Hotels

Some experts feel that there is no substitute for customer service when it comes to creating loyalty for a particular brand, such as Ramada Inn, Hilton, or Hyatt. Point systems are not unique any more to any particular brand. Lodging at any hotel qualifies for rewards within its own chain. Yes, staying at the same brand of hotel repeatedly will ultimately pay off, but since all the chains provide reward programs, the customer is left to choose the facility that best serves their needs.

But whether or not hotel reward programs are truly effective in building customer loyalty, it is a good idea to research the program in use at the hotel you are planning to stay in. Shop around for the best hotel reward program, if you like, or just choose the one that provides the best service. Let’s look at some of the most well known point systems.

The Marriott hotel reward program gives the customer back exclusive membership privileges along with either frequent flyer miles or free vacation points that can be spent at a Marriott hotel. The Marriott family includes Renaissance hotels and resorts, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Towne Place Suites, Fairfield Inn, Spring Hill Suites, and the Marriott Vacation Clubs. Marriott offers a number of ways for you to earn even more points, such as through Point Saver deals and rewards for theme park tickets and golf courses. The Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature card earns up to 5 points for every dollar you spend.

Best Western offers the Gold Crown Club International for earning miles or points. The Best Western MasterCard is the card used to accrue points to spend on free motel rooms, dining, airline miles, etc. These points never expire. They also partner with Diners Club, FTD Florists, Avis Car Rentals, and other businesses so that you can earn even more points.

Travelodge has a miles program allows you to earn frequent flyer miles, free car rentals, dining, and free nights in the hotel. As you earn more miles, you rise to a higher level of membership, which provides special benefits, such as automatic hotel room upgrades and check cashing privileges.

The Howard Johnson hotel family offers a Super Miles program that allows frequent customers to earn a music CD, hotel stays, free airline tickets, and gift certificates at retail stores. They also offer a Travel Deal Rate as a discounted rate for members. Howard Johnson gives a 15% motel discount to AARP members, and varying rate reductions for AAA members.

The Hilton family of hotels includes more than 2700 members. Their HHonors guest reward program lets you earn points and airline miles for the same stay. They call it “double dipping.” More than 50 airlines partner with Hilton. The Hilton family includes Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, and Doubletree.

The special hotel credit cards used to keep track of reward points are sometimes called affinity cards. For instance, the Choice Privileges Visa is good for earning points at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Sleep Inn, and Quality motels.

Every major chain features a hotel reward system that offers frequent guests points or miles that can be cashed in on airline tickets or room rates. Some of these programs are likely to be more suited to your needs than others. When choosing lodging, consider both the point program and hotel’s service, too.

Learn all about Hotel Amenities…