2013. Confused? Don’t worry. This is a great benefit for elite members. (Loyalty Traveler 5-key offer. LT post Jan 6, 2012.

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

 

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. 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 Roof Inn – RediCard

 

Ritz-Carlton Rewards
(Marriott Rewards partner brand. You may only hold membership in either Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards, not both programs.)

***** Ritz-Carlton Rewards February 1-April 30, 2012 earn one free night after two stays. Limit of two free night certificates. Promotion is open to new Ritz-Carlton Rewards enrollees or RCR members as of January 13, 2012. Current Marriott Rewards members are not eligible for this offer. Loyalty traveler post Jan 31, 2012.

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. Disclosure – I do not have any credit card affiliate links on Loyalty Traveler blog.

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.

***** 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 – Better by the Night – January 9-April 8, 2012 offers double points (2 bonus points/$1) for two night stays and triple points (4 bonus points/$1) for three night and longer stays. LT post Jan 9, 2012.

Ongoing Starwood Hotels & Resorts Rate Discounts:

**** Pay Your Birth Year Rate -This promotion has been extended through 2012. Rates can be an incredible 5-key savings or no savings depending on the hotel and your birthyear. LT post 4/28/2009. LT post Jan 30, 2012.

**** 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.

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

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.

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

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 2011 took effect on March 1, 2011. 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.

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 3rd night free offer at Sheraton Hotels. Loyalty traveler post (August 24, 2010); Sheraton 3rd Night Free Analysis(Nov 12, 2010)

 

Stash Hotel Rewards

Stash Rewards is a two 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 Specialsfor 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 postis an overview of the hotel loyalty program, elite levels and benefits.

 

Voila Hotel Rewards

Loyalty Traveler profile of Voila Hotels programinternational 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.

**** Wyndham Rewards – Nov 17 – Mar 5, 2012 – 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 – March 5, 2012. Online booking bonus is 1,000 points for first 3 stays. Total 22,500 bonus points for 6 hotel stays. This promotion has been extended past the original Feb 1 end date. LT post November 18.

***** Wyndham Rewards Nov 17 – March 5, 2012 offer for European resident members only is 10,000 bonus points on 2nd, 4th and 6th stays for 30,000 maximum bonus points. This offer has been extended from its original February 1 promotion end date.

 

 

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 planned 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 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 for February 2012. Most of the conversion rates are still accurate, but airline partners have been added or dropped in some programs.

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8 Comments

  • Dan Ray January 30, 2012

    you mention Hyatt Diamond challenge of 12 nights/60 days. I am an expiring Diamond member next month. Would I be eligible then to go for this challenge?

  • Ric Garrido January 30, 2012

    You can contact Hyatt and ask for the Challenge. Up to Hyatt whether they give it to you.

    Challenges from July 2012 on should maintain status to Feb 2014.

  • Angelina January 30, 2012

    Ric, Thank you so much for this post! Very informative!

  • Colin Z January 31, 2012

    Ric, thanks as always. As of 1-Jan-12, the “Marriott elite members may buy $1,000 Marriott Cheques for 135,000 points” award is no longer available.

  • Ric Garrido January 31, 2012

    @Colin Z. – The word Marriott Cheques were ending December 31, 2011 went around the blog buzz and then on December 30 Marriott extended the offer through 2012.

    Here is the news about the offer extension on Marriott Rewards Insiders:
    https://www.rewards-insiders.marriott.com/thread/9124

    Here was the announcement on FlyerTalk:
    http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-rewards/1293000-marriott-gift-cheques-going-way-all-inclusive-reward-5.html

    I reported it in a Jan 6 thread on Marriott Elite Rollover Nights.

    “Another piece of Marriott Rewards news is a reversal on the decision to discontinue $1,000 Marriott Gift Cheques December 31, 2011 as reported in this Loyalty Traveler thread from December 29, 2011. Marriott Rewards changed their minds and these Gift Cheques will continue for 2012 as reported on FlyerTalk by Marriott Concierge on Dec 30, 2011.”

    I realize now I never corrected my Dec 29 post about the Marriott Cheques were ending in 2011. I have now corrected the Dec 29 post to reflect the extension of $1000 in Marriott Cheques for Platinum elites at 135,000 points through 2012.

  • South Thailandguide January 31, 2012

    thank for sharing. very useful information

  • Colin Z January 31, 2012

    Great, thanks for the update, Ric. I missed the announcement of the reprieve. Thanks as always!

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