New InterContinental Hotels Group partnership with Gulf Air brings more benefits


Dubai, UAE, 31 May, 2004: InterContinental Hotels Group is offering a triple boost this summer for Middle East travellers taking advantage of the company’s new partnership agreement with Gulf Air, a link-up which expands the benefits for members of its Priority Club® Rewards programme.
 
To celebrate the launch of the new partnership, Priority Club Rewards members who select Gulf Air as their preferred earning alliance can earn triple miles on qualifying stays at any InterContinental, Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn hotels and resorts between 1 June and 31 August 2004.
 
This offer equates to 1,500 miles per qualifying stay for all Priority Club Rewards programme members.  Gulf Air Frequent Flyer programme members can also benefit by joining Priority Club Rewards, as long as they select Gulf Air as their preferred earning alliance. 
 
Thereafter, members simply present their Priority Club Rewards membership card when making reservations or checking in to ensure they earn miles.
 
In addition to exchanging points for frequent flyer miles, members can use their points to redeem free hotel stays, merchandise and department store vouchers or a luxury weekend away, including flights and accommodation. Spanning more than 3,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries, Priority Club Rewards has a current membership of 19 million, with more than 250,000 new members joining each month.
 
“The chance to exchange points for frequent flyer miles has proven very popular with Priority Club members,” said Denis Johnson, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa.  “The chance to triple the miles earned, from 500 to 1,500 miles per qualifying stay is sure to prove irresistible for many Priority Club and Gulf Air Frequent Flyer members.” 
 
Currently flying from its three main hubs Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, Gulf Air offers travellers direct routes to 45 cites in 34 countries with a modern fleet of aircraft.
 
Priority Club® Rewards members can convert existing points to Gulf Air Miles at a rate of 2,500 miles for every 10,000 points.
 
Points can also be swapped for a range of leisure activities in key destinations around Europe, and even be used as a way of donating to some of the world’s largest humanitarian organisations through the hotel loyalty-based charitable alliance, Room for Hope
 
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Note to Editors
Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels across the region can be booked with toll-free calls to the InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East Central Reservations Office in Bahrain (800 880), Egypt (0800-4433322), Jordan (0800-22666), Kuwait (473 2100 ext 6233), Lebanon (01 426-801 -  ask operator to connect to 866 866 7556), Oman (800 777 999), Pakistan (00800 909 971234) Qatar (0800 971234), Saudi Arabia (800 897 1465), and the UAE (800 4642).

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom[LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,500 hotels and 535,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn ® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, and Candlewood Suites®, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK.

InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels, and  www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites, and for the Group’s rewards programme, www.priorityclub.com

For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.pressoffice.ihgplc.com

For further press information please contact:
Joanna Steele / Tony Lewis
Total Communications
Tel: +971 336 9909
Fax: +971 336 9905
Email: joanna@totalcompr.com/ tony@totalcompr.com

© Press Release 2004