Top hotel chains and boutique establishments now provide guests with opportunities to earn points through stays, dining, wellness services, and even regular spending, transforming loyalty programmes into a tool for financially savvy travellers.
Global chains provide flexible, points-based rewards
According to Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director for Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts operates the acclaimed Wyndham Rewards, with over 122 million members globally.
“Members accumulate points for hotel stays, redeem them for complimentary nights, and access exclusive rates, special promotions, and chances to use points for travel experiences and gift cards,” Macarius explained.
Indian travellers reap the benefits of the programme’s worldwide flexibility, earning points within the country and redeeming them abroad.
Wyndham also hosts annual campaigns like “Member Month” that provide bonus points, discounts, and surprise rewards to help travellers boost their earnings.
Likewise, Marriott International runs Marriott Bonvoy, one of the largest loyalty platforms around, with over 271 million members, as stated by Khushnooma Kapadia, Vice President – Marketing for South Asia.
“Members earn points for stays across 30+ brands and can redeem them for complimentary nights, room upgrades, curated experiences, and lifestyle rewards through Marriott Bonvoy Moments,” she noted.
Indian consumers can also earn points through everyday spending with co-branded credit cards and collaborations with Flipkart and Swiggy, enhancing the ease of accumulating rewards even without regular travel.
In an effort to embody the concept of effortless loyalty, Marriott Bonvoy has recently partnered with renowned Sri Lankan family tea brand Dilmah to create Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy, a limited-edition exclusive tea blend for India. This unique blend will be featured in a pop-up event in Mumbai on 21–22 March, where members can also enter for a chance to win 10 lakh Marriott Bonvoy points.
Real-time rewards and tech-driven programmes
Boutique and local chains are elevating loyalty with instant, tech-enhanced rewards.
Arjun Baljee, Founder of ICONIQA and President of Royal Orchid Hotels, shares that Regenta Rewards allows members to earn points on stays, dining, and in-room services in real time. Points can be redeemed right away at booking or checkout, or applied towards curated shopping vouchers.
“Registration is easy via mobile OTP, and benefits start with the very first transaction,” Baljee explains.
Plans for co-branded credit cards and partnerships will broaden earning opportunities beyond hotel stays.
Meanwhile, THE Park Hotels operates THE Park Preferred (TPP), a points-based programme with no joining fee.
Yazad Marfatia, Corporate Director & Head of Sales & Marketing, states, “1-point equals INR 1, and points can be redeemed for stays, dining, and wellness experiences with complete flexibility and no blackout dates. Members earn and redeem points digitally in three straightforward steps: login, book, pay.”
Loyalty beyond points: Experiences and personalisation
Certain boutique luxury properties prioritize experiential loyalty over mere points accumulation.
Vaibhav Gupta, General Manager of The Astor Goa, notes their focus on crafting memorable stays, offering features like extended breakfast hours, complimentary minibar replenishments, chef’s table experiences, and artisanal café selections.
“True loyalty arises from guests feeling genuinely valued and eager to return,” he shares.
Simultaneously, Dhruv Verma, Founder & CEO of Thriwe, points out that integrated loyalty ecosystems are reshaping engagement by linking travel, dining, and local experiences. “Data-driven insights and lifestyle intelligence enable hotels to provide rewards that are timely and relevant, transitioning from points to meaningful, curated experiences,” he remarks.
How travellers can maximise benefits
To fully leverage hotel loyalty programmes:
- Book directly through the hotel website or app for maximum points and exclusive member rates.
- Utilize co-branded credit cards or partner platforms like Flipkart and Swiggy to boost point accumulation.
- Keep an eye out for special promotions or seasonal bonus campaigns.
- Redeem points strategically, whether for complimentary nights, room upgrades, or unique experiences, to gain real value.
- Consider experiential programmes at boutique hotels where loyalty stems from personalized services and unforgettable stays.
