Hotel groups have launched two new hotel loyalty programmes in a bid to win and retain guests.

Choice Hotels, the parent company of the Clarion, Comfort Inn and Quality hotel chains, is to launch its Privileges loyalty programme in Europe for the first time. The company has more than 300 hotels in Europe, including 70 in the UK and guests will earn ten points for every US dollar (or equivalent) spent.

As a launch promotion, anyone using their American Express card to pay for a Choice hotel until the end of November will earn double points, although this requires advance registration. Membership of the programme is free and members also benefit from express check-in and late check-out.

Mark Pearce, vice president, international operations for Choice Hotels International, said: “We are delighted to expand membership of Choice Privileges and offer our members the opportunity to now earn points at European properties. We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to add value to our rewards programme and I believe our expansion into the European market is a big step.”

The Privileges programme was launched in the US in 1998 and was voted best American hotel loyalty programme in the Freddie Awards in 2006.

Meanwhile, Accor launches new loyalty programme next Monday, September 15.

A|Club members will earn points in Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis and all seasons hotels around the world.

Members earn points on the entire hotel bill, including spending on services such as food and laundry. These points can then be converted into vouchers denominated in euros, which can be used to pay in any of the hotels participating in the scheme.

As a launch promotion, members will earn double points for every stay in an Accor hotel they make before the end of the year.

Members can also convert their points for use with Club Med, Europcar, Air France KLM, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, US Airways and Qantas.