*Picture courtesy of kempinski.com
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is one of the lesser known hotel membership program (vs. Marriott, Hilton, IHG etc) but they do have some great properties. Member hotels include luxury brands such as Capella, Anantara, Kempinski, Park Royal, Pan Pacific and many more! (click here for the list of hotels under GHA).
For those Citi Prestige cardholders, one of the less known benefit is the GHA Discovery Black (highest level) membership.
All you need to do is to sign up for membership, call up Citi Prestige Concierge and give them your membership number and your status will be upgraded within 4 to 6 weeks.
| Membership Level |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complimentary bottle of water | x | x | x |
| Complimentary internet access | x | x | x |
| Choice of newspaper | x | x | x |
| Exclusive member-only offers | x | x | x |
| Local amenity upon check-in | x | x | |
| One Local Experience* | x | x | |
| One Local Experience when staying at a new DISCOVERY brand for the first time* | x | x | |
| Guaranteed room availability at least 48 hours prior to arrival*** | x | ||
| Guaranteed room availability at least 24 hours prior to arrival** | x | ||
| Upgrade to the next room category at check-in*** | x | ||
| Double room upgrade at check-in*** | x | ||
| Late check-out privileges until 3pm*** | x | ||
| Late check-out privileges until 6pm*** | x | ||
| Early check-in privileges starting at 9am*** | x |
* Corresponds to membership level
** Excludes certain dates and exceptional events that generate high demand
*** Upon availability
The double room upgrade (subjected to availability), 9am check in and 6pm check out are great benefits to maximize your stay (especially for those arriving early into the city or with a late flight out).
One interesting feature is the local experience but from what I know, this benefit may not be available for those who attained their BLACK status via the short cut method.
With this status, my friend CAP recently stayed in the newly opened Kempinski Capitol Hotel. He managed to score a Suite upgrade and fully utilized his early 9 am check in and 6 pm check out.
The hotel is situated in the former Capitol Theater, an almost 100 year old building which has since been refurbished and converted into a hotel (managed by Kempinski) since end 2018.
Here are some of the pictures from his recent stay:
The room
Bathroom
That Time Of The Year! 