IHG launches on Android following success of iPhone app
InterContinental Hotels (IHG) is extending its reach to customers through smart phones by making it possible for Priority Club rewards members to interact through Android-compatible phones.
The Android launch follows the introduction of its iPhone app in April 2010, which has been downloaded over 70,000 times. IHG estimates that it has generated nearly US$3m in revenue since its launch.
Through its partnership with TopGuest, IHG will reward members for virtual check-ins via location-based service applications on both the iPhone and Android compatible mobile phones.
Customers with smart phones who download the IHG app can now find and book hotel rooms, check room rates, and view or cancel reservations for all seven of IHG’s brands (InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites).
According to Michael Menis, vice president of global interactive marketing for IHG, “The growth of our mobile capabilities and their success in the marketplace in just one year tells us that our customers are looking for access to information wherever and whenever they want. This mobile strategy allows us to create the kind of optimised web sites and applications that can provide that level of access.”
The Priority Club Rewards mobile app for Priority Club Rewards members allows the following:
• Find and book a hotel;
• View hotel photos and amenities;
• Click-to-call a hotel’s front desk;
• Use loyalty account details to make bookings;
• View loyalty account details;
• Manage loyalty account profile;
• View and cancel future reservations;
• Redeem points for free room nights;
• Use Corporate IDs to get corporate rates;
• Rapid enrollment in Priority Club Rewards;
• View special offers.
As part of the launch promotion for the new Android app, IHG is offering 1,000 Priority Club Rewards bonus points to members for each qualifying stay up to 30th September 2010 that is booked using the Android app.
At the same time, IHG is offering extra loyalty points to Priority Club Rewards members who sign up with TopGuest and use geolocation check-in services at any of the chain’s 4,400+ hotels worldwide.
TopGuest rewards travelers with loyalty points and rewards for ‘virtual check-ins’ completed through most major location-based-service (LBS) applications, including Foursquare, Twitter, Gowalla, Yelp, Loopt and Google Latitude.
With each LBS check-in, members earn 50 Priority Club points (up to a maximum of 50 points per day). Points are be deposited into members’ Priority Club Rewards accounts within six weeks of the check-in.
Priority Club Rewards currently claims 48 million members worldwide.