Priority Club Rewards Launches Program Allowing Free Nights at Virtually Any Hotel in the World
InterContinental Hotels Group Offers Rooms at 'Any Hotel, Anywhere'
LONDON, UK, July 19, 2005. InterContinental Hotels Group today began offering members of its customer loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards, the opportunity to stay at "any hotel, anywhere." Beginning today, Priority Club Rewards members who reside in the U.S. can redeem their points toward stays at more than 500,000 lodging establishments worldwide -- even at competitors' hotels. This unprecedented, industry-leading move reinforces IHG's reputation for providing meaningful, customer-focused brand innovations.
The program, originally announced in April, makes it possible for Priority Club Rewards members to redeem their points for American Express-branded prepaid lodging cards which can be used as payment at more than 500,000 lodging establishments worldwide where American Express(R) Cards are welcome. The cards are valued in denominations between $100 and $250. Members can redeem their points for the prepaid lodging cards by calling the Service Center at 888-211-9874 or by visiting www.priorityclub.com and clicking on the "Redeem Points" tab. There are no blackout dates or capacity restrictions, anytime, at any hotel, anywhere.
"Since April, when we announced that the new benefit redemption would begin in July, member interest has been fantastic," said Steve Sickel, senior vice president, Priority Club Rewards, IHG. "With this new benefit, we're giving our travelers the ultimate choice of where they can use their points. Loyalty is a two-way street. By rewarding our members with this flexibility, we believe we'll gain even greater loyalty and more repeat business from them."
InterContinental Hotels Group has a history of innovation, including the formation of Priority Club Rewards as the world's first hotel loyalty program in 1983. Additionally, the hotel company was the first to offer online travel bookings and the first to guarantee that the lowest available room rates would be available online.
"This is yet another step we've made to strengthen the appeal of our brands and our relationship with our program members," added Sickel.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
