This program was reviewed and rated by our editors in April 2009. Changes in the program past this date are possible, especially program partner information. We recommend you subscribe to the #1 source of frequent flyer information, Inside Flyer Magazine, to get the most current information possible.

According to Accor before A|Club, there was Sofitel Privilege, Compliments in South America, and Accor Mouvango in France, among others. The Accor hotel group recently replaced its existing array of loyalty programs with a unified multi-brand loyalty program and the integration has been challenging. How do you create one large program and still give the same level of recognition, generosity and communication members have come to expect from smaller, more intimate programs?

Accor Hotels launched its global loyalty program A|Club last year. The program includes over 2,000 participating hotels worldwide, including Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, ibis, all seasons and Accor Thalassa. Over two million members have signed up, with the majority residing in Europe. As a global player competing against other more established loyalty programs, A|Club has a way to go, but its new program offers a straightforward approach and is accessible.

A|Club allows members to earn two points per euro spent on stays at Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel and one point per euro spent in ibis and all seasons hotels. Members earn points for weekend stays only at ibis hotels in France.

Accor frequently offers seasonal promotions and bonus points for stays at recently opened hotels, such as a 500-point bonus for a stay at the Novotel Cairo El Borg in Egypt until June 30, 2009. Through May 25, 2009, members can earn double points for stays at all participating Sofitel properties.

A|Club members can earn points through airline partners, car rentals, Club Med and Mouvango Network (France). A|Club does not have a co-branded credit card or other ways to earn points.

Members have two choices when redeeming points: airline miles or gift vouchers. Members can convert a minimum of 4,000 points into miles at a 2:1 ratio (1:1 for Qantas). Gift vouchers can be used to pay for all or part of a A|Club hotel stay, Europcar rental or Club Med vacation. A 40EUR or 60USD voucher is offered for 2,000 points. Vouchers are valid for one year and can be used as payment on all hotel rates upon check out.

With A|Club's earning and burning structure, members essentially earn a 40 euro discount for every 1,000 euro spent at hotels (2,000 euros at the lower earning hotels), which isn't as attractive as many programs that award members a free night after spending the equivalent of 1,000 euros. Although members can earn free nights more quickly with most other programs, A|Club's program is more flexible and members can redeem vouchers for stays at any hotel category without blackout dates or restrictions.

A|Club has a global network of airline partners, including Air France/KLM, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, THAI Airways and US Airways.

Europcar is the sole car rental partner and members can earn 250 points per rental plus a 20 percent discount.

Members who book a Club Med vacation can earn one point per euro spent, up to a maximum of 3,000 points per stay. Members can earn points when filling up their car, dining and helicopter rides through the Mouvango Network such as 2.5 A|Club points for every 20 liters of gasoline at TOTAL stations.

A|Club's most frequent of guests can earn additional tier bonus points. Members who stay 10 nights or earn 2,500 points in a rolling calendar year will earn Silver status and a 50 percent point bonus. Plus, they will receive a welcome beverage and special gift at Sofitel hotels (excluding Accor Thalassa).

Gold status is given to members who stay 30 nights or earn 10,000 points per year. Gold members will receive a 75 percent point bonus and five-day guaranteed availability, exclusive benefits at MGallery, Pullman and Sofitel hotels, 4pm late check-out and room upgrades at check-in (upon request and based upon availability).

Platinum members are those who stay 60 nights or earn 25,000 points per year. In addition to a 100 percent point bonus and Gold benefits, Platinum members are guaranteed a room with three days advance notice, exclusive customer service line and one Accor Thalassa Institute beauty and treatment product when staying at a Sofitel Accor Thalassa hotel.

To keep points from expiring, A|Club members are required to stay at least one night every 12 months in a participating hotel--members cannot keep their account active through partner activity alone. Once expired, points cannot be purchased for reinstatement. Expenses eligible to earn points include hotel stay expenses, room service, telephone, paid TV and food and beverages. Room taxes, parking, Internet access, business center services and other services are not eligible to earn points. Members must be at least 18 years of age. Points cannot be transferred but gift vouchers are fully transferable to anyone. If points have not posted to your account within six weeks, you have six months from your stay date to fill out a claim form and fax to (212) 444-0543 or send via email.

A|Club has customer service phone numbers for members residing in France, South America, North America, Asia and other European countries. When we called the North American call center, we were greeted by a pleasant Canadian representative who was friendly and helpful. However, we've received mixed reviews from members about customer service. Many members have reported difficulties with getting points to post automatically and a few have had problems even after sending in the required documentation. According to the terms and conditions, it can take six weeks for points to post so if you don't see your points post immediately, we recommend you wait the full six weeks before filling out a missing points request.

Prospective members can enroll in the free program online at www.a-club.com and manage their account online. Vouchers can be redeemed online and will be sent to the address in your member profile so be sure your personal information is updated before redeeming points. Transferring points to miles can also be accomplished online.

Accor's A|Club is straightforward and the unified program allows members access to points, benefits and awards across many Accor brands around the world. Elite bonuses are generous and Platinum members earn twice as many points as non-elite members. Hotel vouchers can be used for a stay at any participating A|Club hotel worldwide without blackout dates.

Gold and Platinum elite members must request a room upgrade at check-in--space available upgrades are not automatically given to the program's most valued members. Members complain that points take a long time to post to their accounts.

A|Club is missing some key partnerships, such as a point-earning credit card and retail partners. Having to stay at least one night every 12 months to keep your account active is harsher than most guest programs. While Accor hotels include some of the best properties in the world, the A|Club program pales in comparison to some of the more established programs out there.

Phone France: 0825 124 123
North America: (877) 856-1464

A|Club Service Center
Po Box 2835
235 King Street East
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4N5