Lately, a third option has been catching on, including with a few major hotel brands. Instead of earning your way toward a reward, you pay a membership or subscription fee upfront and start saving right away. These hotel subscriptions may hand you a discount on room rates, fast-track you to a mid-tier elite status and sometimes toss in extras like late checkout, dining credits or a free welcome night.
If you already book the same hotel brand often, the discount alone could be enough to cover the fee. But some of the brands have small networks of properties, and others may offer you similar benefits through one of their credit cards — not to mention the chance to earn points on your purchases.
5 hotel subscription plans and what they offer
Benefits and access can vary significantly, depending on which hotel subscription you choose. In some cases, you may even get perks that go beyond hotel stays. Here are some of the options.
For $95 a year, Wyndham Rewards Insider gets you a long list of benefits. Here are some highlights:
-
At least 10% off stays booked directly with Hotels by Wyndham.
-
A 50% points boost on all qualifying stays.
-
Various discounts on eligible flights, car rentals, cruises, theme parks, all-inclusive resorts, tours and activities.
-
24/7 concierge service.
InterContinental Ambassador
-
Guaranteed one-category room upgrades.
-
Complimentary weekend night, valid on the second night of a paid weekend stay.
-
Up to $20 in restaurant and bar credits with every stay.
-
Single room rate for double occupancy.
-
Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout.
-
Extras like complimentary water and internet, as well as a dedicated check-in area.
While the IHG chain has a footprint of more than 6,600 properties worldwide, Ambassador benefits largely apply only at IHG’s luxury brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, which has just over 220 destinations.
The citizenM brand is part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, but it has its own subscription plan for people who love its tech-savvy and design-forward properties. A mycitizenM+ membership runs $170 per year and offers the following perks:
-
15% off direct citizenM bookings and up to 30% off during member sales.
-
15% off food and drink at citizenM bars.
-
15% off meeting rooms.
-
Free coworking at most properties.
-
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
The citizenM brand has only 37 hotels across more than 20 cities in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, making it a tough sell for that price, unless you’re a frequent citizenM guest. That said, the free coworking benefit could be a boon for remote workers who live near a citizenM location.
Minor Hotels Horizons Club
Horizons Club comes in two annual subscriptions: Standard at $205 (179 euros) and Elevate at $285 (249 euros). Here are some of the perks they offer:
-
15% to 25% off public rates.
-
A complimentary welcome night worth 150 Discovery Dollars.
-
Minor DISCOVERY Gold tier.
-
10% off bars and restaurants, plus 20% off the pet fee.
-
Access to member offers of up to 50% off.
-
50 Discovery Dollars back after your first stay.
-
Complimentary late checkout and flexible cancellations.
The only difference between the two is that Elevate members also get access to perks with additional brands. Minor’s network runs to more than 350 hotels across more than 30 countries in Europe and the Americas, but it doesn’t offer perks with any other major hotel brands, so that’s it.
There is no Minor credit card either, which leaves the subscription as the only way to access these perks. As a result, it only makes sense if you’re fiercely loyal to the Minor brands.
-
Negotiated rates at luxury hotels, some listed at 30% to 50% off.
-
Complimentary elite status with hotel brands such as Hilton, IHG, Sonesta and Wynn.
-
Upgrades, late checkout, welcome amenities and other VIP touches at many participating hotels.
-
Complimentary elite status with select airlines and car rental companies.
-
Preferred rates on airport lounge memberships, villa and resort experiences and more.
The catch is that you won’t be able to view the full slate of FoundersCard features unless you request an invitation or join. Also, some benefits require an upgraded Elite plan, which costs $995 annually.
This subscription may be worth it if you value elite status and other VIP perks across several brands instead of just one. But it may make more sense in addition to a travel credit card rather than as a replacement.
How to choose between a subscription and a hotel card
Whether you go for a hotel subscription or a branded credit card comes down to how you travel.
Before committing to either a hotel subscription or a hotel credit card, consider the following:
– How you would get value: A subscription typically offers a flat discount on room rates, while a hotel credit card earns points on all spending, not just hotel purchases. Subscriptions may offer additional travel perks, while hotel cards often provide welcome bonuses and annual free nights.
– The size of the network: Make sure the subscription or credit card is tied to a brand with a large number of properties to maximize usability.
– Cancellation policies: Cancelling a subscription may still allow you to enjoy benefits until the current term ends, while cancelling a hotel credit card results in immediate loss of perks (although you retain earned points).
– Approval requirements: Hotel credit cards typically require good to excellent credit and sufficient income, while subscriptions do not require a credit check. If you have lower credit, a subscription may be a better option for VIP perks.
To make an informed decision, review your past travel history with the brand, check for available credit cards or subscription services, and calculate potential savings and benefits. In some cases, having both a subscription and a credit card may be advantageous. sentence:
Please remember to bring your identification with you when you come to the event.
Don’t forget to bring your ID when you attend the event.