IHG launches free internet for loyalty members

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced it will provide free internet to its Elite loyalty club members from July, to be rolled out to all the club's 71 million members in 2014.

The news comes as IHG reveals the results of a global online survey* which show that nearly half of adults (43%) would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

Within the Middle East, Saudi Arabia represents IHG’s ninth largest rewards club with more than 600,000 members. The UAE represents IHG’s 15th largest Rewards Club with more than 350,000 members.

IHG will also be enhancing and renaming its industry-leading loyalty programme Priority Club® Rewards as IHG Rewards Club in July and introducing a range of new benefits for members.

Richard Solomons, Chief Executive, IHG, said: “In today’s fast-paced world, we know that travellers need to stay connected and free internet access is increasingly important.  

“Renaming our industry-leading loyalty programme as IHG Rewards Club will help our guests understand that all our brands are part of the same IHG brand family," he added.

*CLICK THROUGH TO NEXT PAGE FOR SURVEY FINDINGS AND CHANGES TO LOYALTY PROGRAMME

SURVEY

Internet access is increasingly important to hotel guests and a key consideration when planning their hotel stays. New research* commissioned by IHG reveals that:

43% of adults surveyed said that they would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

23% of respondents said that free internet in rooms and throughout the hotel is the most important amenity when staying in a hotel for business, compared to 7% who chose room service.

Travellers from China placed the most importance on online connectivity – with nearly half (47%) listing it as the most important thing to them when staying in a hotel for business, followed by those from Russia (26%), the US (23%) and India (22%).

Travellers from the UK (18%) and the US (14%) both listed paying for internet as the second most annoying thing when staying at a hotel after noisy guests (22% and 24% respectively).

Globally, more female respondents (14%) say free internet throughout the hotel is most important to them when staying for leisure, compared to 2% who listed having an in-room hairdryer.

The IHG research was carried out by YouGov and surveyed 8306 adults were surveyed in China (1016), France (1005), Germany (1032), India (1011), Russia (1018), UK (2070) and US (1154).

CHANGES TO LOYALTY PROGRAMME

IHG Rewards Club, formerly Priority Club Rewards, is the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty programme, providing existing, industry-leading benefits including points that never expire, no blackout dates for Reward Nights, flight rewards, music downloads and free nights’ stay at any IHG hotel anywhere in the world.

From July, new benefits will include:

Free internet to all Elite status members from July 2013 and extending to all members during 2014;

The ability to earn Elite status faster by staying in three or more of IHG’s hotel brands;

Reward Nights will count toward earning Elite status; and

Platinum Elite members’ “extra” nights will roll over toward maintaining their status in their next membership year

Booking directly with IHG provides guests with access to the best available rates through our ‘Best Price Guarantee’ and ensures they qualify to earn points for their IHG Rewards Club account.

Visitors and guests can sign up free of charge for IHG Rewards Club and all its benefits on the spot at any IHG hotel and can find out more about the changes on the website.