Comparison Of Hotel Loyalty Programs In India

If you travel a lot and enjoy staying at five-star hotels frequently, then these loyalty programs are perfect for you. Infact, all luxury hotel chains have these programs but to really know which one offers the best deals is quite a task to figure out.

The loyalty programs have very recently become popular in India and the most popular ones usually belong to the international hotel chains. If you are enrolling yourself in a loyalty program it’s important that you know exactly how their point system works and how they can be used. Some of the benefits include room upgrades, discounted tariffs and complimentary stays.

Here’s a comparative look at some of the loyalty programs available in India:

1.Oberoi Advantage

Their reward program is quite different as they don’t have any point system. They have a simple yet appealing benefit – stay for five nights at Oberoi properties across India or Dubai and receive a free stay or a room upgrade. This can also be redeemed at properties in Indonesia, Mauritius, and Egypt.

2.Starwood Preferred Guest

It is one of the best options because of the hotel chain’s large presence in India. They have Preferred, Gold and Platinum as the 3 membership levels and benefits include free stays at 3000 points for a category 1 hotel and 30,000 for a category 7 hotel. Most hotels in India require 3000-7000 points. These points can be redeemed in over 1200 hotels and 10 brands in 100 countries including The Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels, St Regis and Le Meridien. ITC hotels and The Park Hotels in India.

3.Club ITC

Silver, Gold, and Platinum are the membership levels. The points can be redeemed at Jet Airways, Air India, ITC hotels, Wills Lifestyle, John Players, Bose.

4.Marriott Rewards

Member, Silver, Gold, and Platinum are the membership levels and Most properties in India require only 7,500-15,000 points for a free stay, making this program outstanding value. Over 4,000 hotels and 16 brands in 70 countries including the Marriott, the Courtyard by Marriott, Renaissance, and Ritz Carlton come under it.

5.Accor Le Club

It was named Best Hotel Loyalty Program for 2015 in the Freddie Awards for Asia Pacific/Oceania/Middle East/Europe. Hotels under this program include – Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, The Sebel, Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, and Thalassa Sea & Spa brands.

6.Club Carlson

It replaced the Radisson GoldPoints in 2011. Over 1,000 participating hotels worldwide, including Radisson, Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. Points can also be converted into airline miles with selected airlines. Points required for a free stay are 9000-70,000.

Take this poll and tell us which loyalty program would you prefer!