FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Isn't it better to join the Swisotel loyalty program?
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 4:22 am
  #4  
Jasper2009
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15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Originally Posted by aster
I mean you get stay credits regardless of which program and which hotel you stay at, and many of the benefits are shared.

But with Swissotel you only need 30 nights across 2 years to reach Swiss Gold Elite status (top tier).

Plus you get a free night voucher for every 10 paid nights.

And to top it off, once you have Elite status you have access to the Executive Lounge (2 hrs of free booze and snacks) even if you take the cheapest of rooms.

It's the latter that I consider to be the biggest bonus. Would FPC Platinum allow access to a Swissotel lounge when staying there?
No, unfortunately FPC Plats don´t get access to the Swissotel Exec. lounges. The benefits you get at the other hotel are quite limited: local calls, newspaper, welcome amenity, health club access etc. However, I´ve heard that FPC Plats occasionally get comp. upgrades to an Exec./Club room, but no idea whether this happens often.

While Swissotel and Fairmont are owned by one company, they´ve maintained two destinct brands for a good reason:

Swissotels are mostly 3.5*-4* hotels targetting mainly business travellers, Swissotels generally provide decent to very good service, but rarely are "the" hotel at the destination, or even among the top 5 hotels (the only somewhat famous Swissotel is the Stamford in SIN, and maybe the Howard in London)

Fairmont also targets business travellers, but has a much stronger focus on the affluent leisure traveller. Fairmont hotels generally are in the 4*-5* category, not all Fairmonts are the "top hotel in the area", but many are.

Therefore the focus of the two loyalty program differs: Swissotel focuses on free nights for use in the future (likely earned by stayed on the company´s dime) while Fairmont focuses on making your current stay better (room and suite upgrade certs).

Basically, if you intend to stay at Swissotels on a regular basis, I´m sure their program will be better for you. You could always try to maintain FPC Premier (which provides some decent benefits) for the odd stay at a Fairmont.
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