The Accor+ Explorer program was recently revamped, introducing several changes to its benefits and structure. As with most loyalty programs, conditions and exceptions apply, and timing plays an important role. The real question remains straightforward: should you buy an Accor+ Explorer membership, and if so, when is the right time to do it?
Accor+ Explorer Snapshot
Accor+ Explorer comes with a 12-month validity and includes the following benefits:
- Accor Gold status via 30 elite night credits, with the potential to reach higher tiers based on stays
- 15% off eligible public or member rates across 4,500+ Accor hotels worldwide
- Two Stay Plus nights annually, usable across participating Asia-Pacific properties
- Access to Red Hot Rooms, featuring limited-time discounted rates
- Dining benefits of up to 30% off food and 15% off drinks across Asia-Pacific
- Exclusive member experiences, partner offers, and More Escapes deals
Even with these benefits, the decision to buy Accor+ Explorer depends on how and when you plan to use it. The sections below break down when it makes sense to purchase and when it does not.
Quick Verdict: Should You Buy Accor+ Explorer?
Skip Accor+ Explorer if you stay at Accor hotels infrequently, mostly book through OTAs, or are considering it only for elite status without concrete stay plans.
Buy Accor+ Explorer if you have multiple Accor stays planned in the next 6–12 months, can realistically use at least one Stay Plus night, or are close to reaching Gold or Platinum status.
If you are still undecided, the sections below break this down in more detail.
Why you should not buy Accor+ Explorer
Let’s start with scenarios where an Accor+ Explorer membership usually does not make sense.
Limited Stays in Asia-Pacific & Europe
Accor has a strong footprint across Asia-Pacific and Europe, with a growing presence in the Americas. However, if you occasionally stay at Accor hotels, Accor+ Explorer is unlikely to deliver significant value. Infrequent stays rarely justify such memberships.
Stay at Ibis Hotels
If most of your stays are at Ibis properties, Accor+ Explorer may not be the best option. Accor offers a separate, lower-priced membership tailored specifically for Ibis, typically costing about half as much and still providing a 15% discount on Ibis hotels. In such cases, Accor+ Explorer offers a limited incremental benefit.
No Upcoming Accor Stays in the Next 6–9 Months
If you don’t have any stays planned at Accor in the next 6 to 9 months, you can leave buying Accor+ Explorer and buy it when it makes sense. Since Accor+ Explorer has a 12-month validity period, you will use 6 to 9 months of membership without using it.
Chasing Status Without Stay Plans
Accor+ Explorer includes 30 elite night credits, which can unlock Accor Gold status. While this sounds attractive, status alone has limited value without actual stays. If you do not have concrete plans to stay at Accor hotels, the elite night credits will not translate into meaningful benefits.
Buying Accor+ Explorer Only for Stay Plus
Some travellers consider Accor+ Explorer purely for the Stay Plus benefit. This can work when used strategically, but Stay Plus has limitations, including blackout dates and availability restrictions. At the same time, this benefit is limited to the Asia-Pacific.
Stay Plus should be viewed as an added benefit rather than the sole reason to purchase the membership. Understanding how Stay Plus works in practice is essential before relying on it as the primary value driver.
Booking Mostly Through OTAs
If you book your stays primarily through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), then the Accor+ Explorer doesn’t make sense, as you will not be able to use any benefits other than the dining benefit.
Why you should buy Accor+ Explorer
If you are considering buying Accor+ Explorer, here are the reasons why purchasing Accor+ Explorer makes sense:
Year-Round Stays at Accor
If you already stay at Accor hotels multiple times a year in Europe & Asia-Pacific, an Accor+ Explorer membership works well. Even though the benefits are more Asia-Pacific centric, a 15% stay discount applies worldwide, and you can save more on paid stays in its most significant presence in Europe. At the same time, the Accor+ Explorer membership is expensive, and you need multiple stays to recoup the cost.
Accor also has the ALL PLUS Voyageur Card, which is 10% cheaper but comes with 20 Elite nights, a 15% stay discount, and three additional brands, making it a good membership to have if you have moderate stays at Accor.
Asia-Pacific Traveller
Asia-Pacific travellers who frequently stay at Accor properties are more likely to get meaningful value from an Accor+ Explorer membership.
Longer Upcoming Accor Stays
If you have more extended upcoming stays at Accor, it makes sense to buy Accor+ Explorer, as you save with discount stays and with Accor Gold, which you get with 30 Elite Night credits, you get a host of other benefits like late check-out/check-in and better room upgrades.
Stays Funded with Accor Points
Accor values every 2,000 points at €40 (2.34¢ per point). While Accor+ Explorer does not directly increase the value of Accor points, the 15% stay discount reduces the cash component of a booking. As a result, when using Accor points to fund all or part of a stay, fewer points is required due to the lower discounted rate.
Platinum Status Within Reach
If you have 30 or more nights in a calendar year, buying Accor+ Explorer will get you 30 elite night credits, upgrading your status to Platinum, which comes with a host of benefits, like lounge access, breakfast in Asia Pacific, and two suite night credits.
Understands How Stay Plus Works
Earlier, I said don’t buy Accor+ Explorer for stays plus. It’s still right, but if you know how Stay Plus works, you can get more value out of your membership. For more, this is not my primary driver for buying Accor+ explorer, but it’s a benefit that can deliver significant value if used properly.
Timing It Right
If you decide to buy Accor+ Explorer, timing it strategically can help you extract significantly more value from the membership. Three timings generally make the most sense.:
- Platinum status within reach:
- If you are around 30 nights short of Accor Platinum status, buying Accor+ Explorer can bridge the gap. The membership includes 30 elite night credits, which can help you reach Platinum status, which is then valid until the end of the following year. If you are short of new nights, consider taking an Accor China membership.
- Two years of Gold status:
- January is often a good time to start an Accor+ Explorer membership if your target is Gold status. Buying early in the calendar year allows you to enjoy Accor Gold benefits for almost two full years. However, Accor+ Explorer membership is valid for 12 months.
- Buying during promotion:
- Accor periodically runs bonus points promotions on Accor+ Explorer memberships. During such periods, new members may receive bonus ALL Reward points, which effectively lowers the net cost of the membership.
- For example, current promotions offer 2000 bonus points (worth €40/$46) on new Accor+ Explorer purchases, improving the overall value proposition.
- Extended Stays or Significant Travel Next 3 to 6 Months:
- If you have a longer Accor stay coming up, buying Accor+ Explorer shortly before that stay can improve the overall value. The 15% stay discount applies across all eligible nights, and benefits such as Gold status can enhance the experience during extended stays.
Accor+ Explorer Membership Pricing by Country
Accor is offering 2000 bonus points on buying a new Accor+ Explorer membership by 31st December 2025:
| Country | Pricing | Currency | Country Specific Link |
| Australia | 349 | AUD | (Link) |
| Fiji | 229 | USD | (Link) |
| Hong Kong | 1788 | HKD | (Link) |
| India | 19,499 | INR | (Link) |
| Indonesia | 3,599,000 | IDR | (Link) |
| South Korea | 229 | USD | (Link) |
| Malaysia | 949 | MYR | (Link) |
| New Zealand | 379 | NZD | (Link) |
| Philippines | 12,499 | PHP | (Link) |
| Singapore | 299 | SGD | (Link) |
| Thailand | 7299 | THB | (Link) |
| Vietnam | 5,899,000 | VND | (Link) |
Bottomline
Accor+ Explorer offers several benefits, but it is not a one-size-fits-all membership. The value you get from this membership on how often you stay at Accor hotels, where you travel, and whether you can use benefits such as the stay discount and Stay Plus effectively. For the right traveller, buying Accor+ Explorer and timing it well can deliver significant value. For others, skipping it entirely is the better decision.
