2023 is in full swing.
So is 2023 pricing. You’re likely wondering how you (and your travelers) can get the most bang for your buck. Company-paid upgrades aren’t in a lot of budgets this year. The answer (or part of it anyway) might be in your hotel program rewards and perks. More specifically, in matching your business rewards programs to your travelers’ brand loyalties… or vice versa.
After all, you can’t simply not travel. We’ve done that already.
The pandemic was a harsh reminder that business travel isn’t just about going from point A to point B. That it’s an essential investment that helps many companies build relationships, collaborate with peers, and create new things. That it’s necessary.
Experts are predicting travel demand will keep growing (and growing).
It’s time to rethink what the balance between savings/experience looks like in this “new landscape.” No traveler likes missing out on bonus amenities, rewards points, and free nights… and no business likes overpaying for rooms.
Enter hotel rewards programs.
A long-held belief in the industry was that organizations and travelers who focus their stays to one or two specific chains throughout the year will generally receive higher discounts and better perks.
Then the pandemic hit.
And it became a bit of a free-for-all with chains driving business any way they could – including easy to achieve upgrades and bonuses.
Those days are over, and brands want your travelers’ room nights back in return for those all those extras and the special treatments. Things like free wi-fi, breakfast, and choosing your floor are now considered hotel rewards. They might just require your traveler join their loyalty program – or pay for them – in the coming days.
Our advice?
- Pick a few core brands to focus your hotel spend and join their business program.
- Have your traveling team sign-up for those same traveler loyalty programs.
Though it may seem obvious, finding a rewards membership to supplement your travel program could end up transforming your experience and your ROI for the better.
But… Which brands/chains are best?
The industry is full of options.
Here’s a short list of what some of the major U.S. hotel brands have available for businesses – and business travelers – that frequent their properties.
Choice Hotels®
At Choice Hotels®, companies that participate in their free Business Essentials program receive access to discounted rates from day one. Member companies are assigned to a unique corporate ID that can be associated with reservations made by individual travelers. When the individual traveler signs up for rewards with Choice Privileges® and links their account to the corporate ID, they can use the company-exclusive rate and earn points at the same time.
Choice Privileges® members earn up to 10 points for every dollar spent on hotel stays. They can also choose exactly how their points will be used after qualifying reservations are complete. Redeem points on everything from free nights to airline miles to gift cards to magazine subscriptions… and more. Teams can even designate points for Uber rides and company dinners.
For stays with at least one weeknight (Sunday-Thursday) included, travelers who have selected a rewards preference on the Choice Hotels® website or mobile app will get extra perks. Things like an Amazon.com®, Starbucks®, or Uber® gift card at check in.
Hilton®
Hilton® offers Hilton Honors™ members 10 points for every dollar spent with most of their 18 brands. Based on membership tiers, individual travelers receive access to special amenities during their stay at Hilton® properties including free Wi-Fi, digital check-in, and “choose your room” capabilities for entry-level members.
Points accrued from these stays are available for use on a variety of rewards like free nights, rental cars, airline miles, and shopping purchases. Even VIP entertainment passes. Plus, Hilton’s partnership with Lyft means travelers earn reciprocal benefits that can be redeemed with both companies.
Additionally, businesses and individual travelers can receive enhanced perks, points, and when they pay for travel with one of Hilton’s co-branded credit cards with American Express® or a Hilton Honors™ American Express® Business card.
Hyatt®
World of Hyatt® loyalty members get 5 base points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases. Exclusive rates are made available from the moment of sign up. Counting base membership status, the program includes 4 elite status tiers with improving benefits.
Those who reach Discoverist and Explorist status enjoy perks like premium internet, bottled water, late check-out, and room upgrades. At the highest tier, Globalist members receive all of the previously listed advantages plus club access, free parking on free nights, priority access to rooms, and guest of honor status.
Once travelers are ready to cash in their points with Hyatt, they can be redeemed on bonuses. These include free nights, all-inclusive stays, entertainment packages, and meetings or events. Even airline miles and rental car purchases are also an option for high earners.
To rack up even more points, businesses may choose to sign up for the World of Hyatt® Business Credit Card.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)®
IHG® Business Rewards offers 3 points for every dollar spent when booking on behalf of others. After making it to Elite status, points are available to be redeemed for free stays and select merchandise.
Individual travelers can join IHG® One Rewards free of charge. Base members have access to exclusive rates and late-check out privileges at participating locations.
Then there’s four other elite status tiers.
Silver Elite and Gold Elite earn 20-40% bonus points and benefits include free internet, no blackout dates, and no points expiration. On the other hand, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members get 60-100% bonus points and additional perks like better discounts, guaranteed availability, upgrades, welcome amenities, and early check-in when possible.
Wyndham®
Wyndham Rewards® participants receive a minimum of 10 points for every dollar spent at their hotel or vacation club locations. Upon sign up, individual travelers hold Blue membership status that includes perks like free Wi-Fi and discounted rates. From there, the move to Gold membership status requires at least 5 eligible nights to receive preferred room choice, dedicated member services, and late-check out privileges. Platinum status is reached after 15 nights and comes with early check-in privileges, car rental upgrades, and status matching with Caesar’s Rewards®. Then the highest tier, Diamond status, grants access to further benefits such as suite upgrades and welcome amenities when members stay at Wyndham® properties for no less than 40 nights.
On top of all that, businesses can enhance their membership in the Wyndham Rewards® hotel rewards program with the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business card.
Marriott®
Signing up for the Marriott Bonvoy® hotel rewards program opens individual travelers to rewards perks based on the number of eligible nights spent at participating Marriott® locations in a calendar year. Members receive benefits like exclusive rates, complimentary Wi-Fi, mobile check-in, and mobile room key. With 10-100 qualifying nights, members achieve Elite status in one of their five other tiers: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite. As a result, amenities and benefits offered during Marriott® stays improve as members move up in status.
To supplement this membership, businesses may want to take advantage of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® card.
Terms and conditions of the programs described above are subject to change.
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Ready to add one (or multiple) of these business loyalty programs? Get in touch with your Gant account manager. They’re here to help you find the membership that works best for your organization’s goals.
They can tell you about the Gant-wide discounts we offer that may help drive travelers to your brand(s) of choice. And how we can help secure rates at the properties your team stays at most, too.
Not a Gant client yet? Contact [email protected] whenever you’re ready to talk.
