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IHG announced they were purchasing Kimpton in late 2014
While the brands have been under the same corporate umbrella for quite some time, the reward programs have run more or less independent of one another. One blogger that is a huge Kimpton advocate is Bald Thoughts. The writes a considerate amount on the benefits of their program, and I’d guess he isn’t going to be all that enthused about it getting folded into IHG. Me and my family, on the other hand, have substantial loyalty with IHG through timeshares and have found their program to be very valuable as a result. Let’s take a look at the changes that will occur early in 2018.
Here’s a look at the programs
Kimpton brings a great luxurious, boutique group of hotels to IHG. I’m certainly looking forward to being able to redeem IHG points for stays at these hotels.
One of the benefits of the IHG credit card from Chase is that you gain IHG Platinum status just by being a cardmember. In addition to that…you get a free night. Soon, that will be extended to the Kimpton hotels as well.
The current information about the loyalty programs getting folded into one another
Few highlights
- You can already use points for the Kimpton Amsterdam
- Early in 2018 you’ll be able to earn and redeem at all Kimpton hotels
- Elite Welcome bonus will be “raid the bar” perk
- an item from the mini bar or the bar
The Kimpton Canary Hotel is going to be high on my list for a fun LA getaway weekend.
Yeah, I wasn’t too thrilled. And there’s still a lot to be determined with how Inner Circle members like me will transition over because 75 nights to earn IHG Spire is more than most of us do each year.
I gave a presentation at Chicago Seminars about Kimpton… and the change literally was released 24 hours before I was supposed to present. I had plenty of changes to make in a short period of time.
There has been a tremendous outpouring of feedback from IC members, so I imagine that more changes will come in 2018.
BTW, you will LOVE the Kimpton Canary. It is one of my favorite SoCal Kimpton properties.
Exciting news with the new LA and Palm Springs properties, so we’ll have more higher-end resorts in the local area to choose from soon.