One of the most valuable elite statuses I hold is with Kimpton Hotels (which have recently been acquired by IHG, though there’s no information on what will happen to the elite status program). Their Inner Circle status is their top tier, and require 14 stays, or 40 nights, which, in many cases, is well below what’s required for other chains.
Kimpton is unique in that their properties are all located in or around major cities – you won’t find one in South Bend, Indiana (Sorry DeltaPoints!). Each property is boutique, and features an eclectic mix of local flavor, and trendy amenities.
By simply holding Kimpton’s Inner Circle status, you’re entitled to a free night in all of their new hotel properties. That’s right – a free night, without having to do anything. I find Kimpton to be the most lucrative in earning free nights, since there isn’t a points system – if you stay at 10 different hotels, you automatically earn 2 free nights, and for every 7 stays or 15 nights, you earn a free night as well. Those nights are good at any of their properties, so there’s no categories to sift through.
In fact, two years ago, I was able to plan a 4 night trip out west, all based on the free nights that were available – stopping in Phoenix, La Jolla, Los Angeles and finally Santa Barbara. Kimpton has since changed the requirements for earning these free nights to needing to complete 3 stays with the brand first, since many were matching into Inner Circle, and directly using the nights without first having completed any stays. It’s a fair adjustment, in my opinion.
New hotel free nights are released at varying stages, so just because a new one of their hotels opens doesn’t mean it’s automatically eligible for redemption. In fact, it may take upwards of six months to a year for such a property to become ready for booking. You can see the full list of properties here for booking, and must call the Kimpton Karma reservations line to reserve (you are not able to do this online).
Kimpton’s The Goodland Hotel in Santa Barbara, CA
The free nights for this offer do have blackout dates, but I’ve found that helpful reservations agents are sometimes able to call the hotel directly to reserve and override those dates. With every new hotel free night, you receive a $50 credit towards the hotel’s restaurant, too, not to mention your additional free $10 towards the mini-bar. To get a free night at any Kimpton or IHG property worldwide, get the IHG Rewards credit card!
Right now, here’s what’s available:
Santa Barbara
The Goodland, Santa Barbara
Outpost, Santa Barbara
Now through May 22, 2015
Seattle
Palladian, Seattle
Shaker + Spear, Seattle
March 1 through July 1, 2015
Pittsburgh
Monaco, Pittsburgh
The Commoner, Pittsburgh
March 1 through September 1, 2015
Future available properties will include Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Denver, CO and Winston-Salem, NC.
I’m really looking forward to visiting their upcoming properties, and I encourage those of you without Kimpton status to match-in to their program: “If you’re an elite member (in a comparable tier level to Inner Circle; subject to our discretion & review) of another hotel loyalty program and want to match your status to Kimpton Karma Rewards, just email KarmaHelp@KimptonHotels.com with a copy of your credentials and we’re happy to make you a part of our Inner Circle family.” Once that’s done, stay 3 stays at anyone of their properties, and you can begin to enjoy your free nights, too!
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
The Seattle property is useful to those who’d like to visit the city during the summer months and not pay an arm and leg for a decent hotel.
As a FYI they recently tightened up their status match criteria, so, for example, you’ll need Marriott Platinum or Hilton Diamond.
It does say “comparable” status with another change, so that makes sense. A Hilton Gold was never equivalent, for example.
Until a few months ago (according to reports from Flyertalk) they did match mid level Hilton and Marriott… Which makes sense in a way since the stay requirements for those are actually greater than IC…. But they tightened that up towards the end of 2014
I loves me being inner circle!