Guide to the GHA Discovery Program (2021)

Hotel Strategies, Hotel Loyalty Program Reference Guide

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Omni Amelia Island Resort, Florida

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Quick Guide
GHA Brands
Member Benefits]
Status Shortcuts

GHA Discovery is the loyalty program of the Global Hotel Alliance, a collection of a few dozen mostly higher-end hotel brands. The program's benefits are available on stays at any of the hundreds of participating hotels. And stays at any of these hotels contribute to your status level in the cross-brand program.
GHA is just about status benefits. Unlike most other hotel programs, you don't earn points from your stays or redeem points for free nights.
What can be somewhat confusing is that some of these brands also have their own brand-specific loyalty program. If so, you'll get the benefits of (and earn credits with) both programs on your stays and you might earn points with the hotel's own program.
Once you get to mid-level status (Platinum), you’ll get a free “local experience”, such as an interesting free tour or meal. Platinum and higher members also get an additional local experiences every time that they stay in a new brand that is part of the GHA program.
There are a few tricks for easily getting Platinum-level status and receive these extra benefits.

GHA Brands

While the program doesn't have any large global hotel brands, it includes a wide range of brands and some great hotels all around the world.

Member Benefits

Beyond the discounted member rates, much of the value of the program is with the free local activities.

Gold (entry level)

Member rates. 10% off the best available rates.
Free Wi-Fi.
Free bottled water.
Free weekday newspaper. Also evening housekeeping services upon request.

Platinum (10 nights)
Adds the following benefits:

Room upgrade. Upon availability.
Free local activity. When you first reach or renew Platinum status, you’ll get a voucher for free "local experience", like a tour or meal. You’ll get an additional free local activity on your first visit to any new GHA brand (where you haven’t stayed before). You can redeem the voucher for 12 months after receiving it. Each hotel offers its own set of experiences. Some of them require you to stay at the hotel in order to redeem, others do not. View activities here.
Welcome gift. Usually some kind of snack.
3pm late checkout. Upon availability.
Bottled water every night. Not just the first. Also, automatic evening housekeeping services.
24-hour guaranteed room availability.

Black (30 nights)
Adds the following benefits:

Upgraded welcome gift.
Double room upgrade. Upon availability.
6pm late checkout,and 9am early check-in. Upon availability.
Access to a better set of local experiences. Black members get access to a set of premium local experiences, as well as the normal Platinum experiences. Black-level certificates expire in 15 months, instead of 12. And you'll get a certificate when you reach the Black level each year.

Status Shortcuts

Most people aren't going to naturally stay 10 or more nights per year in GHA hotels and naturally qualify for Platinum status. Fortunately, there are some shortcuts that will let you access GHA's unique local experience.