Kimpton Karma & IHG Rewards Club Integration Update (Happens 2017)

It is now almost a year after InterContinental Hotels Group announced its’ acquisition of Kimpton Hotels back in December 2014 (read more here).

Kimpton’s Karma and IHG’s IHG Rewards Club have stayed separate and there have been no attempts trying to tap into the IHG distribution system or loyalty program members to market Kimpton.

Here’s what Kimpton sent out to Karma members yesterday:

As we are nearing the end of the year, I want to thank you for being a Kimpton Karma Rewards Member. We’re grateful that you continue to be loyal guests and are committed to providing perks that are meaningful to you and will keep you a part of the Kimpton family.

We know things have been a bit quiet on our end. There’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Our team has also been listening and we know you want more information. We get it.

Here’s what you can expect in 2016:

• Kimpton Karma Rewards will continue to serve as the loyalty program for Kimpton
• You’ll receive quarterly updates with details on how things are progressing as it relates to bringing the best of Karma Rewards & IHG Rewards Club together.
• Your eligible 2016 Kimpton activity will accumulate toward your 2017 tier status, and your activity and any earned rewards will remain active.

So, looking ahead even further – what’s in store in 2017? For one, Kimpton will be going global, so get ready. Of course, we’ll also have more to share as it relates to marrying Kimpton Karma Rewards and IHG Rewards Club. The most important thing for you to know right now is that we’re evaluating everything through the lens of what will give you the absolute best experience and the greatest network of reward redemption.

Our Kimpton elves are busy getting ready for the tiers to reset in January. As such, I want to remind you to please double check your account for any missing stays. If you have any, please submit them. It’s important to note that any missing 2015 stays submitted in 2016 will only count toward your free reward night, and not toward tier progress or Kimpton Journey progress. Click here to submit by December 31, 2015.

That’s all I got for now. I wish you a delightful, eggnog-fueled holiday season and New Year with your loved ones.

Conclusion

The email doesn’t state what the program will be in 2017 only that your 2016 activity will count towards your 2017 tier status. I would expect Karma to be merged to IHG Rewards Club by January 1, 2017.

IHG has wasted huge opportunity to get IHG Rewards Club members to stay at Kimpton properties over the past year. Shouldn’t have been too difficult to offer tier matching between the programs or offer at least points/stay credits for Kimpton stays.

Kimpton Karma members are very vocal and many absolutely love their elite benefits. Not sure how well this will work out if they are given IHG Rewards Club Platinum or Spire status that comes basically with none of the Karma benefits.