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.