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A32 FEATURE
Tuesday 26 November 2019
Snag these hotel loyalty perks, even if you're disloyal

By CLAIRE TSOSIE This perk also depends on
Associated Press availability, he notes. But
Hotel loyalty benefits — he estimates he's received
such as access to room up- early check-in more than
grades, late checkout and half the times he's request-
other amenities — aren't ed it.
reserved only for the most OTHER AMENITIES AND BEN-
faithful, highest-spending EFITS
customers anymore. With The hotel elite status that
the right credit card, you comes with your card
can get them, too. might not make your trip
That's because automatic significantly cheaper, but it
elite status in hotel loyalty can make it more comfort-
programs is an increas- able. Some hotel chains,
ingly common feature on such as Hyatt and Inter-
credit cards associated Continental Hotels Group,
with these programs. Now, promise elite members a
some cards — such as the dedicated check-in area
Starwood Preferred Guest or phone line. Others offer
Luxury Card and Hilton Hon- a free breakfast to those
ors American Express Aspire with status.
card, which both carry an- This March 30, 2016, file photo shows a Hilton hotel in Richmond, Va. Automatic elite status in There's also the potential
hotel loyalty programs is an increasingly common feature on credit cards associated with these
nual fees of $450 — even programs. to rack up free hotel nights
give cardholders access to Associated Press faster. With elite status, you
the upper echelons of elite generally earn a bonus of
status. so much. We went ahead hotel elite status benefit. For weary travelers, the 10% to 100% on any points
"The status does make a and upgraded you to one They aren't a sure thing, He- option to check in early or earned through the hotel
difference" for consumers, of our suites on the top gedus notes; they depend check out late can be a for your stay, depending
says John Grund, manag- floor,'" says Hegedus, who on availability. Landing a huge relief. And often, the on your status and the pro-
ing director at Accenture works as a pharmacist and major upgrade is also rare. elite status that comes with gram. Combined with the
Payments, a firm that pro- co-founded the award But if the hotel has plenty hotel cards makes this pos- points you're already earn-
vides consulting services for travel blog Your Mileage of open rooms, you have a sible. ing on your hotel credit
banks and payment pro- May Vary. better chance. "We don't usually take ad- card, that could help you
viders. "(It has) high aspira- Potential room upgrades FLEXIBLE CHECK-IN AND vantage of a late check- cover a vacation with your
tional value and could cer- are common as a midtier CHECKOUT out, but I'll try to get an rewards a lot sooner.
tainly be a deciding factor" WHAT ABOUT THE ANNUAL
on whether to get a card. FEE?
It's not the most predict- With hotel cards, higher an-
able credit card benefit; nual fees translate to more
perks can vary based on perks. But how much value
availability. But if you trav- you get from those perks
el enough, getting a hotel depends on your travel
card with automatic elite habits. The good news: You
status can be a clever have options.
shortcut to more pleasant "What I would call the lad-
stays. dering of benefits (on hotel
ROOM UPGRADES cards) has become more
Joe Hegedus of Orlando, sophisticated, more refined
Florida, isn't particularly loy- and certainly tied in with
al to any one hotel brand an expanded portfolio of
— but his co-branded hotel credit card offerings," says
cards still help him get room Grund of Accenture Pay-
upgrades . Once, while ments, noting that several
spending one night at a hotel brands have recently
hotel in Fort Pierce, Florida, updated offers or debuted
with his wife, Sharon, he new cards. Nowadays, you
says he was upgraded to a can find hotel cards with
three-room suite for no ex- annual fees of $0, $95 or
tra charge after checking In this Sept. 5, 2018, file photo guests stand at the front desk at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel $450, and benefits that run
in. At the front desk, "they in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood in Seattle. the gamut from free anni-
were like, 'Oh, you're a Plat- Associated Press versary nights each year to
inum member? Thank you airport lounge access.
Don't plan to stay with a
early check-in," Hegedus certain hotel more than
says, noting his hotel cards once? You're probably
offer these benefits. "Most better off without a hotel
times, it just means I show card. But if you can use the
up at the hotel early and benefits enough to make
they see I have some status up for the annual fee and
with the program. Hope- then some, such a card
fully it means they give me could be a worthy addition
(an early) room." to your wallet.q