InterContinental Hotels Launches iPhone App

InterContinental Hotels has launched an application for the iPhone that is to be used with their Priority Club Rewards program. The hotel chain was assisted in building the app by Mobilesect.

To promote the app, they are using email marketing, distributing messages to their subscribers and members of the program. They are also offering a bonus for consumers that book rooms using the application, giving them 1,000 Priority Club Rewards points for all bookings and stays until June 15.

InterContinental Hotels vice president of global interactive marketing Michael Menis said that they are offering a points incentive as a way to stimulate downloads of the application onto iPhones. This is their way of increasing exposure and driving trials of the app, he continued

The new iPhone application enables consumers to book rooms at all seven of InterContinental’s brands, which include Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. The app is GPS-enabled so that users can find hotels from wherever they are located, as well as get directions to specific properties. Consumers can even use the application to book rooms, access their Priority Club Rewards account or join the program, as well as call the front desk of particular hotels.

InterContinental’s focus for the app was mainly for loyalty members, Menis said, as it’s important for their members to have complete access to their accounts whenever and wherever they are. The mobile device has already been widely embraced by travelers, he continued, adding that they will continue their mobile strategy by creating apps similar to this for BlackBerry and Android devices in the near future.