IHG debuts SME loyalty program
InterContinental Hotels Group has unveiled a new SME business travel program aimed at SMEs.
Prior to the launch of IHG Business Edge, 1,500 companies signed up as members.
The program rewards loyalty, and consolidates data, content and booking activity into a single platform..
Small and midsize enterprises with less than 250 employees and up to $50 million in revenue can join the program if they spend at least $5,000 with IHG annually.
"We knew that there was an unmet need for a travel buying program specifically designed for SMEs – a group of customers who can often be underserved by the industry," said Derek DeCross, SVP for global sales at IHG.
"We worked together with SMEs to design the program and they told us that a discount program alone is not compelling enough to drive their loyalty and engagement. They didn’t want lengthy negotiations – but rather a rich discount they could count on, reliable reporting and insight into the latest information."
The scheme was first piloted with 300 selected companies across 17 countries.
Discounted rates are up for grabs for members at participating hotels across IHG’s portfolio of 15 brands including InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton.
Hotel spend, average daily rate, savings and IHG Rewards Club participation over the last 12 months can be monitored through the customer portal.
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