The more complex programmes become, the harder it is for consumers to compare them.
“The average consumer will not try and work out return on spend (the monetary value of earning points), never mind factoring in the value of value-added services, such as, early check-in or access to an executive lounge,” Conradie maintains.
– Razor’s Edge Business Intelligence press release for the Multinational Hotel Rewards Programmes 2009 report. http://www.razorsedgebi.com/
Thank goodness there is Loyalty Traveler for the average consumer.
I received an email the other day regarding Razor’s Edge Business Intelligence recently published report on Multinational Hotel Rewards Programmes 2009.
The altered spelling of ‘Programmes’ may clue you in on the fact that this report is not published in the USA. Razor’s Edge Business Intelligence is a South Africa company.
The report sounds like a great resource for Loyalty Traveler.
12 major hotel loyalty programs are profiled in detail.
· Accor A|Club
· Best Western Gold Crown International
· Carlson Goldpoints Plus
· Choice Hotels Choice Privileges
· Golden Tulip Flavours
· Hilton HHonors
· Hyatt Gold Passport
· InterContinental Priority Club Rewards
· Marriott Rewards
· Sol Meliá Mas Rewards
· Starwood Preferred Guest
· Wyndham Rewards
Loyalty Traveler has written about all these hotel loyalty programs in the past year, except for Golden Tulip. I hold a grudge against Golden Tulip Flavours. I am not convinced Golden Tulip Flavours ever got their act together.
Soon after the Flavours program was launched a few years ago I had Golden Tulip stays in Amsterdam and spent time educating the staff at each hotel’s front desk on their own chain’s hotel loyalty program. I never received credit for any of my stays. Follow up emails with the company came back with replies that I would not receive any benefits or a membership card until I completed a hotel stay.
Those Dutch customer service representatives at Golden Tulip understood my English perfectly well, they just didn’t understand their hotel loyalty program.
Golden Tulip hotels are fine and I do not hesitate recommending these hotels to guests. Actually, I did include a little piece with photos of the functional and well-designed little space of my Golden Tulip Amsterdam Art 160 square feet room in this June 2009 Loyalty Traveler blog post.
The 200-page Hotel Loyalty Programmes 2009 report by Razor’s Edge is only US$1,900 if purchased by December 31, 2009. US$2,200 after that date.
I double-checked hoping it was priced in South Africa Rand.
Hey Razor’s Edge. Can you cut Loyalty Traveler a free slice?
Loyalty Traveler is free hotel loyalty program business intelligence for consumers.
No deep pockets here.
