Finding the Best Travel Loyalty Program for You

In these inflationary times, finding ways to save is a must for nearly every consumer. The fortunate thing is with the rise in digital technology and easy-to-access mobile apps, more deals are available than ever and finding them is also made simpler. Along with the convenience of in-your-palm apps, there are straightforward ways to accumulate savings, redeem offers, and take advantage of sales and promotions.

According to one survey, 82% of business travellers say loyalty programs matter when making a decision on a hotel booking while airline programs are among the most attractive — and lucrative.

A McKinsey study of that industry found that in 2022, American Airlines’ loyalty program accounted for $3.1 billion in revenue and United’s program delivers 12% of that airline’s overall revenue, equivalent to nearly $3.8 billion annually.

Having a loyalty program that provides value will benefit brands and their most frequent consumers. These travel companies have succeeded in delivering high-quality mobile apps that connect to loyalty programs that work.

BEST LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR HOTEL REWARDS

Choice Privileges: The award-winning loyalty program of Choice Hotels, Choice Privileges, gives youaccess to perks that include early check-in and late check-out, partner discounts (such as car rentals from Budget and Avis), members-only rates and more. Currently until September 4, if you complete two qualifying stays at participating hotels, you can earn enough points to redeem a $50 gift card. Plus for those staying Sunday through Thursday, the exclusive Your Extras perk includes a choice of gift cards to Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or Amazon, 400 Choice Privileges points or up to 100 miles with participating airline loyalty programs.

The Choice Hotels mobile app features an excellent user interface that allows members to book their stay, track their activity, and receive discounts. With Choice Privileges, there are three tiers: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Gold is achieved with 10 nights stayed in a calendar year at a Choice Hotels property, which includes brands such as Quality, Comfort Suites, Comfort, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Rodeway, Econo Lodge, and the Ascend Hotel Collection of unique properties in Canada. Platinum status is gained after 20 nights stayed in a calendar year and Diamond status is secured with 40 nights in a calendar year.

Members acquire points with their stays that can be used for future bookings and each status level receives 10% (Gold), 25% (Platinum), or 50% (Diamond) additional points added to their Choice Privileges account.

BEST LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR AIRLINE DEALS

Aeroplan: The landscape of airline loyalty programs has gone through a period of change, with some notable ones shifting towards prioritizing dollars spent rather than miles flown. It’s a balancing act that can turn off existing program members if they’re no longer adequately rewarded for miles flown. Air Canada has managed to navigate the alterations it made to the Aeroplan program after it took full control of it in 2018 and relaunched the platform in 2020. Now, it’s a far more robust loyalty program that increases the member’s ability to gain status while still incentivizing frequent flying. Aeroplan members who collect points through an affiliated credit card, such as CIBC’s Visa Infinite or TD’s Aeroplan Platinum, accumulate points that can be redeemed for flight bookings or other travel reservations.

For me, the best part about Aeroplan is the digital experience, which has been vastly improved in the past two years. After purchasing Aeroplan from the investment bank called Aimia, Air Canada integrated the loyalty program completely into its airline booking tool. Previously, consumers would have to log into an Aeroplan account to check their points balance and booking options. Now, your Aeroplan information is entirely contained within AirCanada.com, allowing you to see how many points would be used for a flight booking versus how much dollars would be required. There’s also an option to use a mix of dollars and points to secure a flight.

In recent months, Air Canada has also introduced a luggage-tracking feature to its platform that allows passengers to know when their checked bags have been added to the plane’s cargo hold and when they have been removed. Aeroplan members also have free texting available on many Air Canada flights. Those members who reach 35K or above status can get free checked luggage, priority check-in access, and complimentary access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges.

There are also deals with affiliated brands such as Starbucks and Uber, and the chance to accumulate points when you fly on any of Aeroplan’s 52 other airline partners.

BEST LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR CRUISES

Castaway Club: Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club provides a streamlined experience that rewards members with a number of perks. These include the chance to book travel for a specific itinerary days earlier than the general public — a desired exclusive for those cruisers who want a choice cabin — and to secure on-board activities, which can often get fully booked quickly. The Pearl level, which was announced in 2023, supercharges those incentives, giving top-tier members even earlier access to bookings. Consumers can achieve Pearl status once they have sailed at least 25 times with Disney Cruise Line.

Embarking on the goal to achieve Pearl status recently became all the more attractive and accessible because Disney announced on August 11 that four new ships will launch between 2027 and 2031. They will join the existing fleet plus four previously announced new ships.

If you’re not currently a Castaway Club member, now would be a good time to sign up. As Disney rapidly expands its cruise experiences, there is every reason to believe travellers will find a cruise that suits their preference. The new Disney Destiny, a stunning cruise liner, debuts in September and Castaway Club members can begin booking for the inaugural Caribbean cruise on September 6, six days earlier than the general public.

Disclaimer: Vacay.ca and Choice Hotels Canada have partnered to raise awareness about quality accommodations at valuable prices and the benefits of the Choice Privileges mobile app for travellers venturing through the country.

MORE CHOICE HOTELS CANADA COVERAGE

Quality Inn & Suites in Lévis Delivers: A renovated hotel offers rooms that feel much more luxurious than their price point and easy access to Quebec City.

Quality Suites in Drummondville: Between Montreal and Quebec City, a French-inspired Chateau rises with a surprisingly attractive and affordable hotel.

MORE ABOUT CHOICE HOTELS CANADA

Hotels: With over 330 hotels from coast to coast and brands from Comfort to Quality and the Ascend Hotel Collection, and upscale, midscale, economy and extended stay options, Choice Hotels Canada has a stay for every you.

Global Reach: Choice Hotels has nearly 7,500 hotels worldwide, in 45 countries and territories.

Best Rate: Choice Hotel’s lowest price/best price guarantee ensures you will always find the best price on ChoiceHotels.com. If you find a better price from a qualified source, Choice will match it and provide you with a $50 CAD reward card. Full details are available at ChoiceHotels.com/bestrate.