First read is on us.

Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.

IDEAS: Shashi Takes a Bold Step with Loyalty Program


The pool and outdoor dining area at Shashi Hotel Mountain View.

Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, Shashi has taken a bold step, diverging from the conventional path of hotel loyalty programs. Shashi's unique approach cuts through the clutter, offering guests not just a place to stay, but a direct financial incentive to remain loyal.

The pool and outdoor dining area at Shashi Hotel Mountain View.
Credit: Shashi

Typically, hotel loyalty programs are synonymous with points - a currency of sorts that promises future rewards and benefits. Shashi, however, has chosen to tread a different path. By introducing Shashi Cash, the hotel directly offers guests 5% cash back on room reservations booked directly year-round, with an enticing 10% cash back from July to December 31, 2023.

The process is straightforward and user-friendly. Guests simply link their bank account, PayPal, or Venmo, sign up through the Shashi loyalty program app, and upon checkout, see funds instantly deposited into their account. To put it in perspective, a $2,500 weeklong stay translates to a substantial $250 cash reward – directly in the guest's account, regardless of whether the stay was for business or leisure.

Shashi is not playing the long game of accumulating points for future redemptions; they are providing instant gratification. By directly depositing cash into guests' accounts, Shashi is building a loyalty program that speaks the language of today’s tech-savvy Silicon Valley professionals. In a recent real-world test, funds were transferred promptly upon checkout, showcasing the program’s efficiency and effectiveness. This approach is turning some heads in the hospitality industry, proving that sometimes, the direct route is the most effective. 


Up Next

Hotels

How Data Quality Issues Impact Global Hospitality Operations

There are wide discrepancies in data quality for hotel transactions across global regions, with the largest occurring in Asia-Pacific. Because hotels and agencies need to harness data quality to thrive, they must take a more nuanced regional approach to monitoring potential issues.
Sponsored
Hotels

Redefining Luxury Hospitality in 2025

Luxury hotels can differentiate themselves by broadening their offerings and embracing lucrative experiential trends.
Online Travel

What Travel Brands Should Know About China's RedNote

As overseas travel rebounds and Chinese consumers increasingly seek out genuine travel tips and personalized recommendations, brands looking to engage this influential audience must understand what makes RedNote a powerful tool for modern travel marketing.