Despite being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting life around the globe, hotel companies are continuing to find ways to help those who are helping others. The latest to initiate programs to assist front-line and essential workers are Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, My Place Hotels of America and Innisfree Hotels. Here are the details.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham announced the launch of its new #EverydayHeroes initiative, offering all essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19 instant complimentary Gold membership upgrades in its loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards.
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Eligible workers—including, but not limited to, truck drivers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, construction workers, sanitation workers, grocery associates and health-care workers—may claim their upgrades by visiting www.wyndhamrewards.com/heroes. The offer is available to both new and existing Wyndham Rewards members.
“We’re humbled to honor such a deserving group of individuals: everyday people who have been performing herculean tasks in the face of danger,” said Geoff Ballotti, president/CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “This is one small way we can help make their next trip—whether it be to visit loved ones, friends, or simply to get away—as special as it deserves to be. They’ve earned it.”
Wyndham Rewards Gold membership provides travelers with a host of benefits including members-only discounts, a dedicated member services line, preferred rooms, accelerated points earning and late checkout. Membership upgrade must be requested by Sept. 30, 2020, is good through Dec. 31, 2021, and applies to stays at all 20 Wyndham brands.
In addition to recognizing those on the front lines of COVID-19, Wyndham continues to update its policies worldwide to provide travelers and Wyndham Rewards members with increased travel flexibility—relaxing cancellation policies, extending membership benefits and delaying points expiration. The Company also encourages members to donate Wyndham Rewards points to its preferred charitable partners, many of whom are also working to fight the burdens created by COVID-19.
My Place Hotels of America
My Place Hotels of America launched the brand’s “Help Our Heroes” initiative, a campaign dedicated to providing financial support for first responders across America.
Between now and May 31, guests can help support first responders across America by using promo code Help Our Heroes to book stays through Dec 1, 2020. For each qualifying reservation made during this time, My Place Hotels of America will donate 5 percent of the cost of the room, exclusive of taxes, to the First Responders Children’s Foundation. Booking must be made directly at the hotel or via the My Place Hotels of America website.
This development follows a brandwide move, initiated two weeks ago, to provide safe, clean, comfortable, and affordable accommodations for the individuals working on the front lines of the global health crisis.
With 55 properties across 26 states, all independently owned and operated My Place properties continue to give back to their communities in a multitude of impactful ways and continue to look for opportunities to do more.
My Place Hotels President and CEO Ryan Rivett is proud to see the brand’s franchise family unite on the same front as we work to ensure first responders have a safe place to call home during the next several months.
“It’s a great feeling to know that our franchisees and hotel operators recognize the great importance of providing hospitality during uncertain times,” said Rivett. “You can’t put a price on knowing your loved ones are safe and secure after working a long day on the front lines of this pandemic, especially when you can’t necessarily be safe and secure together. Being able to provide that safety and security while giving back is a feeling like no other. I couldn’t be prouder of the My Place Family as we rally to help our frontlines in communities across America.”
Innisfree Hotels
Gulf Breeze, Fla.-based Innisfree Hotels, an owner of beachfront hotels in northwest Florida, will donate up to 6,300 roomnights to front-line medical professionals leading the fight against COVID-19.
Beginning this week, Innisfree will make rooms available without charge to doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other front-line medical staff who need a place to sleep, recharge or isolate from their families through the end of May. The initiative will be executed in partnership with Hilton and American Express’s commitment to donate up to 1 million hotel room nights across the United States.
“In the spirit of hospitality, Innisfree is opening our doors to medical workers and first responders who are courageously and selflessly serving on the frontlines of the gulf coast,” said Ted Ent, Innisfree’s president/CEO. “The concept of helping those who help us has long been ingrained in our company culture, so the decision to join Hilton in providing relief for thousands of medical staff enduring long hours under challenging circumstances was an easy one.”
Innisfree is working with local organizations that represent health-care workers in the Florida cities of Pensacola, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach and Sarasota to provide access to the program. Rooms will be available across a variety of Innisfree properties, including the Hilton Pensacola Beach, Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach, Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach, Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach, Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach, Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach and Embassy Suites Sarasota.
“It is an honor to offer the healthcare heroes in several of our communities a place to rest and recharge during this time,” Ent said. “Our goal is to support individuals who would otherwise have to spend their own money on accommodations as a show of both thanks and compassion.”
Hotels will be staffed by team members who have received additional training on relevant health and safety measures to safeguard their own and their guests’ well-being. All common areas at each property will continue to be sanitized using industrial-grade cleaners and updated cleaning protocols.