Frequently Asked Questions - Members
- Q: The Irish Times Business Travel Club is run in association with Hotel Express International, what is Hotel Express International?
A: Hotel Express International is the largest membership based Hotel Discount Program in the world and has contracted rates with in excess of 4,500 hotels in 145 countries. Hotel Express was established in the 1980’s and now has offices in 56 countries. - Q: How does Hotel Express International work?
A: Hotel Express has contracts with all its hotels worldwide to give Irish Times Business Travel Club members access to those hotels at 50% off rack rate. - Q: How much will I save per night?
A: This depends on the hotel standard, location and dates booked but most members will cover the cost of their membership with the savings made against the best rates available in the first 3 nights staying in a Hotel Express contracted hotel. Why not call on 01-2130729 and our reservations staff will be happy to discuss your travel requirements with you and provide you with savings projections and also send you examples of the current savings some of our members are making worldwide. - Q: What else do I get?
A: In addition to access to the 4,500 contracted hotels at great rates, members of the Irish Times Business Travel Club have free use of the Hotel Express reservation service for the duration of their membership. Additionally there are a number of further membership benefits with members’ discounts available on flights with Travelstart, worldwide broadband access with Bozii, airport lounge access with Priorty Pass, car rental with National Car Rental and many other membership benefits. To see details of these extra members’ benefits just open www.ireland.com on your internet browser, click on the Irish Times Business Travel Club link and then on the Extra Members Benefits link. - Q: I get good rates on the internet, why should I join the Irish Times Business Travel Club?
A: Internet rates can be quite good however they rarely offer 50% off the rack rate. In the event that a hotel has a special offer available better than 50% off rack rate then all of the Hotel Express contracted hotels are required to offer this better offer to members of the Irish Times Business Travel Club.
Internet reservation rates usually come with stringent cancellation penalties and in the event of a change of plans you may loose some or all of your payment which is debited from your credit card immediately upon booking. Members of the Irish Times Business Travel Club pay on check out not up front and normal hotel cancellation policy applies – usually 24 hours and in some cases less in advance. So if your travel plans change, no problem just contact the Hotel Express reservation service and they will cancel your reservation on your behalf.
Irish Times Business Travel Club members get full access to the free Hotel Express booking service. This will save you hours trawling the internet.
Irish Times Business Travel Club hotel rates are on a per room basis not on a per person sharing basis. There is no minimum number of nights stay and the rates are contracted rates they are not “rates starting from”. Internet reservation services frequently include these marketing techniques.
Internet rates include a commission for the service provider and this is included in the price you pay and so the rates are not as good as they might be. The Irish Times Business Travel Club charges no commission on your reservations.
The Irish Times Business Travel Club offers great savings and great service – why not try it and see. - Q: How long does a membership last?
A: Normally 12 months from date of purchase. It does not follow the calendar year. - Q: How much does the membership cost?
A: €165 (incl. VAT). This is a 20% discount for readers of The Irish Times off the normal cost of Hotel Express International membership (€204.49 incl. VAT). - Q: How many rooms is one card valid for? Can I book for my colleague too?
A: One card is required per room. This means that you cannot book one room for you and one for your colleague, the second person needs a card their own card. However, it only takes 2 or 3 nights at an associated hotel to cover the cost of the card in savings made – it is worth recommending Hotel Express to all your colleagues. Remember you save not only money on your hotel reservation rates but also time using our free booking service. No more hours spent trawling through internet travel sites! - Q: How can I make my reservation?
A: You can contact Hotel Express Ireland on telephone 01-2130729, fax 01 2130844, e mail bookings@hotelexpress.ie or book on-line through the link to the Irish Times Business Travel Club at www.ireland.com. You can call the hotel with your reservation request Hotel Express Ireland carries out all hotel bookings (both abroad and within Ireland) for Irish Times Business Travel Club members free of charge and will send you a written confirmation. The reservation service is entirely free of charge and included in the Irish Times Business Travel Club annual membership fee. - Q: Can I call any Hotel Express office worldwide to make a reservation?
A: No, you need to contact Hotel Express Ireland:
Telephone: 01-2130729
Fax: 01 2130844
e mail: bookings@hotelexpress.ie - Q: Am I guaranteed a 50% discount on all my reservations?
A: No, not guaranteed. The discount is always given subject to expected availability and if a hotel expects to be fully booked for the night in question, they can say no to the discount. - Q: Why would I become a member if I am not guaranteed the discount?
A: Statistics from Hotel Express’ reservation service show that approximately 85% of all first choice of hotel reservations are accepted at the Hotel Express rates. If you have a second choice of hotel then the success rate is even higher - Q: Is the cardholder the only person who can use the card?
A: Yes, it is a personalized card and the cardholder needs to be present in the room. No one else is entitled to use the card. - Q: Can I bring my family and get the Hotel Express rate?
A: Most hotels are flexible with regard to accommodating you and your family at the discounted price even if you should need two rooms. - Q: If I purchase the card through the company, can I then use it for private travels?
A: Yes, of course! There are no limitations as to how often you can use the card or to what purpose the travel has. The only restriction is that the cardholder is present and that ID can be shown along with the Hotel Express card, if requested at check-in. - Q: What if there are no Hotel Express Associated Hotels available in the area I wish to travel.
A: Hotel Express has an agreement with Accommodations Plus International which gives its reservations service access to over 50,000 further hotels worldwide on a “Best Available Rate Basis”. Just call the Hotel Express free reservation service and they’ll find a hotel for you – no more hours spent trawling the internet. - Q: If my company is interested in several cards for its travelling staff, are there any further discounts applicable?
A: We are pleased to discuss discounts for multiple card holders within the same company - Q: Are membership cards renewed automatically or where do I do so?
A: No, they are not renewed automatically. You will receive a call with an offer of renewal just before your current card expires. - Q: Why would any hotel offer 50% off their rates?
A: Very few hotels have 100% occupancy. Instead of leaving the rooms empty, they sell them to Hotel Express members at half price…after all it is better to make 50% than loose 100%. The rooms are there anyway and it is a waste to let them remain empty. Not only the hotels are making money, but the members are also saving 50% at the same time. Hotel Express association works for both our members and our hotels, give us a call on 01 2130729 and we can send you testimonials from both our members and our associated hotels.
- The Irish Times Business Travel Club in association with Hotel Express International call us now and experience the great savings and service that membership offers.
