Accor Plus Membership Discussion

[dairyfloss]

I notice Accor Plus offering 10% discount on Y and J Qatar flights until March. No use to me as I would never ever fly Qatar but maybe we will see a similar offer with other airlines.

If only Accor had a primary airline partner in the region that they could hook up with for such a promotion............

 

[Dr Bob]

I renewed the other week expecting to drop to Gold as I didn't re-qualify for Platinum in 22 but checking today I have been left a Platinum until 30/9/24. A system error or have I missed something?
Regardless, with the August 20 status nights bonus and the renewal 20 status nights bonus I find myself only 4 nights short of the 60 required so will easily get these before years end and be Platinum until Sept 25.

Checked today and I've dropped back to Gold as of 30/9/23.
As luck would have it I had a 3 night booking for November made in late August and last week needed to extend another night and found it cheaper to cancel original and take a rate on a Superior with Club access that was prepaid but cancelable until 7 days out saving $150.
So will have lounge access and end up Platinum again.

 

[dairyfloss]

I signed up for the Accor Plus Traveller 4K rewards points version in August. Haven't seen the 20 bonus nights yet, but I don't think they are of any value to me anyway. I made and will retain Platinum or higher on points from herein; likely in or around the 10-20 nights p/a range.

Cheers,
Matt.

My missing 20 nights from sign-up promotion (initial sign-up) have showed up on the 6th October, 51 days after joining

 

[kpro]

I was scrutinising the charges for a group dinner today at Atelier by Sofitel Sydney, and I noticed that the Credit Card surcharge was applied to the total amount before discount rather then after it. This is despite the receipt listing the discount before the credit card surcharge.

EG receipt says -

• Food $100
• Food $100
• Drink $20
• Drink $20
• AccorPlus discount -$50
• CC Surcharge (1.4%) $3.36

The surcharge only calculates correctly if I don't take into account the discount. Therefore meaning I've overpaid by a couple of dollars.

Now it's not a lot, so probably not worth contesting it with the restaurant: especially since I'd need to produce a spreadsheet to explain it properly. But still something worth looking out for if you have a large meal.

 

[bits]

I was scrutinising the charges for a group dinner today at Atelier by Sofitel Sydney, and I noticed that the Credit Card surcharge was applied to the total amount before discount rather then after it. This is despite the receipt listing the discount before the credit card surcharge.

EG receipt says -

• Food $100
• Food $100
• Drink $20
• Drink $20
• AccorPlus discount -$50
• CC Surcharge (1.4%) $3.36

The surcharge only calculates correctly if I don't take into account the discount. Therefore meaning I've overpaid by a couple of dollars.

Now it's not a lot, so probably not worth contesting it with the restaurant: especially since I'd need to produce a spreadsheet to explain it properly. But still something worth looking out for if you have a large meal.

It's an annoying practice that I've noticed at various places from time to time.

Be grateful the cc surcharge is only 1.4%. Hilton recently jacked their cc surcharge (same surcharge across all cards) up from 1.5% to 2%. Personally I think that's a rort, cause are they saying their cost of accepting Mastercard/Visa is the same as Amex at 2%. I highly doubt their cost is 2% especially when many smaller businesses are typically charging 1-1.5% for Mastercard/Visa, and 1.5-2% for Amex (and up to 3%). Wonder how long before this comes to the attention of the ACCC, as the flat 2% seems to fall foul of the the ACCC's rules when calculating a surcharge (when a business wants to set the same surcharge for all payment types)

Card surcharges

If a business charges a payment surcharge, it must be able to prove the costs it's based on. If there's no way to pay without a surcharge, the surcharge must be included in the displayed price.

www.accc.gov.au

 

[kpro]

Be grateful the cc surcharge is only 1.4%.

I'm well aware of there being a credit card surcharge in Australia and quite accustomed to it.

The issue is they've applied the surcharge to an amount that is more then what I've paid.
In my example above, the surcharge was calculated on $240. But my out of pocket for this due to the Accor Plus discount is $190. They haven't incurred any card payment fees on the $50 that was covered by my Accor Plus membership, but they've passed it onto me.

 

[oz_mark]

It's an annoying practice that I've noticed at various places from time to time.

Be grateful the cc surcharge is only 1.4%. Hilton recently jacked their cc surcharge (same surcharge across all cards) up from 1.5% to 2%. Personally I think that's a rort, cause are they saying their cost of accepting Mastercard/Visa is the same as Amex at 2%. I highly doubt their cost is 2% especially when many smaller businesses are typically charging 1-1.5% for Mastercard/Visa, and 1.5-2% for Amex (and up to 3%). Wonder how long before this comes to the attention of the ACCC, as the flat 2% seems to fall foul of the the ACCC's rules when calculating a surcharge (when a business wants to set the same surcharge for all payment types)

Card surcharges

If a business charges a payment surcharge, it must be able to prove the costs it's based on. If there's no way to pay without a surcharge, the surcharge must be included in the displayed price.

www.accc.gov.au

It comes to the attention of the ACCC, when someone brings it to their attention.

 

[RealtimeY]

@kpro I also noticed this on my bill at Atelier... but again it's such a small difference in comparison to the discount that I'm willing to forgive it.

 

[N0mad]

I recall previously that if you took out Accor plus it would extend you existing status. Does anyone know with the change to receiving 20 status nights does this still occur?

Won't have enough to retain gold with the 20 nights but have plenty of bookings in the next 12 months so would love to retain another way if possible.

 

[dairyfloss]

I recall previously that if you took out Accor plus it would extend you existing status. Does anyone know with the change to receiving 20 status nights does this still occur?

Won't have enough to retain gold with the 20 nights but have plenty of bookings in the next 12 months so would love to retain another way if possible.

If you were ALL Gold through status nights or status points in either the current or previous calendar year, then they will extend that for your A+ term with joining or renewal of A+. This is the section of the A+ T&Cs that would be of most interest:


Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Lynda2475]

Got one of their calls today reminding me about my unused benefits - awkwardly scripted. Spruiking if I stay 25 more nights before end of the year I can reach next level, not going to happen.

As usual just a lead in to try to get you to give them names for a member for the day, i dont want to burden friends with marketing calls, would only request if had multiple friends/family members travelling with me.

Latest referral offer is "Did you know that if you successfully refer a friend or family to Accor Plus you will receive a wine voucher which you can redeem the next time you dine in one of our participating Accor Restaurants, if you successfully refer 5 friends or family members within a 2 week period you will receive your next renewal free."

Lobbying 5 people to join Accor Plus within 14 days is likely to lose one friends.

 

[dairyfloss]

Got one of their calls today reminding me about my unused benefits - awkwardly scripted. Spruiking if I stay 25 more nights before end of the year I can reach next level, not going to happen.

As usual just a lead in to try to get you to give them names for a member for the day, i dont want to burden friends with marketing calls, would only request if had multiple friends/family members travelling with me.

Latest referral offer is "Did you know that if you successfully refer a friend or family to Accor Plus you will receive a wine voucher which you can redeem the next time you dine in one of our participating Accor Restaurants, if you successfully refer 5 friends or family members within a 2 week period you will receive your next renewal free."

Lobbying 5 people to join Accor Plus within 14 days is likely to lose one friends.

I had my first call pushing me to play their games not long after joining 2 months ago.

I said "No".
They said "Why not?".
I said "Bye".
I blocked their number.

I've got all the benefits I need simply by flashing the card, and I don't expect I'll ever need to talk to them to renew; I'll just do that online.
A+ is the product, but I give their sales team an F.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ive had 3 of these calls over the last 2 years and always a different number, but clearly offshore staff. Whomever writes the scripts assumes you are clueless about what you purchased. Because I gave short answers and then excused myself they followed up with email. Sales targets must be lagging.

WRT dining benefit I only use it when staying at a Accor property and it is a good option. So many great places to eat nearby where i live, I never think to use dining benefit locally, not convinced it is worth extra effort.

 

[N0mad]

If you were ALL Gold through status nights or status points in either the current or previous calendar year, then they will extend that for your A+ term with joining or renewal of A+. This is the section of the A+ T&Cs that would be of most interest:

View attachment 349370
Cheers,
Matt.

thanks for that, very helpful. Looks like i wouldn't be eligible as i'm gold from the QANTAS gift last year.

 

[dairyfloss]

thanks for that, very helpful. Looks like i wouldn't be eligible as i'm gold from the QANTAS gift last year.

Ahhh - yes, likely not then... I believe it does have to have been properly attained to be able to extend it... but you never know your luck!

 

[Dr Bob]

I recall previously that if you took out Accor plus it would extend you existing status. Does anyone know with the change to receiving 20 status nights does this still occur?

Won't have enough to retain gold with the 20 nights but have plenty of bookings in the next 12 months so would love to retain another way if possible.

The way I see it is, with accor plus membership year is for 12 mths from the month of joining and the status year is in a calendar year.
So as example if you join Sept 22 as silver you are silver till Sept 23, if from start of 23 you earn enough status for gold you go to gold as soon as status is reached (might be June) and providing you keep renewing you maintain gold for the next full calendar year (24) and continuing up to end of membership year Sept 25.
I reached Platinum in 20, there was covid extension for 12months so was awarded platinum status for 22 which kept me platinum until renewal date of Sept 23 without earning platinum status in 22 and dropped back to gold in Sept 23.

 

[eric2011]

My missing 20 nights from sign-up promotion (initial sign-up) have showed up on the 6th October, 51 days after joining

Mine just turned up within 24 hours with the 2 suite nights plus it moved me from gold to platinum

 

[dairyfloss]

Anyone happen to know whether the onefinestay properties in ALL earn status points, and at what rate? I can't seem to find anything on this in the tables or calculators, but it does say ALL reward points are earned. Might be some opportunities for me with these in a few places in the next 12-18 months.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[oz_mark]

Anyone happen to know whether the onefinestay properties in ALL earn status points, and at what rate? I can't seem to find anything on this in the tables or calculators, but it does say ALL reward points are earned. Might be some opportunities for me with these in a few places in the next 12-18 months.

Cheers,
Matt.

AFAIK, just Rewards points (at one point per Euro)

 

[dairyfloss]

AFAIK, just Rewards points (at one point per Euro)

Did a little more digging around, and it looks like they do earn status, but at the reduced rate like Peppers, Mantra, etc. So supposedly between 10 & 17.5 reward points per 10 EUR spent, and 10 status points per 10 EUR spent. Not what I was hoping for, but certainly better than nothing!

Accor ALL Onefinestay Earning & Redeeming Rates

Accor has now released ALL earning and redeeming rates for Onefinestay-brand that becomes participating on November 4, 2020.

loyaltylobby.com

Cheers,
Matt.