Accor Plus / Platinum, seeking advice

[RooFlyer]

I usually boast that I do not chase status with hotels - I just stay at what's convenient/right price point. I used to have Accor Plat (via Status Match), but didn't pursue it when they last stuffed around with earning/status stuff.

However, with the current Accor Fast Track offer with QF, and the fact that I have quite a few bookings in Europe this Christmas (made under the criteria above), I'm looking again at Accor Platinum and Accor Plus. TL;DR for Accor/Qantas - your promo may have worked!

I'm currently Silver and will get to Gold in October via the Fast Track. The promo will give me nights to a total of 30.

Looking at Accor Plus, it says:

Automatically qualify for Elite status in ALL – Accor Live Limitless, Accor’s global lifestyle loyalty programme, and enjoy a bonus of 20 Status Nights for quicker access to the next status level or to retain your current status for longer.

So if I join before or after the fast track, I'll have 50 nights by November. I have 12 more nights booked up in early December (all flexible bookings). So I will get to Plat just before the end of the year, with 2 nights booked after that.

So, questions

* Is my understanding of Accor Plus correct - the 20 nights is given with even the entry level of 'Traveller' (A$300) ?

* Do promised Plat benefits usually materialise? Upgrades, lounge ... I recall many benefits not being awarded by various hotels when I had Plat previously.

* Someone said in another thread that Plat is the only status level worth having - what makes it so?

* Any other short cuts to Platinum? (I'm retired so can't do credit cards, unfortunately )


I don't travel much in Asia outside Australia and when I do, Accor never comes into consideration - my main use of Accor Plus would be the bonus nights, and an occasional dining etc credit in Oz.

I am going back to France and Germany in 2025 and will very likely have 5-10 Accor nights then. Usually Mercure/Novotel level.

What are Accor experienced hands thoughts on the above? Is it worth joining Accor Plus Traveller ($300) to get to Plat at the end of this year? Is Plat in Accor really worth while? Thanks for sticking with me

 

[Captain Halliday]

* Is my understanding of Accor Plus correct - the 20 nights is given with even the entry level of 'Traveller' (A$300) ?

Yes.

* Do promised Plat benefits usually materialise? Upgrades, lounge ... I recall many benefits not being awarded by various hotels when I had Plat previously.

Generally, yes.

Like any program, there are outlier hotels that make up their own rules (Looking at you Sofitel Manila).

* Someone said in another thread that Plat is the only status level worth having - what makes it so?

The main benefits for me are:

• Free breakfast (APAC) which generally equals a cash saving.
• Lounge access where available.
• Better strike rate on upgrades, though it’s never guaranteed of course.
• Welcome gift varies by brand, but I have found it to be slightly better as a Plat than when I was gold.

* Any other short cuts to Platinum?

Marry an existing Platinum.

 

[harryhv]

Accor's Gold & Plat status is limited by a sort of glass ceiling, hotels don't want to be seen handing out benefits for free when they're trying to sell a package of similar benefits as Accor-Plus membership. Also, there's a maze of small print associated with the Platinum benefits at different hotels which means you'll mostly get nothing, and if you try to call Accor's loyalty line to complain no-one will answer the phone.

But the properties are nice and if you pleasantly remind them to look for an upgrade you may be lucky, or maybe they'll put a welcome gift/bottle of $5 wine in your room

 

[RooFlyer]

Also, there's a maze of small print associated with the Platinum benefits at different hotels which means you'll mostly get nothing, and if you try to call Accor's loyalty line to complain no-one will answer the phone.

Yes, that was exactly my experience when I was last Plat with Accor. Or rather, they will answer the phone and by the end of the call you'll realise you've just wasted 20 minutes or so.

Its a bloody shame - I do like their properties, graded such that you know pretty well what to expect and usually competitively priced for the given location. And in France especially (where I'll be a couple of times in the coming year), hard to beat for location.

 

[jase05]

Is my understanding of Accor Plus correct - the 20 nights is given with even the entry level of 'Traveller' (A$300) ?

Yes

Do promised Plat benefits usually materialise? Upgrades, lounge ... I recall many benefits not being awarded by various hotels when I had Plat previously.

Yes, although I find upgrades to be stingier in Europe. In Asia you are treated far better with status IMO.
In Europe you will also tend to find not as many high end properties and hence no lounge.
Free breakfast is only a benefit in APAC region. In Europe you only get free breakfast if the property has a EL

Someone said in another thread that Plat is the only status level worth having - what makes it so?

Diamond is obviously better but as that’s not an option then Platinum is really all you need. I really don’t think Gold is worth it.

 

[RooFlyer]

I really don’t think Gold is worth it.

Thanks. At the moment I tootle along with Silver - I'll take gold since they are going to give it to me

 

[jase05]

Thanks. At the moment I tootle along with Silver - I'll take gold since they are going to give it to me

I was meaning more from a benefits perspective. You will get a few benefits and Accor can be hit or miss but Platinum is the first level where the benefits really kick in with EL access and Free breakfasts daily in APAC region.

 

[elanshin]

Yes

Yes, although I find upgrades to be stingier in Europe. In Asia you are treated far better with status IMO.
In Europe you will also tend to find not as many high end properties and hence no lounge.
Free breakfast is only a benefit in APAC region. In Europe you only get free breakfast if the property has a EL

Diamond is obviously better but as that’s not an option then Platinum is really all you need. I really don’t think Gold is worth it.

Given all the promos hitting gold is really easy which i suspect is their goal to keep you on their loyalty. You really don't have to try at all between this promo and A+.

Even gold status is often recognised in Asia (i suspect there's less direct booking through ALL as well as just overall less status members in Asia than Aus especially with the QFF partnership).

Plat benefits are decent and for the most part I usually get them. A+ deals are probably some of the better money savers around along with dining benefits in APAC. Red hot can save you heaps if you have flex bookings that you change out closer to the date.

 

[Daver6]

Going from silver to gold is very underwhelming. My experience as platinum has been fairly decent. To be fair, most hotels mess about with upgrades when they have half a different categories for the same room. Base room, same room higher floor, same room with slippers and a nespresso machine etc. So while I've got some room upgrades, they've generally been the same room really.

I quite like the Sofitel lounges and the breakfasts they have. Generally they'll have an ala carte menu as well.

If you're considering paying for A+, it might be worth considering the Amex Platinum charge card if you can make use of the other benefits.

If you're going to join soon.....ahem....ping me

 

[baggyred]

Don't have experience in Europe to share - but in Oz and Asia - generally find platinum is well recognised with upgrades .

For upgrades, On a recent trip of 5 hotels in oz - 3 upgrades (2 to suites), 1 strong apology as they were sold out and one no upgrade (or perhaps an upgrade to a higher floor)

Asia tends to recognise as well.

The free breakfast and access to lounge is a great benefit and I have found the early check in and late check out to be swayed by status .

 

[samh004]

Don't have experience in Europe to share - but in Oz and Asia - generally find platinum is well recognised with upgrades .

Do you generally find you have to ask at check-in, or is it proactively offered?

 

[jase05]

Do you generally find you have to ask at check-in, or is it proactively offered?

When I was last a Plat which was a while back i found most properties proactively upgraded you and inform you when you arrived.
As a Diamond an upgrade is pretty much a given but I will still ask for something better if I want to try my luck. Many properties in the ME especially will email me before arrival and let us know of upgrade but not sure if they do that for Plats or not

 

[baggyred]

Do you generally find you have to ask at check-in, or is it proactively offered?

I don't ask - i'm usually travelling for business - so to be honest - it doesn't usually bother me.

When i travel for leisure, I do usually try and find the sweet spot when booking rooms so that the next category up is what i want