Several multibrand hotel companies have upgraded their reward programs in recent months, including the first introduction of a program that allows members to book flights directly using accrued points, launched earlier this month by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Starwood Preferred Guest members now can book flights on most major domestic and international carriers—excluding Southwest Airlines—through the program's Website, using Starpoints to pay. The new offering is a first for hotel loyalty programs, according to Starwood.
"With the addition of SPG Flights, we will provide our members with the same access to unrestricted air travel they have come to know in the hotel industry through SPG," Mark Vondrasek, Starwood senior vice president of interactive and loyalty marketing, said in a statement. "If there's an available seat, it's yours."
Airfares of up to $150, including taxes and booking fees, require 10,000 Starpoints. Generally, each additional $65 in flight costs requires 5,000 additional Starpoints.
There are no blackout dates in booking flights, and travelers can use points for any airline service level, according to Starwood. Members still can earn airline miles when they book their airfare through SPG Flights.
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, meanwhile, temporarily has upgraded rewards for Hyatt Gold Passport members, who through Dec. 30 can earn a free night after two stays at more than 365 Hyatt hotels worldwide.
Likewise, Choice Hotels International temporarily is doubling Choice Privileges members' points for stays in its European properties. Through Nov. 30, guests who book in advance and pay via American Express will earn double points at more than 300 properties across Europe.
Choice—owner of brands that include Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn and Cambria Suites—in May expanded its rewards program to include some of its European properties and allows membership for most European travelers
(BTNonline, May 12).Earlier this year, Hilton Hotels Corp. also made a major adjustment to its rewards program, eliminating blackout dates from its HHonors guest rewards program
(BTNonline, Feb. 4). Under rules enacted in February, all HHonors members became exempt from blackout dates when redeeming reward points for Hilton stays, a change from its previous exemption of only upper-tier Gold and Diamond members.