Originally Posted by
Crazyhotelguy
While I would agree that there is definately value to the hotel by participating in a brand and loyalty program, I would also have to bust a few FT'ers bubbles when it comes to the idea that simply taking the flag away from a hotel will cause it to go under.
There
was an article in the L.A. Times in December about some Holiday Inn properties dropping out over upgrades. When I read the headline, I thought, "OK, hotels may not like upgrading guests, but isn't dropping out an overreaction?" Of course, the article is about forced property upgrades, not upgrading guests' stays. Typical FT reaction, I guess

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Anyway, your point is well-taken: I'm sure there are trade-offs to all such programs, costs and benefits, and individual properties may find one outweighs the other.