Hilton Worldwide is opening its doors to usher in a partnership with ridesharing service Uber by enabling guests to set ride reminders, request vehicles to and from nearby locations as well as explore local scenes via a digital guide powered by Uber within the HHonors loyalty application.
Uber is adding Hilton to its extensive repertoire of brand partnerships, but will likely find more value in this specific integration due to the relationship between hotel guests and ridesharing apps. Hilton customers will find relevancy in being able to set ride reminders for offsite events and discovering local nightlife spots courtesy of Uber’s mobile guide, thereby setting the stage for a fruitful and lucrative alliance.
“Uber shares our customer-centric mindset and vision for making the travel experience easier and more seamless,” said Rich DiStefano, senior director of Web and mobile product management at Hilton Worldwide, McLean, VA. ”By partnering with Uber, Hilton is continuing to take the friction out of the travel planning process and making unfamiliar cities even more accessible to our guests.
“By better connecting travelers to their destination, we’re helping them have a personalized, local experience.”
Streamlining travel experiences
Hilton guests will now be able to take advantage of a plethora of options to streamline their travel experiences and turn their smartphones into mobile concierges. Consumers who have downloaded Hilton’s mobile application may set “Uber Ride Reminders” with the tap of a finger.
If a user is dining out at a restaurant in town and sets a Ride Reminder, the platform will send a text or push notification to alert him or her to request an Uber vehicle. The hotel’s address will automatically appear in the Uber app, making the process simpler for guests.
The two brands are driving awareness of this feature by gifting any Hilton customer who signs up for the ridesharing service a $20 discount off his or her first ride.
Ridesharing apps are popular for cross-marketing strategies
Additionally, Uber is furthering the recent trend of mobile concierge apps for hotels by powering a feature titled “Local Scene,” which will be available within the Hilton HHonors rewards app. Later this month, consumers staying at Hilton properties in 20 major United States cities will be able to pull up the digital guide section.
It will highlight the top local venues most frequented by Uber customers in each area, providing HHonors members with exclusive insights from fellow travelers on what to explore.
