While we at BedandBreakfast.com can recite many reasons B&Bs are a more affordable option for budget-driven travelers, I imagine that Frequent Stay programs are not one you'd think might be on the list. However, BedandBreakfast.com surveys have shown that an estimated 1500 B&Bs offer frequent stay programs. Many have been around longer than your standard hotel frequent stay program. We've traced frequent stay programs at B&Bs back 25 years. Just as no two B&Bs are alike (and that's what you love about them), many of the frequent stay programs vary and can be quite creative. Here's a sampling of some of the frequent stay programs you'll find from BedandBreakfast.com members.
Beach Drive Inn Bed & Breakfast, Petersburg FL: Rooms are discounted to $99 for the off-season and $129/season for frequent stay corporate clients. This is a $50 difference from normal room rates.
Captain Lord Mansion,Kennebunkport, ME: This Frequent Stay program was started 25 years ago, making it likely that it is one of the oldest B&B Frequent Stay program. Initially, when the program started in 1983, to celebrate a guests' 10th visit, the guests received a pewter hurricane lamp from the inn. However, as the list of returning guests grew, Rick and Bev Litchfield, owners of the Captain Lord Mansion, wanted to give guests something permanent. So about 15 years ago, they went to gift show in Atlanta, and found historic rock pavers. In 1993, they created what they call a Memory Garden and each time a guest stays 10 times, a stone paver is engraved with their name and placed into the memory garden. Today, a circle of pavers around a fountain has been filled with over 450 pavers with frequent guests names on it. There are so many now that a walkway is being built to accommodate the pavers. The pavers are not the only gift, however. For every fifth visit, guests receive special gifts. They are:5th visit – a beautiful cut glass bud vase10th – paver engraved and placed into the Memory Garden15th – a lovely cut glass candy dish20th – a gorgeous Large cut glass vase25th – cobalt blue salt and pepper shakers with silver tops After the 25th visit, the Litchfields get creative depending upon the guests' interests. There is one couple that has stayed at the Captain Lord Mansion 75 times! For their 75th visit, the Litchfields bought Kathi Nelson a solid gold lobster claw necklace with a diamond in the claw. Because Hal is a Red Sox fan, he received a Daisuke Matsuzaka Red Sox shirt.
Nichols Guest Rooms, Seekonk, MA: Despite inflation, stock market declines, etc., this inn matches the rate return guests paid on their last visit. For example, recentlya guest who'd stayed three years ago returned for a visit at the rate he paid in 2005 which was a 40% discount.
Maxwell House B&B, "Mayberry" Mount Airy, NC
The Maxwell House Bed and Breakfast, offers a "Mayberry" stayer program. The program runs for two years from the date of your first stay. Guests can accumulate points for all stays plus and referrals After your first stay..... for each night you personally stay and for each night that someone you referred to the the inn stays, you get a point. After 10 points or ten nights of stays, you get a free night. Points are not available for promotional packages and rates.
Bed and Breakfast Inns of Missouri Free Unstressed Nights (F.U.N.)
Bed and Breakfast Inns of Missouri (BBIM). The BBIM Frequent Stay program is called F.U.N. – Free Unstressed Nights. Guests collect a stamp for any number of consecutive nights paid lodging with the same inn. (Business program is one stamp for two or more consecutive nights paid lodging with the same inn.) Collect six stamps to fill the F.U.N. collection card, mail the completed card to BBIM and receive a $100 gift certificate good at any BBIM member inn. Only two stamps may be collected from any individual member inn after August 15, 2007. Stamps and collection cards will be issued through May 1, 2009. Completed collection cards must be received by BBIM not later than July 1, 2009.
Next time you book a stay at a B&B, be sure to ask whether they have a frequent stay program. It's a great way to rack up points toward discounted or free stays in 2009. Be sure to visit www.BedandBreakfast.com and click on SEARCH then SPECIAL PACKAGES then choose FREQUENT STAY PROGRAMS from the drop down menu for more frequent stay programs from BedandBreakfast.com members.