Premier Inn's Business Account Card sees 48% growth

Premier Inn, the UK's largest and fastest growing hotel chain, is seeing substantial growth in its Premier Inn Business Account Card usage as UK corporates keep a closer eye on business travel costs.

Sales through the Premier Inn Business Account Card have grown by 48% in June 2008 (year on year) and 337 new business customers, including companies such as Fedex UK and London Scottish Bank have been accepted into the scheme. This represents a 27% increase in business customers on the previous month.

From the start of this financial year (March to June 2008), 1,238 new businesses (mainly UK) have successfully applied for a corporate account with Premier Inn and revenues from cards are already 42% up on last year.

A study conducted by Premier Inn of 1,500 Business Account Card customers demonstrates that there is clear evidence of companies ‘buying smarter’ on their hotel stays if it can demonstrate better value for money.

99% of respondents considered value for money an important factor in setting travel policies, and 90% confirmed that due to the deteriorating economic climate, they are now choosing / more likely to choose, budget hotel brands such as Premier Inn.

It is not only small and medium-size businesses looking to ‘buy smarter’ to reduce costs, but some of the largest companies in financial services, transport and logistics and accounting practices have recognized that Premier Inn’s ‘cutting costs and not corners’ proposition and have subsequently opened Business Accounts with the chain.

Mark Robson, Category Manager of DSGi Group, Europe’s largest owner of electrical retailers says:

"Premier Inn provides us with a consistently high level of service at a price that offers excellent value for money. It's good to know that our travellers will be as well looked after as our budgets."

Alan Parker, Chief Executive of Whitbread Plc comments:

“Premier Inn is experiencing significant growth in corporate account usage as business customers reign in on corporate travel expenditure. The smart business traveller is opting for a high quality hotel room at a much lower price. Our business guests are choosing Premier Inn because we are true to our strap line ‘Everything’s Premier but the Price!”

To consolidate its position in the market, Premier Inn has launched a new print advertising campaign fronted by comedian Lenny Henry, urging businesses to choose Premier Inn, where customers can save money without having to compromise on great quality rooms and service.