We all have our favourites. Kathi rolls at Taj, Dal Bukhara at ITC, Drinks at Intercontinental Dome or the breakfast at JW Marriott. However, frequent visits to such places can leave a big hole in your pocket. But what many don’t know is that almost all 5 start hotels have dining programs that let you save as much as 50% every time you dine there. Yes, these programs are expensive (From Rs.8,000-15,000 per year) but the value offered is worth much more, especially with most programs offering a free night with their memberships. Here are a few to get you started.
Accor Plus
50% off on dining at most Accor Hotels in India and Asia Pacific when 2 people are dining. 33% discount for 3 and 25% for 4. It’s a great program, as unlike most others it is not limited to a particular hotel but to all hotels in the chain. You also get a free night on joining.
Club ITC Culinaire
Earn 25% as points on all dining spends, offers on rooms, Wills Lifestyle stores and more. It’s a great program if you frequent their hotels. There aren’t too many of them, unlike Accor, though.
Club Marriott
Club Marriott has a separate program for every hotel. That means you get better discounts and stay offers you buy the membership for. However, it does offer 20% off on dining at all (most) Marriott Hotels in India and Asia Pacific.
Leela Connoisseur Club
This for the fans of Indian food at Leela Hotels. Upto 50% discount on regular dining and upto 15% off on Sunday Brunches.
Taj Epicure
This is a well designed program. Although,
earnings might be a little less than other hotels, but then Taj has always been stingy with loyalty rewards. Taj Epicure offers 25% cashback as Epicure points on Dining and Spa. 50% for the first three dining bills. A complimentary stay at any Taj and some more benefits. Taj is one of the best hotels and has great food. This one is totally worth it.
Radisson Rezerved
This one also works like Club Marriott. Although the number of participating hotels seems to be too small as of now. You get upto 50% off at the restaurants in the hotel you buy the membership for. Plus a stay certificate. And a discount at all other hotels.
Eat Drink & More by SPG
Eat Drink & More is a dining program for select SPG Hotels. You can choose a hotel to buy dining membership for and get upto 50% discount on dining. Hotels like Westin, Aloft, Sheraton and Le Meridien, Four Points are part of this program.
Crystal Club
A membership program with a small number of Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza as partners. It offers good discounts and free night certificates at a slightly lower price than other dining membership programs.
And some more…
There are a few more interesting programs you can look at with similar benefits – Royal Orchid Gold Membership, Intercontinental Mumbai Club Icon, Ashok Delhi Gold Card and The Park Dining Membership.