Here at Borderless Pair, we often write about investing or travel, but today’s article touches on both! Some traders choose blue chip stocks that pay dividends. Others invest in growth stocks hoping the share price will skyrocket. But did you know that buying shares of certain companies can get you travel rewards?
If you want VIP treatment at your favorite hotel chain, cruise, or airline, you should think about investing in the stock market. The following companies (and many others) offer travel perks if you own a certain number of shares:
Accor
Accor is Europe’s largest hotel conglomerate. It has a variety of budget, mid-range, and luxury brands under its umbrella, including Ibis, Novotel, Mercure, Fairmont, Pullman, SLS, Sofitel, and Raffles.
Buying a single share of Accor SA (current price $41.23 USD), can get you Gold status! You could have access to benefits such as room upgrades, late check-out, food/beverage discounts, and more.
Any retail shareholder owning at least one registered share (or 50 bearer shares) may join the Accor Shareholders Club. Membership is free (but to stay a member you will need to keep hold of your share). To join the club, simply fill out an online subscription and provide a valid email address. Once you have been accepted, you will receive an ALL – Accor Live Limitless Gold digital loyalty card in your name. If you want a physical card, you can request one, but it may take 3–4 weeks to receive it. Your card is valid until December 31 of the year after you subscribe.
To extend your Gold membership status for a further 12 months (365 days) you will need to meet certain conditions. You must spend a minimum of 30 nights in a hotel, or earn 7,000 bonus points, over the past year (January 1-December 31). If you do not meet those conditions, you will drop down to a status that corresponds to your stays/expenditure/bonus points earned over the past year.
Melia
Melia Hotels International has two “basic” brands: SOL by Melia and AFFILIATED by Melia. Its “premium” options include MELIA Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, and INNSiDE. The company’s “luxury” brands are GRAN MELIA Hotels & Resorts, The MELIA COLLECTION, ME by Melia, and PARADISUS by Melia.
Melia Hotels International SA is another hotel chain that offers perks for owning a single share (current price $8.21 USD). Depending on your status, you may be entitled to free hotel stays, car rentals, flights, and more. If you buy 1–1000 shares, you can enjoy the benefits and advantages of a Silver shareholder. If you own 1000–10,000 shares (and have kept them in your portfolio for at least 1 year) you qualify for Gold status. Owning more than 10,000 shares makes you a Platinum shareholder and gives you access to the most exclusive benefits.
Before you can join the Shareholder Club, you will need to go online and sign up for the regular MeliaRewards loyalty program. Then, you can apply for shareholder membership by entering your full name, MeliáRewards card number, and attaching a bank or broker statement showing the number of shares that you own and the date you acquired them.
IHG
Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) contains brands such as Kimpton, Regent, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar, and Hotel Indigo.
IHG currently offers its shareholders a 15% discount on hotel stays (subject to availability). You must own at least 100 shares (current price $104.21 USD) and hold them in certified form, in your sole name, with the Companies Registrar.
To take advantage of the shareholder discount, you will need to book your stay via the dedicated shareholder-only website (check your Dividend Confirmation Statement to learn how to access the website).
A key downside to IHG’s shareholder discount tool is that it conflicts with the company’s loyalty program (which is open to anyone). Shareholders have reported that when you book via the special website, you don’t earn reward points for your stay, receive any cashback, or accumulate elite night credits. If you are a new IHG customer, the stock option is a great deal, but it may not make sense if you are already committed to the loyalty program.
Carnival
Carnival Corporation owns Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Aida Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, and P&O Australia. If you cruise regularly on any of the foregoing, you may want to buy stock in the parent company.
Carnival Corp (current price $18.73 USD) offers cruisers special rewards if they own at least 100 shares.
Shareholder benefits vary based on the length of your cruise, and the operational currency onboard your vessel. For example, if you are sailing with a North American brand such as Holland America Line, you would be eligible for the following perks:
$50 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 6 days or less
$100 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 7 to 13 days
$250 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 14 days or longer
*Please note, the above apply to sailings through December 31, 2024, and are subject to change.
To claim shareholder benefits, you need to download the Stockperks app and create a user profile. Within the app, search “Carnival” and find the cruise line you are traveling with. Click the blue “Validate your portfolio” button and provide your stock ownership details. Once your shareholder status is confirmed, you can submit a benefits claim for each eligible cruise booking. It is important to note that you cannot apply for onboard credits once you are on the ship. You must submit your request for shareholder benefits at least three weeks before your departure.
Norwegian
In addition to its namesake, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd owns Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
To be eligible for cruise perks, you will need to own at least 100 shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (current price $18.60 USD) at time of sailing. At time of writing, the company is offering the following:
$50 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 6 days or less
$100 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 7–14 days
$250 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 15 days or more
To redeem the shareholder offer, you need to fill out and mail (or email) a Shareholder Benefit Request Form (and accompanying documentation) to the appropriate cruise line, at least 15 days prior to sailing.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Group is the owner/operator of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
As with the other cruise companies, Royal Caribbean Group (current price $159.87 USD) is willing to grant you onboard credit if you own at least 100 shares at time of sailing. The current benefits are as follows:
$50 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 5 nights or less
$100 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 6–13 nights
$250 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on sailings of 14 nights or more
$1,000 USD onboard credit (per stateroom) on a World Cruise
Once again, you can submit a Shareholder Onboard Credit Offer Request electronically. Your request must be received by the cruise line approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure.
Sixt
The well-known rental car company Sixt offers its shareholders a discounted rate. If you buy a single share of Sixt SE (current price $71.01 USD) you can get up to 20% off car rentals.
In order to get the discount, you will need to create a profile with Sixt. Next, you must submit a request to sixtcard@sixt.com to activate the shareholder fare (and provide proof of your share purchase). Once accepted, the fare will be stored in your Sixt profile, and you can select it anytime you rent a vehicle.
Irish Ferries
Another transportation company offering shareholder perks is Irish Ferries. If you own at least 1,000 shares of Irish Continental Group (current price $5.91 USD) you can receive the following discounts:
20% off passenger & car ferry services between Ireland & Britain
10% off passenger & car ferry services between Ireland & France (direct sailings only)
5% off Irish Ferries inclusive package holidays (incorporating travel with Irish Ferries)
To take advantage of the shareholder discount, make a normal booking on www.irishferries.com. Once your booking is complete, email shareholders@irishferries.com and provide your Booking Reference Number and evidence that you are a shareholder. Once your shareholder status is confirmed, the company will credit your card with the relevant discount.
The companies listed above are just some of the hospitality businesses offering shareholder benefits. Please keep an eye out for other brands with travel perks and feel free to add them in the comments below.
If you are looking for more travel-related content, please read How To Spend 48 Hours In Barcelona, Spain, and Unique Hotel Stays Around the World. If you want more stock market tips, check out our recent article Blue-Chip Gems If You Want Dividends.