Leading Hotels of the World Drops Loyalty Program Fee
Membership in the Leaders Club is now complimentary, but benefits “have not changed”
Leading Hotels of the World has announced it is dropping the $175 annual fee for its Leaders Club loyalty program. However, the independent luxury hotel marketing group stresses that its membership benefits “have not been changed.”
When members book directly through LHW, Leaders Club benefits include one confirmed pre-arrival upgrade per year (after a completed first stay), daily continental breakfast for two, free WiFi, and up to 20 percent off best available room rates.
Members also receive one Leaders Club point for every $1 spent, with free night stays starting from “just 4,000 points,” according to the website.
The LHW portfolio currently consists of over 400 hotels in over 80 countries, including The Lowell and the Greenwich in New York, The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia, The Setai Miami Beach and The Hay-Adams in Washington, DC.
“As signs of recovery emerge for the travel industry, we wanted to create a more seamless membership process, while continuing to deliver the benefits members have come to enjoy and expect from Leaders Club,” said Phil Koserowski, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at The Leading Hotels of the World.
“By making the program complimentary more of our community is recognized and rewarded for their loyalty. It celebrates individuality and rewards guests for choosing the uncommon path. We look forward to welcoming more curious travelers to the club as travel demand returns.”
It’s not clear if members who paid the $175 fee shortly before it was removed are entitled to any sort of refund, although given the global travel restrictions over the last year these numbers are likely to be low.
