This loyalty scheme costs hundreds to join, but could save you even more

Hotel loyalty schemes put you instantly in the winners’ circle. Without spending an extra cent on your accommodation, the perks begin as soon as you join. Hotels are keen to sign up new members and membership is free, but Accor has a program called Accor Plus and, despite an annual fee, this might be a perfect fit for some travellers.

How Accor Plus works

Accor is one of the world’s largest hotel groups and Accor Plus membership gives you exclusive benefits across 20 countries, more than 1000 hotels under leading names including Raffles, Banyan Tree, Sofitel, Pullman, Ibis, Novotel and Mercure plus discounts at 1400 restaurants in the Asia Pacific region.

The Sofitel Sydney. Sofitel is one of Accor’s many hotel brands.

There are three Accor Plus membership levels, and all are discounted by 30 per cent for a limited period. The current annual fee for base-level Traveller membership is $209, Explorer is at $279 and Discovery costs $349. At every level, members get 10 per cent off the public room rate, early access to Accor promotions, up to 50 per cent off meal bills and 15 per cent off drinks bills at Accor’s Asian properties.

The most valuable member benefit is the Stay Plus complimentary night – a free night in a standard room at a participating hotel, resort and apartment across the Asia Pacific, valid for a one-night stay in the annual subscription period. This benefit applies to Explorer and Discovery members, but not Travellers. It’s also subject to availability, and not every room across every Accor property at all dates in the region is allocated for this purpose.

A few nights at the Banyan Tree Bangkok followed by five nights at the Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui (pictured) would pay for Accor Plus membership with a heap of cash to spare.

For example, it would be necessary to book well ahead if you were looking to use the Stay Plus complimentary night on a weekend or special event period, and bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance. Some properties require a minimum stay for the Stay Plus benefit to apply, and some might require an additional cash payment. From a scan of availability on the Accor Plus website, it appears that the greatest chance of scoring a Stay Plus free night lies in bookings at Accor’s mid-range properties.

Another benefit that applies at all membership levels is access to Red Hot Rooms promotions, when Accor’s hotel rooms are discounted by up to 50 per cent. The dining discount applies even if you’re not staying in the hotel, and the percentage depends on the number of diners. Dine alone and the discount is 25 per cent, dine with one other guest and the discount doubles, but from there the discount declines progressively as the number of guests dining with an Accor Plus member increases.

Accor Plus membership also comes with Silver status in Accor Live Limitless (ALL), Accor’s free loyalty programme. ALL members would not normally reach Silver until they stay for 10 nights in an Accor property, and the benefits include priority check-in, late check-out subject to availability and bonus reward points towards qualifying for gold, platinum and diamond membership.

How does Accor Plus compare?

Accor Plus is a concept in hotel reward programs that catapults you to a status level that would require a major spend to reach with other hotel loyalty schemes. For example, under the IHG One Reward membership program, you need to acquire 5000 points minimum at IHG hotels to qualify for one free reward night. Use Accor’s Stay Plus benefit to pay for an extra night at one of Accor’s upper echelon hotels such as a Sofitel or Pullman and you’ve already got your money’s worth.

One of Accor’s leading competitors, Marriott, is among the largest of all the world’s hotel groups, with more than 7000 properties spread across 130 countries and 30 brands including W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien and Four Points Express by Sheraton. Membership of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program is free and the benefits apply from the get-go.

Stay up to nine nights per year and you get complimentary Wi-Fi, discounted member rates and mobile check-in. Silver membership, which requires 10 nights’ stay per year, get priority late checkout subject to availability and more points per dollar spent. The Marriott Bonvoy Moments program also lets you use points to bid on experiences such as a cocktail or culinary masterclass or special dinners and events.

Whether Accor Plus trumps Marriott Bonvoy comes down to travel patterns and individual preferences.

Is Accor Plus worth it?

Anytime you’re staying in a hotel that belongs to one of the major brands, it’s worth enrolling in their free loyalty program. The more you use that brand, the greater the benefits.

Whether Accor Plus is worth the annual fee is no different. It’s the frequent traveller who benefits most, but given Accor’s spread of properties in the Asia Pacific, which includes city hotels, resorts, budget hotels located close to airports and luxury hotels that number among the world’s finest, even two or three hotel stays per year will put you in front. A few nights at the Banyan Tree Bangkok followed by five nights at the Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui would pay for Accor Plus membership with a heap of cash to spare.