Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

This Hotel Group Will Reward Loyalty Program Members With TSA PreCheck Carlson Rezidor is the first hotel operator to offer the perk.

By Carly Okyle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock.com

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group hopes to improve your business trip, not just with late checkout, room upgrades, gift cards or free continental breakfast, but with a smoother airport experience.

For the first time ever, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is teaming up with the hospitality sector to make it easier to begin the process for PreCheck screening. The program is the latest reward option for Club Carlson loyalty members, who will need to redeem 65,000 points to cover the $85 PreCheck application fee. The perk will be available beginning July 1.

Related: 3 Ways for Content Marketers to Encourage Consumer Loyalty

Though the TSA and the hotel group have been in talks for more than a year, the conversation kicked into high gear about four months ago, according to Susan Peckenschneider, director of global partnerships for Carlson. "We moved this launch to the top of our list," she says, noting that Carlson is the first to market with this option.

Peckenschneider says she thinks the reward option will be most valuable for business travelers and for loyalty program members at the elite levels who want to offload points on something that can be truly useful.

The reward option offers the TSA another avenue to find PreCheck participants -- which will cut down waiting times at airport security -- while the hospitality group will benefit by attracting and retaining loyalty members. "We want our members to remain sticking with the program and to come back to our brand, and the best way to do that is to offer rewards that are enticing, relevant and valuable to their travel experience," Peckenschneider says.

Related: Here Are FlyerTalk's 3 Best Loyalty Programs in America

The idea originated, in part, from Carlson customers. "Over the past year we've conducted insight sessions -- via direct interview, surveys," Peckenschneider says. "A consistent theme was to make [the loyalty program] more rewarding for them. We looked at competition and listened to member feedback. Outside of more ways to redeem points, they said, "help me with my travel experience.'"

Carly Okyle

Assistant Editor, Contributed Content

Carly Okyle is an assistant editor for contributed content at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

4 Bold Leadership Moves Every Successful CEO Uses to Navigate Change

Ready to turn fear into fuel and lead with confidence? In this article, I share how leaving my corporate job without a plan led me to build a thriving business. Learn four bold strategies to embrace uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities for growth today.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.