A great loyalty program isn’t just about rewarding guests—it’s about building lasting relationships and encouraging them to choose your hotel every time they travel.
Done right, it’s your golden ticket to turning one-time visitors into lifelong fans. Pair this with smart tools like Userguest, and you’re not just building a loyalty program—you’re creating an experience that guests can’t resist coming back to.
Let’s dive into how you can make it happen.
Building the Loyalty Program Your Guests Will Love
- Know Your Guests Like the Back of Your Hand
Who are your guests? Families on vacation? Romantic couples seeking a getaway? Understanding who walks through your doors is the first step to designing perks they’ll actually care about. - Set Goals That Matter
Are you looking to boost repeat bookings? Fill those off-season gaps? Whatever it is, be clear about what success looks like so you can measure—and celebrate—it. - Create Tiers Guests Aspire To
Everyone loves levelling up! Start with simple perks like free Wi-Fi for newbies, then add room upgrades, exclusive experiences, or even free nights for your most loyal VIPs. The more aspirational, the better. - Think Beyond Discounts
Sure, discounts are nice, but what about unique experiences? Think: private dinners, spa treatments, or a behind-the-scenes tour of your property. Give them something they can’t find anywhere else. - Go Digital, Stay Simple
Nobody wants to wrestle with a clunky website or app. Make it easy for your guests to track points, claim rewards, and see what’s next with sleek, intuitive tech. - Make Signing Up a No-Brainer
Whether they’re booking a room, checking in, or scrolling your site, guests should be able to join your program with just a click or two. - Keep Rewards Achievable
Nothing kills loyalty faster than making rewards impossible to earn. Keep the thresholds realistic and the benefits within reach.
Spreading the Word About Your Loyalty Program
- Highlight What Makes It Special
Guests want to know what’s in it for them—so tell them! Shout about your program’s perks wherever you can: on your website, social media, emails, and even in person. - Leverage Digital Channels
Promote your loyalty program through:
- Social Media: Share success stories, testimonials, and exclusive offers.
- Email Campaigns: Target past guests with personalised invitations.
- Website Integration: Include prominent pop-ups and dedicated pages explaining the program.
- Sweeten the Deal for First-Timers
Offer sign-up perks like bonus points, free drinks, or early check-in privileges to give new members an extra nudge. - Keep It Fun and Interactive
Gamify the experience! Reward milestones, introduce leaderboards, or surprise members with unexpected perks. Make staying loyal feel like playing a game they can win. - Measure, Refine, Repeat
Track what’s working—and what’s not. Use data to refine your strategy, tweaking offers and campaigns to keep things fresh and effective.
Make It Pop With Userguest
Imagine this: A first-time visitor lands on your site and immediately sees a welcome pop-up: “Join our Loyalty Program today and get 500 bonus points!” If they’re about to leave without booking, an exit pop-up swoops in: “Wait! Sign up now and enjoy 10% off your first stay!”
Returning visitors get a personal touch with a message like, “Welcome back, Sarah! Members get 15% off their next booking.”
During low occupancy, a tailored notification can highlight exclusive offers: “Members-only deal: 20% off stays from March 15-20!”.
Countdown timers, such as “Sign up in the next 48 hours for double points,” add urgency, while visitor capture forms collect emails for future follow-ups.
With Userguest’s features, you’re not just promoting a program; you’re creating a personalised experience that resonates.
Why This Works
When done right, a loyalty program isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a relationship builder. It’s about making your guests feel special, valued, and excited to return. With tools like Userguest, you can go beyond offering perks to delivering personalised, real-time experiences that drive engagement and bookings.
Ready to turn one-time visitors into lifelong ambassadors? Book your free demo.