Much as hotel companies have implemented extended
cancellation and change policies in response to the coronavirus outbreak, many
also have altered their loyalty programme policies, at least temporarily.
Best Western has extended the loyalty status of all Best
Western Rewards members globally through 31 January 2022 with no need to fulfil
the necessary requirements, according to a company statement. Members who
downgraded a tier at the end of 2019 will be levelled up to their previous tier
and will maintain that status through 31 January 2022 without the need to
fulfil the necessary qualifications. In addition, BWR members can donate their
reward points to the Best Western Hotels & Resorts charitable fund, Best
Western for a Better World, which has committed to supporting those affected by
the virus worldwide.
Choice Hotels has paused points expiration for all Choice
Privileges members until 31 May 2020, according to a company spokesperson. The
programme also allows members to donate points to charitable organisations,
including the American Red Cross. One new option is Serta's "Stay Home,
Send Beds" programme, through which members can donate points toward beds
for hospitals and medical facilities in need because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Choice for a limited time will match 100 per cent of Choice Privileges points
donated to this initiative.
Members of Hilton Worldwide's loyalty programme, Hilton
Honors, whose 2019 status was scheduled to be downgraded on 31 March 31 2020,
whether Diamond, Gold, or Silver, will receive an extension through 31 March 31
2021, according to a company statement. Likewise, 2020 member status will be
extended through 31 March 2022. In addition, Hilton will pause the expiration
of all points scheduled to expire before 31 December 2020. The company has also
extended the expiration date of all unexpired Weekend Night Rewards as of 11
March 2020, and all new ones issued until 30 August 2020 through 31 August
2021.
Hyatt Hotels is suspending the forfeiture of World of Hyatt
points through 31 December 2020, according to a company spokesperson.
Typically, points do not expire unless a member's account is inactive for 24
months. All unused Free Night, Suite Upgrade, or Club Lounge Access awards
scheduled to expire between 1 March and 31 December 2020 will be extended to 31
December 2021. Awards that expired between 1-31 March 2020 will be replaced
with new awards on 20 April. Awards expiring in later months will have their
rewards replaced on the 20th day of the month in which they were scheduled to
expire. In addition, World of Hyatt is extending all status and benefits for
all existing elite members without having to re-qualify, meaning whatever a
member's status was on 31 March 2020 will be automatically updated to reflect a
28 February 2022 expiration date.
InterContinental Hotels Group has reduced its IHG Rewards
Club elite membership criteria this year by 25 per cent or more, according to a
company statement. Gold status has been reduced from 10,000 points or ten
qualifying nights to 7,000 points or seven qualifying nights. Platinum has
shifted from 40,000 points or 40 qualifying nights to 30,000 points or 30
qualifying nights. Spire status was reduced from 75,000 points or 75 qualifying
nights to 55,000 points or 55 qualifying nights. For members whose points were
due to expire between 1 April and the rest of the year, the company is
extending the expiration date to 31 December 2020. Typically, points don't expire
for members with elite status; otherwise, points expire after 12 months of
inactivity. For anniversary night certificates earned through IHG Rewards Club
credit cards, IHG is extending the expiration date for those set to expire in
2020. Those that were to expire this year starting 1 March can now be used
through 31 December 2020. Certificates issued in 2020 will have an 18-month
redemption time period. Members also can donate points to charities, including
the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has
activated a Covid-19 fund.
Marriott International has extended Marriott Bonvoy loyalty
programme status earned in 2019 through February 2022, according to a company
spokesperson and statement. Marriott also has paused the expiration of points
until February 2021. At that time, points will expire only if an account has
been inactive for at least 24 months. The expiration of Suite Night Awards with
an expiration date of 31 December 2020 has been extended to 31 December 2021.
Members who have an active Free Night Award expiring in 2020 as part of their
credit card benefit, annual choice benefit, promotion, or travel package will
be able to use it through 31 January 2021. Members can also donate points to
relief organisations active in Covid-19 response, including the American Red
Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Unicef
and World Central Kitchen.
Radisson Hotel Group is suspending its Radisson Rewards
points expiration policy by six months, effective 1 March 2020, according to a
company spokesperson. The company has also extended the elite status of members
through February 2022 for those whose status would have expired in February
2021. E-certs earned using the Radisson Reward Visa card that are scheduled to
expire by 31 July 2020 can now be redeemed through 30 June 2021. Radisson
Rewards members can donate rewards points to organisations assisting in the
Covid-19 crisis, including the American Red Cross.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will extend Wyndham Rewards
gold, platinum and diamond level membership through 31 December 2021, according
to a company spokesperson. The company is also pausing the expiration of points
until 30 September 2020.