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Independent Hotels Get a Rewards Program
The New York Times, August 2, 2010
The service, called Stash Hotel Rewards, started in May and has signed up 79 hotels in 63 cities, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington. The hotels include boutiques, spas and resorts and are all properties with ratings of three stars and above.
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'The Bachelor' Takes His Six Soulmates to the Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix
HotelChatter, February 12, 2013
Sean has decided to whisk the girls off to the island of St. Croix to further determine who is the one he is going to spend the rest of his life with. After arriving on the island by seaplane, Sean takes his harem to The Buccaneer Resort, a beachfront pink palace that is one of the island's longest-running resorts. If you're considering this "Bachelor" getaway, then before you throw down your credit card, you should first enter the Stash Rewards Caribbean Giveaway which is gifting one lucky winner with a 7-night stay at the Buccaneer. Cross your fingers!
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Hotel at WaterWalk has joined a program that allows its customers to earn points, allowing it to compete with larger hotel chains’ rewards programs. Steve Butcher, asset manager for Consolidated Holdings, the company that owns the 88-suite hotel at 711 S. Main, said the partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards will give the hotel a competitive lift among guests who like to stay in independently owned hotels but don’t because of the absence of a rewards program.
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Hotel at WaterWalk joins rewards program
The Wichita Eagle, February 2, 2013
Hotel at WaterWalk has joined a program that allows its customers to earn points, allowing it to compete with larger hotel chains’ rewards programs. Steve Butcher, asset manager for Consolidated Holdings, the company that owns the 88-suite hotel at 711 S. Main, said the partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards will give the hotel a competitive lift among guests who like to stay in independently owned hotels but don’t because of the absence of a rewards program.
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Independent Hoteliers Share Best Practices
Lodging Hospitality, October 23, 2012
Independents have twice the bookings from OTAs,” said Jeff Low, founder and CEO of Stash Hotel Rewards. “Think about that, there’s so much money going out. Meanwhile you’re calking your window to save money and you’ve got an entire wall missing. A lot independent players just aren’t aware. If OTAs are like crack, then flash sales are like meth. Either way, your teeth fall out.” Stash Rewards has approximately 200 hotel partners taking advantage of its loyalty program for independents that helps offset franchised chains’ hugely successful rewards programs.
Stash Hotel Rewards: 10 Rooms in NYC for 1,000 Points
Loyalty Traveler, July 25, 2012
Stash Hotel Rewards is offering 10 rooms at a New York City partner hotel at only 1,000 points for one night during the month of August. A random check of Stash Hotel Rewards New York City hotels for Saturday August 18, 2012 shows the points needed for one free night range from 17,074 points for the Affinia Shelburne to 29,930 points for The Strand Hotel. Weekday nights run about 50% more. A hotel room in New York City for 1,000 Stash Hotel Rewards points is a significant discount on the normal redemption rate.
Green hotel near Mt. Rushmore boosts appeal
USA Today, June 26, 2012
One of the only sustainable, eco-luxury hotels in South Dakota just joined the largest loyalty points program for independent hotels to lure more guests and compete against the chains. Hotel guests will likely see the Stash program as a value-added amenity which also will help the hotel attract more travelers who often check into Stash's other partner hotels. Stash also gives independent hotels a way to compete with the hospitality giants that rely on points to generate business such as Marriott, Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group.
New Girl in the Air, a Boarding Area Blog, June 14, 2012
One of the lesser-known hotel programs out there is Stash Rewards, a way to earn rewards while staying at fabulous independent hotels. Stash is quite simple: you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on qualifying rates, and redeem those points toward free nights at any of their partner hotels on any date with no capacity controls. The true incentive is you get the chance to stay at a one-of-a-kind property instead of having a cookie cutter room.
Boutique Hotels Want Your Meetings
Meetings and Conventions, May 1, 2012
Another challenge for boutiques: the comprehensive reward programs offered by brand-name hotel chains. Not surprisingly, some planners opt to book at a big-box property because they can build up points to use as upgrades or apply to future stays. Today, however, more boutique properties are finding ways to compete with the allure of such programs. The Denihan Hospitality Group opted to create its own incentive: Stash Hotel Rewards.
Hotel Rewards – Loyalty Program Links Independent Hotels
The Dallas Morning News, April 20, 2012
People who prefer independent hotels but who also like discounts, coupons and reward points often must choose one or the other when booking a hotel stay. Until recently, most independent hotels were limited in the number of specials they could offer compared with what a large chain operation could do.
Stash at 164 Independent Hotels and Counting
Lodging Hospitality, November 30, 2011
Stash Hotel Rewards was the perfect combination of Jeff Low’s two areas of expertise. “I know rewards programs,” says the CEO and founder of Stash, “and I’ve always loved independent hotels.” Stash was launched in May 2010 with 65 three- and four-star-rated independent hotels in the U.S. That number is now at 164 after recent and big-name additions like The Modern Honolulu (originally the Waikiki Edition), the Iron Horse in Milwaukee and the Viceroy Miami.
5 standout innovations from PhoCusWright
Hotel News Now, November 22, 2011
...additional partnerships with some of the country’s most famous independents, including the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Yotel New York, The Strand Hotel in New York and—ironically—the Modern Honolulu (formerly Waikiki Edition).
Loyalty programs designed for independents
Hotel Management, September 1, 2011
Gone are the days when only big hotel brands attract all of the “road warriors” and repeat group business. Independent hotels now have viable options for loyalty programs on par with the big brands to entice these lucrative consumer segments.
Lodging, June 30, 2011
It’s been a little more than a year since Stash Hotel Rewards was launched with the aim of helping independent hotels attract frequent travelers. And, what started with 64 independent hotels on May 20, 2010, has ballooned to 147 hotels today, establishing a new avenue for independent hotels to market themselves to the all-important business traveler set.
Stash Those Rewards: Independent Hotels Unite to Offer Loyalty Points
Meetings and Conventions, June 9, 2011
Not that long ago, Jeff Low was a road warrior for Expedia spending way too many nights a month in Manhattan, most of them at the 210-room Affinia 50, an independent boutique property in Midtown that he had come to enjoy. So much time, in fact, he realized he was missing out on earning serious loyalty points. Only thing is, the hotel didn't have a loyalty program. "It really got me thinking that there is something here to be developed. The idea just took hold from there," says Low.
Expanding Hotel Loyalty Rewards
The New York Times, June 1, 2011
Travelers who prefer boutique hotels to big cookie-cutter brands have long faced a trade-off. While often more charming and memorable than your typical chain hotel, most independent hotels don’t offer loyalty programs.
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Travel + Leisure, June 2011 edition
Stash Hotel Rewards made its debut in May 2010 with a collection of boutique hotels in North America, including Bardessono in Yountville, California, Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Lenox, in Boston.
Stash Hotel Rewards Celebrates 1st Birthday
Loyalty Traveler, May 15, 2011
To celebrate its first birthday this week Stash Hotel Rewards is offering Stash member guests 1,000 bonus points for stays at a Stash Rewards hotel partner this week from Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20. There are a couple of good bonus opportunities currently running with Stash Hotel Rewards including Loyalty Traveler’s very own new member sign-up link for 1,000 bonus points.
The Miami Herald, May 12, 2011
For the Palms Hotel & Spa, the latest move to set itself apart was joining a loyalty program for independent properties that gives points redeemable for free nights to people who stay at the network’s nearly 150 hotels — just like a chain. Stash Hotel Rewards started a year ago with 65 properties. Janzon said she hopes the program will give her hotel an edge with potential visitors.
Stash Rewards is Giving Away Thousands of Points for Its Birthday
HotelChatter, May 10, 2011
This is fitting--Stash Rewards wants to give you a stash of points for its birthday. The loyalty program for independent hotels will turn one year old on May 20 but will celebrate the milestone all next week and, in some cases, for the rest of the month.
Boutique hotels join hands with chains, stay at arm's length
Reuters, May 3, 2011
For hotels like Denver's Teatro that want to stay independent but still recognize the importance of loyalty programs in customer retention, there's Stash, a rewards system started last year by a group of e-commerce veterans.
SmartMoney, March 14, 2011
Stash Hotel Rewards launched last year and members can earn a free room with at least 3,800 points, or $760. Around 120 independent hotels participate in the program.
Travel Tip: Hotel Loyalty Programs
Peter Greenberg Worldwide, March 4, 2011
Stash Rewards is a reward program for independent hotels, including boutique and historic properties. Each stay collects points that you can redeem at participating hotels.
How to Earn Rewards with Stash
IgoUgo, February 9, 2011
For any traveler, discovering a great place to stay can be one of the mood-setters of the whole trip. But the intimate, off-the-beaten path secret spots and independent hotels usually lack one thing that travelers want: a rewards program. Not anymore -- rewards program newcomer Stash aims to counter that.
Stash Hotel Rewards Share the Love Contest and Loyalty Program Review
Loyalty Traveler, January 9, 2011
Another feature Jeff Low likes to point out for Stash Rewards is their hotel loyalty program does not offer cookie-cutter hotel properties. Sometimes I think the curse for some big chain travelers is the only way to remember what town you are in when sitting in your hotel room is to look out the window of the Aloft or Hyatt Place or Hilton Garden Inn.
A Season of Giving -- and Getting – Rewards
Hotel Interactive, December 22, 2010
Jeff Low knows all about the allure of rewards programs -- free room nights for the traveler and a robust distribution system for the hotels. As an executive with Expedia, he identified with road warriors who often sought points even when they had to sacrifice price or location.
The Hottest New Travel Technology
Travel + Leisure, November 24, 2010
We all get rewards points at the big chain hotels like Starwood and—as of recently—the Ritz-Carlton. But why not at small, independent hotels? Stash has created a network of boutique properties where you can earn points for free nights. Now that's something we can all use more of.
Stash Hotel Rewards: The Cure for the Common Hotel Chain
The Points Guy, November 23, 2010
As a road warrior, I certainly understand the concept of this program: offer high quality, unique service to a population of people who are sick of cookie cutter hotels and also give them the power of earning points that can be used for a show-stopping personal vacation.
PhoCusWright 2010 Innovator: Stash Hotel Rewards
WhyGo Business, November 22, 2010
But what if you’re also the kind of person for whom travel is about experiencing new and different things? Always staying in big chain hotels because they’re the ones that offer rewards points can detract significantly from the travel experience when every single chain hotel looks essentially the same.
The Top Ideas for Travelers from the PhoCusWright Travel Innovation Summit
BootsnAll, November 17, 2010
Stash is a hotel rewards program geared towards travelers who prefer to stay at independently-run hotels in the United States. This means travelers can book the unique hotels they love, while still earning rewards points.
A Hotel Loyalty Program for Travelers Who Hate Chain Hotels
Condé Nast Traveler, November 16, 2010
So what do you do if you prefer non-chain hotels -- historic inns, urban boutique hot spots, one-of-a-kind resorts? For you, there's now Stash Hotel Rewards, which lets you earn points toward free stays at any of 100 independent high-end hotels in the U.S., many of them Conde Nast Traveler Gold List and Hot List properties.
Stash Hotel Rewards loyalty program reaches 100 independent properties
Gadling, November 15, 2010
Tired of the same old loyalty chains? After just six months in business, Stash Hotel Rewards, the loyalty program that draws together independent and boutique properties has reached 100 total properties in 74 cities.
DailyCandy, November 10, 2010
Founded by a former Expedia honcho, the new service organizes lots of small, unconnected independent hotels into one big reward-rich points network.
How You Can Rack Up Free Points for the Stash Loyalty Program
HotelChatter, November 10, 2010
Stash Rewards, a loyalty program for independent hotels, is celebrating surpassing the 100 mark in its collection of properties by giving away 100,000 points.
Hotel Rewards, Without the Commitment
Inc., November 1, 2010
Most hotel rewards programs limit you to one chain. A new program called Stash Hotel Rewards allows travelers to earn points at a variety of hotels.
Stylish Stays--For Less!
Budget Travel, November, 2010
In May, boutique hotels got their first-ever reward program, Stash Hotel Rewards. Members earn points at 81 locations across North America. Stay three nights at Hotel Fifty, in Portland, Ore., for instance, and get a fourth free (from $98).
Smart Traveler: Stash Hotel Rewards
Everett Potter's Travel Report, October 12, 2010
While there’s nothing wrong with existing hotel frequent stay programs that reward you for your loyalty, you might not exactly be pining to stay in a Hilton, Marriott or Hyatt on your next vacation in Colorado, Los Angeles or Florida. That’s where Stash Hotel Rewards comes in. Founded by ex Expedia guy Jeff Low, along with e-commerce cohorts from Zillow, Amazon and Microsoft, Stash has compiled a network of independent hotels that give out points that can be redeemed for future stays.
Hotel News Now, September 20, 2010
Sure, a one-of-a-kind, boutique property might entice travelers looking for a quick departure off the beaten path, but latching onto repeat guests with the big brand loyalty programs looming is as difficult as driving rate in the recession. Enter Stash Hotel Rewards. The independent hotel loyalty program is helping to level the playing field by recruiting member hotels and travelers to its flexible frequent-guest program.
What's It Like Being a Stash Hotel Rewards Partner?
HotelChatter, September 8, 2010
Hotel loyalty programs is a buzzy-buzz topic nowadays, and one that's setting itself apart from the Marriott and Hyatt pack is Stash Hotel Rewards. What makes Stash stand out is that it isn't doling out points for mega chains. Instead, the loyalty program targets independent boutique hotels.
Independent loyalty programs: Strength in numbers
Hotel News Now, August 30, 2010
Today, Stash Hotel Rewards, Low’s independent hotel loyalty program that launched in May, boasts more than 80 hotel members. It includes six of Denihan’s Affinia properties in Chicago and New York. The program, which allows for greater flexibility than traditional hotel frequent-guest programs, is catching on. Individual travelers are drawn to the ease of redemption (no blackout dates), while hoteliers are attracted to the dynamic pricing on the redemption side, allowing them to manage what rooms can be paid for in points just as they would manage any other channel.
In the Hot Seat: Jeff Low, Stash Hotel Rewards
Travel Weekly, August 9, 2010
As rewards programs have become an increasingly integral part of travel, independent hoteliers have found it harder to compete with the big chains and their programs, particularly for frequent business travelers. To help level the playing field, Jeff Low, a former executive at Expedia, has developed Stash Hotel Rewards, a program for nonbranded properties or small brands, such as Affinia, which is one of its first members.
Independent hotels join rewards program
The Daytona Beach News-Journal, August 9, 2010
The Shores Resort and Spa is one of 81 independent properties in 63 cities that has signed up for a new online hotel loyalty program. Guests now can earn points for every dollar they spend on lodging for a future stay, similar to the program offered by chains and travel websites, such as Expedia and Travelocity. The service, known as Stash Hotel Rewards, started in May. The properties include boutiques, as well as spas and resorts. All properties have ratings of three stars and above, based on the program's assessment of the hotel's services, amenities, reputation and location.
Loyalty programs for independent hotels
Hotel & Motel Management, August 5, 2010
Low’s Stash Rewards launched in May with 65 properties and is adding about 10 properties a month. Stash works by letting hoteliers decide when to offer roomnights into the system “We don’t mandate certain fixed pricing,” Low said. “What we do is allow hotels to offset nearly all the costs of the program by putting their rooms into the program for redemption.”
Independent Hotels Get a Rewards Program
The New York Times, August 2, 2010
The service, called Stash Hotel Rewards, started in May and has signed up 79 hotels in 63 cities, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington. The hotels include boutiques, spas and resorts and are all properties with ratings of three stars and above.
Hotels, July, 2010
Once the domain of the large hotel companies, variations on the loyalty club concept are sprouting up across the industry, from smaller hotel groups to the online travel agencies, and even consortia created solely for the purpose of accruing points redeemable for free nights.
5 new sites for Web-savvy travelers
MSNBC July 20, 2010
Like earning loyalty points for your lodging, but hate staying in cookie-cutter chain hotels? If so, check out Stash Hotel Rewards, a free service that’s like Hilton HHonors or Marriott Rewards for independent boutique hotels. The site, which launched in May, offers five points for every dollar spent at participating hotels.
Independent hotels struggle against chains, rewards programs
Denver Business Journal, July 2, 2010
Low founded Stash in May, bringing together 73 independent U.S. hotels — including Denver’s Hotel Teatro — in a program where guests can earn points by staying at any of them and use those for free nights at any of the participating hotels. Without such perks, independent hotels are at a disadvantage, especially in the eyes of savings-oriented consumers, he said.
One-Month-Old Stash Hotel Rewards Adds Eight More to Its Indy Stable
HotelChatter, July 1, 2010
Stash Hotel Rewards, the loyalty program for independent boutique hotels, marks its one-month birthday. It's got several reasons to celebrate, mainly because Stash has added eight hotels and five cities to its roster of participating properties.
What's It Like Being a Stash Hotel Rewards Partner?
InsideFlyer, July 20, 2010
Stash Hotel Rewards is a unique type of loyalty program that launched on May 20 with 65 independent hotels in over 50 cities. The program expects to feature more than 200 hotels by the end of the year. Stash Hotel Rewards members can earn and redeem points at participating properties in key travel cities in the U.S., such as San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. Visit http://www.stashrewards.com to learn more about Stash Hotel Rewards. We spoke with Jeff Low, founder and CEO of Stash Hotel Rewards, about the new program.
Plan to Stay at a Hotel Chain Property? Stash This!
The Gate, May 27, 2010
FlyerTalk is all about the discussion of miles and points. However, there are FlyerTalk members who prefer to stay at independent hotels where they may have a unique experience at each property. The only problem is that staying at such hotels did not earn points, usually because there was no frequent guest loyalty program……until now. Introducing a new loyalty scheme for US independent hotels that was launched recently called Stash Hotel Rewards, in which membership is complimentary.
Would You Join a Loyalty Program for Independent Hotels?
HotelChatter, May 25, 2010
One pro of such a program is that you'd be able to stay in a one-of-a-kind hotel that's more in tune with the area you're visiting, rather than a cookie-cutter property that you'd find in any city. Plus, it's always nice to throw money toward an independent business rather than some big conglomerate.
Stash Hotel Rewards launches loyalty program
Colloquy, May 24, 2010
If you travel all the time, you want something back," says Jeff Low, founder and CEO of the young Stash Hotel Rewards, which launched Spring 2010. Properties range from the Hotel Griffon in San Francisco to the Sedona Rouge in Arizona to The Restoration on King in Charleston, South Carolina. Low realized that a major incentive for frequent travelers was the ability to quantify the "loyalty value" that they had accrued.
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Boutique Hotels Join Together in New Loyalty 'Stash Hotel Rewards'
AOL Travel, May 21, 2010
Watch out hotel chains, there's a new player in town vying for business travelers who are tired of the same-old corporate hotel experience. A group of independent hotels are banding together through the new start-up Stash Hotel Rewards, modeled after popular loyalty rewards programs like Marriott Rewards and Hilton HHonors.
USA Today, May 20, 2010
A group that includes the creator of Expedia's loyalty program yesterday launched Stash Hotel Rewards, a loyalty program for upscale, independent hotels that lets you accumulate points and redeem them without blackout dates. The program launches with an initial 65 hotels in 50 cities. Like the big chains' loyalty programs, Stash is free to join. The 65 hotels listed are diverse and include everything from historic hotels to hip, boutique gems.
