Want to take advantage of Accor STEP benefits at no extra cost (when paying for your stay with cash), including a room upgrade, free breakfast, a hotel credit, and more? Contact Ford ([email protected]) for more details. He doesn’t charge booking fees, and may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.
While elite status in the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty program is one way to score extra perks for Accor stays, there’s another program that can score you perks without any sort of requirement to be loyal.
Specifically, the Accor STEP program offers elite-like perks for stays at several of Accor’s luxury brands when booking through an eligible travel advisor. This is similar to the programs offered by other hotel groups, like Belmond Bellini Club, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Hilton for Luxury, Hyatt Privé, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Oetker Collection Pearl Partner, Rosewood Elite, and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.
In this post:
What is the Accor STEP program?
Accor STEP is a program available to select travel advisors, offering special perks for stays at Accor’s luxury brands, including Fairmont, Sofitel, and Raffles properties worldwide. You’ll pay the same rate you would directly with Accor, except you’ll be able to receive additional value-add benefits.
Why would Accor offer extra perks for booking through a travel agent? The idea is that hotel brands spend a lot of money on marketing, and one aspect of that is giving travel agents an incentive to book their clients at a particular brand. This is truly a win-win, as the guest gets more benefits, and the hotel gets more business.
For those wondering, “STEP” stands for “Special Travel Experience Program.”
What are the benefits of booking with an Accor STEP travel agent?
For booking through an Accor STEP travel advisor, you can expect to receive the following perks:
- $100 credit once per stay
- Daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom
- Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
If you’d like help with an Accor STEP booking, Ford is more than happy to help, and doesn’t charge booking fees for these bookings. You can reach him at [email protected].
What are the advantages of booking through Accor STEP over programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or Virtuoso?
- Accor STEP reservations receive priority upgrades over those booked through other programs
- Accor STEP has a lot more participating hotels, as not all premium Accor properties participate in programs like Virtuoso
- Accor STEP offers flexibility, as you get a $100 property credit to use as you’d like, while some other programs may restrict you just to the spa, or just to food & beverage outlets
Accor STEP FAQs
While the above hopefully covers the basics of Accor STEP, let me answer some FAQs regarding the program, in no particular order.
Can you earn Accor Live Limitless points on Accor STEP rates?
Absolutely, bookings through Accor STEP are considered to be “qualifying,” and would be eligible to accrue points, elite nights, etc.
What rates are eligible for Accor STEP perks?
The Accor STEP rate is generally the same as the standard best flexible rate at a hotel, so that’s the rate you’d have to pay to take advantage of these benefits. Accor STEP perks wouldn’t qualify if booking a pre-paid rate, AAA rate, senior rate, or other promotional rate.
Is there a minimum length of stay for Accor STEP bookings?
No, there’s no minimum length of stay for Accor STEP bookings at Fairmont, Sofitel, and Raffles.
Can you book Accor STEP rates without a travel agent?
In order to book an Accor STEP reservation you have to go through a travel advisor affiliated with the program. This isn’t bookable directly by consumers.
Do Accor STEP travel agents charge booking fees?
Different travel agents will have different business models, though many Accor STEP agents don’t charge booking fees. For example, Ford is happy to help with Accor STEP requests, and doesn’t charge a booking fee, so you’ll pay exactly the rate you see on Accor’s website.
How do you pay for Accor STEP reservations?
When you book an Accor STEP reservation, you’ll still pay the hotel directly, so it’s no different than if booking direct. A travel agent simply has to assist you with making the reservation.
Bottom line
The Accor STEP program offers great additional perks when staying at Accor’s luxury brands, including Fairmont, Sofitel, and Raffles. Perks include a hotel credit, free breakfast, a room upgrade, and more. To take advantage of these perks, just book through an eligible travel advisor.
| Want to take advantage of the Accor STEP program to receive extra perks (like breakfast and upgrades) for paid stays at Sofitel, Fairmont, and Raffles? Contact [email protected] for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked. |
Ford's team provide a great service and I use them for most of my travel bookings. That being said I think it's a bit incorrect to say that Ford doesn't charge booking fees, his team does in fact charge a $50 booking fee at the moment for bookings below $1000. I've been told it's temporary but it is still in effect and should be reflected in your article.