Shangri-La and Taj Partnership - Reciprocal Benefits and Status Matching

Back in September 2016, a partnership between Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Singapore Airlines was announced. Members are now able to enjoy reciprocal benefits, fast-track to elite status and convert points freely (albeit at a terrible rate) with the Infinite Journeys arrangement. Today, Warmer Welcomes invites both Golden Circle (from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts) and Taj InnerCircle (from Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces) to enjoy reciprocal benefits between the two loyalty programs. 

Click HERE to find out more about the Warmer Welcomes arrangement!

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Partnership

The new partnership between Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces promises a seamless transition between points earning, points redemption and elite status benefits. Remember if you already have elite status with the Taj InnerCircle, you may make use of this brand new arrangement to indirectly take advantage of a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold (find out more HERE!)

Golden Circle (Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts)	Taj InnerCircle (Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces)
Jade	Gold
25% Bonus Points 11:00AM Check-in | 4:00PM Check-out (where available) Choice of 3 Welcome Amenities Complimentary Breakfast Priority Upgrade if Reserved Room Category not Available	Two Upgrade Vouchers 9:00AM Check-in | 5:00PM Check-out (where available) 15% on Room Redemption Rate
Diamond	Platinum
50% Bonus Points 8:00AM Check-in | 6:00PM Check-out (where available) Choice of 3 Welcome Amenities (including Wine) Complimentary Breakfast Guaranteed Access to Horizon and Traders Club Lounge Complimentary Suit Pressing Complimentary Selected Resort Facilities Priority Upgrade if Reserved Room Category not Available	Five Upgrade Vouchers Signature Platinum Experience 24-hour Stay (from time of check-in) In-room Check-in High Speed Internet Access Platinum Desk Access 9:00AM Check-in | 5:00PM Check-out (where available) 20% on Room Redemption Rate

The Warmer Welcomes website itself has a terrible summary of the elite benefits from the Golden Circle as well as the Taj InnerCircle loyalty programs so I have gone ahead to pull the published benefits from the respective websites instead - I do not suppose the matched status will differ from the regular elite status that a member can earn with individual programs. There are a number of interesting benefits with the Taj InnerCircle like the 24-hour stay benefit which essentially means you check-out at the time you check-in after 24 hours (e.g. check-in at 11:00PM on a Saturday and you will check-out at 11:00PM on a Sunday). 

Points Conversion between Golden Circle and Taj InnerCircle

Essentially Golden Circle points are worth more than Taj InnerCircle Points since there is an unequal conversion rate - you should probably keep them in their respective accounts though (remember you can use Golden Circle points for dining and they offer a pretty decent rate of redemption). 

Earn Points with Golden Circle and Taj InnerCircle

If you prefer to earn points in a particular program, you can now earn 3 Golden Circle points with every USD 5 spent at any Taj hotel. Alternatively, you can earn 4 Taj InnerCircle points when you spend USD 5 at any participating Shangri-La hotels. 

Hotel Brands by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces | Photo Credit: Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

In all honesty, the partnership isn't as exciting as the one with Singapore Airlines (which offers a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold with just one eligible flight if you are a Diamond Member). While the reciprocal elite benefits are great, I am not too familiar with the brands under the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces but I will definitely keep them in mind if I ever head down to India for a vacation.