Hotels giving out deep discounts for future travel

Hotel groups have come up with the idea of selling credits that can be bought at a discount to be used for future room nights. If it works, hoteliers make a dent in their massive losses and customers get a big break on a future hotel stay. Whether or not it ends up making much of an impact, the concept shows that the hotel industry is at least trying to think creatively as it faces one of its biggest crises ever.

The deals vary. Oxford Hotels & Resorts, which is testing the idea at four of its upscale hotels in its hometown of Chicago, is selling $100 “bonds” good for $150 in credit for use after 60 days. At least two other sites are letting hotels set their own deals.

Hotels make no qualms about it: they need the money. Occupancy fell 64.4% to 23.4% from the week ending April 18 compared to the same week a year ago, data firm STR reports.

Hotels offered through his site vary widely, from the two-star Rodeway Inn in Urbana, Illinois, to the five-star Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic.

The notion of buying credits for discounted future stays may sound like easy money for those with cabin fever, but one analyst urges caution.

Oxford’s Jordan says the notion of selling future stays may kindle a bit of travel fever and lift the spirits of would-be travelers stuck at home.

“Everyone worries about how they are going to put food on the tables tonight, so (travel) is not the highest priorities,” he said. “But I want people to think about the good times, too. The world will start spinning again.”