Yesterday, I received an email reminder from iPrefer that the new loyalty program has been launched, I had been assigned an account number and that I should choose a password.
The website has already been updated with the new info about the program, its status levels and awards. Overall, I am not impressed with the program at all. You can access iPrefer’s website here.
Basically, you will receive ONE point per USD spend that it worth 2 cents when used towards hotel certificates. You will receive complimentary internet for just being a program member (Silver) and space available early check-in and late check-out.
When you have spend more than $5,000, you will then be upgraded to a Gold level. The main benefits is the welcome amenity (confirmed) and room upgrade (based on availability.
Those that use more than $15,000 at Preferred Group Hotels will get Platinum tier. The main additional benefit at this level is 10% bonus on earned points.
Note that neither room upgrades nor early/late check-ins/outs are guaranteed at any level.
Reward Certificates
You can redeem your earned points for reward certificates that you can use as cash at iPrefer program hotels. The redemption options starts at 2,500 points (requires $2,500 spend) for $50 voucher.
Rewarding program?
This is about the least rewarding hotel loyalty program that I have seen. You need to have 50 nights to get 1 free night if at the same price hotel considering that you only receive ONE point per USD spend that is then worth just TWO cents.
Note that not all Preferred Hotel Group’s hotels are participating to iPrefer. You can get list of participating hotels here.
Conclusion
If you are planning to stay at the Preferred Group hotels, you should make the booking using one of the OTA’s (Online Travel Agent) and get cashback (always greater than 2%) via one of the online shopping portals (Ebates, MrRebates, TopCashback and many more), use OTA coupons (I have list many here) and maybe participate to OTA specific loyalty program.
I really would like to have something positive to say about this program, but getting just 2% of your hotel spend back in vouchers is just ridiculous and not worth bothering (at least not in my case).
