Would you give up your cell phone for free Rewards?
Back in the early 2000’s cell phones were literally attached to our hips. I remember everyone and their cousin had those horrible belt clip attachments for cell phones. Now, those have largely gone away, but we’re still digitally attached at the hip to our devices. Hotels and resorts know this… and they want to help you relax and disconnect. After all, that’s half the reason you’re on vacation anyway, right? The question is… would you give up your cell phone, turn it over to someone, in order to get some free rewards?
The Seattle Times had a fantastic article about hotels offering rewards and perks to those guests electing to give up their cell phones. Now, you’re not literally turning it over to a total stranger, but there are a bunch of varying tactics to get you to hand over the electronics.
The idea? If you’re able to disconnect and relax, so will all the guests, contributing to a more serene travel experience.
Image courtesy of the Seattle Times(AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)
“Everyone wants to be able to disconnect. They just need a little courage,†said Lisa Checchio, Wyndham Hotels’ chief marketing officer.
Wyndham is leading the charge at their resorts with this phone free initiative. You can get prime pool spots, free food, or other perks by handing over your phone.
Some hotels use cloth bags with locks that only hotel employees can open. Others have clear plastic boxes (like those shown above).
While this seems like a great idea, some are pushing back. What about calls in case of emergency? What about Instagram and Facebook exposure? There is a certain level or marketing that a hotel can miss out on, and at the same time, sharing your experiences is what Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook is all about, right?
According to the Seattle Times article:
On Oct. 1, Wyndham Grand’s five U.S. resorts began offering prime spots by the pool, free snacks and the chance to win return visits when guests put their phone in a soft, locked pouch. The phones stay with the guests, but only hotel staff can unlock the pouches.
Wyndham says 250 people have used the pouches so far at resorts in Florida and Texas. The program will be found at more Wyndham hotels next year.
Not bad! I like the idea that the pouch stays with you, but if you really did need to make an emergency call, are you going to try and run down a hotel pool attendant to get a key and open your pouch? Seems like the risk/reward would have to be pretty high for me to be able to hand over my phone.
Our experience in Bali
When we checked into our hotel in Bali, the Sheraton Bali Kuta, we were surprised to see that the restaurant was offering a 50% discount on dinner if you surrendered your phone upon arrival. Always one to get a discount, we were happy to surrender our phones, so long as they remained within our sight. They were reluctant, but I was not about to leave my iPhone in the hands of an unknown hotel attendant in a foreign country.
Ocean View, Sheraton Bali
The meal was superb, as was the hotel stay, and I give them kudos for having an innovative policy in order to drive restaurant traffic. It made the total for our meal to be about $5 each after it was all said and done.
What would it take?
What would you need in order to disconnect? Would a 10% discount on the room suffice? Free scuba or snorkeling? Where is your ‘off switch’ for devices? Let us know below!
December 24, 2018
Sure I’ll hand over one of my old phones. What are they going to do, strip-search me?
December 24, 2018
Wow, food is cheap in Bali, but I never knew that the Sheraton was that reasonable on food. Was this in the main restaurant? Thanks.