Is the loyalty program administered by Sonesta Simply Suites mandatory or optional?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 48–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, participation in the loyalty program is mandatory. Specifically, Sonesta Simply Suites franchisees must participate in any loyalty programs applicable to Brand Hotels. Franchisees are also required to honor the terms of these programs.
As a participant in the loyalty program, franchisees must pay all applicable fees or charges associated with the programs. These fees may include those assessed by Sonesta Simply Suites and its affiliates, room discounts given to guests, or rewards provided to guests that are applicable to the franchisee's hotel. The franchisee must also take all actions necessary to participate in any loyalty program and grant Sonesta Simply Suites and its affiliates all necessary rights to any photographs, video, or other marketing materials used in connection with any loyalty programs.
Sonesta Simply Suites charges franchisees a loyalty program fee for participation in the Sonesta Travel Pass program. This fee is 2.5% of the hotel's Qualified Revenue garnered through guests participating in the Sonesta Travel Pass program. However, 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. Sonesta Simply Suites may increase the loyalty program fee up to 4.5% of the hotel's Qualified Revenue. Sonesta Simply Suites and its affiliates may periodically modify or discontinue the Sonesta Travel Pass program or any other loyalty program that they designate.