Hotel Loyalty Programs

Hotel loyalty programs reward frequent travellers with perks like free nights, upgrades, and exclusive benefits. From boutique stays to luxury chains, these programs are essential for maximising the value of your hotel bookings. Check below for tips and guides on how to make the most of hotel loyalty programs.

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Qantas Hotels Price Promise Claim Denied

The Qantas Hotels Price Promise is proudly advertised on the Qantas website. The guarantee claims that customers can know they’re getting a great deal. But one member’s recent experience with the Qantas Hotels Price Promise definitely did not live up to expectations. AFF member Phil_vic booked a hotel room on the Qantas website for $236. … Continued

Hilton hotel

Hilton Honors Program Changes from April 2018

Major changes have been announced to Hilton Honors, effective from April 2018. Hilton Honors is the loyalty program of Hilton Hotels, which covers brands including Conrad, Double Tree and Waldorf Astoria. The Hilton Honors program changes are largely positive, with some new benefits for frequent stayers. But there is bad news for base level and … Continued

17 Jan 2018 Hilton Honors

SPG Offering 35% Discount on Starpoints

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points are a valuable currency for frequent flyers. Starpoints, as they’re known, can be transferred to over 30 frequent flyer programs. SPG will even throw in 5,000 bonus points for every 20,000 Starpoints transferred. What’s more, SPG is offering a 35% discount on Starpoints purchases until 29 December 2017. Woke up … Continued

27 Nov 2017 Marriott Bonvoy

Maximising the Value from Hotel Bookings

If you regularly stay at hotels – particularly if you’re loyal to a certain brand – it makes sense to join the hotel’s loyalty program. Not only can you earn points for each stay, but frequent guests can enjoy elite status benefits such as complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, free breakfast and more. But there … Continued

Hyatt hotel

Hyatt Overhauls Loyalty Program

Hyatt Hotels will completely overhaul its loyalty program from March 2017. Hyatt Gold Passport, Hyatt’s current rewards program, will become “World of Hyatt” as a host of changes are made to status benefits and the way in which status is earned. Replacing the existing Platinum and Diamond status tiers will be three new levels, the … Continued

14 Nov 2016 World of Hyatt

Dealing with Unexpected Hotel Charges

Unexpected charges on a hotel bill can be frustrating at the best of times. But one member recently discovered a fraudulent addition to their bill of almost $300 worth of room service charges! I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Central Park from 24-28 September and had a room service charge to my account for USD 290.75 (yes that … Continued

2 Nov 2016 Hilton Honors

The Value of Starwood (SPG) Points

The Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program is highly attractive as Starpoints can be transferred to over 30 different airline frequent flyer programs! The vast majority of transfers are completed at a 1:1 conversion rate. Plus, SPG will throw in 5,000 bonus points for every 20,000 points transferred. This means that 20,000 SPG points are worth … Continued

19 Oct 2016 Marriott Bonvoy

Save Hundreds with Mystery Hotels

Mystery hotel deals can be a great way to score a bargain on a hotel room, saving you literally hundreds of dollars off the cost of accommodation! There’s just one catch: you won’t know where you’re actually staying until after you’ve paid. There are numerous websites that sell discounted mystery hotel rooms. These include Hotwire, … Continued

Airbnb: A Viable Alternative to Hotels?

If you’re travelling for business or leisure, hotels may seem like a logical accommodation choice. But they certainly aren’t your only option! Airbnb connects hosts that have a spare room, or even a whole apartment or house, with potential guests. In doing so, it provides guests with the opportunity to stay in a variety of different … Continued

Earn Qantas Points on All Hotel Bookings

Three Qantas points per dollar can now be earned on all hotel bookings made on the Qantas website. Points have been awarded on hotel bookings made through Qantas Hotels previously, however only on selected participating hotels. Now, at least 3 points per dollar are earned when booking any of the 127,000 worldwide hotels featured on the Qantas website. Selected … Continued

Accor Devalues Le Club Loyalty Program

Accor Hotels is making significant changes to its “Le Club” loyalty program. From next year, it will become much more difficult to earn and maintain status with the program. Le Club is the loyalty program of Accor-branded hotels including Novotel, Sofitel, Mercure, Ibis and Pullman. The major change is the way in which status is … Continued

Best Hotels for the Best Prices

This week our members share their hotel booking strategies! The right tools and a bit of research are key to scoring the best hotel for the best price. There are two steps to booking hotels. Websites such as Booking.com and Expedia can help with the first step – selecting a hotel – as they present an overview of … Continued