Hilton Hotels Corp. has added new components to its HHonors guest loyalty program in a summer push.
The hotel company is now allowing its 8 million active HHonors members to earn points when they rent from Budget Rent A Car, a new partner of the program. HHonors members also receive a discount at Budget — up to 20% off their rental.
“It’s my job to look for new and interesting ways for our customers to engage with the HHonors program,” said Richard Wolfman, director of partnerships for Hilton. “The partnership with Budget allows members to earn points and save some money when they rent with Budget, so it’s part of the overall strategy to make the program as compelling as possible. We want to make HHonors as exciting and innovative as we can because then members will appreciate the program that much more, and it drives more value to them as individuals and drives more value to the Hilton family.”
“Budget customers are savvy shoppers who appreciate great deals,” added Kaye Ceille, SVP of global travel and partnership sales at Avis Budget Group, parent company of Budget, in a statement. “As people begin planning their summer travel, this alliance offers them a new way to make their travel dollar go farther.”
In a timely push for the Memorial Day and summer vacation travel season, HHonors is offering extra incentive for Budget rentals through June 30: members can receive 1,000 bonus points for a one- to three-day rental from Budget, and a rental of four or more days will earn members 2,000 bonus points. After June 30, incentives fall to 250 points per rental.
Budget is Hilton’s seventh car rental partner. Wolfman said that the company’s affordability fills a key space in Hilton’s partnership portfolio because it represents a different price point than some other partners.
HHonors members will be notified of the deal through customized member newsletters and on the HHonors Web site, where they can sign on to check points and book hotels.
Hilton HHonors members can earn airline miles and points by doing business with Hilton hotels and partner companies. Hilton holdings include Doubletree, Hampton Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations and The Waldorf-Astoria Collection.
