Accor - Platinum Benefits?

[MartinMemo]

My sisters were no status at the Swanston Grand Mercure Melbourne not long ago - they have very specific dietary requirements due to their health and fitness regime and the room service menu had just changed from the full menu to the up late menu (just pizzas basically). I called the hotel ask advised of the problem, said they were my sisters and I was platinum. The duty manager went to the subway (closed) and anywhere else she could think of, before she went down to the supermarket herself and made something for them to eat before delivering it to them personally. She also refused to charge us for the coat or the service. One of the greatest most personal experiences I've ever come across; especially considering they were not even classic and I wasn't staying there.

 

[Deleted member 9370]

As a platinum member has anyone been successful in altering the booking dates on a reservation where the policy states no amendments are permitted? I'm wondering if contacting the hotel directly is an option to avoid loosing the prepayment. Thanks in advance.

I have had success in changing a pre-paid date by emailing the Hotel (Novotel Canberra, Sofitel Melbourne & Sofitel Brisbane) directly. Had to pay a small price increase ($18) on one occasion.

 

[puppysparkes]

I have had success in changing a pre-paid date by emailing the Hotel (Novotel Canberra, Sofitel Melbourne & Sofitel Brisbane) directly. Had to pay a small price increase ($18) on one occasion.

Thanks for your info. I called the Saigon Sofitel and made a verbal request yesterday. Had some difficulty communicating my request so I think I'll email them also. The staff member tried speaking in French with me, then I was told reservations was closed at 4pm local time.

As for platinum benefits, my partner and I were treated like royalty at the Nha Trang Novatel. Upgraded to a superior room on the 17th floor, welcome drinks and card from the GM, fruit platter and early check in at 9am. The duty manager had a small birthday cake delivered to my room free of charge. Through conversation he knew we were booked in to the Da Nang Novatel also. The typoon was due to hit Da Nang in 2 days. Post typhoon he called Da Nang Novatel and confirmed that although the clean up in the city was underway, it was safe to head up. We've already decided to stay there again soon and rate it as the best stay I've had with the Accor group.

As for Da Nang Novatel, as there aren't many guests here the shuttle bus is basically our personal taxi service. It arrives within 5mins of advising of your destination. That aside not much recognition aside from the some of the stated benefits. Welcome letter and 3 pieces of fruit. I had to request late check out. The exec lounge is great with excellent views and service. However, you do get the impression from staff that more than 3 drinks and it's time to leave.

We're off to the Hanoi Sofitel today and the Saigon Sofitel on the 29th so I'll update the thread again with results.

 

[puppysparkes]

Today at Hanoi Sofitel we were escorted to L17 executive club room for check in and given a full briefing of platinum benefits and welcome drinks. Unfortunately we were unable to secure 2 nights in a row. We received an apology as they couldn't offer a second night or an upgrade. Hand written letter from the GM, chocolates, fruit platter and late check out will do just fine. I really need to brush up on my French though.

Edit: We we're upgraded to L17 club level. The staff have been fantastic and located a room for us over at the Pullman.

 

[puppysparkes]

Pullman Hanoi today, card holder welcome gift, welcome drinks and upgraded to an executive suite. No complaints at all.

 

[Pablo]

Pullman Brisbane King George Square right now - upgrade to next room class, complimentary executive lounge, bottle of wine in room, welcome drink in bar, and a personalized welcome from one of the managers. I stayed here earlier in the year and was very disappointed - they are making up for lost time.

biggest regret is I have to drive to a dinner meeting in 30 mins so can't make the most of the lounge.

 

[carwashhair]

Pullman Brisbane King George Square right now - upgrade to next room class, complimentary executive lounge, bottle of wine in room, welcome drink in bar, and a personalized welcome from one of the managers. I stayed here earlier in the year and was very disappointed - they are making up for lost time.

Sounds promising! Can I inquire whether you booked direct with the hotel, or advised Pullman of your status at a later date/on check-in?

 

[MartinMemo]

Pullman Brisbane King George Square right now - upgrade to next room class, complimentary executive lounge, bottle of wine in room, welcome drink in bar, and a personalized welcome from one of the managers. I stayed here earlier in the year and was very disappointed - they are making up for lost time.

biggest regret is I have to drive to a dinner meeting in 30 mins so can't make the most of the lounge.

Exciting - ill be here a few times from next friday. They were decent in hyde park a few weeks ago, but all these status benefits changes are looking really good for all brands.

 

[Pablo]

Sounds promising! Can I inquire whether you booked direct with the hotel, or advised Pullman of your status at a later date/on check-in?

I just booked on accorhotels.com and that's it. I wanted to see what would happen - I was prepared to ask for benefits exp after ZERO benefits in NZ 2 weeks ago at 3 different properties.

When in I was checking in the girl looked at the duty manager and made some comment and they said yes, and it was all done. So good. Makes you want to come back.

 

[Ricardo]

I just booked on accorhotels.com and that's it. I wanted to see what would happen - I was prepared to ask for benefits exp after ZERO benefits in NZ 2 weeks ago at 3 different properties.

When in I was checking in the girl looked at the duty manager and made some comment and they said yes, and it was all done. So good. Makes you want to come back.

Got a stay at Pullman Auckland in a couple of weeks for 3 nights. Emailed hotel direct to check on Plat benefits. Reservations supervisor responded with new benefits as per Accor Le Club website, including exec lounge, so I have it in an email.

Also got two stays in Jan at Pullman Brisbane (for cricket), so will adpot the same process.

Seems Accor is trying to upscale it's loyalty program which is good, the sale is also good, got rooms at Pullman Bris for around $100.

 

[MartinMemo]

Im at Pullman Brisbane next weekend, and again a few weeks after that... I am interested to see the differences between Plat & Gold. I have booked next week on my Gold Le Club and will change the one a few weeks later to compare what the main benefits are. I am told it is only the exec lounge (which they have been kind enough to give me anyway) and that Gold you get late or early check out/in where as plat can have both.

 

[k3nnis]

Have you guys used the guaranteed room availability for being a plat? Will they open up on discounted rooms?

 

[MartinMemo]

Have you guys used the guaranteed room availability for being a plat? Will they open up on discounted rooms?

Im not even sure that that benefit is to be honest. Is it for last min bookings? As I typically book months in advance.

 

[k3nnis]

I looked here and it says: guaranteed room availability before arrival (up to 2 days) for plat. Unless I am reading it wrong..

The various status levels in the Le Club Accorhotels loyalty program and their privileges

 

[markis10]

I looked here and it says: guaranteed room availability before arrival (up to 2 days) for plat. Unless I am reading it wrong..

The various status levels in the Le Club Accorhotels loyalty program and their privileges

If they open a room it's at rack rate, never discounted, and there are exclusions, ie Sofitel Wentworth



30-Dec-12 - 31-Dec-12 NEW YEARS EVE
02-Mar-13 - 02-Mar-13 MARDI GRAS
14-Jun-13 - 15-Jun-13 BRITISH LIONS RUGBY TOUR
05-Jul-13 - 06-Jul-13 BRITISH LIONS RUGBY TOUR
10-Aug-13 - 10-Aug-13 CITY WIDE MARATHON
14-Sep-13 - 14-Sep-13 CITY WIDE MARATHON
06-Oct-13 - 06-Oct-13 NRL GRAND FINAL
31-Dec-13 - 31-Dec-13 NEW YEARS EVE

 

[MartinMemo]

If they open a room it's at rack rate, never discounted, and there are exclusions, ie Sofitel Wentworth



30-Dec-12 - 31-Dec-12 NEW YEARS EVE
02-Mar-13 - 02-Mar-13 MARDI GRAS
14-Jun-13 - 15-Jun-13 BRITISH LIONS RUGBY TOUR
05-Jul-13 - 06-Jul-13 BRITISH LIONS RUGBY TOUR
10-Aug-13 - 10-Aug-13 CITY WIDE MARATHON
14-Sep-13 - 14-Sep-13 CITY WIDE MARATHON
06-Oct-13 - 06-Oct-13 NRL GRAND FINAL
31-Dec-13 - 31-Dec-13 NEW YEARS EVE

So if the hotel is booked out, as a platinum you can request a room and they give you one?

 

[markis10]

So if the hotel is booked out, as a platinum you can request a room and they give you one?

yes, even as a gold, so long as the dates are not blackouts.

 

[MartinMemo]

yes, even as a gold, so long as the dates are not blackouts.

Wow! I wish I knew about this earlier!

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. I guess it's not too bad if we are desperate even at rack rates.

 

[MartinMemo]

Thanks. I guess it's not too bad if we are desperate even at rack rates.

I wonder if they would open it at their Global Master corporate contracted rates... Might be worth a phone call to ask.