Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    THE global hotel management group, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, inked a new strategic partnership with China Eastern Airlines (CEA) between the two companies’ member loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) and Eastern Miles, it was announced Friday in Shanghai.

    The collaborative program, called “Eastern Explorer Rewards,” offers more privileges and rewards for members of the two programs, including flight and hotel stay benefits for both SPG and Eastern Miles members.

    Eastern Explorer Rewards will be available within the fourth quarter of 2016, granting elevated earnings and benefits when members fly with CEA or stay at Starwood hotels and resorts around the globe.

    Elite SPG and Elite Eastern Miles members who register for Easter Explorer Rewards will receive rewards from each loyalty program, according to Starwood.

    Eastern Miles Gold members will have the opportunity to upgrade their hotel experience, receiving benefits including access to SPG elite check-in, 4 p.m. late check-out (subject to availability) and complimentary in-room Internet access. In turn, SPG Platinum members will enjoy Eastern Miles elite benefits such as priority check-in and priority boarding, priority luggage handling and complimentary access to China Eastern business lounges, when flying CEA.

    Elite SPG and Eastern Miles members who register for Eastern Explorer Rewards will also earn bonus Starpoints when they fly with CEA and bonus Eastern Miles when they stay with SPG on top of their usual earnings. These earning benefits are in addition to the current Starpoints and miles a member earns through each program, making elite benefits even better.

    “We are thrilled to launch Eastern Explorer Rewards, creating more flexibility, more privileges and more rewards for SPG and Eastern Miles members, in addition to elevating their travel experience,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of Distribution, Loyalty and Partnerships at the signing ceremony last week.

    “This partnership provides the best of both Starwood Hotels and Resorts and China Eastern Airlines for our respective members,” said Holdren.

    Eastern Explorer Rewards represents a cross-border cooperative effort between the two global companies. With 1,052 destinations in its air transportation routes, China Eastern Airlines covers 177 countries and regions. The expansive network aligns with the high-end global destinations of more than 1,270 Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 100 countries worldwide. In the Greater China region, Starwood currently operates 160 hotels and is on track to double its portfolio in the next few years. With a large and fast growing portfolio, Greater China serves as SPG’s fastest developing membership base, with a whopping 400 percent growth rate in the past five years, making Greater China the second-largest base for SPG members following the United States. SPG members make up 50 percent of all check-in guests in China.

    “SPG continues to provide enticing benefits that enrich member travel, extend guest selections and solidify their loyalty,” said Stephen Ho, president of Starwood Asia Pacific. “As one of three major airlines in China, China Eastern Airlines flies to every corner of the world, a perfect fit with Starwood’s global footprint in over 100 countries and regions. Together, we will leverage our expansive reach to attract greater loyalty in China, which is among the fastest growing travel markets in the world,” said Holdren.