Maldives Promotion House – Centara Hotels & Resorts has launched a new loyalty programme under the theme, “Loyalty from the Heart”.

Centara – The 1 Card is a newly created recognition and rewards programme for those who love travelling and staying in the best hotels.

By accruing points, members will be able to enjoy a free stay in a Centara hotel or resort, anywhere in Thailand or overseas, with no blackout dates.

“St Valentine’s Day is, we feel, the perfect time for us to launch Centara – The 1 Card,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“We feel it will be of great value to our guests and customers, and a very heart-warming and giving way in which we can show how much we value them and how much we appreciate their loyalty.”

There are four tiers to membership, namely Classic, the entry level; Silver; Gold; and Platinum Elite.

Members progress upwards through the tiers simply by earning more points.

At each level the rewards increase, with free room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, pre-registration, guaranteed room availability, and much more.

Mr Thirayuth said that members of the programme would find it very easy to earn points that go towards a free hotel stay.

“They will earn five points for every 30 baht they spend when staying with Centara Hotels & Resorts, dining in a Centara restaurant, or relaxing in a Centara spa.

“Book direct through the Centara website and they will earn double these points.

“Members will also earn points when dining in a Centara restaurant or enjoying a Centara spa, even if they are not actually staying in a Centara property.

“They will also earn points when they shop at any Central Retail Corporation store.

“As members progress through the membership tiers, their points carry a bonus rating, enabling fast progress upwards to the maximum rewards level.”

Membership of Centara – The 1 Card is free.

Centara – The 1 Card is also fully compatible with The 1 Card, the very successful loyalty programme that is operated by Central Retail Corporation Ltd.

“We at Centara Hotels & Resorts are very much aware that there are many loyalty programmes in the market, but we have created what we feel is a perfect blend of benefits for those who wish to call Centara their second home,” said Mr Thirayuth.

“We also feel that the combined benefits of Central Group add up to Centara – The 1 Card being the only card that anyone will need.”

The Centara – The 1 Card will be promoted under the campaign Life Should Be Rewarding.

Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts, said that the company feels the basic premise of membership will itself be a powerful marketing tool.

“A member will accrue points simply by doing something he or she would normally be doing, by staying in a hotel or resort, dining, using a spa, or shopping, and these points can then be redeemed for a free hotel stay.

“So membership, and use of membership, carries tangible rewards without any great shift in lifestyle patterns.”

Centara – The 1 Card will be promoted in a variety of ways, via advertising campaigns, online and social media marketing, database marketing, and point-of-sale.

“We shall also be marketing through Central Retail’s The 1 Card, and we see that as being an exceptionally strong marketing tool, as there are in excess of 4 million members of The 1 Card in Thailand, and the number is continually growing,” said Mr Bailey.

Members of Central Retail’s The 1 Card will be able to redeem their existing points for free hotel stays by taking membership of Centara – The 1 Card.

Centara – The 1 Card can be used at Centara hotels and outlets throughout the world, and points can be redeemed for free rooms.

“We believe that once members see how quickly they can earn points, and how the value of the points increases as they pass upwards through the membership tiers, that Centara – The 1 Card will become an indispensable part of their lifestyles,” said Mr Bailey.

“Building up points to take yourself, your partner or your family away for a holiday in which your hotel room is free of charge will become an exciting part of your everyday life, and a challenge to see how quickly the necessary points can be achieved.”

Centara Hotels operates Centra Grand Island Resort & Spa and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa in Maldives. Their third resort in Maldives is under construction.

For more information about Centara The 1 Card, please  visit website www.centara1card.com