Have You Heard of Frequent Stayer Points?
By Teresa Ambord
You've no doubt heard of frequent flyer miles, but what about frequent-stayer points? Some upper-end hotels are awarding points to their repeat customers, trying to drum up a form of brand loyalty.
The frequent-stayer program is comparatively new. Members of frequent-stayer programs are allowed to choose whether they want the money they spend to count for hotel points or airline miles. And members can switch at any time. Some frequent travelers have worked out a system whereby they evaluate how much they will be spending on a stay, and calculate whether they have more to gain from frequent flyer points or frequent-stayer points.
More and more, guests are choosing hotel points because the payoff is quicker. Each hotel chain has its own rules for earning points, but for some, you can qualify for a free night after just a few trips. Memberships in these programs are free and you can join by logging onto the chain's Web site, so it doesn't hurt to join each one. In fact, some programs give you benefits just for being a member, like providing a free daily newspaper or expedited check-in.
How do you find the best frequent-stayer program? A Colorado-based Web site called Webflyer.com has been developed to help travelers evaluate programs.
Here is a chart, courtesy of USA Today, that compares the frequent-stayer programs of 15 hotels:
Some frequent-stayer programs award points if you patronize their partners. Days Inn TripRewards, for example, let's you accrue points if you buy online from Eddie Bauer, or rent a car from Avis. And if you rent a car from Hertz, you can earn 500 points towards a free stay at Marriott's.
Other hotels, such as the Hilton with their Hilton HHonors program award points for every dollar charged, not just for lodging. Each dollar earns 10 base points, and that includes money spent for room service and such extras as in-room movies. And to make it all even sweeter, hotel points can also be used to rent cars, travel on Amtrak, and even to help secure a home mortgage. So, if frequent travel is part of your life, why not capitalize on your travel expenses and earn some bonuses. You may discover that there really is such a thing as a free lunch after all.