InterContinental Hotels Group announced a multi-year agreement with MasterCard to be the exclusive payment network for its hotel loyalty rewards consumer credit card portfolio in the U.S.
"MasterCard's global data analytics will enhance our ability to develop our co-branded credit card portfolio further through an insight driven approach," says Steven Sickel, senior vice president of distribution relationship marketing at IHG, in a Jan. 30 press release. "Both of our customer bases will benefit from the innovative global marketing and enhanced loyalty campaigns that we will work to develop."
This agreement comes after IHG provided the Priority Club World MasterCard in Canada, which was named Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World by Global Traveler magazine eight years running.
The extended relationship will also include loyalty, marketing and innovative initiatives.
"By expanding our relationship with IHG into the U.S. market, MasterCard is growing our base in both consumer credit and the hotel industry – two areas of strategic importance," says Craig Vosburg, group executive of U.S. market development with MasterCard, in the release. "The alliance gives us many opportunities to work together to expand new and existing portfolios through enhanced data capabilities and joint marketing opportunities."
