Can the brand promotion program for Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential be consolidated with other brands' programs?
Sonesta_Select_Sonesta_Essential Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We and our affiliates may administer and manage loyalty programs that will provide participating guests of your Hotel with certain rewards or benefits when staying at your Hotel. Such loyalty programs may apply specifically for Brand Hotels or to any or all Network Hotels. Currently, Brand Hotels participate in our loyalty program referred to as "Sonesta Travel Pass." We charge Brand Hotel franchisees a loyalty program fee for your participation in the Sonesta Travel Pass program in the amount of 3% of your Hotel's Qualified Revenue (see Item 6 above) garnered through guests participating in the Sonesta Travel Pass Program; company-owned and company-managed Brand Hotels may pay the loyalty program fee at a different rate, and not all franchised Network Hotels pay a uniform loyalty program fee. We may increase your loyalty program fee up to 4.5% of your Hotel's Qualified Revenue. We and our affiliates may periodically modify or discontinue the Sonesta Travel Pass program or any other loyalty program that we designate. You must participate in and honor the terms of any and all loyalty, discount, or other promotional program applicable to Brand Hotels and pay all applicable fees or charges associated with such programs (including any fees assessed by us and our affiliates, room discounts given to guests, or rewards provided to guests, that are applicable to your Hotel) that we and our affiliates offer to the public on your behalf and any room rate quoted to any guest at the time the guest makes an advance reservation. You must take all action necessary to participate in any loyalty program and you must grant us and our affiliates all necessary rights in and to any photographs, video and/or other marketing materials used in connection with any loyalty programs.
Source: Item 11 — **FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 52–64)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the brand may administer loyalty programs that apply specifically to Brand Hotels (Sonesta Select and Sonesta Essential) or to any or all Network Hotels. Currently, Brand Hotels participate in the "Sonesta Travel Pass" loyalty program.
Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential franchisees are charged a loyalty program fee for participation in the Sonesta Travel Pass program, set at 3% of the hotel's Qualified Revenue generated through guests participating in the program. Company-owned and company-managed Brand Hotels may pay a different rate, and not all franchised Network Hotels pay a uniform loyalty program fee. The brand may increase the loyalty program fee up to 4.5% of the hotel's Qualified Revenue.
Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential and its affiliates retain the right to modify or discontinue the Sonesta Travel Pass program or any other designated loyalty program. Franchisees are obligated to participate in and adhere to the terms of all loyalty, discount, or promotional programs applicable to Brand Hotels. This includes covering all associated fees or charges, such as fees assessed by Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential and its affiliates, room discounts provided to guests, or rewards offered to guests that are applicable to the franchisee's hotel. Franchisees must also grant Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential and its affiliates all necessary rights to photographs, videos, and other marketing materials used in connection with any loyalty programs.