Ambassador Cert. Vs. PP 2 for 1 voucher

[Rick93]

Which scheme offers the best rate?

Here's my brief observation ...

I logged onto Ambassador Weekend page, and entered to Stay at Wellington NZ from 28 /12 /12 - 01 /01 /13 ( four nights ).

Cheapest room is 'standard' queen @ $NZ249. a night. The presumption is, that only the one AMB cert. is required for the four night stay. That means, that two nights will be @ $NZ249. or $NZ498. for the four nights. ( about $AU392. at today's exchange )

When logging into PP, and selecting the same stay, and again assuming that only one PP '2 for 1' voucher is required, the cost comes up as $NZ114.50 a night !!

That's $NZ114.50 a night = $NZ458. ( about $AU360. )

No difference in being either RA / AMB / Plat. / or nothing at IC ( as the PP rates don't factor in any IC / IHG status.

So, where's the value in the AMB Weekend Cert. ?? Looks like it's a better deal to 'somehow' sell / trade / barter them off for additional PP '2 for 1' vouchers. ( ??? ) At least they can be used any day, and not just the weekend restrictions ...

 

[markis10]

The Amb cert is only good for one night, and unlike the PP rate is not limited in availability at each hotel.

 

[oz_mark]

In addition to the AMB weekend certificate being only good for one weekend night, the price given is always for the two nights. The price of the second night gets removed when you check-in and hand over the voucher.

Depending on hotel, you may also only get the full Ambassador benefits on an Ambassador free night. Some hotels may water down your benefits a bit if you are on a PP stay.

 

[Rick93]

That may be, but if your selection ( on PP booking webpage ) says your selection is available ( same as on AMB Weekend Rate page ), then that's what I'm looking at.

When I checked up on AMB Weekend Rate, you can't can't tell if the one Cert. will cover four nights, but you can see, that PP will cover four nights with just the one PP '2 for 1' voucher.

 

[markis10]

That may be, but if your selection ( on PP booking webpage ) says your selection is available ( same as on AMB Weekend Rate page ), then that's what I'm looking at.

When I checked up on AMB Weekend Rate, you can't can't tell if the one Cert. will cover four nights, but you can see, that PP will cover four nights with just the one PP '2 for 1' voucher.

You need to read the terms and conditions associated with each voucher, both only cover one night free. While you can book four nights, the system is figuring you having both vouchers, you cannot book 6 for instance.

 

[oz_mark]

That may be, but if your selection ( on PP booking webpage ) says your selection is available ( same as on AMB Weekend Rate page ), then that's what I'm looking at.

When I checked up on AMB Weekend Rate, you can't can't tell if the one Cert. will cover four nights, but you can see, that PP will cover four nights with just the one PP '2 for 1' voucher.

One AMB certificate may cover four nights, but you would only get one night as 'complimentary'.

 

[Rick93]

Then that strengthens the argument in favour of PP vouchers ...

But if the PP booking website SAYS your rate is $xx_ PER NIGHT, on a four night booking, then why isn't that going to be the actual price?

Hasn't there been lots of talk about 'contract' on this and the other forums? If I print out the booking page, that told me my AVERAGE nightly rate ( over four nights as an Eg. ) was going to be $xx_. PER NIGHT ... isn't that a contract ??

 

[markis10]

Then that strengthens the argument in favour of PP vouchers ...

But if the PP booking website SAYS your rate is $xx_ PER NIGHT, on a four night booking, then why isn't that going to be the actual price?

Hasn't there been lots of talk about 'contract' on this and the other forums? If I print out the booking page, that told me my AVERAGE nightly rate ( over four nights as an Eg. ) was going to be $xx_. PER NIGHT ... isn't that a contract ??

The contract also says in the rate rules (certificate(s)) required. PP also require 7 days notice, AMB none, and if you look carefully most IHG hotels reduce rates in the last week if inventory is unsold. A PP or AMB cert would have meant a booking at $550 in the last threes weeks for this weekend in Sydney, now you can book using the AMB cert for $300 for the two nights , and claim the rebate from MrRebates.

 

[Rick93]

Then that must mean, that Wellington IC doesn't sell well on NYE ! ( as the example was based )

Thanks for your perspective.

 

[markis10]

Then that must mean, that Wellington IC doesn't sell well on NYE ! ( as the example was based )

Thanks for your perspective.

About the only local IC that does is Sydney and possibly Sanctuary Cove, I am at one for a week over Xmas and the rates are very cheap.

 

[Rick93]

If anybody is interested, there's a few of the AMB cert.s going on that 'four-lettered' auction website.

 

[Verde]

The Amb cert is only good for one night, and unlike the PP rate is not limited in availability at each hotel.

This was the big Amb benefit to me last year. I couldn't actually book any PP BOGO nights at the IC Fiji (and I tested about 2 weeks on either side of when I was actually going to be there to just see if it was a freak event on my days, but it seemed like it was useless for about a whole month), yet I could use my Amb BOGO without any trouble at all.

The real advantage of PP BOGOs is you can use them at CP etc properties (and during the week), plus the keep the cert specials etc. Since I've cut back on my domestic travel (and enjoying the Virgin Hilton status match) I dropped PP (and their telemarketing annoys me), but otherwise it is the way to go for several local stays.

 

[Rick93]

Has anybody got a URL link for the Christmas PP offer, of a $269. Membership + a bottle-of-wine voucher, when a current Member signs up a new member ??

I called PP, and they won't do the $269. offer with going through the correct webpage !!

 

[Rick93]

I've received the assistance I was looking for.
Thanks to person concerned.

 

[Rick93]

Made a booking at Sydney IC for 'a few months time', using a PP 2-for-1 voucher. Booked 'basic' room ( as an RA ), via the PP website. ( also asked for 08:00 hrs. check in )

Within 24 hrs. IC Sydney modified booking to 'City Side Club'.

I'm certainly happy with that ...

 

[Rick93]

Can IC check in staff make 'on-the-spot' offers to take AMB Weekend vouchers + PP BOGOs in any manner they wish ??

Just had an experience, where I was able to 'trade' vouchers for various nights ...

 

[markis10]

The hotel does not get compensated for them so I suppose the answer is yes.

 

[Rick93]

Hope it's OK to ask this question here ...

RAs not getting renewed. Apparently get a 'soft landing' ( term from FT ? ) to AMB / Plat. AMB. and, the member 'may' not need to pay the renewal fee of $150.

So, if one is going from RA to Plat. AMB. and does not need to pay the renewal fee, will there be a Weekend AMB. voucher + a 5,000 point voucher issued ??

Thanks for any responses ...

 

[markis10]

Hope it's OK to ask this question here ...

RAs not getting renewed. Apparently get a 'soft landing' ( term from FT ? ) to AMB / Plat. AMB. and, the member 'may' not need to pay the renewal fee of $150.

So, if one is going from RA to Plat. AMB. and does not need to pay the renewal fee, will there be a Weekend AMB. voucher + a 5,000 point voucher issued ??

Thanks for any responses ...

A RA not being renewed gets complimentary Amb with all the trimmings, I more often than not get both packs as the initial sweep three months showed not enough nights, they send a pack, then I get over the line in the last month. This process has changed now where the sweep is being done in the last month. I have never paid for Ambassador, having got it for free for staying three nights a few years ago.

 

[Cyberon]

btw, does anyone know whether the Ambassador weekend cert works for suites? The T&C on the back of the card seemed to infer suites weren't included, but for the Melbourne Rialto, the suites are listed there for booking under the AMB link.