I subscribe to a lot of email services, and one in particular, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) SmartBrief, caught my eye today. It referenced a USA Today article about a new offering from Marriott Rewards, LocalPerks. LocalPerks will be a part of the Marriott Guest Services app, and will offer a traveler particular services based on their location within participating hotel properties. While it gives me a feeling of “big brother” watching, younger travelers are a little more wedded to their smartphones. Likely a fantastic idea for forward thinking marketers, and who am I kidding? I’m as wedded to my smartphone as anyone. It appears that this initial effort is aimed at Apple customers and their “i devices.” Yeah, that’s me.

Additionally, according to Marriott Rewards Insider, they’ll be introducing Marriott Rewards Flash Perks on Monday.  According the Insider website, they’ll be offering limited quantities of our very best hotel deals, travel experiences and merchandise. The sales will only be live for 24 hours, or until the inventory is depleted, and only available on the Flash Perks website. And some of these deals are so good that you’ll want to be first in line when the doors open!”

Interesting stuff from Marriott Rewards. How do you feel about “location based services?” Too big brother, or not soon enough?

-MJ, July 11, 2014