Enhanced GHA DISCOVERY program, coming early Dec 2021

[dairyfloss]

DISCOVERY Loyalty (GHA) have been active on active on Facebook and social media in the last few days, promoting enhancements to their GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty program, including a new tier, and changes to status earning requirements, which to me look like you could achieve their new top tier - Titanium (replaces Black level) - in as little as 3 nights (if each was a stay at a different brand). See here: GHA DISCOVERY Around The World - DISCOVERY - Your Window to the World

They are also supposedly looking at changes to the 'Local Experiences' benefit, to make the program more attractive for a broader audience. I expect points will be the new currency for earning and burning. Local Experiences not redeemed by 21 November 2021 will be replaced at an equivalent value.

No detail yet on the benefits by tier...

I've enjoyed the program for ease of status and recognition at Pan Pacific hotels, most often in Singapore, and there are plenty of GHA options in Australia, with a heap of their brands here too, like Rydges, QT, Avani, Oaks, etc - more on brands, here: Brands




Cheers,
Matt.

 

[dairyfloss]

A bit more detail coming through now about the revised program. In particular, some info about how you will earn the reward program's new currency, 'DISCOVERY Dollars' (D$), on eligible hotel spend. It will basically work like cashback rewards, with a percentage of your eligible spend in USD being credited to your account in D$, and the earn level based on your status. From what I can tell, you'd get 4% at Silver , 5% at Gold, 6% at Platinum & Titanium is 7%. D$ can be used towards anything at the property or folio on a future stay,

There's some more here on 'DISCOVERY Dollars' (D$), and how any existing Local Experience Awards you might have in your GHA account would be converted on December 7th : DISCOVERY Dollars Rewards You - DISCOVERY - Your Window to the World

Still no real word on changes to tier benefits.

The broader release from GHA reads:

GLOBAL HOTEL ALLIANCE LAUNCHES REIMAGINED GHA DISCOVERY LOYALTY PROGRAMME GIVING MEMBERS MORE REWARDS, RECOGNITION AND LOCAL EXPERIENCES

Enhanced scheme meets the demands of modern travellers with a new digital rewards currency, benefits from the first stay and access to hotel facilities without a stay

Dubai, November 22, 2021: The reimagination of GHA DISCOVERY, the world’s largest loyalty programme for independent hotel brands, which will be officially relaunched in early December, meets traveller demand for more rewards, recognition and opportunities to enjoy hotels and resorts at home or away. Operated by Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the programme, in tune with trends shaping travel’s future, encompasses more than 500 hotels across 35 brands in 85 countries, and will expand its reach further when NH Hotels Group joins in 2022, adding another 360 hotels.

Designed in response to member feedback and evolved consumer behaviour, with travellers asking for more flexibility on how they earn and spend, including the chance to accrue and redeem rewards close to home, GHA DISCOVERY is modelled around three member-centric concepts: a new simplified digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$); Recognition, with more tiers and enhanced instant benefits; and Live Local, offering ‘around-the-corner’ lifestyle experiences, offers and promotions – from spa days to dining to weekend staycations and more.

“Our members spoke, and we listened. Our extensive market research study found travellers get frustrated with the complexity of points and miles and seek a more transparent, flexible and lifestyle-driven rewards scheme. With DISCOVERY Dollars, we will have the first digital rewards currency in the industry, enabling members to cash in on their loyalty from the very first stay and to earn and redeem on a wide range of offerings, including upgrades, stays and exclusive experiences,” said GHA’s CEO Chris, Hartley.

“With the pandemic restricting overseas travel, and frequent local trips becoming the norm as consumers explore destinations on their doorstep, our new loyalty programme is richer and more accessible, enabling members to accumulate and spend rewards in hotels and resorts closer to home, with or without a stay. These key benefits are at the heart of GHA DISCOVERY and will be delivered by the 35 brands of the alliance, with their own individuality and cultural diversity.”

Key benefits of the new programme:

• DISCOVERY DOLLARS (D$): An all-new digital rewards currency where members earn D$ automatically at any property in GHA DISCOVERY’s collection for use on future stays. At check-out, D$ earned on previous stays can be used towards the hotel room, room upgrades, dining, spa treatments, or other extras. Members can earn D$ from Day One, and the percentage earned on eligible spend increases with membership tier status, starting at 4% and rising to 7%.
• EXPANDED MEMBERSHIP TIERS: The new GHA DISCOVERY tiers are Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium. New members achieve Silver status on joining the programme and are entitled to benefits from their first stay. Tier upgrades are easier and faster to access, thanks to an extra tier added and more flexible criteria. Members can move to the next tier in three ways – the number of nights/stays, spend across eligible purchases, or the number of hotel brands stayed in. Titanium members can also benefit from status sharing, with the option to gift their tier to a friend or family member each year.
• LIVE LOCAL: Tapping into the staycation trend, Live Local gives members access to GHA properties in their hometown through Stay Offers for well-deserved breaks; Local Offers for short bursts of enjoyment without a stay, such as access to the beach, gym or pool, or special deals on dining and wellness; plus Experiences – bespoke member-only activities that immerse them in their local culture or community, from tours and classes to events and nature-bound expeditions.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[muppet]

I also read that existing Local Experiences will convert at a very favourable rate:

• Platinum Local Experience = D$100
• Black Local Experience = D$200

With 1 Plat and 3 Black up my sleeve, very glad I did not yet have a chance to redeem them.

However, I am a bit interested in how Elite upgrades will work - as a Black I’ve found them to be quite good usually. Not sure how that will work under the new system, surely only needing 3 stays will mean almost everyone is “Titanium”.

 

[dairyfloss]

I also read that existing Local Experiences will convert at a very favourable rate:

• Platinum Local Experience = D$100
• Black Local Experience = D$200

With 1 Plat and 3 Black up my sleeve, very glad I did not yet have a chance to redeem them.

However, I am a bit interested in how Elite upgrades will work - as a Black I’ve found them to be quite good usually. Not sure how that will work under the new system, surely only needing 3 stays will mean almost everyone is “Titanium”.

Yes - definitely some decent conversion value if you had them still!

Also agree that attaining status will be quite easy for those who really want it... but I reckon many would still miss or misunderstand that method of 3 stays at unique brands, and continue to look at the 30 nights / USD$15K. I also have a feeling that once travel is back to more normal levels, GHA will enhance this into a combo target, like '30 nights OR USD$15K, AND 3 brands stayed at'.

 

[Mattg]

Interesting current promo for Mastercard holders:

GHA DISCOVERY | priceless specials

specials.priceless.com

H/T to Milelion.

 

[VPS]

I have a Mastercard Black with Macquarie - reading this I don't seem to get anything or am I missing something

 

[Mattg]

I have a Mastercard Black with Macquarie - reading this I don't seem to get anything or am I missing something

Isn't the Macquarie Black a Visa card?

 

[VPS]

Isn't the Macquarie Black a Visa card?

whoops

 

[dairyfloss]

I think the only MC World Elite product available in Australia is the Citi Prestige card…

 

[Mattg]

FWIW, I tried to register for this promo but couldn't get it to work.

When I click through to the GHA website, it asks me to create an account - but I already have one and it won't let me log in. If I try logging in then going to the promo page, the link doesn't work.

 

[hydrabyss]

It appears Rydges is leaving the Discovery program from 1st December.

 

[VPS]

FWIW, I tried to register for this promo but couldn't get it to work.

When I click through to the GHA website, it asks me to create an account - but I already have one and it won't let me log in. If I try logging in then going to the promo page, the link doesn't work.

I decided it was easier just to create another account with a different email address and it worked

I did actually have a World Mastercard just not my Macquarie Visa

 

[VPS]

Email received today

TRAVEL GETS BETTER WITH PLATINUM STATUS​

Congratulations, you've achieved PLATINUM status! Now, you’ll enjoy being recognized as an elite DISCOVERY member at more than 570 hotels and resorts across the world, through Dec 31, 2022.​

 

[dairyfloss]

The refreshed program is now live, and benefits by tier is available... albeit a little hard to compare to each other:
GHA DISCOVERY Benefits | GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty - GHA Loyalty Program

At 10 nights OR USD$5K OR 2 brands stayed, DISCOVERY Platinum remains a simple to earn sweet spot, with a room category upgrade, late checkout to 3PM and now 6% DISCOVERY dollars (cashback) for later spending on direct bookings or for use at a GHA property. Treatment for me as Platinum in the program has generally been very good.

At 30 nights OR $USD15K OR 3 brands stayed - DISCOVERY Titanium (the new 'Black'), adds double room category upgrades, early check-in from 11AM & late checkout to 4PM, 7% DISCOVERY dollars, status sharing, and also 'Brand Benefits'. These can be things like breakfast, lounge access, or other inclusions. They are not published or guaranteed, so YMMV.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[VPS]

and boy are they bombarding me with emails now

 

[dairyfloss]

and boy are they bombarding me with emails now

haha - I've not had anything, as yet. Have been getting my updates from social media and the travel bloggers

 

[hydrabyss]

The refreshed program is now live, and benefits by tier is available... albeit a little hard to compare to each other:
GHA DISCOVERY Benefits | GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty - GHA Loyalty Program

At 10 nights OR USD$5K OR 2 brands stayed, DISCOVERY Platinum remains a simple to earn sweet spot, with a room category upgrade, late checkout to 3PM and now 6% DISCOVERY dollars (cashback) for later spending on direct bookings or for use at a GHA property. Treatment for me as Platinum in the program has generally been very good.

At 30 nights OR $USD15K OR 3 brands stayed - DISCOVERY Titanium (the new 'Black'), adds double room category upgrades, early check-in from 11AM & late checkout to 4PM, 7% DISCOVERY dollars, status sharing, and also 'Brand Benefits'. These can be things like breakfast, lounge access, or other inclusions. They are not published or guaranteed, so YMMV.

Cheers,
Matt.

I have never stayed at a Discovery property and have my first stay coming up this sunday at an oaks property in melbourne.
Initially when Rydges separated there was no way I could maintain both but with the 3 brand stays this will be easy to keep Titanium.
My question is how do you find status recognition with them and room upgrades. I rang the hotel and they mentioned one room type.
I also found it strange one booking shows up on my discovery bookings. The other had an oaks email which I booked through their website and does not.

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2021

Just clicked the Share status button and says only once per year and need to contact them.

 

[oz_mark]

and boy are they bombarding me with emails now

I've only had a couple of emails from them. I haven't even had a communication about Rydges leaving either

 

[dairyfloss]

I have never stayed at a Discovery property and have my first stay coming up this sunday at an oaks property in melbourne.
Initially when Rydges separated there was no way I could maintain both but with the 3 brand stays this will be easy to keep Titanium.
My question is how do you find status recognition with them and room upgrades. I rang the hotel and they mentioned one room type.
I also found it strange one booking shows up on my discovery bookings. The other had an oaks email which I booked through their website and does not.

Just clicked the Share status button and says only once per year and need to contact them.

For me, the recognition has been good and consistent. The only stay I can recall where no recognition or benefit was given, was a Viceroy resort on St Lucia, in the Caribbean, but to be honest we were in about the best type of room they had, and late checkout wasn't needed for our schedule.

Most of my stays were Pan Pacific and Parkroyal in SE Asia, as Platinum. I would get that single room category upgrade applied just about every time, without asking, and with no concerns where it hadn't happened automatically. On a handful of occasions I was upgraded more than the one category, including to a suite on a quiet weekend in Singapore. Some staff may not be familiar with the tier benefits, but if you were to show them the difference between Platinum & Titanium I'm sure they'd try to make that double category upgrade happen. Contact in advance would also help your cause.

3PM late checkout was used almost every time, due to evening flights out on my routine, and never any pushback. I'll note also I had colleagues that were getting Pacific Club access as the GHA Black 'Brand Benefit' at Pan Pacific hotels, which was nice, and great value if that remains, and you can earn that status with as little as 3 nights in unique brands!

In terms of bookings not showing on GHA - I beleive you need to book direct on their website for that to happen, but then you might miss out on some of the local property offers. If it's important to you, you can contact the GHA Discovery support team through the online form, and they will add the booking manually. I've done that before for stays booked via Pan Pacific that I wanted visible on GHA. They should end up crediting DISCOVERY later, anyway.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[jeza]

Just noted that on the PGR website it still has the Discovery tie in advertised at the bottom of the homepage.

Without PGR there are certainly very limited options in Perth. Previously there was QT, Rydges, Pensione & Pan Pacific, now there is just the PP.