Hotel groups start new loyalty programmes
Hotel groups Accor and Choice are both launching new loyalty programmes to help acquire and retain international customers. 
US-based Choice Hotels, which runs the Clarion, Comfort Inn and Quality hotel chains, is launching its Privileges loyalty programme at its 300 European hotels for the first time. Guests will earn ten points for every US$1 they spend.
As part of the launch promotion, American Express cardholder can pay for a Choice hotel until the end of November and earn double points, although this requires advance registration. Membership of the programme is free and members also benefit from express check-in and late check-out.
Mark Pearce, VP, international operations for Choice Hotels International, said: “We are delighted to expand membership of Choice Privileges and offer our members the opportunity to now earn points at European properties. We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to add value to our rewards programme and I believe our expansion into the European market is a big step.”
The Privileges programme was launched in the US in 1998 and was voted best American hotel loyalty programme in the Freddie Awards in 2006.
Accor scheme
Europe-based chain Accor is also launching a new loyalty scheme today (September 15).
A|Club members will be able to earn points in Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis and all seasons hotels around the world.
Members earn points on their entire expenditure at the hotel, including on food and laundry. These points can then be converted into vouchers denominated in euros, which can be used to pay in any of the hotels participating in the scheme.
As a launch promotion, members will get double points for every stay in an Accor hotel before the end of 2009.
Members can also convert their points for use with Club Med, Europcar, Air France KLM, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, US Airways and Qantas.