2018 Hotel Loyalty Program Changes

Hotel loyalty members have much to look forward to this year, as many of our FedRooms partner hotels will be evolving their loyalty programs to better serve their guests and attract new customers in 2018. 

A number of large hotel mergers occurred in the last two years, including IHG's acquisition of Kimpton and Marriott's purchase of Starwood. As such, the hotel loyalty programs will also be merging in 2018. Early this year, Kimpton Karma Rewards became a part of InterContinental Hotel Groups's IHG Rewards Club. Members are able to receive the same perks they enjoyed through Kimpton Karma, but will also now have a chance to book free stays at more than 5,000 hotels within the IHG portfolio. It is anticipated that Marriott and Starwood will move to a single technology platform this year, but there is no specific date as of yet for when the loyalty programs will merge or how this will affect the reward programs.

In addition, some hotels are increasing the number of unusual loyalty perks for their travelers in 2017. Hilton Honors now allows guests to pool points with up to 10 family members and friends, while IHG provides members with access to Fuel Rewards and free digital Kindle books. 

Loyal travelers will also be excited to learn that some of their favorite brands are launching new and innovative ways for travelers to redeem their points in addition to free stays. Starwood Preferred Guest and Marriott Rewards plan to expand their special event opportunities offered to Moments reward members. Best Western recently launched the new Experiences program, which allows guests to purchase adventure packages in destinations such as Walt Disney World and the Grand Canyon for points. Hilton is planning to evolve their Music Happens Here program in 2018 to inspire travel to top music destinations and grant travelers access to live events.  

Finally, new cobranded credit cards will be rolling out in 2018 with some great sign-up bonuses and opportunities to earn points with no annual fees. Read on for more details, and enjoy all of the perks offered through our partner hoteliers throughout 2018.

Hilton Alters Policy for Do Not Disturb Signs

Guest comfort and security is of utmost importance for all of our FedRooms brand partners. To ensure traveler safety, Hilton recently issued a policy that team members must alert a manager if a Do Not Disturb sign has been in place on a guest room door for more than 24 hours. 

Explaining the decision, Hilton will issue cards to guests saying "We understand and respect your need for privacy. The hotel reserves the right to visually inspect all guest rooms every 24 hours to ensure the well-being of our guests and confirm the condition of the room. If service is refused for this length of time, a member of hotel management will check on the guest room."

While this is a new mandate, it does not mean that a team member will enter a guest room every day. The individual property will maintain the final say for issues of security. The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) supports Hilton's new policy, referencing the fact that "hotels own the rooms and have the right to enter for reasons of security, safety of guests, maintenance or sanitation."

For more details on the policy, read more here. 

Traveler Satisfaction Survey: EXTENDED

Attention all travelers and travel managers: we want your feedback! Our program has changed over the last couple of years, improving property value and choices for our travelers. Please take our quick 5 question survey* on our 2017 FedRooms properties and amenities.

* If you cannot open this survey due to an agency firewall, please cut and paste the link into your browser when you are outside of your agency’s network to answer the survey questions.

FedRooms Updates to Come in 2018

We are excited to announce that FedRooms.com will be getting a make-over in the beginning of 2018. Our new informational site will be mobile friendly and have a new layout with space for accessible program updates and information directly on the homepage of our new site. Follow our Facebook page for more updates to come throughout Q1 of this year.

Let's Talk Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a priority for many of our hotels in the FedRooms program. We work alongside our hotel partners to promote properties that utilize sustainable practices and environmental consciousness. When booking a hotel via FedRooms.com, (please check with your agency's booking policy first), be sure to search for the “green” icon next to the property name. Our first sustainable program highlight for 2018 comes from La Quinta.                      La Quinta is continually looking for ways to conserve energy to help the environment and enhance each guest's stay at its properties. The brand developed a linen reuse program that allows guests to choose when it is time for sheets to be replaced, and has installed water conserving mechanisms in guest room showers and toilets at 400 hotels. La Quinta also diverted more than 1,080 tons of carpet from landfills between 2009 and 2015 to reclamation companies to be recycled. Unique Energy Management Systems will soon allow its hotels to participate in utility demand response programs to reduce energy use in unoccupied guest rooms. These systems work to reduce or shift electricity usage during peak time periods to ultimately save energy and money.    To learn more about La Quinta’s sustainable practices, click here.

Lots of Loyalty Love: Drury and Omni

Drury Gold Key Club

The Drury Gold Key Club offers a wide range of benefits for members to earn just by staying at Drury properties. There are 150+ Drury properties in 25 states, where members can enjoy a free room or suite through the accrual of 10 points for every $1 spent on eligible room rates. Members also have the opportunity to trade their Gold Key points for miles, with the rate of 5,000 miles at American Airlines or Delta for 25,000 Gold Key Points. Membership is free. Sign up here. 

Omni Select Guest 

Omni Hotels & Resorts offers its frequent guests the complimentary Select Guest loyalty program. With Select Guest, travelers receive benefits from more than 550 hotels and resorts worldwide.  Members receive complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, bottled water, morning beverage delivery, shoe shines and more.  Express check-in and check-out are also available for members. With each stay you earn points toward free nights. Loyalty is based on three levels of membership: Gold, Platinum and Black. 

Earn free nights by staying 20 qualifying nights. Platinum and Black Level members can earn double night credits toward free nights. To join, sign up here.