Stash Hotel Rewards has launched a loyalty scheme with 65 independent properties in 50 US cities, and aims to have 200 hotels participating by the end of the year.

The scheme says that it only includes hotels with “a star rating of 3.5 or above, with some exceptional three-star properties” (although note that the programme itself determines these star ratings), and that its portfolio of properties have on average 150-200 rooms, and a Tripadvisor “Recommend” rating of over 80 per cent.

Five Stash points are earned for every dollar spent on eligible room rates, and the scheme says that typically a member will be able to earn a free night after five stays at Stash partner Hotels. Members can earn points by booking hotels for others, and can book up to two eligible rooms for the same dates and earn points on both of them.

At present points are only earned on room rates, although Stash says this may change “as it continues to improve the programme”.

The scheme is free to join, and current counts properties in cities including LA, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, with more set to join the programme in Washington, Miami, Chicago, Boston and New York.

For more information visit www.stashrewards.com