Status hotel chains, it's now or never: fast tracks have their days numbered
The year 2022, we use the conditional, should be the year of the restart. Day after day we read about countries finally preparing [...]
Marriott
2022, we use the conditional, should be the year of restart. Day after day we read about countries finally preparing to welcome back travelers, Last in chronological order was Australia. This return to life in the former world, though still with many prescriptions, will also bring some normalcy to the world of loyalty programs.
In this article:
In the past two years, airlines and hotel chains have tried to pamper and protect customers elites. In 2020 and 2021, ex officio windfall renewals have effectively allowed all members to keep the status they earned in 2019, and for many of these it is safe until 2023. Now, however, we need to start looking beyond that. We have already seen Some companies renew the statuses of 2022, but it is those programs that by regulation have statuses with deadlines spread throughout the year. For everyone else, however, it seems clear that if you want to go beyond 2023, you will have to earn it on the ground, still taking advantage of some help that companies will make available.
Hotel chains
Loyalty programs of hotel chains are similar but profoundly different from those of airlines. Statuses are generally easier to obtain and most importantly, a user using his status costs much less than when a frequent flyer uses his benefits on a trip. However, this is not to say that status in Hilton or IHG does not bring benefits to those who have it.
The current situation of the major chains
Hilton
We can't help but start with the Hilton Honors program, which is our favorite here at TFC. In our opinion, in fact, Gold level is the best status available in the world Of hotel loyalty programs. All statuses were renewed ex officio until March 2023. In addition, the requirements for obtaining status in 2021 have been halved, while for the current year they have been raised, but are still lower than the pre-pandemic situation. To have the status until March 2024 these are the requirements:
- Silver After seven nights, three stays or 17,500 basis points
- Gold After 28 nights, 14 stays or 52,500 basis points
- Diamond After 42 nights, 21 stays or 84,000 basis points
Honors also reported all the nights recorded In 2021 as a rollover on the current year.. For example, in my case, it only took me two nights, added to the 40 I had done last year, to cross the finish line and guarantee myself the maximum level until 2024. In addition to this, there is a fast track that allows you to take advantage of the status match and find themselves Diamond with very few nights.
Gold status is one of the benefits included in the American Express Platinum Card, Forever without the need to make the minimum number of stays
Marriott
After Hilton it is definitely the most widely used chain in Italy. The Bonvoy program also unceremoniously renewed the statuses to everyone until 2023, even to those who would have lost it in 2020. Effectively giving 2 years of benefits to everyone for free.
Although he did not make it easier to obtain the status by lowering the requirements, Marriott has launched a promotion that allows double the number of qualifying nights per stay. Taking advantage of this promotion will then allow you to climb/renew the level with less effort.
Even with Marriott the Gold status is one of the benefits included in the American Express Platinum Card, Forever without the need to make the minimum number of stays
IHG
If you currently hold IHG Rewards elite status, it has been automatically extended until February 2023. In addition, it is easier to obtain the status due to the reduction of the 25% requirements. Here are the new goals:
- Gold Elite: 7,000 qualifying points or seven nights
- Platinum Elite: 30,000 qualifying points or 30 nights
- Spire Elite: 55,000 qualifying points or 55 nights
Then there is an important promo that allows new members to jump directly to the level Platinum Elite with only 5 nights.
Radissons
We've written it several times, this is a program we're not entirely convinced about, but it's definitely interesting thanks to the fact that it's one of the 3 partners in the Membership Rewards program and that, again thanks to American Express Platinum, it guarantees the Gold level to all holders with no minimum number of stays or anything else.
All elite level holders have been protected until February 2023. There are currently no special promotions to facilitate renewal beyond this date.
In conclusion
Aid is about to run out, so it is a case of choosing well where to aim and checking the various promotions so as not to leave anything on the street. Having an elite status automatically translates into a better stay, a lower price, and better treatment. All pampering that makes a stay special, even a one-night stay.
