InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to combine its IHG Rewards Club loyalty program with Kimpton's Karma Rewards.
Beginning in early 2018, Karma Rewards members will automatically be enrolled in IHG Rewards Club, offering members increased value without sacrificing Kimpton's renowned character and charm.
The transition to one program and a single reward point system means loyal Kimpton guests will be able to benefit on stays at thousands of more properties. More specifically, they'll have access to a portfolio of roughly 5,300 hotels across nearly a dozen IHG brands, including the recently launched midscale brand, Avid Hotels.
Likewise, IHG Rewards Club members will be able to redeem their points for free stays at dozens of Kimpton hotels. The luxury boutique brand recently debuted in Europe and announced this week that it will expand to Asia by the end of the decade.
"We will also extend our personal offers and customized benefits to welcome Kimpton guests into our family," IHG's senior vice president of customer loyalty marketing, Susanna Freer Epstein said in a statement accompanying Friday's announcement. "At the same time, our existing IHG Rewards Club members will also be able to earn and redeem points for stays at Kimpton hotels, further exposing them to new brands and new places."
IHG said Karma Rewards members will also be able to boost their status faster through personalized incentives and promotions.
Perhaps most importantly, the merger will preserve the personalization that has set Kimpton apart.
The preference-based perks and recognition will continue under the IHG Rewards Club banner, as will exclusive Kimpton offers and invitations to private events.
Karma Rewards members will also gain access to hundreds of redemption partners, including airlines. Other benefits include mobile check-out, stay preferences and the IHG Rewards Club Concierge shopping experience, where members can exchange their points for event tickets, experiences and items.
Kimpton's chief commercial officer, Kathleen Reidenbach called the combination a "win-win."
"Becoming part of IHG Rewards Club allows us to answer some common requests from our Kimpton Karma Rewards members, such as no blackout dates, online redemption, and perhaps the pinnacle of it all, a whole world of international opportunities that the IHG Rewards Club program offers," added Reidenbach.
Starting next year, IHG Rewards Club members' current status will be recognized at Kimpton properties while Karma Rewards members' tier levels will map to IHG Rewards Club membership levels.
IHG said that Karma InnerCircle will continue to exist at Kimpton hotels and will be grandfathered into the IHG Rewards Club program sometime in 2018.
IHG acquired Kimpton back in 2015. However, last year, former IHG CEO Richard Solomons pledged to let the chain maintain its identity. The thoughtful approach is likely why a combined loyalty program won't arrive until 2018.
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