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I've frontloaded enough bookings to retain Gold for another year. After that we'll see. Was Platinum for close to a decade but that seems fairly unachievable with these new requirements, unless I win the lottery, and if that happens I probably won't care about airline status any more :D

I’m fairly sure it was Sprite, should be happy it wasn’t the generic brand I guess!

This was my experience as well (Mercure Warragul seems to have the same policy). Even if two guests are on the booking it's just the one can. I suppose they are expected to share.

Will wait and see how far I end up from LTG but in my view the bigger issue is that it will cost ~$4800 to simply retain Gold status. It's hard to see the value there. For self-funded/leisure flyers it's probably cheaper to just buy a J seat or lounge access when you need it and at that point...

From what I’ve observed the answer is generally no.

I’m going to gamble on these wet lease flights to DOH and book a trip later in the year. Ideally I want a multi-city arrangement in and out of two separate ports in Europe. I need to book with VA direct so the SCs count towards my “on VA” status for 2026. Anyone able to share experiences having...

We visited a few months after opening, the bartender was more than happy to let us use the voucher for coughtails! Definitely my best value welcome drink to date :)

Thanks all for responses on Platinum benefits. Sounds like I’m best to rebook where possible and send some emails where not. The Accor app is now showing “breakfast included” for most rates when I search (where it didn’t when I was Gold) but weirdly not for all. I assume this is another app quirk…

A single night stay on 30/12 has tipped me over to Platinum for 2025, however I’m unable to find out whether the status benefits (specifically included breakfast) apply to bookings made while I was still Gold. Logic suggests they should but does anyone have a definitive answer?

Bacon and eggs socks at Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport, a pleasant surprise.

Good pickup, this does make things more difficult. Suspect I'll probably manage to retain gold under the new rules but platinum will be unworkable.

If I can book a VA codeshare at the same price and just as easily as booking directly with the partner then this is not a problem. Unfortunately their website isn't up to scratch yet, especially when it comes to PE and multi-city fares.

It's definitely possible to come out ahead on partner bookings under the new system - MEL-LAX on UA for example, today a return Y airfare on UA would earn 90 SCs, an average ($1500?) airfare earns 125 with the new rules. J is an even bigger difference, today that same flight gets 320 SCs, in...

This may be my problem - I replaced an existing booking with this one. Will remember to cancel the old booking first in future.

50% status earn on VA is a big ask when their network doesn't extend further than Bali at the moment. I don't mind booking codeshares but the current VA booking engine usually throws up much worse options than booking direct with UA, SQ etc, and there's limited ability to book PE and multi-city...

A bit of an odd one tonight, no welcome drink vouchers showing in the app. Front desk agreed I should be eligible because gold but couldn’t do anything apart from suggest I’d somehow booked a rate that didn’t entitle me to the benefit? It’s a “members app offer” rate and the voucher worked at...

Property: Mercure Warragul Status: Accor Plus Gold Room booked: Superior King Room upgraded/type: No Upgrade Rate: Accor Plus flexi Free internet: Yes Free Breakfast: No Early check in/late out: Not requested Welcome drink: Sort of Welcome gift: Yes? Standard Mercure regional hotel, room modern...

Property: Ibis Melbourne Central Status: Accor Plus Gold Room Rate: Red Hot Room Room booked: Superior Queen Room upgraded/type: No Early check in/late out: Not required Welcome drink: Yes, two vouchers via the app, redeemed at Pretty Boy restaurant Welcome gift: Block of chocolate Single night...

This is a new one, Accor app suggested a recent stay would earn 100-odd status points and 600 reward points, instead I got 57/187. Was not a huge spend (mostly paid for using points) but I've never seen a discrepancy like this before. Points calculator suggests the app was roughly correct, tried...

Whoops, corrected. I am Accor Gold.