When InterContinental Hotels Group PLC announced that it had agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants — which was the largest independent boutique hotel operator in the world with 62 hotel properties in 28 cities and a sophisticated food and beverage operator with 71 destination restaurants and bars — for $430 million in cash back in December of 2014, what was to eventually become of the Karma Rewards frequent guest loyalty program was unclear…
Kimpton Karma Rewards to Cease to Exist in January of 2018
…until now.
Effective as of Monday, January 1, 2018, all members of the Karma Rewards frequent guest loyalty program will become part of IHG Rewards Club, as Karma Rewards will no longer exist after Sunday, December 31, 2017.
“Personalized recognition is still the heart of the Kimpton experience. We’ll continue to bring you exclusive offers and invitations to private events and social perks”, according to these frequently asked questions pertaining to the integration of Kimpton into InterContinental Hotels Group — with additional frequently asked questions answered here. “And if you’re someone who loves our ‘Raid the Bar’ perk, rest assured; all elite members (Gold, Platinum and Spire Elite) will continue to enjoy this much-loved perk when checking into a Kimpton hotel. All IHG® Rewards Club members can also look forward to the $30 Spa Credit and free WiFi at Kimpton hotels.”
Additionally, valid Karma Free Night Rewards will be converted to IHG Rewards Club Reward Nights and will remain valid in the new IHG Rewards Club membership account, with the existing expiration date; and the Inner Circle program will remain intact — including the Inner Circle amenity — but it will only be available by invitation to a select group of members of IHG Rewards Club who have earned Spire Elite level status.
Summary
The good news is that some of the benefits which made the Karma Rewards program unique will remain intact for all members of IHG Rewards Club who have earned it when they stay at hotel and resort properties of the Kimpton brand — and any benefits which can no longer be earned are still valid until they expire.
This news should also mean that hotel and resort properties of the Kimpton brand will be able to participate in most — if not all — IHG Rewards Club promotions in the future…
…but Monday, January 1, 2018 is a day many members of Karma Rewards did not want to see, as their beloved program will officially no longer exist.
