Why Hotels Are Changing How They Measure Success—And How You Can Benefit

1. Introduction: How Hotels Used to Measure Success

Imagine you’re running a lemonade stand. To figure out how well you’re doing, you might count how many cups of lemonade you sell each day. That’s kind of how hotels used to measure success—by counting how many rooms they sold. This metric is called RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room).

But here’s the problem: once all the rooms are booked, the hotel can’t make more money from rooms alone. It’s like if your lemonade stand runs out of cups—you can’t sell more lemonade, even if people want it!

2. The New Way: Focusing on the Guest

Now, hotels are realizing there’s a better way to measure success. Instead of just counting rooms, they’re looking at everything a guest spends money on during their stay—like food, drinks, spa treatments, and even souvenirs. This new metric is called RevPAG (Revenue Per Available Guest).

Think of it like this: if you not only sell lemonade but also offer cookies, snacks, and maybe even a fun game to play while people wait, you’re making more money from each customer. That’s what RevPAG is all about—maximizing what each guest spends.

3. Why This Matters for You (the Guest!)

You might be wondering, “Why should I care about how hotels measure their success?” Well, this shift to RevPAG is actually great news for you! Here’s why:

A. More Personalized Experiences

Hotels now have a reason to get to know you better. If they know you love spa treatments or fancy dinners, they can offer you special deals or recommendations. It’s like if your favorite coffee shop remembers your usual order and gives you a free muffin because they know you love them.

B. Better Amenities and Services

Since hotels want you to spend more during your stay, they’re investing in cool stuff like better restaurants, fun activities, and relaxing spas. It’s like if your lemonade stand added comfy chairs, free Wi-Fi, and a playlist of your favorite songs to keep you hanging out longer.

C. Surprises and Upgrades

Hotels are also more likely to offer you upgrades or special treats to make your stay extra memorable. Imagine checking into a hotel and being told, “We’ve upgraded you to a suite with a view!” or “Here’s a free dessert from our chef!” That’s the kind of stuff RevPAG encourages.

4. How Hotels Are Making This Happen

To make all this work, hotels are using technology to get to know their guests better. They’re creating guest profiles that track things like your favorite room type, dietary preferences, and past purchases. This helps them tailor your experience, so you feel like a VIP.

For example:

• If you loved the spa last time, they might send you a discount for your next visit.

• If you’re celebrating a birthday, they might surprise you with a cake or a room upgrade.

It’s like if your favorite app remembers your preferences and suggests things you’ll love—except it’s a hotel doing it in real life!

5. How Credit Card Travel Rewards Can Help You

Now, here’s where it gets even better for you. Did you know you can make your hotel stays even more rewarding by using the right credit card? Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (for personal use) and the Chase Ink Preferred (for business use) offer travel rewards that can help you save money and enjoy extra perks.

Why These Cards Are Awesome:

• Earn Points on Travel: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you earn 2x points on travel and dining, which includes hotels, flights, and restaurants. The Chase Ink Preferred offers 3x points on travel, making it perfect for business trips.

• Flexible Rewards: You can use your points to book hotels, flights, or even transfer them to hotel loyalty programs for even more value.

• Travel Protections: Both cards come with travel insurance, like trip cancellation coverage and baggage delay protection, so you’re covered if things don’t go as planned.

How It Enhances Your Stay:

• Use your points to book a fancy hotel room or upgrade to a suite.

• Redeem points for dining credits or spa treatments during your stay.

• Enjoy perks like free breakfast or late checkout when you book through certain programs.

6. What’s in It for Hotels?

You might be thinking, “Okay, this sounds great for me, but why are hotels doing this?” Well, it’s a win-win! By focusing on RevPAG, hotels can:

• Make more money from each guest.

• Build loyalty so you keep coming back.

• Stand out from competitors by offering amazing experiences.

It’s like if your lemonade stand became the go-to spot in the neighborhood because you offer the best snacks, the friendliest service, and the coolest vibe.

7. The Big Picture: A Better Stay for Everyone

At the end of the day, the shift from RevPAR to RevPAG is all about making your stay more enjoyable. Hotels are no longer just selling rooms—they’re creating memorable experiences that make you want to come back. Whether it’s a personalized welcome note, a surprise upgrade, or a recommendation for the best local pizza place, these little touches add up to a better trip for you.

And with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Ink Preferred, you can make your travels even more rewarding. Imagine using your points to book a luxury hotel or enjoy a free spa day—it’s like getting a bonus for doing something you already love!

8. Conclusion: What’s Next for Hotels?

The future of hotels is all about you—the guest. By focusing on RevPAG, hotels are putting your experience first. So the next time you check into a hotel and get a free upgrade or a personalized recommendation, you’ll know it’s not just luck—it’s part of a bigger plan to make your stay amazing.

And don’t forget to bring your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Ink Preferred card along for the ride. With their travel rewards and perks, you’ll be able to enjoy even more of what hotels have to offer.

Call to Action

• Ready to start earning travel rewards? Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred for personal travel here and the Chase Ink Preferred for business travel here.

• Next time you stay at a hotel, pay attention to the little details. Did they remember your preferences? Did they offer something special? Let us know in the comments!

• Share this article with your friends so they can learn how hotels are stepping up their game—and how they can save money while traveling.