Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
A few weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles’ Hollywood section working a photoshoot for one of my clients. Minutes after plunking down $20 to park in a ramp several blocks away from the venue, I walked past the W Hollywood.
It charges a $55 daily rate (yes) for valet.
My job was slated to last only about six hours. I thought I wish I could’ve parked at the W for $20 and earned Marriott Bonvoy points! Instead, some random lot — whose safety didn’t exactly inspire confidence — got my business.
That got me thinking.
Points and Discounts for Parking During Events
Wouldn’t it be great if loyalty program members could use hotel parking facilities at a discount and earn points when not staying at the hotel? This, of course, would have to be limited to a certain amount of time (before those overnight rates kick in). But it could be a great way for hotels to attract more people to their properties — and enroll in loyalty programs.
I understand hotels must keep a certain portion of parking available for overnight guests. And this is probably a pipe dream.
Points When Patronizing their Restaurants & Bars
I don’t usually hang out at hotel bars and restaurants. I occasionally spend time at local hotels meeting visiting friends or clients.
My wife and I were married at the Sheraton Universal; we enjoy having drinks and appetizers there during our wedding anniversary.
Earning loyalty program points would be a great way might incentivize more locals to stop in for a drink or bite even when not staying with them.
How Would Hotels Know Who’s in their Programs?
A simple match of photo ID and some kind of credential should be required. This would help limit “perk abuse,” if you will. Here are a couple of ideas:
Hotel Credit Cards
Most hotel credit cards print loyalty program membership numbers on the cards. Not only would that work great for identification purposes but also encourage members to use their co-branded credit cards onsite.
Virtual Wallet
The Wallet feature on my iPhone contains many of my loyalty programs’ virtual membership cards.
They can be individually selected to reveal a member’s name and loyalty program number.
Would You Take Advantage of These Perks?
Are these perks something you’d enjoy and use? Or do you use patronize hotel amenities when you must? What problems or benefits do you see with these ideas? Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
— Chris
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
What free HBO isn’t enough? 🙂 I wouldn’t be impacted that much on the parking issue. Many hotels in large cities don’t even own their own parking. I guess they could partner on this but then would they raise the price to make up for it?
Some hotels will give points on food only visits but it is rare. Radisson used to even do this with TGIFridays which Carlson had some ownership or partnership with at that time.
Marriott does something similar with dinning, https://eataroundtown.marriott.com
On a somewhat-related note: I think if you have the highest level of status with a hotel…you should be entitled to free parking during your stay. I’m Diamond at Hilton and it is insane how much it can be to park at a Hilton in a city.
To the point of your article, I agree…earning points for parking or dining at a hotel (when not staying ) is a great idea.
And…while I’m at it…the Executive Lounge should be required at all properties from the Hilton level and above. These days trying to find a property that actually has a lounge is next to impossible. So, what good is a benefit…if it’s a benefit you can never use?
I would love any options for point redemption, credit earned, discount etc around parking. I understand if it is a separate operation from the hotel but earning points, redeeming points for parking or anything similar would be terrific. In San Francisco and other big cities it can approach $65 per night. Consequently, you can drop 70K on points for a single night and be out some money as well after tipping on the parking base.
You lost me at 7Eleven reward card.
@DDiamond: Free coffee.