When You’re the First Loyalty Program Member Guest at a Hotel, Plus Enter Day 7 of the 12 Days of Giveaways
New hotels pop up constantly, and even though I’ve stayed at several newly opened properties (and advise folks that sometimes it is best to wait on luxury property stays until after the grand opening) I can’t say I’ve ever been the first hotel loyalty program member to stay at a hotel.
Lee with Bald Thoughts turned out to be the very first Inner Circle member at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood. I’d never even heard of anyone being acknowledged or celebrated as the first loyalty program member to stay at a hotel, and this seems like a really fun way to thank members for trying out a new property. I’m guessing that this is something Kimpton does at all their new hotels though it could have been specific to the Everly property. Kimpton’s Inner Circle loyalty program has always been wonderfully quirky, so this unpublished perk would certainly fit right in.
Of course, if the property is a Marriott with 450 rooms, the reality is that many, many guests staying there would be members of their loyalty program. At first I figured that the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood must be tiny, but it has a surprisingly large guest room count – 216 guest rooms and 12 suites. That’s pretty big, and it could be that there were several other Inner Circle members there the same day Lee was that also received the kudos.
I am wondering about other hotel chains too and what a good acknowledgement would be. A letter from the General Manager? Something special prepared by the chef? A coupon for a free appetizer or drink?
On the topic of freebies, today happens to be to Day 7 of Magic of Miles 12 Days of Giveaways.
To enter today’s contest for a chance at GoGo 25 use passes, airline pajamas, or travel goodies, let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever had the experience of being the first loyalty program member to stay at a hotel, what you think about the possible perk, or that you’d like to be the recipient of today’s contest prize.
Today’s Magic of Miles contest ends at 9pm PST tonight so get those entries in. Click here to read full contest details, and good luck!
Day 7… almost forgot!
I wouldn’t start jumping up and down screaming “pick me! pick me! pick me!,” but YES, I’d like to be the recipient of today’s contest prize.
The possible perk for trying out a brand new hotel definitely is interesting. Now if there’s a new hotel opening in a city that I’m visiting, I’ll try to stay there.
Nope, no first loyalty member guest experience for me.
Possible perks? You mean as the 1st loyalty member? Chocolate in room? Complimentary dinner?
Uh, yeah I’d like to be the recipient of today’s prize. Totally.
The first loyalty program member to stay at a hotel? Woah, I could only imagine the perks they might dole out. Sadly, no such experience for me.
A few chocolates/pralines would be a nice perk 🙂
this won’t be the first time i say…thanks for the contest!
would love to have that privilege of being the first!
never had that privilege to be the first.
Never, but it would be great!
I was the first Lifetime Diamond Member at the Andaz Maui! It was cool for sure! Thanks for entering me in the contest!
It never even crossed my mind that this could happen, but I’d hire the marketing guy who gave out the oscars for first loyalty guest!
It would be fun to be the first guest! Maybe they would offer a free stay?! I agree with another poster; Maui would be my place of choice to be a first guest! Happy Holidays to all!
I don’t know what today’s prize is, but I am pretty sure that I would be thrilled to win it.
Probably the only thing I would want as a loyalty perk might be instead of a free USA Today, getting a free New York Times. But all the rest I don’t care about. Probably because we spend very little time in the hotel room when we travel. The amenities that I like should be ones for every guest, not just for loyalty members.
I have never been the first to stay at a property as a loyalty card member.
I would like a piece of that cake in the picture and to win a sweet prize.
Yes would love to win
i’d like to be the recipient of today’s contest prize.
I have not, but a friend has. They got 2 of their 4 nights free -but I suspect that had more to do with non-working plumbing than loyalty membership…..I would like the pyjamas or travel goodies, not interested in the gogo
I have never been the first loyalty program guest at a hotel but I stayed at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel in Tokyo the first night it opened. I would like to win the gogo pass
Would love to win the Gogo passes
A coupon for a free drink at the hotel bar is always a great idea.
We once were one of the first to stay at the Kempinski Munich airport. It was very modern at the time
I would love to win a GoGo pass! 🙂
I’d like to win any prize
I would love to win
I have never been a first guest
Would love to win
Have never been first at a new hotel but sounds fun
Great giveaway
I would love to win any of your great prizes
I like free drink coupons
I’ve never been the first loyalty program member to stay at a hotel
I wonder if the extras also have to do with his blog. But would be a nice perk, though I’ll probably never stay on the first day, seems risky and possibly snafu filled.
I would love to win one of the daily prizes!
That’s a great way to be recognized though. And that hotel looks fantastic.
Never even close to the first loyalty member somewhere.
Looking for a first day opening in Maui.
Sounds great with all the excitement of first day open.
I would love to win today.
Been at a few hotels on first day (not necessarily loyalty guest) but never really received anything out of the ordinary for it.
I’d love to win today’s prize!
I love when my loyalty is acknowledged! Never happened at a hotel. I would love to win a prize today!
I would love to win one of your daily prizes. Thank you.
I think the perk should be a special in room amenity as a welcome, a room upgrade, and some bonus points.
I think that would be cool to be the first loyalty member at a new hotel. It has not happened to me.
It has never happened to me but I was odd for having Hilton Gold in Beiruit
I was never the first loyalty member to stay at a hotel.
It would definitely be a good badge to add.
I have never had the privilege of being the first to stay at a hotel. But, being a loyalty member definitely has its perks as I’ve gotten a few upgrades without even asking.
wiuld ba alot of goodies , unfortunately not yet
The little trophies were sweet!
I love any kind of perk they give you just for being a member!
I’d love to have a big deal made over me – heehee!
That’s cool! I’d never thought about someone being the first member to stay at a hotel!
That’s pretty cool, I was among the first to stay at a new Moxy hotel, but it was very much nbd