HOW STASH WORKS: HAPPY HOTELIERS = HAPPY TRAVELERS

It’s no secret, at Stash we do things a little differently. For travelers and hoteliers accustomed to chain programs, our unique redemption model is a refreshing change. 

We pay Hoteliers full rate + tax for redemption rates. 

Confession: I’m a former road-warrior and Hilton HHonors junkie. (There, I said it.) I racked-up over 300,000 points and redeemed them for my honeymoon. I sauntered into the lobby, expecting the red-carpet to roll-out for us, maybe a little confetti would fall from the sky, and surely champagne would be flowing, right?

Wrong. We got no extra love from the hotel. In fact, the hotel seemed vaguely annoyed and — dare-I-say inhospitable towards us. I gave them my life savings in loyalty-points, and in return I got some serious attitude and an ego blow (right in front of my brand-new husband nonetheless) that I’m not as special as I think I am.

Luckily, the sharks were more hospitable than the chain hotel we stayed at. 

Fast-forward 2 years later, I joined the Stash team and the tables were turned:  I’m working on the other side of a loyalty program.  I was shocked to learn that under the chain programs, hotels get paid essentially nothing for redemption stays. We’re talking $15 – $50 per night. Meanwhile, they’re getting full-rate for their other guests, which now makes those guests their favorite guests. So it’s no wonder Honeymoon Hilton wouldn’t upgrade me to a room where I could swan-dive off my porch. It was actually costing them money for me to be there.

The Stash Difference:

When a member redeems points with Stash, we actually cut a check to the hotel for the entire room rate, plus tax. (Ok, that’s a lie, we give them a credit card, but “cutting-checks” sounds so quaint and lovely.) This means redeemers provide revenue for the hotel; not an expense. This allows our Partner Hotels to celebrate an awesome guest and a loyal Stash member. This also is how we can deliver our beloved "No Blackout Dates" promise to travelers; our Partner Hotels yield their redemption rates, and we pay in full.  As long as there's a room available, there's room for a Stash Member. 

Why we do it:

We know that redeeming points is a big deal to travelers.  At Stash, we do everything in our power to make sure all stays -- but especially redemption stays -- are as rewarding as possible.  We do that by taking care of the people who are taking care of our members.  Welcoming them, fluffing their pillows, and making their trip special.

We don’t do things differently for the sake of being different. We do things “less ordinary” so we can create a friendlier world for travelers and hoteliers alike.

Emily McFadden is the Director of Marketing at Stash Hotel Rewards. 

That's more like it! The amazing independent hotel Whitney Peak Hotel pulls out all the stops to celebrate their guests. Photo Credit: Whitney Peak Hotel - Instagram: @whitneypeakhotel