#333: How A Loyalty Program Helps Independent Hotels Compete | with Audrey Yates & David Gavaldon

Independent hotels have a secret weapon that the big chains don't have, and in this episode, we unpack exactly how to use it. Welcome to The Modern Hotelier. Today's guest is David Gavaldon, a new member of the Stash Hotel Rewards team who spent years on the hotel side of the program before joining their side. He sits down with host Audrey Yates to break down how independent hotels can compete with corporate giants by building their own loyalty program without losing the independent spirit that makes them special. In this episode, you'll learn: Why loyalty beats OTA traffic — the difference between price-driven OTA guests and the loyalty guests who book direct, feel special, and come back How to compete with the chains — why "we also have a loyalty program" is a powerful line for any independent property The network effect — how getting introduced at one Stash property immediately connects guests to a portfolio of nearly 400 independent hotels across North America Why staff buy-in makes or breaks the program — the one thing hotels get wrong (hint: if the staff doesn't buy in, why should the guests?) Easy integration — how Stash works with almost every PMS and CRS, so you can tap into the network without changing your tech stack The direct-booking advantage — why booking direct is astronomically better for the hotel, and how to spread that message Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/JhGTESfEPxU   Links: Audrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-yates-0b5331b4/ David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gavaldon-036b76425/ Stash Hotel Rewards: https://www.stashrewards.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/333 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-.. Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page Connect with Steve and David: Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E... David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.