Think the Maldives, Bora Bora or Paris are unattainable with your hotel points balance? Think again. Most major hotel loyalty programs allow members to buy, gift and transfer hotel points. This is one… Continue Reading

Marriott Rewards Seasonal Awards Marriott Rewards recently introduced Marriott Seasonal Awards, a new award option for stays at a 25 percent discount off standard and fifth night free rates. A Category… Continue Reading

A look back over 2012, one hotel chain at a time, reveals hotel loyalty promotion trends. Marriott Rewards ran its recurring MegaBonus promotion 48 of 52 weeks in 2012. Most members were targeted with… Continue Reading

One year ago I had concerns we would see a major scaling down of hotel loyalty promotions in 2012. Downsizing promotion bonuses happened as room occupancy hit high levels and room rates reached record… Continue Reading

Opaque Hotel Resort Fees U.S. hotels are projected to collect $1.95 billion in fees and surcharges in 2012. Revenue from hotel fees has nearly doubled in the past 10 years according to HotelNewsNow.com… Continue Reading

Hotel loyalty credit cards from IHG Priority Club Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Hyatt Gold Passport and Marriott Rewards give even the infrequent hotel guest with low annual spend good value benefits when… Continue Reading

Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) policies take all the guessing out of hotel bookings. Just go to the hotel chain’s website and get the lowest room rate–guaranteed! … right? Marketing hotel… Continue Reading

Redemption Angst Randy Petersen’s InsideFlyer Opening Remarks last month alarmed me with his statement on hotel loyalty programs. In “People Get Ready, There’s a Change a Comin’…”,… Continue Reading

Summer 2009 I was interviewed by Barbara DeLollis of USA Today about the state of hotel loyalty promotions. The message I conveyed was grab as many bonuses as you can while hotel stays offered highly… Continue Reading

Leisure travelers have the burden of paying their own way for all, or at least, most hotel stays. The cost factor to earn points is not necessarily a significant consideration for a business traveler… Continue Reading