Starhotels, announces a strategic partnership between I AM STAR, its loyalty program, and Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass, the loyalty platform of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, operating a portfolio of more than 640 hotels across 4 continents and 15 countries.
The partnership marks a further step in the international development strategy of I AM STAR and comes at a time of growing mobility between Europe and India, as well as the increasing relevance of loyalty programs in the choice of destinations and hotel properties.
Through this collaboration, I AM STAR connects with Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass, one of the leading loyalty programs in the hospitality sector, with more than 13 million members worldwide. The partnership enhances the value offered to I AM STAR members while opening access to an even broader international hospitality network. It has been designed to encourage cross-engagement between the two loyalty communities, creating a seamless customer journey between I AM STAR and Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass and offering travelers new opportunities for stays, experiences and exclusive benefits within the respective ecosystems.
Elisabetta Fabri, Starhotels’ President and CEO, commented: “This partnership represents a significant step in the international development of our I AM STAR loyalty program across high-growth markets, offering our members the opportunity to enjoy increasingly valuable and rewarding experiences. Through our collaboration with IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass, we are further expanding the travel opportunities and benefits available to our members, while also strengthening I AM STAR’s ability to attract new customers by providing access to an international network of outstanding destinations and properties.”
The collaboration brings together two hotel groups united by a shared vision of hospitality: guest focus, authenticity, service excellence and the enhancement of travel experiences. Thanks to the partnership, I AM STAR members will gain access to IHCL’s global portfolio, which includes some of the most iconic and prestigious hotels in India and around the world, including the legendary Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai,a symbol of Indian luxury hospitality and one of the most internationally recognized hotel brands. Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass members, in turn, will benefit from exclusive advantages at Starhotels properties and discover the Group’s portfolio in leading Italian destinations, as well as in London, Paris and New York.
Puneet Chhatwal, IHCL’s Managing Director and CEO, added: “India-Europe travel is on the rise, driven by strong outbound demand and increasing global interest in India’s cultural and leisure experiences. Through this partnership with Starhotels, Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass extends its presence into key European markets, enabling members to access a wider network of hotels and benefits that enhance their overall travel journey.”
Members will enjoy reciprocal benefits including preferred rates on stays, dedicated dining benefits and wellness treatments, bookable directly through the respective brand platforms.
These benefits will be available across Starhotels Collezione and Starhotels Premium properties, as well as at selected hotels within IHCL’s global portfolio, which includes the brands Taj, ClaridgesCollection, Brij, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Tree of Life and amã Stays & Trails. The partnership represents an important growth opportunity for both organizations and confirms the increasingly central role of loyalty programs in building direct, ongoing and valuable relationships with international travelers.
