Did you get a $100 spa credit on your last stay at a Mandarin Oriental? What about a 50-minute free beauty treatment on your last stay at a Peninsula? Last time you were at a Four Seasons, did they comp your breakfasts everyday, be it in the restaurant or room service?
While none of those three hotel groups have consumer loyalty programs, they each have programs to reward travel agencies that produce large amounts of business for them. In addition to giving agents discounted stays, the programs give them perks to pass along to their customers.
In addition to things like free breakfasts and upgrades, a number of the brands also have “advocates” on property designed to provide quick resolutions for problems, and they provide these top agencies with direct contacts for their general managers, the people who at any hotel generally have the power to wave a wand and make it happen.
How do you find these agencies?
You can thank Google, Yahoo or your search engine of choice. Groups don’t typically list member agencies, but you can do some easy web searches.
Google “Mandarin Oriental Fan Club Travel Agency” and about a dozen different agencies come up on the first several pages, promoting their membership. Try the same with Belmond Bellini Club, and again you can find a number of agencies promoting membership. Agencies often promote their preferred status. If you already use a travel agent, check their last email to you. When I received an email from Jack Ezon, CEO of New York-based Ovation Vacations, it listed a dozen affiliations ranging from five-star groups to a program from Disney.
To give you an overview of consumer benefits, we put together the following list of what you can expect from a number of the various luxury brands when you book with an agency participating in its program.
Belmond Bellini Club:
– Priority waitlist clearance and upgrades
– VIP welcome amenity
– $200 resort credit
Dorchester Diamond Program:
– Guaranteed one category upgrade at time of booking
– Credit of 100 units of local currency once per stay (applied to final bill)
– Daily full breakfast (breakfast menu only), available in any outlet including in-room dining, for up to two people per bedroom
– Daily unlimited internet access for unlimited number of devices
– No-walk policy
Four Seasons Preferred Partner:
– Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
– Extra value-added amenity, such as: Spa credit of USD 100 once during stay (not applicable to products); golf credit of USD 100 once during stay (not applicable to pro shop purchases); or lunch for two once during stay (up to USD 85, excluding gratuity and alcohol). Varies by hotel.
– Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas).
– Welcome note at check-in – acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities being extended.
– Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings.
Jumeirah Passport to Luxury:
– Breakfast for two daily
– Upgrade on availability
– $100 USD F&B or Spa credit
– Early check-in based on availability
– 4 pm late check -out based on availability
Langham Hotel Couture:
– Confirmed one-category upgrade at time of booking
– Six complimentary hours per stay, allowing customized arrival and departure times
– VIP Status Including personalized welcome note from GM/MD
– Honoring of guest preference and indulgent welcome amenity
– Multiple program benefits enables guests to receive the benefits from the following programs where applicable: American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, Virtuoso or Signature
Mandarin Oriental Fan Club:
– Full Breakfast
– VIP treatment
– One category upgrade confirmed upon booking
– Complimentary access
– Complimentary 4 pm late check-out upon availability
– $100 Spa credit (valid once per stay – not applicable on Spa products) or Food & Beverage credit
– Complimentary one-way transfer with meet and greet at the gate of the plane (valid for suites booking only)
Peninsula PenClub Guest Benefits:
– Full daily set breakfast for up to two persons
– Priority Room upgrade to the next category upon arrival
– “Peninsula Time” – Flexible check-in and check-out times in all hotels
– Upgraded welcome in-room amenities and a “with compliments” note from the agency
– Complimentary 30-minute extension on any 50-minute body or face treatment (excluding manicure and/or pedicure)
– Unlimited in-room wireless Internet access
Ritz-Carlton Stars:
– Complimentary, customized amenity, activity or service
– Pre-registration and express check-in
– Clear space in sold out situations
– First priority for requested room category, bed type, rollaway and connecting rooms
– Late check-out
– Complimentary 4 pm departure upon request at time of booking
Relais & Chateaux Preferred Partner Program (select properties):
– Personalized welcome amenity
– Breakfast Daily
Rocco Forte Knights:
– Space Available Upgrades
– No Walk Policy
– Priority Waitlist Clearance
– Personalized Welcome Note
– Welcome note from the General Manager acknowledging that the booking was made by your agent
– Space Available Early Check-in/Late Check-out
– Ability to combine with Virtuoso benefits at qualifying rates
– Advance notice of special offers/packages before launching to general public
Rosewood Elite:
– Priority Waitlist
– Pre-registration of clients
– Special welcome amenity and note
– Priority upgrade on arrival
– Full breakfast daily
– Amenity/credit which differs by property
– Designated Elite Hero at each property
Sofitel STEP (Sofitel Travel Experience Program):
– Guaranteed Upgrade between Classic, Superior and Luxury room types
– Upgrade from Luxury to Suite upon arrival, based on availability
– Personal greeting by management upon arrival
– Personalized welcome amenity and note signed by the GM or Sofitel HERO on behalf of the travel counselor and the travel agency
– Automatic placement at top of waitlists
– Dedicated Sofitel Program Director in each hotel: “Sofitel HERO”
– No walk policy for guaranteed bookings
– Complimentary High Speed Internet Access on all rates and room types
– Exclusive pre-sales on seasonal offers
Starwood Luxury Privileges:
– Not available with tour operator bookings
– Upgrade on arrival if available
– Early check-in if available
– Daily breakfast for two
– Complimentary WiFi
– Late check-out if available
– Value-added amenity specific to hotel ($100 value)
