![]() ![]() Originally created as, the small internet company went through multiple mergers and acquisitions to become part of Booking Holdings, which has been publicly traded on the NASDAQ since 1999 and is a component of the S&P 100 and 500 indices. The history of goes much further back compared to younger companies like Airbnb, and gives a glimpse into how online accommodation has changed over the past couple of decades. Genius Level 2 additional benefits like room upgrades and free breakfasts are a bit misleading, as not every property actually offers them, so this should be looked at as an occasional perk.While Airbnb has attracted a lot of attention in the hospitality and travel industry over the past couple of years, before the home-sharing platform rose to dominance it was that was dominating the online accommodation sector. I do like the very low thresholds to reach the two different Genius levels, though note that unlike with the Rewards program where you can receive your 10% discount on virtually all properties (via its 11th-night-free deal), the discounts as a Genius are only on a limited number of properties. I also find upgrades to be less generous and room assignment poor when booking through online travel agencies compared to booking direct. Remember that for bookings made with online travel agencies like, in most cases, you won't earn hotel points or elite credit, and the properties don't have to honor your existing elite status (though some do anyway). If you book enough of the big-box chain hotels to carry elite status and earn hotel points, may not make sense for you. Remember, if you're looking to book a luxury property, it could be best to utilize a Virtuoso agent or Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and compare the benefits you'll receive over any savings toward a future stay with. Also, if you're a "free agent" with no loyalty to any one particular hotel chain or program and will never stay enough to earn elite benefits with an individual hotel loyalty program, can be a good way to receive some benefits (like that 10% discount) at lots of different, unaffiliated properties. It's best to use when looking at remote destinations, if you want to book a boutique hotel or a unique property or you know you have a one-off stay at a chain you'll never (or almost never) utilize again. If you're going to stay regularly at large hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Radisson, then I believe it's still best to book directly with those properties and earn hotel elite status, benefits and points. Even if you use the program much more than five stays within two years, your benefits will be capped to the above at the Genius Level 2 tier. There are only two levels of "status" with Genius: Genius Level 1 and Genius Level 2. (Photo courtesy of The Westbury Hotel, Dublin) If you complete five stays within two years you will move up to Genius Level 2, where you will receive: I also performed the same search without logging into my Genius account and the prices for those 14 Genius properties were around 10% higher when not logged in, so this is a genuine discount where available. On a sample search for properties in Westminster, London, only 14 of the 36 available included the Genius discount. I logged in to my Genius account to check how many select properties were included that 10% discount. Where you see a Genius logo next to a property, you can claim the discount. Related: 17 of the best hotel gyms in the world promises that these properties that have joined the Genius program have a rating of at least 7.5/10, so you can expect a quality property. While this is a very low threshold to meet, and lifetime membership sounds awesome, the only benefit of Genius Level 1 is a 10% discount on select properties that are part of the Genius program. ![]() If you complete any two stays booked through within two years, you will earn Genius Level 1 for life. You won't receive your normal hotel program points or elite status nights when you book through a third party, so why choose rather than booking directly through the hotel? It also owns Priceline, Kayak, Agoda, RentalCars and OpenTable. Instead, it just lists hotel properties that you can book, similar to Skyscanner or Google Flights for flights. It's not a hotel chain, and nor does it have its own properties. The site is available in 43 languages and has almost 200 support offices in 70 countries. (Photo by Andrea Rotondo/The Points Guy) Genius basicsī is an online accommodation booking platform with more than 28 million total accommodation listings. ![]()
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