Accor has launched a new service enabling its loyalty members to reserve taxis and private hire vehicles through the ALL app or website.
The group has partnered with Renault Group-owned technology platform Karhoo, to offer the service to ALL members in 490 European cities, as well as Dubai and New York.
Members can earn points when paying for their reservation by credit card, or choose to redeem points against the fare.
Accor said that the service had been designed to address members needs for taxis and private hire vehicles both when on trips and for day-to-day travel.
Members can compare providers in real time, and filter by rate, waiting time, vehicle category (eg: electric, petrol) and available extras (eg: child seat).
Accor said that its ultimate aim was to become “the first hotel operator to offer multimodal transport services”, with a gradual expansion of its global coverage, and the eventual addition of “micro-mobility and shared vehicle offers”.
The group’s CEO Sebastien Bazin has previously spoken of his desire to expand Accor’s customer base beyond hotel guests to those living around the hotel, stating that:
“It costs us a bundle to acquire a customer, so when you have him, why don’t you stick with him and offer him something which could be enhancing his day to day life even if he isn’t staying with you.”
The group cited research from the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, showing that 68 per cent of people will live in an urban environment by 2050, compared with 55 per cent currently, and said that these “city dwellers” will be less likely to own a means of transport.
Commenting on the news Mehdi Hemici, Accor’s chief loyalty and partnerships officer, said:
“With the travel rebound, we wanted to provide a tangible service at home or away for our ALL App users. This one-stop-shop mobility solution is seamlessly integrated after your hotel reservation.
“It allows our ALL members to book their airport transfer to their hotel or book a ride in their home city with their ALL points. Both convenient and consistent wherever you are.”
