The Ascott Limited is a global hospitality brand under CapitaLand, specializing in serviced residences and hotels. It operates in over 200 cities across more than 40 countries, with brands such as Ascott The Residence, Citadines, Somerset, lyf, Oakwood, and The Crest Collection.
Unlike traditional hotel chains, Ascott focuses on long-term stays and apartment-style accommodations, making it popular among business travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
To reward frequent guests, Ascott introduced Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), its dedicated loyalty program. While ASR doesn’t receive as much attention as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, it offers straightforward points earning, flexible redemptions, and perks tailored to extended stays.
Why ASR Caught My Attention
At first glance, Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) didn’t seem like a program worth paying much attention to. While most hotel loyalty programs come with a flood of marketing and high-profile perks, ASR quietly existed in the background.
That changed when I stayed at Ascott properties during a trip through Asia. I initially booked them for their location and affordability, but I quickly noticed the advantages of the ASR program.
The stays were comfortable, the loyalty perks were easy to use, and, most importantly, the points system was refreshingly simple compared to other hotel programs.
Unlike Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, ASR isn’t about luxury perks or complex redemption charts. Instead, it’s designed for simplicity and practicality, offering straightforward earning, flexible redemptions, and benefits that make sense for extended stays.
If that aligns with your travel habits, it’s worth taking a closer look at how the program works and whether it makes sense for you.
Earning ASR Points: How It Works
ASR points are earned based on total spending rather than stays or nights, making it one of the easiest programs to track.
Members earn between 10 and 16 points per Singapore dollar (S$1) spent, depending on status tier. Points are awarded on pre-tax room rates and select incidentals such as dining at hotel-operated restaurants.
- Classic: 10 points per dollar spent
- Silver: 12 points per dollar spent
- Gold: 14 points per dollar spent
- Platinum: 16 points per dollar spent
ASR frequently runs bonus promotions, as well as the buy points discounts which can significantly boost earning potential, especially during new property openings.
Long-stay guests can also negotiate special rates by submitting a form online, while still earning points. However, ASR does not partner with airline programs, meaning points cannot be transferred to frequent flyer miles.
Redeeming ASR Points: Fixed-Value Redemptions
ASR points have a fixed redemption value of 1 point = S$0.0025, meaning:
- 1,000 points = S$2.50
- 10,000 points = S$25
This means there’s no complex award chart to navigate—just a simple cash-back style system.
One major advantage? You can redeem points for partial payment, even if you don’t have enough to cover the entire booking.
This flexibility aligns well with the earn-and-burn strategy in the miles and points world, allowing members to use their points frequently instead of hoarding them and risking devaluation.
That said, ASR does not offer a “fifth night free” benefit like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, meaning loyal guests who have accumulated a large number of points won’t get additional value for extended stays.
ASR Elite Status: What Are the Perks?
ASR has four elite tiers:
- Classic: Entry-level, earn 10 points per S$1 spent
- Silver: Achieved after S$1,000 spent, earn 12 points per S$1 spent
- Gold: Achieved after S$3,000 spent, earn 13 points per S$1 spent
- Platinum: Achieved after S$10,000 spent, earn 16 points per S$1 spent
For the full list of benefits, visit: ASR Membership Benefits.
A key standout perk for Platinum members is the 24-hour stay benefit, which allows guests to check in at any time of the day and check out exactly 24 hours later. Similar to Marriott Ambassador Elite’s flexible check-in, this is a valuable benefit for those arriving on early morning flights or departing late at night.
Another standout perk is the complimentary airport transfer available for Platinum members staying at Middle Eastern properties for five nights or more. While not a widespread benefit across all regions, this is a nice touch for travellers who frequently visit the Middle East.
Additionally, ASR offers launderette access at select serviced residences, with Gold members receiving one complimentary use per stay and Platinum members receiving two. For long-term guests, this is a practical perk that helps reduce costs compared to traditional hotel stays.
While ASR elite benefits may not include executive lounge access or guaranteed suite upgrades, these perks cater well to travellers who prioritize simplicity, extended stays, and practical amenities over luxury extras.
ASR Status Match: A Shortcut to Higher Status
ASR offers an ongoing status match program, making it easy for members of competing hotel loyalty programs to fast-track their way to ASR Silver, Gold, or even Platinum.
Eligible programs include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, among others. The process is simple: simply submit proof of your elite status through the ASR status match page, and upon approval, you’ll receive the corresponding ASR tier.
From my experience, the request took about five days to process. Once approved, your matched status is valid for 12 months, and you can extend it by meeting the spending requirement for the respective tier.
For travellers looking to maximize ASR’s perks without starting from scratch, securing a status match is an easy way to unlock benefits immediately.
One of the advantages of ASR is the ability to request special long-term stay rates, which can provide additional savings beyond standard member discounts.
For stays of 30 days or more, guests can submit a request through Ascott’s long-stay inquiry form to receive a customized rate based on their length of stay, destination, and property availability. These negotiated rates often include lower nightly pricing, added flexibility, and extra perks like housekeeping credits.
Since ASR members continue to earn points on these discounted rates, this makes ASR particularly valuable for business travellers, expats, or digital nomads looking for a cost-effective way to book extended stays.
Why I Like Ascott Star Rewards
While many hotel loyalty programs focus on flashy perks like suite upgrades and club lounge access, Ascott Star Rewards and the Ascott brand prioritize the fundamentals—and that’s something I genuinely appreciate.
A Strong Focus on the Essentials
At its core, a hotel’s job is simple: provide a clean, comfortable place to rest.
That’s exactly what Ascott properties deliver. Whether it’s a short-term stay at a Citadines or a longer residence at a Somerset, I’ve consistently found the accommodations well-maintained, thoughtfully designed, and practical for real-world travel needs.
Many hotels get caught up in aesthetics and luxury add-ons but fall short on the basics like cleanliness, quality sleep, and functional layouts.
Ascott properties, on the other hand, have been reliable in providing a restful, no-nonsense stay, making them a solid option for travellers who prioritize comfort and convenience.
Generous Check-In and Check-Out Policies
It’s becoming increasingly common for hotels to push late check-ins (3 or even 4 p.m.) and early check-outs (11 a.m.)—a trend that often feels more like a cost-cutting measure than a guest-friendly policy.
Ascott properties, however, generally offer a 2 p.m. check-in and a 12 p.m. check-out, which is far more accommodating.
It might not seem like a big difference on paper, but in practice, it makes a huge impact—especially if you’re arriving early or need extra time before heading to your next destination.
It’s a small but meaningful detail that shows Ascott is thinking about guest comfort rather than just operational efficiency, and that’s something I respect.
Where Ascott Star Rewards Falls Short
While Ascott Star Rewards has its strengths, it’s not without its shortcomings. For those accustomed to traditional hotel loyalty programs, there are a few areas where ASR might feel underwhelming.
1. Lack of a Premium Experience, Even at the Highest Elite Status
One of the biggest letdowns of ASR is that even at Platinum status, the perks remain relatively basic. Unlike other programs where top-tier elites enjoy executive lounge access, free breakfast, and suite upgrades, ASR offers none of these as standard benefits.
The most noticeable gap is breakfast inclusion—something that’s a staple of many high-tier hotel programs. With ASR, breakfast is only offered as a perk in select properties in Europe, leaving elite members elsewhere with no meal benefits.
Similarly, there’s no executive lounge access, which is a major perk in programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt.
Given that Platinum status requires spending $10,000, the benefits are a bit underwhelming compared to what other hotel programs offer at their highest tiers.
For example, spending that much with Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors would likely qualify you for their top-tier status, which includes free suite upgrades, guaranteed late check-out, lounge access, and complimentary breakfast worldwide—perks that ASR simply doesn’t offer.
For those looking for a true VIP experience with premium perks, ASR’s elite program won’t match the offerings of its competitors. Instead, the focus remains on practical discounts and flexible points usage, which may or may not align with your priorities.
2. No “Fifth Night Free” or Extended Stay Redemption Perks
One of the best perks of programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors is the “Fifth Night Free” benefit, where members using points for a stay of five nights or more get one night free.
This effectively increases the value of redemptions, making long stays significantly more rewarding for loyal guests.
ASR, however, does not offer anything similar. Whether you’re booking a one-night stay or a month-long stay, the redemption rate remains fixed at 1,000 points = S$2.50 with no added incentive for longer redemptions.
This is a missed opportunity, considering Ascott’s focus on extended stays.
For travellers who accumulate ASR points for a long-term redemption, this means no bonus nights, no discount for extended stays, and no extra value compared to cash rates—which can make it feel less rewarding compared to other hotel programs.
3. A Limited Global Footprint, Especially in the Americas
Another downside of ASR is its limited geographic coverage, particularly for travellers based in North America. While Ascott has a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, its footprint in the Americas is minimal at best—and completely nonexistent in Canada.
Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt have properties across major cities worldwide, offering members a consistent loyalty experience no matter where they travel.
Ascott, on the other hand, is primarily concentrated in Asia and Europe, with very few options in the United States and virtually no properties in Canada.
This makes ASR less practical for travellers whose main destinations are in North America. If you frequently stay in serviced apartments in Asia or Europe, the program holds more value—but if your travels take you to the Americas, you may find yourself rarely able to use ASR benefits.
Conclusion
If you’re someone who values a simple, comfortable stay or frequently books long-term stays in serviced apartments, ASR is absolutely worth joining.
It won’t give you the aspirational five-star experiences of other programs, but for practical travellers, it’s an easy way to earn and redeem without the headaches of devaluations or availability issues.
For me, ASR has been a solid secondary loyalty program—not my primary go-to, but one I appreciate when I need a simple and comfort stay, especially in Asia.
If your next trip is in Asia, Europe, or the Middle East, ASR is worth considering, especially if you can secure a status match to fast-track elite benefits.
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
