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Save/ShareIf there's one piece of advice I give more than any other, it's to join the loyalty club of any company you use. But when I recently stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago, I didn't take my own advice (to be honest, I didn't know it was part of the Preferred Hotel Group). While at the hotel—which is supposed to make you feel young and cool, but only made me feel old when I had to deal with blaring rock 'n' roll at 7 a.m.—I grabbed a brochure for the I Prefer benefit program. When I got home I signed up, and I learned that members get room upgrade based on availability, priority early check-in and late check-out, and complimentary Internet access.
I also think it's wise to make sure the company knows when you book that you're a member because if someone must get treated less well than everyone else—put in a crummy room, for instance, or bumped entirely—the staff is less likely to inconvenience someone they perceive as loyal.
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What are the requirement needed to join a Loyalty club. I was told you must be a frequent traveler not just vacations. And will they except bank debit cards such as capital one etc.
Posted By kathleen Roach on May 5, 2008, 3:28 PM
Good news, Kathleen. We have a bunch of handy tips here:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050600427.html
And, yes, in general, airline companies accept debit cards to pay for these clubs, though it varies by airline.
Have a good one,
Sean
Posted By Blog Editor on May 5, 2008, 4:09 PM
The comments above are confusing. Loyalty clubs, like American Airlines' AAdvantage, are free to anyone - no payment required. Payments are required to join their airport lounge clubs, and for the steep fee to pay off you need to be a pretty frequent traveler.
Posted By Fred on May 9, 2008, 6:26 AM
Hi, Fred,
Maybe I was wrong to assume that Kathleen was asking about the airport clubs, as opposed to the loyalty clubs. It's free to join airline loyalty clubs (better referred to as mileage rewards programs), but , as you say, airport club lounges are only free to high-mileage members of airline frequent flier programs--and to anyone who pays a high fee (on a per day, or yearly basis).
Thanks,
Sean
P.S. Our full explanation of "loyalty clubs" (a.k.a. frequent flier reward programs) is here:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050600427.html
The Wall Street Journal recently had a good summary of airport lounge options --and whether they are worth the fees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118843392046712939.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Posted By Blog Editor on May 9, 2008, 1:34 PM