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This should come as no surprise after Hyatt acquired the platform, but the partnership between InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Mr & Mrs Smith has been immediately discontinued.
As I wrote about last week, Hyatt finalized the acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith. The luxury hotel booking platform offers direct bookings at a collection of over 1,500 boutique and luxury properties.
In 2020, IHG launched a partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith. The goal was to give IHG members access and benefits at additional luxury properties. Modified elite benefits were provided as follows:
IHG One Rewards members receive:
- 10 points per $1 (on eligible room rates)
- A BlackSmith welcome gift (subject to availability)
- Bonus points on every stay (Silver Elite = 20%; Gold Elite = 40%; Platinum Elite = 60%; Spire Elite = 100%)
InterContinental® Ambassadors, Royal Ambassadors and Kimpton® Inner Circle members will receive:
- 10 points per $1 (on eligible room rates)
- A GoldSmith welcome gift (subject to availability)
- Bonus points on every stay (Silver Elite = 20%; Gold Elite = 40%; Platinum Elite = 60%; Spire Elite = 100%)
- Complimentary room upgrade (up to one category higher, subject to availability upon arrival)
Members can still earn points on already booked reservations, but this partnership is now over and a notice posted today, states:
Our partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith is coming to an end. We are no longer accepting bookings for stays at Mr & Mrs Smith properties. If you already have an upcoming reservation confirmed, your booking will not be affected and you will still be eligible to earn points on the stay. You can review and manage your reservation in your IHG One Rewards account and on the IHG One Rewards app.”
What Happens Next?
Hyatt has yet to announce how it will offer World of Hyatt members the ability to book these properties and what benefits they will receive when booking. My guess is that it will be similar to Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). I love this collaboration and have stayed at many SLH hotels around the world (I have two booked on an upcoming trip to Italy). There is great value in being able to earn and redeem points at these hotels. My only hope is that they’ll be able to differentiate elite benefits better than what is currently offered by SLH.
World of Hyatt members receive on-property benefits including:
- Complimentary continental breakfast
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Early check-in (based on availability at check-in)
- Late check out (based on availability at check-in)
- A one category room upgrade (based on availability at check-in)
This applies to all members and there is no differentiation whether you’re a member, Discoverist, Explorist, or Globalist.
Anthony’s Take: Mr & Mrs Smith no longer has a partnership with IHG and now the ball is in Hyatt’s court. I expect an announcement in the near future and hope we’ll see some great benefits from this acquisition in addition to the expanded footprint.
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