Tripadvisor Plus launches, with users getting discounts and perks

The Amazon Prime for travel: ‘Tripadvisor Plus’ launches, with users able to access ‘insider savings’ and perks from free wine to room upgrades for a $99 annual fee

• The Plus program is free for hotels to join with zero commission rates 
• There’s a minimum discount of 10% plus perks for a hotel offer to be Plus-eligible 
• The better the offer the higher the hotel is likely to rank in search results
• There was a soft launch for Plus in December in the U.S – UK hotels can join now 

Tripadvisor has launched a new Amazon Prime-style membership program for travellers called Tripadvisor Plus, which gives those who pay a $99 annual fee a range of benefits.

These include the ability to unlock ‘insider savings’ and perks such as a welcome gift, free bottle of wine upon check-in, room upgrades and spa credits.

There was a soft launch for Tripadvisor Plus in December 2020 for a small slice of Tripadvisor’s traffic in the United States, but it will soon become available to all U.S travellers, then holidaymakers in other markets including those in the UK – though UK hotels can sign up now.

Tripadvisor has launched a new Amazon Prime-style membership program for travellers called Tripadvisor Plus, which gives those who pay a $99 annual fee a range of benefits

Tripadvisor explained in a statement that the Plus program is free for hotels and B&Bs to join, with no upfront costs and zero commission rates – and that the benefits are numerous.

The travel guidance platform said that Plus hotels receive special badging, and increased visibility and reach to ‘a traveller audience who book further in advance, stay longer, and spend more overall’.

It said: ‘Tripadvisor Plus offers an innovative alternative to the traditional online model of room distribution for hotels. Rather than spend as much as 30 per cent per booking on commission fees, hotels can now significantly reduce their third party costs and pass on some of those savings to their guests via discounts and perks, increasing room demand and enhancing the guest experience at the same time.

‘By offering these savings and perks to Tripadvisor Plus subscribers, hotels increase their visibility on the world’s largest travel platform, among both subscribers and non-subscribers alike.

‘Discounted room rates available via Tripadvisor Plus can only be viewed by Tripadvisor members and can only be booked by Tripadvisor Plus subscribers, ensuring those rates are not widely available on the open internet, thereby preserving a hotel’s rate integrity.’

Tripadvisor said that as well as the Plus badge, hotels that offered a strong range of perks would receive enhanced placement.

Tripadvisor explained in a statement that the Plus program is free for hotels and B&Bs to join, with no upfront costs and zero commission rates – and that the benefits are numerous

There is a minimum discount of 10 per cent plus perks for a hotel offer to be eligible, but where that offer ranks in the search results a user sees when searching for a hotel is dependent on the strength of the offer – so the better the offer the higher the hotel is likely to rank. 

The offers won’t impact the ‘traveller ranking’, though, which is based on review ratings. And all participating hotels get extra visibility regardless of whether a traveller books through Tripadvisor Plus or not.

Furthermore, by participating in the program, Plus hotels get full access to all customer information from each reservation and can market directly to guests after their stay.

Tripadvisor added: ‘There are no annual commitments and participating hotels can opt-in and out of discounting at any time as occupancy levels change.’

Kanika Soni, Tripadvisor’s chief commercial officer, said: ‘Tripadvisor Plus is a game-changer for both travellers and hoteliers. Travellers get to enjoy a memorable experience thanks to special perks and discounts – and hotels have a brand new way to attract valuable guests while avoiding hefty third-party commissions.’

For more information visit www.tripadvisor.com/business/plus.

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