by Philip Lop

Created on: September 27, 2010   Last Updated: October 03, 2010

♥  A More Rewarding Experience  ♥

Facebook Places is the newest application to be added to the leading social networking site. Using the GPS device within the iPhone, users are encouraged to 'check in' wherever they go, which then displays their location to their friends and/or other Facebook users. Now, users who check in to certain partners can earn real rewards through Topguest.

Topguest is a loyalty programme for travellers, which offers rewards, discounts and special deals for ‘checking in’ at partnered hotels and resorts. Facebook Places is the latest geo-location application to be integrated with TopGuest following Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite and Twitter. There are currently over 4500 locations that are part of the Topguest loyalty scheme.

So how do you start earning those valuable rewards? To start with you'll need to register with Topguest and integrate with your Facebook account.

•  Firstly, go to www.topguest.com and click the banner that says ‘Become a Topguest Now’.

•  Click the blue ‘Connect with Facebook’ banner. Enter your Facebook user id and password

•  A 'Request for Permission' dialogue box will now appear. This explains the information that you are about to allow Facebook to share with Topguest. This includes your basic information, your email address and (crucially) your check-ins. Click ‘Allow’

•  You will now see a list of all the partners on the TopGuest web site, with links for more information. Click past this stage and you will be presented with a final screen that shows each of the check-in services that can link up to TopGuest. The Facebook link will be set to On, but you should also take the opportunity to link to your accounts on Twitter, Foursquare, Gowalla or Brightkite, as appropriate.

•  Click Next Step. You’re now registered and ready to go. Every time you check in with a TopGuest partner, you will earn rewards. You don’t need to take any further action.

There are four types of reward currently available. You need to be individually registered with each of the schemes to receive the points earned via Topguest. Note also that there can be a delay of up to 6 weeks before you receive your reward points. Some of the rewards available include:

»  You will earn 50 Priority Club points every time you check in with a participating hotel. These include Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express

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