In honor of my upcoming stay at the Hotel Palomar San Francisco, my first at a Kimpton property, I thought a quick study of their loyalty program, InTouch, would be in order. InTouch does not work like your typical points based program. Instead, for every 7 eligible stays or 20 eligible nights, you earn a complimentary night’s stay. Hardcore Kimpton fans can earn Passport Rewards. By staying in 10 different Kimpton hotels during a calendar year, you earn a 2-night complementary stay, 15 hotels nets an extra night, and 20 hotels earns still another night.
In addition to free nights, joining InTouch nets some compelling benefits for even a base-level member that made me take notice. First, there’s free internet access. That’s a pretty valuable benefit just for signing up. Then, there’s the “Raid the Mini-bar” benefit. Just take any 2 items (up to $10 dollars, $15 dollars in New York City), as a “welcome back” of sorts. Not bad.
Of course, InTouch features an elite level for Kimpton’s most loyal customers called Inner Circle Elite. Those members who choose Kimpton for 15 eligible visits or 45 eligible nights each year are awarded Inner Circle status. Inner Circle members enjoy at least two personalized welcome amenities which can range from a Diet Coke and Chocolate to Chardonnay and classic jazz according to Kimpton’s website. Further, members are eligible for next category room upgrades at check in based on availability. Inner Circle members are also guaranteed room availability with 48 hours notice at sold out hotels.
So that’s my high level overview of Kimpton InTouch. It’s a basic program that might not appeal to the masses, but certainly rewards loyalty to the brand. Its approach reminds me of Omni Hotels Select Guest, another favorite hotel brand of mine that I don’t get to frequent enough. I’m really looking forward to my stay at the Hotel Palomar San Francisco, and will provide a full review of the stay here on the blog.
Count me as a fan. On my last trip to NY, I had to fly into the Delta terminal at JFK which was total chaos (I prefer JetBlue’s T5 terminal). Anyway, I arrived at Kimpton’s 70 Park Ave property completely frazzled and the desk agent asked what had happened. She sympathized and then sent me up a cheese & fruit tray plus a very nice bottle of wine. On previous stays I’d received the “raid the minibar” coupon plus a signed note from the manager but the cheese plate was a very nice touch after a long day of travel and trying experience at baggage claim. I’m a huge fan of Kimpton’s properties (esp. The Hotel Icon), and highly recommend them for business or adult leisure travel.
Kimpton Hotels are very, very nice. At a recent stay at The Muse in New York City, I received a beautiful cheese tray, a bottle of Spring Water, a $ 15 mini-bar certificate and a hand written note from the manager welcoming me back. The previous year I was at this hotel for cancer treatment and the staff remembered me. I am in complete remission now and most of the staff asked how I was doing and were so happy that I was better. It was wonderful to be remembered and to be greeted so personally and treated so fondly.
I have very much enjoyed the Kimpton properties I have stayed at. Look forward to reading your upcoming review!