GHA is a marketing/loyalty alliance for 22 hotel brands that consists of more than 550 properties in 61 countries. The most well-known brands of the GHA are probably OMNI & Kempinski, although Anantara is well known around Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia. Leela is popular in India.
Discovery is loyalty program of GHA. Brands that come under GHA are HA’s member brands are currently: Alila, Anantara, Art Series, AVANI, Corinthia, Doyle Collection, First, GLO, Individual Collection, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno Collection, Marco Polo, Meritage Collection, Meydan Hotels and Hospitality, Mokara, Omni, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL.
We covered a bit about Discovery in our Indian Luxury Heritage – Leela series.
However, as a loyalty program, it is not much spoken about as lack of benefits.
Understanding the Program
DISCOVERY is a 3-tier loyalty program :
- Gold: Entry level upon enrollment
- Platinum: After completing 10 nights
- Black: After completing 30 nights
The following are benefits as you improve your standings
Discovery is unique in the way it offers benefits to its patronage. When you become Platinum – you are entitled local amenity, guaranteed room 48 hours before your arrival, late check-out till 3 PM, upgrade to next category room.
Now most unique part is you get a local experience that you get as part of being the guest. You get an extra local experience if you are trying brand for the first time. This benefit can be very valuable as they include:
In India, Leela and Kempinski are two brands that can help you build the Portfolio quickly. Here are the experiences that Leela Bangalore offers:-
I do not see much in terms of benefits for a Black category. Only thing I see they get is early check-in and late check-out which you get anyway. You get 2 category upgrade for the room but that doesn’t mean a suite room.
The GHA does not award you free nights or points. You merely get the status related benefits and can earn Local Experience Awards at the Platinum and Black level. Elite membership qualification is based on the calendar year. Once a member earns Platinum or Black elite in a calendar year, the member retains that elite level through the following calendar year.
Earn Platinum in 5 nights instead of 10 nights
Discovery wants you to spend few nights with their brands and in exchange is providing you with double tier promotion. You require registering for the promotion here.
- Register to start earning double tier night credits, then book and stay from 18 October 2017 through 31 December 2017 at any of 550 hotels and resorts across the globe.
- Black level members with 30 or more eligible tier nights will carry over bonus tier nights earned during this promotional period to count towards tier qualification in 2018
