Photo: Crowne Plaza Adelaide
IHG Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Virgin Australia Business Flyer to introduce a pioneering partnership aimed at small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). This collaboration is set to redefine the way businesses approach travel, offering unparalleled benefits and savings across both flight and hotel bookings.
For the first time, members of the Virgin Australia Business Flyer program will gain access to a host of advantages when booking stays at any of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ impressive portfolio of over 6,200 properties worldwide. This portfolio spans 19 distinct brands, including luxury and lifestyle names such as InterContinental, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo, as well as trusted favorites like Crowne Plaza, voco, and Holiday Inn.
The essence of this partnership lies in its dual benefits. By signing up for IHG Business Edge through their Virgin Australia Business Flyer account, members not only enjoy the perks of both programs but also receive an instant upgrade to Gold Elite status in the IHG One Rewards loyalty program upon their first stay. This status leap from the previous Silver Elite offers a suite of enhanced benefits, including a late checkout option until 2pm, complimentary internet, exclusive access to member promotions and rates, and a guaranteed status rollover into the next year.
Dean Jones, Vice President Commercial for IHG Hotels & Resorts in Japan, Australasia & Pacific, said “This is a significant move for the industry. In a time when business operating costs are higher than ever, our partnership with Virgin Australia Business Flyer is specifically designed to reward members twice with meaningful perks and savings we know they need, while keeping the programs free to join. The partnership is an exciting milestone for tourism, not only to maximise business efficiency for SMEs, but to take advantage and explore the extensive global networks of these two much-loved brands.”
Echoing this sentiment, Nick Rohrlach, CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer, highlighted the commitment to providing SMEs with exceptional value in their business travel. He remarked, “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts as part of our continued focus on delivering SMEs with value across all areas of their business travel. IHG Business Edge opens up a world of convenience and value for our members, including guaranteed discounts, flexible change and cancellation policies and customized booking portals, to name a few. Both Virgin Australia Business Flyer and IHG Business Edge are built on rewarding SMEs and we look forward to benefiting Australia’s business community through the meaningful savings this partnership will deliver.”
IHG Business Edge is tailored specifically for SMEs, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to streamline the corporate travel experience. This includes access to a customizable portal for tracking spending and savings, guaranteed discounts at participating properties, and flexible booking options. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia Business Flyer members can enjoy up to 6% savings on domestic flights and up to 10% on international flights, among other perks.
This partnership marks the beginning of a series of exciting activations and promotions set to roll out in the coming months, promising to bring even more value to SMEs navigating the complexities of business travel.
Members interested in leveraging these benefits can sign up for IHG Business Edge through the Virgin Australia Business Rewards Portal, opening the door to a new era of travel efficiency and savings.
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