Web-based A|Club will enable Accor's customers to earn points in Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis and all seasons hotels — including all Accor's properties in China.

The points can be converted into gift vouchers and used throughout the year in Accor hotels. They can also be used with Accor's partners such as Club Méditerranée and Europcar, or converted into miles with airlines, including Air France KLM, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, US Airways, and Qantas.

According to Accor the A|Club program leverages all the strengths of Accor’s brand portfolio –- which covers every segment from economy to luxury –- to meet the needs of an increasingly fragmented and mobile clientele looking for recognition and personalized solutions.

The hotel group also points out that because it is entirely web-based, the program also lets members manage their accounts whenever and wherever they like, while providing more personalized service. They add that the A|Club card is easy to use, and members can join after just one night's stay in an Accor hotel or through a dedicated website. Then, with each night spent in a participating hotel, they can earn points and exclusive benefits.

Depending on the number of hotel nights or the number of points earned in a year, members will be upgraded from one program tier to the next, with the points earned increasing significantly with each tier.

(China Hospitality News October 8, 2008)