One trip is better than two. Especially if the latter was made possible by sleight of hand, sharp eyes and the use of various loyalty programs. Yes, this is not a joke — you can save up to 40% of the cost of a hotel alone. We tell you what kind of programs there are, and consider the benefits using the example of the GURU program from the Island.
Content
- What is a loyalty program
- What kind of programs are there
- 5 tips on how to save money on trips
What is a loyalty program
A loyalty program is a way for a particular travel service, hotel chain, aggregator, or airline to reward regular customers for their choice and frequent use of the company’s services. The brand seems to be saying, “It’s great that you choose to travel with us! As a thank you, get a discount from us, we’ll be waiting for you next time.”
The discount amount. The more often a traveler uses the company’s services, for example, books a hotel 3-5 times a year, the more significant the incentive will be: higher discount, more cashback, the opportunity to receive privileges and complimentary services for free. This is how the company builds long-term relationships with loyal customers and increases their happiness.
The more often a traveler uses the company’s services, for example, books a hotel 3-5 times a year, the more significant the promotion will be. Photo: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com
Levels. As a rule, any loyalty program has several levels. The division depends on how often the customer uses the service. It is logical that if Sasha has this first hotel reservation on the platform, his level, and therefore the discount, will be less than Nastya, who has a dozen bookings in her archive.
You can become a member of the loyalty program and “earn” the first level for free upon first contact with the service: booking a place of residence or buying air tickets. There is also the practice of welcome points — for example, S7 Airlines gives 500 miles to all new members of its loyalty program.
Sometimes a virtual card with an individual number is issued at check—in, as airlines do more often. Hotel aggregators, as a rule, link the program to a personal account on the website and in the application. At the next booking, the user only needs to log in to receive the benefits they deserve.
There is also the practice of welcome points — for example, S7 Airlines gives 500 miles to all new members of its loyalty program. Photo: alenka2194/Shutterstock.com
What are the types of loyalty programs
Usually, the main items of travel expenses, unless, of course, you want to conquer Mount Everest, are flights and accommodation. Basically, loyalty programs help to reduce this particular financial burden. Let’s take a closer look at what they are.
Airline privilege systems
Every self—respecting airline has its own loyalty program – Aeroflot Bonus for the national carrier, Wings for Ural Airlines, S7 Priority for S7 Airlines and further down the list.
How it works.The airline awards the passenger bonus miles for the completed flight, as well as the purchase of goods and services from partner companies. They can be spent on the next ticket or upgrade — if you have enough points, of course. For each flight, a participant in the Aeroflot bonus program receives at least 500 miles.
If you fly frequently, you will get additional advantages: dedicated check-in counters, additional baggage space, access to high-comfort waiting rooms.
For example, a ticket from Yekaterinburg to St. Petersburg can be purchased for 12,000 miles and a surcharge of 2404 rubles. If you buy it for money, you will have to pay 16,104 rubles already. Photo: Aeroflot
Encouragement for frequent hotel guests
A hotel chain or a single hotel may also have its own loyalty program.
How it works. The number of bookings is taken as the starting point for points or levels in the program: the more nights a tourist has spent in the hotel, the more pleasant the conditions of the next trip will be.
Sometimes points are awarded for each stay, which can then be exchanged for free accommodation, room upgrades, or additional services. Another guest can be transferred to the next level of the program for a certain number of arrivals. Depending on the level, the client is offered a free welcome drink, breakfast, late check-out and other amenities.
Loyalty programs of global chains, such as Hilton and Marriott, as well as individual hotels are available in Russia.
Loyalty programs of global chains, such as Hilton and Marriott, as well as individual hotels are available in Russia. Photo: Savvapanf Photo/Shutterstock.com
Hilton.For example, the Hilton chain has a Hilton Honors bonus program: its members can spend the night at the Hampton by Hilton Saint Petersburg ExpoForum for 12,000 points.
Marriott. The Marriott loyalty program has six levels: Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite.
Holiday Inn Kaliningrad. There are three levels in total: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The first one is given upon registration, it allows you to accumulate bonuses in the amount of 5% ofthe cost of accommodation. The guest also receives a welcome compliment — a drink of his choice and chocolate. Information about their own programs is posted on the hotel’s website.
Bonus programs of hotel aggregators: an example of an Island
Frequent travelers are also actively offered privileges by booking aggregators, which contain thousands of hotels. apartments, glamping sites, and other accommodations. For example, in Ostrovka, this is the GURU program: with its help, users receive discounts on accommodation starting from 10% and pleasant bonuses.
How it works. The whole point is that you can not get attached to a particular network or hotel and at the same time constantly save up a discount. The level in the loyalty program will grow regardless of whether you choose the same Hilton or book a budget Vasilek hostel. Many hotels do not have their own loyalty program, while booking in the Island guarantees that the reservation will be taken into account and will increase the discount on the next trip.
Many hotels do not have their own loyalty program, if at the same time, the order in the Island guarantees that the reservation will be taken into account and will increase the discount on the next trip.
Levels. There are four of them in GURU. That’s what our tourists are supposed to do.:
- GURU 1: discounts from 10%, you get this level immediately after registration or if you had at least one completed booking.
- GURU 2: up to 15%, after two completed bookings your discount will increase.
- GURU 3: benefit up to 20% after four completed bookings, additionally you receive priority support.
- GURU 4: up to 40%, this is the maximum level that opens after the 12th trip. The bonus is priority support.
The levels in the program will never reset, which means that you will not lose the “buns” you have received, even if you spend a whole year without a vacation (although we do not recommend bringing this up). Your discount will be waiting for you at the next booking, whenever it happens.
There are four levels in GURU.
Bonuses and points. GURU is not limited to discounts: participants with the second level and above can receive free bonuses at the accommodation facilities: early check-in, breakfast, room upgrade or a visit to the spa. We also award points for participating in promotions or as a gift for the holidays. They can be used to pay for reservations at the rate of 1 point = 1 ruble.
5 tips on how to save money on trips
Use various loyalty programs
For example, Masha is planning another trip to St. Petersburg, and she will definitely benefit from the accumulated Aeroflot bonus points and the GURU 3 level in the Ostrov booking service. She will pay for the flight with the first mile, and in Ostrovka, thanks to the previous four trips, she will be able to take advantage of a discount of up to 20% on her favorite hotel.
So, instead of 21,200 rubles for 4 nights, Masha will pay only 16,960 rubles for a room for two with breakfast and a balcony overlooking Nevsky Prospekt. And he’ll be happy to spend the difference on entertainment.
For example, Masha is planning another trip to St. Petersburg, and she will definitely benefit from her accumulated Aeroflot bonus points and GURU 3 level in the Ostrov booking service. Photo: Ultraskrip/Shutterstock.com
Quickly upgrade your loyalty program with Status Match
You can go to the next level without booking a stay. For example, in GURU, you can add one or two levels to the current one by simply telling us about participating in the loyalty program of another travel service. It is enough to take a screenshot with the level and your email, send it to the mail guru@ostrovok.ru and wait for an answer — voila, your level has increased without any cost.
Focus on the GURU icon
It is convenient that when searching for accommodation in Ostrovka, you can immediately filter out hotels that provide discounts to loyalty program participants.
Two blue stars are a sign of benefit.
Partially pay for reservations with points
Under the GURU program, you can use points to pay up to 20% of the cost of your reservation. To receive them, follow the promotions in the newsletters and social networks of the Island (yes, this is a sign to subscribe to our Telegram).
- How to accumulate GURU points
Use the GURU bonuses
Program participants with GURU level 2 and above can receive various hotel services for free: breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, room upgrade, compliment upon check-in, one-time access to the spa and more.
- How to get bonuses from hotels
Program participants with GURU level 2 and above can receive various services at the hotel for free.
You’ll get the travel plans, and we’ll get the best deals on the Ostrovka loyalty program. Travel more often and enjoy your life wherever cheap tickets and cool hotels invite you!
