AmericInn modernizes loyalty program

AmericInn, a hotel chain with locations in 22 states, launched the “Easy Rewards by AmericInn” loyalty program on March 16. The initiative replaced the chain's “Inn-Pressive Club” program.

“The Inn-Pressive Club was a stamp-based program,” said Mike Strong, director of marketing for AmericInn. “We decided that we needed to be more competitive and give our guests and franchises what they want, and that's something electronic.”

Active Inn-Pressive Club members will be automatically enrolled in Easy Rewards, which features a more modern, number-based card. AmericInn hopes the program will raise its profile with both consumer and business clients, added Strong. The company runs its loyalty programs in-house.

“We're now offering something similar to our competition on the business-to-business side,” he noted. “For consumers, they no longer have to carry a stamp card in their wallet; it's all electronic.”

AmericInn will also increase its rewards to $50 in credit or $40 in cash after 10 stays at the chain. Its traditional reward was $40 in cash or credit.

The chain is communicating the changes to customers via e-mail, said Strong.

“[E-mail] is one of our main vehicles,” he said. “We have a handful of channels for collecting e-mails and talking to our guests, including e-newsletters and reservations.”