Loews First Rewards Program

[AaronX]

Loews First Rewards Program
www.loews-first.com

All of us are looking to save alittle money here, and alittle money there. Loews-First was founded to help sales by making "Qualified" stays at Loews Hotels. When the program was first ran the rewards were just handed out, but I have had a nice talk with the staff of Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando and that have the following two statements to say:

The clarification on Loews First benefits is that guests (at all Loews Hotels, not just Orlando) are entitled to benefits-- including a welcome amenity, newspaper, a number of qualified upgrades, etc.) if they are paying a qualifying rate which is a posted, non-discounted rate. The one exception, on discounts, is the AAA discount (when available) based upon a long-standing agreement with AAA and their members. So, when reservations are booked as part of packages, through our travel agency partner Universal Vacations, or as part of other discount programs, the benefits are not honored. We do realize that this can be confusing. The costs and limitations of the niceties provided just dictate the necessity for setting such "qualified rate" policies.

I hope that this clears this up for you, and this is certainly how we would be sharing the information when reservations are booked directly with us and/or upon arrival to the hotel.

Regards,

Mark Shouger
Rooms Division Director
Hard Rock Hotel
407 503 2150

Even though the rule was "Only Qualified Stays will get the Loews-First rewards" it all depended on who was in a good mood at the front desk. Which the rule is stated in the Terms of Service:

2. LoewsFirst benefits and mileage or points awards are based upon completion of a qualifying stay at any Loews Hotel. A qualifying stay is any rate published by the hotel. Group, negotiated, third party and advanced purchase rates do not apply. Not valid with any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer.

Mr. Shouger pointed out to me that not only will this stop, but there was a national conference call held about this, see below:

Points well taken regarding Loews First. In trying to offer a consistent program, throughout the country, a conference call was held and re-grouping done just last month. It was at this time that it was decided to hold to the "letter of the law" on the qualifying rate issue. There may have been times that exceptions were made in the past. Again, for consistency purposes they are not to be made in the future.

Regards,

Mark Shouger
Rooms Division Director
Hard Rock Hotel
407 503 2150

I hope this answers some of your questions, if not be sure to e-mail me or post here, and I will conact Mr. Shouger. If you are not currently a member but, plan on making qualified stays via Loews or AAA (not Entertainment, AP, or FAN Club Rate) you can join at http://www.loews-first.com.

 

[disneyfan21]

Now that there is some clarification on this issue, I wanted to ask you if it is worth it if I swith my reservation from a Fan Club rate to the AAA discount rate. It comes to about 14 dollars more a night , we will be staying 4 nights. Should I do this? What do you think?

 

[AaronX]

If you switch your rates, you will get the rewards. You would get the following rewards:

• Your favorite welcome amenity. Choices include: a bottle of red or white wine and nuts, fresh fruit and bottled water, cookies and milk, or a treat for your pet.
• Wall Street Journal, USA Today or the local paper delivered to your door every morning you stay with us.
• Free access to our fitness center.
• 500 American Airlines® AAdvantage® Miles or 500 Amtrak Guest Rewards® Points or 500 Midwest MilesSM per qualified^ stay.*
• Enjoy a free upgrade to a premium room, if one is available when you arrive.
• Enjoy a late check-out of 3 hours beyond the regular check-out time, if available.

I don't think that it would be worth it, but if you are going to enjoy the fitness center, or any of the other things it might be worth the $14 but that would be $56 - I think i'd stay with your rate!

 

[damo]

My opinion is to take the cheaper rooms. The welcome gift is not worth the extra price. Every room get a newspaper, it is no big deal. Upgrades are only offered if available and that is getting to be more infrequent lately. We had a AAA rate of $169 booked and changed it at the last minute to a APH rate of $119. So glad we did since the hotel was packed and we saved $250. You can buy a lot of bottled water for $250.

 

[Teris]

This will be the third time in the past year that I will use my APH for room discount. The two other visits, I recieved the welcome gift. Will see if I get one this time or not. I am not bothered either way to be honest.

 

[AaronX]

Well, the rewards have never been a big deal. The only thing that makes me mad is that they tell you that you can get the rewards. I have contacted both Universal Vacations and Loews and they had both told me that I could get the rewards, but then management tells me I can't. All I want is for them to know that they aren't doing their job.

 

[mouseRD]

Does this mean if I book a room with the APH rate that the nights would not count as a qualifying stay in terms of Loews First rewards?

 

[AaronX]

If the way that Mr. Shouger stated is the way that it is, yes - you would not get credit for the nights unless they were booked via AAA or Loews.

 

[highlander447]

We booked a package through a UK travel agent and stayed 14 nights we got our gift and paper also I just recieved my gold card through the post,on another point I thought that so long as u have a lowes card u are entitled to use the fitness centre free of charge no matter the rate ?

 

[AaronX]

When did you stay at HRH? He was talking about in the last few months or so that it has changed or is the process of changing.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

IF this trip in july dont get me the gold card then I will be calling them with this problem.I will never pay the full price when the discount rate is available.
tiggerguy2000

 

[AaronX]

Honestly, I don't think that you are going to get anywhere. When you joined the club it asked "Do you agree to the Terms & Cond.?" and you clicked "Yes" which mean't that if you don't pay "Qualifying" rate - You will not qualify for the rewards.

I'm not trying to be mean, or whatever - I just fought for hours with these people and I feel like I know how they'll react. Right now i'm trying to get a good rate for when i'm going - trying to get them to come off their $269 rate.

 

[highlander447]

AaronX we satyed at the RPR in march

 

[AaronX]

Its been about 3 months, if you'd like to find out you can e-mail the people at Loews.

 

[Mum2monsters]

One more question...if you take the APH rate, for example, does the nights you paid for go towards your next Loews status (ie...blue to gold to platinum)? I understand no rewards, but do the nights qualify?
Sorry if this has been asked before....


Thanks

Erin

 

[AaronX]

I'm not sure if they do or not - but when you check-in I would still give them the Loews-First card just to try to get the points. I mean, you guys may check in and get your rewards. I'm just trying to relay the information from Loews to you guys. If you have any questions e-mail me, aaronmyers@bellsouth.net