I recently noticed this “Summer Explorer” hotel promotion in a Travelzoo Top 20 email and it looks pretty enticing. For stays of two to four nights, guests will receive a voucher ranging from $25 to $250 to use for a future stay at one of the 18 participating hotels. If you have any plans to travel within Canada this summer, you should probably take a look.
Promo Details
The Summer Explorer promotion is offered at 18 participating Canadian hotels of various brands which are all owned/managed by Westmont Hospitality Group.
When you book a stay of 2, 3 or 4 nights at one of these hotels (using a unique promo code) by July 16, 2021 for dates up to September 6, 2021, you’ll receive a voucher redeemable at any of the participating properties between September 7, 2021 and May 31, 2022.
The voucher amount varies with each chain. (Full terms and conditions are included at the end of the post).
IHG Hotels
Book a 2 night stay, receive a $25 voucher
Book a 3 night stay, receive a $75 voucher
Book a 4 night stay, receive a $150 voucher
Holiday Inn Ottawa Dwtn-Parliament Hill
Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medicine Hat
Holiday Inn Lethbridge
Holiday Inn Conference Ctr Edmonton South
Holiday Inn & Suites Winnipeg-Downtown
Marriott Hotels
Book a 2 night stay, receive a $40 voucher
Book a 3 night stay, receive a $100 voucher
Book a 4 night stay, receive a $200 voucher
Delta Hotel St. John’s Conference Centre
Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland
Four Points by Sheraton Halifax
Delta Hotel Regina
Hilton Hotels
Book a 2 night stay, receive a $50 voucher
Book a 3 night stay, receive a $125 voucher
Book a 4 night stay, receive a $250 voucher
Hampton Inn & Suites Saint John
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites
Wyndham/Choice/Best Western
Book a 2 night stay, receive a $25 voucher
Book a 3 night stay, receive a $75 voucher
Book a 4 night stay, receive a $150 voucher
Travelodge by Wyndham Vancouver Airport
Comfort Inn Brantford
Best Western Plus Winnipeg Airport Hotel
Preferred Hotels
Book a 2 night stay, receive a $40 voucher
Book a 3 night stay, receive a $100 voucher
Book a 4 night stay, receive a $200 voucher
The Park Hotel London
Arc The.Hotel Ottawa
Are these qualifying stays for loyalty points and status?
There is no indication that these would be non-qualifying promotional rates. When you click on one of the hotels on the list you’re taken directly to the booking page for that property with the promo code pre-loaded. When I checked the Summer Explorer rate at one of the IHG hotels, it displayed the number of points one would earn on the stay.
How do the Summer Explorer rates compare to alternatives?
This is the important bit. Are you paying more than you otherwise would in order to receive the voucher? The answer is likely yes, but whether you’ll still come out ahead by booking the promo depends both on the numbers and the probability that you’ll be able to use the voucher before May 31, 2022.
There are four hotels in Atlantic Canada so I compared the Summer Explorer rate against the best flexible rate at each for a four night stay which is what yields the greatest return.
I randomly chose the dates of August 4-8, 2021 and the price displayed is for the four nights total, tax included.
Hampton Inn & Suites Saint John
Summer Explorer – $574.34 ($250 voucher)
Travel and Save – $467.01
Honors Discount – $555.33
Assuming the rate is qualifying, you’ll also earn triple Hilton Honors points on the stay.
The next three are all in the Marriott Bonvoy program. (The Marriott rate code for this promo is ARN).
Four Points by Sheraton Halifax
Summer Explorer – $544.27 ($200 voucher)
Member Flexible – $525.50
Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland
Summer Explorer – $707.23 ($200 voucher)
Member Flexible – $682.23
Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre
Summer Explorer – $713.48 ($200 voucher)
Member Flexible – $688.47
Unfortunately, there is currently no Marriott Bonvoy points promotion, but if one comes along, pre-existing bookings are typically eligible. Just keep an eye out so you can register before your stay.
Check all the options before you book
While it looks like a great offer on its face, be sure to research all the rates at other accommodation to see if there’s a deal that beats this voucher promo. For example, at the moment, you could book the Honors Discount Flexible rate at the DoubleTree by Hilton St. John’s Harbourview for $452.39 total for those same four nights. Or you might find a well-priced bed and breakfast or boutique hotel with more Newfoundland charm that you might find more appealing than a chain.
What about shorter stays?
A two or three night stay might not pay off so well under this promotion. Be sure to weigh all the rate options carefully and seriously consider whether you’d be likely to book a stay at one these hotels before the voucher expires.
Note also that the voucher can only be applied to non-discounted rates and food and beverage charges aren’t eligible. So, you wouldn’t be able to use it in combination with a lower rate or to cover the cost of meals at the hotel.
Promotion Terms and Conditions
Here is all the fine print for the promotion from the website:
*ELIGIBILITY TO EARN TRAVEL DOLLARS VOUCHER
• Offer valid for new bookings of a minimum two-night stay made during promotion dates (June 18 – July 16, 2021) and for arrivals between June 18 and September 6, 2021 at participating Westmont Hospitality Group hotels
• Offer must be booked directly with the participating Westmont Hospitality Group hotels using the unique direct booking link identified on or book direct with participating hotels.
• Bookings made through third party sites do not qualify for the promotion (example: Expedia, Booking.com, Travelocity etc.)
• Only valid for stays of a minimum of two consecutive nights.
• Only one (1) Travel Dollars Voucher will be given per booking.
• Travel Dollars Vouchers cannot be used to pay current/in-house reservation.
• Minimum 2-night stay cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable at the time of check-in
• Rate and condition may vary and are at the discretion of the participating hotel.
• Room type limitations may also apply
• Blackout days may apply
• Not valid in conjunction with any other promotions or offers outside of the Summer Explorer program
• Not valid for discounted or negotiated rates, groups or existing reservations.
• Limited time offer and limited quantity available. TravelExplorerCanada and participating hotel reserve the right to cancel the promotion at any time and for any reason.
*REDEMPTION BOOKING, TERMS & CONDITIONS
Travel Dollars Voucher can only be redeem for days between September 7, 2021 and May 31, 2022 on a Best Available (Regular non-discounted) Rate Reservation
Certain conditions apply. Limited quantity. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Offer subject to change without notice and is based on hotel availability. The value of the voucher can be redeemed for stays at any of the participating Westmont Hospitality Group Hotels ONLY (refer to property list below) . A stay is defined as one night or consecutive nights at the same hotel, regardless of frequency of check in/out.
The value of the voucher will be applied as a credit to the final bill with the exception of food and beverage charges. Only one redemption per room per stay will be awarded. Voucher is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. No change or voucher for unused differences can be issued.
Original voucher must be presented for validation upon arrival – no exceptions. Any reservation made using the voucher will be subject to our normal booking policy. Voucher will be automatically redeemed in the case of a no-show. We are not responsible if voucher is lost, stolen, destroyed or used without permission.
*PARTICIPATING HOTELS
BRITISH COLUMBIA | Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa | Travelodge by Wyndham Vancouver Airport | ALBERTA | Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medicine Hat | Holiday Inn Lethbridge | Holiday Inn Conference Ctr Edmonton South | SASKATCHEWAN | Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina
MANITOBA | Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites | Best Western Plus Winnipeg Airport Hotel | Holiday Inn & suites Winnipeg-Downtown | ONTARIO| The Park Hotel London| Comfort Inn Brantford | Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront | Holiday Inn Ottawa Dwtn – Parliament Hill | ARC The.Hotel Ottawa
NOVA SCOTIA | Four Points by Sheraton Halifax | NEW BRUNSWICK | Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Saint John | NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR | Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre | Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland
Conclusion
The Summer Explorer promotion from WHG seems like it could be a winner if you happen to be planning a four night stay at one of these destinations. A voucher of $150 – $250 will reasonably cover a night or two of a future stay in this hotel group. Just remember that you need to lock in your booking by July 16 if you want to take advantage of it.
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