Choice Hotels Extend Network with Penn National Gaming Properties
Choice Privileges members will soon have more hotels to both earn and redeem their points at. Under a strategic agreement with Penn National Gaming, the casino operator’s hotel properties will join the Ascend Hotel Collection network, with reciprocal benefits to elite members of both programs.
Choice Privileges members will soon have 22 new hotels to choose from in the upscale Ascend Hotel Collection network, thanks to a strategic alliance with Penn National Gaming. In a press release, the two companies announced the partnership, with reciprocal benefits coming to elite members of both programs coming.
Alliance Includes Reciprocal Points Earning, Using Choice Privileges Points for Casino Hotels
Under the agreement, Choice Privileges members will be able to book Penn National Gaming hotels through the Choice Hotels website, while earning points and night credits towards elite status. In turn, members of Penn National’s mychoice program can earn tier points and mycash credits for stays at select Choice hotels.
The two programs will also offer reciprocal elite status to members of each program. Tier levels and status match benefits will be announced at a later time.
The move comes as travelers start to make plans for future travel, as the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed nationwide. Choice will get access to an additional 7,000 upscale rooms in key markets including Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and New Orleans, while Penn National can offer enhanced benefits to their most loyal customers. According to Choice, their booking engine drives more than $9 billion in revenue to the hotels participating in their network.
“Our new collaboration offers a great opportunity for Choice Privileges members to enjoy thrilling experiences at Penn’s properties around the country,” Jamie Russo, vice president of loyalty programs and customer engagement at Choice Hotels, said in a statement. “Our research shows that not only do many of our Choice Privileges members already enjoy gaming, but a significant number live within driving distance from a Penn property — so we know they will be excited to visit these top casino brands and be part of the action.”
The alliance will be rolled out in multiple phases over the year, with integration expected before the end of 2021.
Alliance Latest Move to Welcome Travelers Back to Hotels
The Choice Hotels-Penn National alliance is the latest example of how hotels are thinking outside the box to bring travelers – and more importantly, revenue – back to their properties. For the 2021 benefit year, both Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt reduced their elite tier requirements, hoping to encourage more stays throughout the year.